ver
the last decade, Whistler has joined St. Moritz, Aspen and
Chamonix among ski resorts whose names evoke much more than
going up and down a mountain in winter.
This British Columbia resort has always had superlatives
going for it — the greatest vertical drop (more than 5,000
feet) of any ski resort in North America; one of the longest
seasons, six months or more; snowfall that averages 30 feet a
year. But what has evolved of late at Whistler is an
international feel.
The resort — set in the Coast Mountains, a two-hour drive
or train ride north of Vancouver — seems as popular among
Japanese skiers as with those from Australia. Surprisingly, a
fair number of skiers from Britain, Germany and Austria also
make their way to Whistler — a journey of nearly 8,000
miles.
Whistler actually comprises several villages at the base of
two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Years ago, Whistler
nearly eliminated the automobile from its main villages, which
are Whistler Village, Village North and Upper Village. Parking
is abundant, but most of it is underground, making Whistler a
pedestrian experience (except for shuttle buses that circulate
regularly). That only adds to a cozy ambience, even though
about 16,000 skiers a day are hustling about in peak season.
Because of its proximity to the sea, and relatively low
base elevation (just over 2,000 feet), Whistler is wet; fog
can sometimes be a problem. But the abundant snow becomes
drier and more powdery on the higher runs.
The wild enchantment of British Columbia is just at
Whistler's edge. A day away from the groomed slopes can be
spent in back country, hiking, skiing, snowboarding by
helicopter, or fishing near the forests, glaciers and serrated
peaks of the province. And with the Canadian dollar trading at
an advantageous rate for Americans, Whistler is not nearly as
costly as the famous European winter resorts it is being
compared to.
EVENTS
The ski season gets under way with WinterStart Festival,
Dec. 1 to 10, and as part of that, some of the best
snowboarders in the world will compete at the Nokia Snowboard
World Cup, Dec. 7 to 10 on Blackcomb Mountain; free.
Information: (800) 944-7853.
Santa shows up for breakfast and the first run of the day
on Dec. 24 at the Roundhouse Lodge, (604) 905- 2373, a
cafeteria and deli with a patio 6,000 feet up Whistler
Mountain. Tickets, $10.10 or $7.40 for ages 12 and under, at
$1.53 Canadian to the U.S. dollar, will be sold at the door.
At the end of the month, First Night, a nonalcoholic New
Year's Eve celebration geared to families, takes place
outdoors on two stages. There will be a carnival,
face-painting and free ice skating.
The top dogs of hot-dogging compete at the Freestyle World
Ski Championships Jan. 17 to 21, trying to outdo one another
in height, distance and acrobatics. It's free, but a lift
ticket is needed to reach the competition sites on both
mountains.
From Feb. 4 to 11, Altitude 2000 features Gay Ski Week,
with activities and events indoors and out. These include a
charity ski race and the Snow Ball, a dance party at the
Whistler Conference Center, tickets for which are $40 from
(888) 258-4883 and www.outontheslopes.com.
Event information: (800) 944-7853.
SKIING
The skiable terrain is vast, covering the two mountains —
all told, more than 200 marked trails on 7,000 acres. More
than half of the runs are rated intermediate, while about 20
percent are novice and 25 percent expert.
