H
IDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, STRUNG between two peaks atop Whistler Mountain lies an unforgettable experience—rain or shine. The Cloudraker Skybridge is a must-do that offers visitors an incredible panoramic view of Whistler’s famed Coast Mountains. Born and bred in Whistler, I try my best to avoid “tourist traps” and never considered walking the new suspension bridge, even though it is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world. And so I was surprised to find myself heading up the Whistler Gondola to check it out with friends on a day where heavy clouds released their percussion of rain down upon us. As we rose up from the Village, the chill
air seeped into the cabin and the clouds enveloped us. The gondola only takes you part way and as we walked the short, steep distance, about 15 minutes to the Peak Chair, my anticipation mounted. I was starting to wonder if this was the best idea on a stormy day, but the warm smile on the liftie’s face as I stepped off the chair was just enough reassurance. Walking up the gravel path towards the Cloudraker I got my first glimpse of what I was about to cross— and realized this was no ordinary bridge. As I took my first steps, the sway caught me off guard, but with the chest-high, chainlink guardrails on either side, I felt totally secure—though it’s not for the faint of heart. Looking through the grated walkway, I felt a rush of adrenaline when I spotted Whistler Bowl, a black diamond ski run, directly below
my feet. Having zero visibility due to the heavy cloud cover actually gave the bridge a higher spook-factor, as I couldn’t see its end when I started crossing. We were quite literally walking on clouds. The bridge ends at the Raven's Eye Cliff Walk, a cantilevered walkway that reaches out 12.5 metres from the West Ridge, and a perfect way to finish this lofty experience. The Cloudraker Skybridge is about 2,000 m above sea level and it spans a total of 130 m from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge. Rain or shine, Cloudraker is a must-do when in Whistler, maybe even twice—when it’s raining and when it’s sunny— to get the best of both worlds. Wear sensible shoes, and always pack a jacket as the alpine winds can cool you quickly even when hiking. — Matt Turner >> WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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JUSTA JESKOVA
WALK ON CLOUDS— CLOUDRAKER SKYBRIDGE