Armchair Travel! Whistler Wonderland

Dreaming of skiing trips to come… PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

WHISTLER IS THE LARGEST SKIABLE AREA

in North America, encompassing more than 8,000 acres over two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. It’s a paradise for adventure sport lovers all year round but thanks to roughly 12 metres of annual snowfall, it exists because of skiing. With over 200 runs, you can spend weeks without going down the same run twice

CHALET-STYLE WHISTLER VILLAGE

gets busy throughout the winter season (November to May) and there are varied accommodation options including ski-in, ski-out resorts. Compact and fully pedestrianised, it’s easy to get around with great shops, restaurants and après-ski.

BOBSLEDDING IS BIG AT WHISTLER

, as is Luge (where you ride a sled on your back, feet first). Skeleton is another must for powder hounds. Sliding down a frozen track on a small sled headfirst, while lying face down, you can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.

BEGINNERS FIND THE BUNNY HILLS

entertaining and there are instructors on hand offering lessons. Once you have mastered how to get onto a chair lift, turn and stop, you can venture onto any of the green runs.

AT WHISTLER TUBE PARK

youngsters (and the young at heart) can race down the slopes on inflatable tubes. Further familyfriendly activities include snowshoeing, tobogganing and baseboarding.

A ZIP-LINE TOUR

provides a totally different view of the mountains, glaciers, forests and village. Flying through the trees, it’s as if you’re alone in the wilderness. The experience will have you screaming as you zip between Whistler and Blackcomb peaks on a wire.

TWENTY DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND RUNS

provide a challenge for expert skiers, and for an even bigger adrenalin buzz, there’s heli-skiing. A 10-person helicopter takes you to a part of Whistler Mountain where lifts just don’t go. From here you can make your own fresh tracks down.