Whistler’s Journey to Canada 150
The Sea-to-Sky highway acts as the gateway to Whistler, known around the world for its dramatic mountain ranges, waterfalls, rivers and stunning ocean views. Today, the trip takes about two hours, but when the first non-indigenous pioneers made the trek to Whistler in 1880, the journey from Vancouver took three days and included a steamship ride. As you make your way up the Sea-to-Sky from Vancouver to Whistler, take a closer look around, as there’s more than meets the eye.
Beginning in Horseshoe Bay and ending at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler is a self-guided Cultural Journey with stories and sites that shaped the region. On your northbound journey up to Whistler, look for the cedar-bark hat shaped kiosks 1 through 5 on the east side of the highway. The kiosks offer insight into the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations stories that built on the relationship with the landscapes you pass on your journey to Whistler. While making your way back to Vancouver, look for kiosks 6 and 7, on the west side.
Once in Whistler, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre offers up a world of culture through song, film, drum making and weaving. Local First Nations Ambassadors offer tours and share the meaning behind carvings, ceremonies and stories. And if you celebrate culture best by flexing your taste buds, you’ll be delighted by the modern take on First Nations cuisine at the Thunderbird Café. Make a point of trying the bannock taco or anything with bannock, really.
Stay on the culture train and get your hands on a Canada 150 scavenger hunt, available at the Whistler Visitor Centre or online. Let the scavenger hunt be your guide to getting to know Whistler’s Canada. Check off at least twenty items on the scavenger hunt list and a special Canada 150 prize will be yours once you bring it back to the Visitor Centre.
The scavenger hunt will take you to the Whistler Museum for a glimpse at how this mountain town came to be. From mountain bike history to the first fishing camps, you’ll be surprised at the stories and traditions that were made in Whistler.
Whistler will be celebrating local history in honour of Canada 150 all year long. More at whistler.com/canada150.