Canada's Great Mountain Village in Two Seasons
Whistler is a resort municipality in British Columbia, Canada, in the Coast Mountains about two hours' drive north of Vancouver, known for Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski areas in North America, with more than 8,000 acres of terrain. It was a co-host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and its pedestrian village, built around cobbled lanes and shop-lined squares, keeps everything within walking distance of the lifts. The setting is spectacular, with glaciers, old-growth forest and mirror-still lakes.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains high above the valley, with panoramic views that are an attraction in themselves. Skiers and snowboarders from around the world come for long runs, open bowls and a season that often stretches from late November into spring. Off the snow, the village hums with après, spas and restaurants, offering a polished mountain atmosphere that rivals Vail and Snowbird in the Rockies.
Bike Park Summers and Sea to Sky Scenery
Summer turns Whistler into a mountain-bike capital. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park, one of the largest lift-served parks in the world, draws riders from beginners to experts, while trails for hikers lead to alpine lakes and viewpoints. Lost Lake and Alta Lake offer paddleboarding and quiet beaches, and golf courses sit among forested slopes. The long daylight hours of June to August make this a season for adventure and relaxed evenings.
Culture matters too. The Audain Art Museum in the village holds an important collection of British Columbian art, and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre shares the living heritage of the two First Nations on whose territory Whistler stands. The drive itself, the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver via Squamish and Shannon Falls, is one of Canada's great scenic roads, and a tourist board can promote it as a destination in its own right.
Read the full Whistler guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitWhistler.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.