Hidden Gems in Whistler to Uncover During Your Visit

British Columbia takes pride in the world-class adventures in its coastal rainforest, Whistler. Discover the hidden gems in this tranquil landscape while you immerse yourself in the most memorable time. Here are some activities to boost your stay at Whistler.

The Train Wreck Hike

Hiker walking through snow on a Train Wreck, Whistler | Image by Zane via unsplash

If you crave awe-inspiring vistas coupled with an exhilarating surge of adrenaline, look no further than the legendary Train Wreck trail nestled within the scenic wonderland of Whistler. The trail owes its name to a historic freight train mishap that occurred many years ago, and now, the remnants of the wreckage have transformed into a captivating pathway, beckoning hikers and bikers alike. This is one of the most popular places to see in Whistler, and it is only a 10-minute ride from hotels like Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside.

Indulge in Local Breakfast

Whistler’s breakfast is a must-try for those who want to discover local flavours and hearty spreads. The poutine is to die for, and the fluffy pancakes packed with flavours of maple syrup are a true delight. You can find healthy meals like Caesar’s salads and smoothies to boost your day and keep you refreshed.

Paddleboard

Whistler Lake takes the spotlight of the neighbourhood with its serenity and tranquillity. Paddleboarding in the lake and tread the clear blue waters for a relaxing experience, or even try some yoga on a paddleboard for a change, letting the soothing breeze revive your energy. You can rent paddleboards for hours or days depending on your love for this activity.

How to Ski

Seasoned skiers might make this sport look quite easy – but it’s no walk in the park! However, for those who crave adventure, mastering this sport shouldn’t be a chore but an adventure itself. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to try out this sport during your holiday at a Whistler hotel.

Learn the ABC’s

A skier is guided by the figures displayed on trail markers. For instance, you’ll find that an easy trail is marked by a green circle and a trail that should only be attempted by expert skiers is marked with an exclamation mark inside a black diamond.

Familiarize Yourself with the Basics

Skiing in Whistler Mountains |Image by Scott Hughes via Flickr

A skiing lesson is the best option to get into the basics of this adventurous sport. Some of the properties in Canada such as Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside are known to offer skiing lessons that’ll help you master the basics.

Make The Bunny Slope Your Best Friend

A first-timer to this thrilling sport will certainly need support during the first few trips down a hill. A bunny hill is where you’ll find ski lifts; a rope tow or carpet lift will let you ease into the sport with its support mechanisms.

Correct Skiing Postures

If you lean too far behind, you’ll find out that it becomes quite difficult to take a turn; you’d even lose control. Make sure that you keep your knees bent and your hands in front to maintain the balance needed.

Explore Whistler Blackcomb – Unlimited fun!

Did you know that Whistler Blackcomb is so much beyond just skiing and snowboarding? It’s all about a great and awesome path of experiences starting from the Whistler gondola.

Getting to the top of Whistler Blackcomb

There are two options. If you are coming from a Whistler hotel the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, you may easily use the Whistler Gondola. The other option is to take the Blackcomb Gondola.

 

Ruth Hartnup from Vancouver, Canada, Peak 2 Peak (3133694802)CC BY 2.0

The Peak 2 Peak Whistler Gondola

This is the longest and the highest gondola in the world. No matter on which mountain you land on, be it Whistler or the Blackcomb, you always can go to the other via this Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

Hiking opportunities

Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer great hiking opportunities and they are equally awesome. Some trails are ideal for all hikers- all with easy, intermediate, and advanced skill levels.

Things to do at the top of Whistler Blackcomb

What else can be done here in addition to sightseeing and hiking? Well, there is a lot more! You can opt for alpine riding or helicopter tours. Mountain Skills Academy also has so many interesting activities there to entertain you and your friends/family.

Exploring Enchanting Whistler

Nestled at the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in Canada, Whistler offers plenty of thrilling year-round experiences; here are some of the highlights that await.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Amongst the most popular places for skiing and snowboarding in North America, the two mountains provide action-packed excitement on the slopes with over 200 runs on offer. Those staying at a Whistler hotel can easily access these areas, while the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School offers all the training first-timers will need.

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

Peak 2 peak gondola,Whistler|Image by Max Brinton via Unsplash

Enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the area on the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, just a short walk from Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. Linking the two mountains, this famed gondola ride offers incredible vistas of glaciers, rainforests and volcanic peaks as well as provides access to plenty of hiking trails.

Adventure Activities

For some adrenaline-pumping adventures in summer, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with its downhill trails is not to be missed. Still, craving more? You can also enjoy bobsleighing at the Whistler Sliding Centre, ziplining over Fitzsimmons Valley, white water rafting on the Elaho-Squamish River and bungee jumping over Cheakamus River!
Blackcomb Ascent Trails

The Blackcomb Ascent Trails

When summer comes, you can access the three interconnected Blackcomb Ascent Trails amidst spellbinding natural beauty. Gaining an elevation of 1,200 metres and covering 6.2 km in total, the trails take you through a coastal rainforest, with the last section providing mesmerising vistas near the Blackcomb Mountain summit.

Visit the Blackcomb Peak

Have you ever thought of going snowboarding or skiing? Or have you already tried it out and can’t get enough of it? Either way, the best place to snowboard or ski is none other than Whistler in Canada. Here’s what to expect once you are here.

