The Winter Side of Whistler - Whistler Traveller Magazine

Winter Side of Whistler

By Rebecca Wood Barrett | Images By Joern Rohde

Canadian Snowmobile Adventures, Blackcomb Mountain, winter.

The icy cold winter weather in the north freezes the lakes and brings snowfall for months. While much of the rest of Canada is grumbling about shovelling driveways, Whistler locals and visitors alike are gleefully checking the forecast and peeking out windows in anticipation of snowflakes falling on the valley. We wonder: How much snow will fall? Where should we go tomorrow, and what should we do? With the abundance of white gold comes an astonishing array of winter activities for every person’s age and ability.

Are you eager to feel the crisp winter wind on your face, doing an activity that requires little experience and none of your own equipment? Why not head up to Whistler Blackcomb’s Coca-Cola® Tube Park at the Base II Zone on Blackcomb Mountain. Tubing is one fun activity where you can take the whole family and slide down the hill on inflatable tubes together. It’s easily accessed from the Village at no cost via the Excalibur Gondola. Be sure to wear warm winter clothing, and for your comfort, a pair of goggles. whistlerblackcomb.com

If you crave a taste of speed and desire a wintertime adventure in Whistler’s forested valley amongst cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir, book a zipline tour to soar high above Whistler’s glacier-fed creeks. Tours combine a thrilling experience with fascinating and educational insights into Whistler’s ecology. ziptrek.com

For those who thrive on the adrenaline rush of extreme speed, the public bobsleigh and skeleton programs offer exhilarating sliding experiences at the Whistler Sliding Centre, a 2010 Olympic Winter Games venue. The programs are open to the public and provide sport orientation, helmet fitting, track etiquette, safety guidelines and the fastest run of your life at up to 125 kilometres an hour in the bobsleigh and 100 km/h on the skeleton.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of downhill skiing, Ski Callaghan — a partnership between Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) and Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures — offers a tranquil Nordic recreational experience where you go at your own pace, under your own steam. Located in the Callaghan Valley, 20 minutes south of Whistler, WOP is the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics cross-country, biathlon and ski-jumping facilities. Classic cross-country and skate-ski rentals and lessons are available, as well as great starter trails on mostly flat terrain, like the 3.8-km Neverland Trail. At a 15-km round-trip, the Norwegian Woods trail and Madeley Creek Loop offer a more challenging course for those who want to pump up their heart rate with rolling climbs and descents.

Whistler Blackcomb, skiing, snowboarding.

Whistler Blackcomb, downhill skiing, snowboarding.

You can also rent snowshoes at the park and trek through some of Ski Callaghan’s 35 km of maintained trails to enjoy the picturesque views. Or, book a snowshoe tour with a local company and learn about the Callaghan Valley backcountry from a knowledgeable guide. whistlersportlegacies.com

Ice skating is probably the definitive Canadian sport — given our nationwide passion for ice hockey — and there are three places in Whistler to feel the freedom of a winter’s glide. Meadow Park Sports Centre has an indoor rink that’s open year-round. Skating outdoors in the heart of the Village is magical with the twinkling lights of Whistler Olympic Plaza, where you can rent skates and cruise around with family and friends. And if the weather is cold, dry, and the conditions are safe, it’s possible to skate on some of the local lakes. whistler.ca/culture-recreation

Vallea Lumina by The Adventure Group offers an enchanting multi-media night walk forest adventure through majestic old-growth trees for a fun, family-friendly evening activity. Follow the winding path and experience the story of two hikers from long ago; listen for cryptic radio transmissions and see the forest come to life. vallealumina.com

whistler Blackcomb, Peak 2 Peak Gondola, skiing.

Dogsledding is an authentically Canadian way to explore the wilderness, and you can learn to mush your own team or relax and enjoy the ride led by an expert guide. Or, if you’ve never been snowmobiling before, it’s a fun and exciting way to access Whistler’s surrounding backcountry. Scenic, guided tours are available for new riders and families, as well as adventure tours that speed over frozen lakes and into high alpine bowls, and extreme riding tours for the experienced, big-mountain enthusiast. canadianwilderness.com

Heli-skiing is one of the most memorable skiing or snowboarding experiences in the mountains. Led by experienced, certified instructors, guests venture into the immense wilderness of the B.C. backcountry aboard five- to 10-passenger helicopters. Untouched, big-mountain powder skiing, secluded tree skiing in small groups, spectacular scenery and a gourmet alpine lunch combine to complete your unforgettable backcountry ski day. A variety of tours is offered from intermediate-advanced to expert. whistlerheliskiing.com

Whistler’s ultimate winter activity is, of course, skiing or snowboarding on Whistler or Blackcomb mountain. Beginner or advanced, step up your game and take a snow-school lesson to make the most of your day. Unable to ski or snowboard? No problem. Take the Whistler Village or Blackcomb gondola into the alpine and a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola over to the other side to experience the spectacular alpine environment and its snow-covered peaks, forested valleys and glacier-fed rivers. whistlerblackcomb.com

Since you’ve made the trek to Whistler, why not get into the full celebratory mood of winter and dive into multiple sports, activities and outings while you’re here? Be sure to throw a snowball. Make a snow angel. And don’t forget to dress warmly and in layers. We promise you won’t regret venturing out into the cold and snow for a wintertime adventure.

Reservations for activities are recommended, so we encourage you to visit each company’s website for more information and to book. Alternatively, visit whistler.com.