Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHISTLER FESTIVALS
Whistler hosts some great annual events worth timing your visit for.
Winterpride
(
www.gaywhistler.com
)
A week of gay-friendly snow action and late-
night partying in early February, this event has grown exponentially in recent
years.
World Ski & Snowboard Festival
(
www.wssf.com
)
A nine-day showcase in mid-
April of pro ski and snowboard competitions, with a full menu of live music and
events.
Crankworx
(
www.crankworx.com
)
Mid-August sees an adrenalin-filled celebration
of bike stunts, speed and shenanigans; BC's biggest mountain bike fest.
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB
OUTDOORS
(
www.whistlerblackcomb.com
;
1-day winter lift ticket adult/child $98/52)
Comprising almost 82
sq km of skiable terrain and more than 200 runs (over half for intermediate-level ski-
ers), the sister mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb were physically linked in 2009
when the mammoth 4.4km Peak 2 Peak Gondola opened. It takes 11 minutes to shuttle
between the two high-alpine areas, so you can hit both mountains in one day.
The resort's winter season usually starts in late November and runs to April on
Whistler and May/June on Black comb - December to February is the peak. Snow-
board fans should also check out the freestyle terrain parks mostly located on Black-
comb, including the Snow Cross and the Big Easy Terrain Garden. In summer, the
whole area becomes an outdoor adventure playground with hiking, climbing and biking
particularly popular.
WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE
ADVENTURE SPORTS
(
www.whistlerslidingcentre.com
;
4910 Glacier Lane; 10am-5pm Dec-Mar)
Perched just above
the village on Blackcomb, Whistler Sliding Centre hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic
bobsled, luge and skeleton events and is now open to the public. You can grit your teeth
and try them for yourself, full training included (from $159). Or if you're not quite such
a daredevil, take a free self-guided Olympic facilities tour.
Fans of the five rings should also ask about the Whistler Olympic Park, which
nestles south of town in the Callaghan Valley and can be visited.