Whistler Blackcomb

This little snow destination is located in between 2 enormous mountains, one being Whistler and the other being Blackcomb. Of this area between the mountains, 8171 acres is safe skiable topography.

Creekside Village

This is the first place you should be visiting if you are staying at a Whistler hotel. Take the Creekside Gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain where you can begin your snowboarding or ski session towards Blackcomb.

Whistler Village

Skiing in whistler village|Image by Marc van der Chijs via Flickr

If you are looking for a more wholesome experience, this little village is perfect. When it comes to your skiing needs, you can hop on one of the two gondolas at the edge of Blackcomb and go right up to Whistler for a session.

Upper Village

Not far from Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Whistler is Upper Village where the new gondola to Rendezvous Lodge is available. From here you will be able to access a number of ski spots including the 7th Heave Express lift.

The Ultimate Ski Guide

Skiing is no easy walk in the park. But for those who with a craving for adventure, mastering this sport shouldn’t be much of a challenge. Here’s what you should know before you try your hand at skiing during your stay at a Whistler hotel.

Learn the Rules

Look out for the figures on trail markers! Particularly in North America, you will find that a green circle marks an easy trail for first-timers whereas a black diamond with an exclamation mark would mark a trail that should only be attempted by highly-skilled skiers.

Know the Basics

A practical skiing lesson might be the best way of familiarizing yourself with skiing basics. Some properties in Canada, for instance, Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, offers lessons that will help you master the basics.

Test out the Bunny Slope

A bunny hill includes ski lifts – a carpet lift or rope tow would help you discover skiing with its support mechanisms.

Hold Yourself Correctly

Skiing in Whistler|Image by Scott Hughes via Flickr

If you lean too far behind, you’ll note how it becomes increasingly difficult for you when it comes to taking a turn, making you lose control. Keep your knees bent as needed and your hands in front to maintain balance.

A Guide on Skiing in Whistler

Skiing is not a modern trend, in fact, evidence of skiing has been found in northern China which date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Here is a brief guide on the types of skiing available today for those interested to try out.

Nordic Skiing

This is also called classic skiing and includes skiing styles that originated in Norway and other Scandinavian countries. Cross-country races are still held to date and each has their unique criteria from sprints to team races.

Alpine Skiing

Alpine Skiing |Image via Pixabay

Alpine skiing came about in the 20th century and was created on the downhill slopes of the Alps. This type of skiing, on its specific terrain, seems to get faster progressively and has lesser turns.

Freestyle Skiing

This is a style of skiing that has adapted styles from figure skating. It is more of an acrobatic style of skiing which is quite interesting to watch.

Equipment

If you are skiing for the first time during a stay at a Whistler hotel, then you probably won’t know what equipment you should be having. Hotels like Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside will be able to recommend a ski school and an equipment rental too.

Explore Whistler Blackcomb

If you are planning to head to Whistler this summer and think that there is nothing much else to do there but ski and go snowboarding, you couldn’t be more wrong. There are plenty of other things to do so let’s find out what.

How to Get There
You can get up to Blackcomb through the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola, they’re both located at the foot of the mountain in Whistler village or Upper village. If you are staying in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, you can go up on the Whistler Gondola.

Sightseeing Tickets
The Peak 2 Peak 360 experience comes in passes that can be either purchased ahead of time or at the ticket window. The tickets will cost $69 for adults and $62 for youth and seniors while small children aged 7-12 are charged $35.

Peak 2 Peak Facts
The gondola is considered the pride and joy of Whistler. The Gondola was opened to the public in 2008 and it costs 51 million Canadian dollars. It is the longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind and is also the highest lift in the world.

Alpine Hiking on Blackcomb
If you are staying at a Whistler hotel and plan to hike up the mountain instead, you can be guaranteed some beautiful views on the way. There are three trails of different difficulty levels.

 

Explore the Whistler Village

Whistle Village is perhaps Canada’s most famous ski resort destination. Nestled between the towering Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, Whistler Villages is simply paradise for anyone passionate about winter sports and thrill-seeking.

A Gondola Ride

Most Whistler hotel and resort establishments – for example, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside – will include a host of activities in their itinerary list, and most of them will start off by mentioning the amazing peak-to-peak gondola ride! Take in stunning views of the mountain valleys as you travel from Whistleblower to Blackcomb from up on high!

Experience the Local Culture

IF you want to get a flavour of Whistler Village’s local culture and history, head on over to the First Nations Museum. Here you will find fascinating relics belonging to the local Squamish and Lil’wat people – from masks and attire to hunting utensils. You can even book a tour here and enjoy some traditional Squamish dishes to end the day!

Winter Sports

Of course, the main draw of Whistler Village is the winter sports, so be sure to try some out for yourself! In particular, consider an exciting bike ride through the mountains at Whistler Mountain Bike Park or try out bungee jumping to get the adrenaline flowing.

Hiking Opportunities

The areas surrounding Whistler Village are perfect for a great hiking or camping trip. Locations such as Lost Lake or Garibaldi National Park are prime for an outing – here you’ll find a stunning array of natural beauty, be it the distant mountains, lush vegetation, or unique wildlife.

Meta Description

Whistler Village is a great destination for those interested in winter sports or for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors – try activities like mountain biking and camping!