[Fresh tracks]
Snowmobile Adventure T
he crisp, cold air crackles around you as you start your powerful machine. The engine roars to life, ready to carry you quickly and comfortably into the snowy wildness of a mountain range or a wide-open ice cap. The electric thrill of excitement that you’ll feel at the adventures lying ahead is uniquely charged by the epic world of snowmobiling in the expansive Whistler and Pemberton area. Snowmobiles are a great way to explore Whistler’s winter wonderland, whether you’re looking to discover new settings and get your adrenaline pumping, or simply want to play around. There are plenty of alternatives for scenic wilderness outings, with trips revealing ancient cedar forests, remote backcountry locations and stunning mountaintop or icecap views. Rookies should consider starting with guided tours offered by a range of skilled local operators who will set guests up with all the gear, goods and tips they need. Family-friendly options abound too. Trips can show you the magic of a nighttime climb 6,000 feet up Blackcomb Mountain to enjoy a fondue dinner and the lights of Whistler Village twinkling far below, the mystery of the backcountry trails in the Callaghan Valley or the seemingly endless expanses of the Pemberton Icecap.
— Megan Grittani-Livingston 16
Whistler [Winter/Spring 2011]
— Megan Grittani-Livingston
Leanna Rathkelly
he Peak 2 Peak Gondola combines form, fun and function in a way that has been drawing people to Whistler and blowing minds since Whistler Blackcomb (WB) opened the landmark lift in December 2008. The gondola joins Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with a recordsetting ride. The lift carries people on the world’s longest unsupported span at 3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles), and it hovers higher off the ground than any lift of its kind, with cars travelling 436 metres (1,427 feet) above the valley floor far below. In a way, the gondola has two different personalities. In winter, “it’s an enabler,” says Stuart Rempel, WB’s senior vice-president of marketing and sales. “It’s all about rapid access.” The 11-minute trip makes the world of easy dual-mountain skiing and riding a reality, especially in the early and late parts of the winter season. In summer, the Peak 2 Peak has proven to be a popular sightseeing draw, with its stunning valley views and the access it offers to great hiking and restaurants. In one of WB’s weekly surveys in summer 2010, 73 per cent of visitors said the Peak 2 Peak influenced their decision to visit Whistler, and that figure keeps growing, Rempel said.
ERic Berger
ERic Berger
Peak 2 Peak Gondola T
Skinny-Ski Heaven A
s the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games demonstrated, cross-country skiers are among the world’s fittest athletes, and as with many sports, doing it at the highest level requires long hours of meticulous training and the best coaches. That said, the beauty of cross-country skiing — also called “Nordic” skiing because of the sport’s origins in Scandinavia — is that you don’t need to be super-fit or skilled to enjoy it the first time out. If you’re fit enough to enjoy a walk in the woods, you’ve got what it takes to Nordic ski. “Skinny skiing” has long been a part of life in the Sea to Sky corridor, but the sport really took off here with the opening in 2007 of Whistler Olympic Park (WOP), site of cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping and Nordic combined events during the 2010 Games. Situated in the magnificent Callaghan Valley about 12 kilometres (seven miles) from Whistler Village, WOP and neighbouring Callaghan Country feature more than 90 km (55 miles) of trails, while the lovely Lost Lake system in the heart of Whistler resort includes another 30 km (18 miles) of Nordic bliss. Together, the two venues have made Whistler an attraction for both serious Nordic types and those seeking an introduction to the sport. Trail fees are reasonable and equipment rentals are available at both venues. For information about WOP, visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com; for info about the Lost Lake system, skate-ski over to www.whistler.ca and follow the links.
— David Burke