All About Whistler

Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains less than two hours from Vancouver, British Columbia, Whistler is Canada's premier year-round destination and Host Mountain Resort for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Distinguished by impressive twin mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, and surrounded by forested valleys, rivers and lakes, the resort offers countless outdoor adventures. Skiing and snowboarding are the biggest draw, but golf, mountain biking, and a long list of other winter and summer activities bring people here, and bring them back again and again.

The mountains blend seamlessly with Whistler Village, a vibrant town centre with every amenity for the traveller: diverse accommodations, local and international cuisine, shops, arts and cultural centres, wellness spas and entertainment venues. Much of the village is pedestrian-only.

Whistler is consistently rated one of the world's top year-round destination resorts, and has received international recognition for its visionary and innovative work as a sustainable community.

Community

Whistler has always been so much more than a world-class travel destination. While millions visit every year and know it as an alpine vacation resort, Whistler is also home to a thriving community of professionals, artists, athletes, families, and groups. Residents and community groups share a strong sense of community and a passion for the environment, and work hard to create a welcoming alpine culture. Many locals were once visitors from around the world themselves or a member of the resort's transient workforce who became enamoured of Whistler's laid-back lifestyle and stayed far longer than originally expected. More than a few Whistler locals will summarize how they came to live here as: "I came here for a season, and I never left."

Whistler's success, its accolades and the directions it has taken are a result of the people who fell in love with the area and decided to remain, and the groups who have dedicated themselves to building a town and a community - as well as a destination. Their stories are where you'll discover the real heart of Whistler.

Things you should know about Whistler:

Huge vertical: Whistler Blackcomb has a mile of vertical.

Most terrain: 8,171 acres (3,0 hectares) of skiable terrain – the most in North America.

Longest season: Canada's longest ski season runs from November through May.

Ski to the village: Whistler Blackcomb's runs reach right to the edges of Whistler's pedestrian village.

Golfing paradise: Canada's top mountain golf destination, with four championship golf courses designed by legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Robert Cupp.

Summer fun: More than 40 summer activities let visitors enjoy the mountains, valleys, waterways and village. Activities range from glacier hiking to white water rafting, and heli-biking to horse riding.

Water wonderland: Five sparkling lakes and numerous rivers for a multitude of water activities.

Shopper's delight: 200+ retail shops ranging from chic brands to unique local finds – plus everything you need for your Whistler adventures.

Endless après: More than 30 bars, pubs, lounges and nightclubs.

Foodie's paradise: More than 200 restaurants ranging from local to international fare and featuring award-winning chefs.

Accommodation options: Whistler boasts more than 10,000 bedrooms - ranging from hotels to condominiums, townhomes, bed & breakfasts and chalets.

Lots of lifts: 32 lifts including advanced high-speed systems and the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the longest unsupported span (3.3km) for a lift of this kind in the world, connecting the two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb.

Tons of trails: Hundreds of hiking and cross-country skiing trails throughout the Whistler valley.

Best biking: Hundreds of kilometres of cross-country and paved trails for all levels of riders, plus the lift-serviced Whistler Mountain Bike Park – widely regarded as the best bike park in the world.

Winter playground: Abundant snow (on average 35.5 feet annually) and countless winter activities both on and off the slopes.

Wellness: More than 20 spas, salons and therapeutic treatment services to relax and rejuvenate.

West Coast climate: An ideal combination of moderate year-round temperatures and consistently excellent snow conditions call visitors outdoors.