Whistler

Mention to someone that you’re going to Whistler for the weekend, and the responses you will no doubt get are guaranteed to include, “Nice”, “Dude, Whistler is so sick”, “I love it up there!”, “Can I come?”. All of those responses are exactly what makes Whistler so special.

Located just 2 hours away from Vancouver, it feels as though you’ve found a lost town in the middle of the forest. There’s something for everyone all year round. If you ski, snowboard, mountain bike, golf, hike, or party….you’ve no doubt heard of Whistler. If you haven’t heard of it, you will, Whistler plays partial host to the 2010 Olympic Games.

The winter is when Whistler/Blackcomb puts its best foot forward. Consistently ranked in the top 3 ski resorts in the world, W/B boasts the largest ski area in North America (8,171) which is 54% larger than its closest competitor. With 2 mountains of terrain to tackle, it’s entirely possible to ride 2 days, one on each mountain, and never hit the same run twice. There are gondolas and lifts galore, and although the lines are long at peak times, the staff keep things running smooth and orderly. The addition of the peak to peak is a huge advantage to the rider as you can now shred both hills without having to ride to the bottom. Each April Whistler plays host to the “Telus, World Ski and Snowboard Festival”, the biggest annual 10 day and night celebration of arts, sports, culture and music.

When the sun comes out to shine, whistler burns brighter. World-class mountain biking, top notch golf courses and even glacier riding for ski and snowboarders, just in case you didn’t get enough in the winter. For bikers there’s over 4,900 vertical feet of lift-serviced gravity fed, adrenaline fueled descending trails. Truly something for every skill of rider. For golfers, championship courses designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones Jr., provides a challenging round with breathtaking views throughout.

After a hard day of riding, biking, golfing, or just relaxing, this writer’s favourite thing to enjoy is the nightlife in Whistler. With locals being super low key and chill, it makes for a fun atmosphere no matter where you end up. With no less than 10 nightclubs within 5 minutes of each other, and even more world class restaurants, the party never stops. Located at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain Gondolas, the Longhorn Saloon has been the #1 après ski spot in town for over 25 years! Great Food from the grill, ice cold draught beer & DJ's spinning party tunes create a perfect ending to a day on the mountain, golf course, or bike park.

My advice: Get to Whistler, bike, snowboards, and golf in the same day, and experience all the Whistler/Blackcomb have to offer before world will in just 5 short months.