Whistler Ski Resort

Want Northern skiing at its finest? Experience skiing in Canada, especially at Whistler, where you'll find the largest ski are in North America. There's skiing for all types of levels and interests including heli-skiing. Whistler Ski Resorts and Vacations

Whistler-Blackcomb - A World Class Ski Resort
By Michael Russell

Whistler, British Columbia, is world-renowned as the chosen venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. As one of the top ski and all-season resorts in North America, Whistler beckons travelers from around the world with ski, snow and vacation experiences of a lifetime. This season, snow conditions were truly the best that they have ever been: more than 4.6 m (15 ft) fell in January 2006, making it the snowiest month in the resort's recorded history.

Whistler offers world-class skiing in the largest ski area in North America and features 37 lifts, over 200 marked runs, three glaciers and 13 alpine bowls. Riders can try out tricks at the award-winning terrain parks. Adults and kids of all ages can take ski or snowboarding lessons from the pros. You can also enjoy heli-skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, ice climbing and winter fishing. Also new this year, experience the Coca-Cola Family Tube Park, a six to eight-lane adventure accessed via a new tube-friendly, carpet-style lift. You'll probably run out of energy before you run out of things to do!

The pedestrian-friendly Whistler Village bustles with excitement year-round: restaurants, spas, shopping and entertainment ranging from five-star luxurious to comfortably economical. The resort has 115 hotels, condos and bed & breakfasts, as well as many apartments, self-cater lodges and motels. Some accommodations offer ski- in/ski-out access. A free shuttle service operates between Village North, Whistler Village and the Upper Village.

There's even a nanny service which means everyone can share in the excitement. Caring for families is a Whistler specialty. Whistler Kids offers ski and snowboard lessons for the little ones. The Nanny Network offers reliable childcare and even dog walking and doggie babysitting services. Teens can enjoy the Ride Tribe program and learn free-ride, park skiing and snowboarding. The LUNA program for teenagers offers alcohol-free evening events from pool parties to movie nights.

You can drive the Sea to Sky Highway, Highway 99, from Vancouver, BC to Whistler in two hours. Flights to Vancouver are available from almost any major city. Scheduled bus services from Vancouver and connecting communities arrive in Whistler daily. The Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) provides year-round public bus service throughout Whistler and between Whistler and Pemberton.

You might also choose to discover the dramatic beauty of the Sea-to-Sky corridor of British Columbia from a unique perspective while relaxing in comfort and style onboard the new Whistler Mountaineer train. This is a premier three hour train trip from Vancouver to Whistler, BC. As the train hugs the oceanfront, winds through canyons and climbs the steep grades of the BC Coast Mountains, you'll have front row seats to the endless array of breathtaking views riding in one of their modern dome cars. An exciting addition to your holiday in Whistler.

Some pertinent facts about the Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort:

Vertical:

• Whistler - 1,530 m (5,020 ft)
• Blackcomb - 1,609 m (5,280 ft)

Terrain:

Whistler & Blackcomb combined - 3,307 ha (8,171 ac)

Runs:

• Whistler & Blackcomb combined - 200 runs
• Whistler: 100 runs- 20% beginner; 55 % intermediate; 25% expert
• Blackcomb: 100 runs - 15% beginner; 55 % intermediate; 30% expert

Lifts:

• Whistler & Blackcomb combined - 37 lifts
• Whistler: 20 lifts - 2 high-speed gondolas; 6 high-speed quads; 2 triple chairs; 1 double chair; 9 surface lifts
• Blackcomb: 17 lifts - 1 high-speed gondola; 6 high-speed quads; 3 triple chairs; 7 surface lifts

Operating Season:

• Whistler - late November to early June
• Blackcomb - late November to late April

Renowned for panoramic views and après ski delights and with 9 m (30 ft) of annual snowfall together with North America's largest vertical drop of 1,609 m (5,280 ft), Whistler Blackcomb offers an exhilarating skiing and snowboarding winter holiday.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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