Come and Play in the Snow
The long, dark Canadian winter can sometimes seem never ending, with much of the season bringing rain to British Columbia’s west coast for what seems like months on end. But while people gravitate towards indoor activities, dreaming of sunny patios and lakeside barbeques, there’s all kinds of fun to be had just a short trip up the Sea to Sky Highway.
Whistler is one of the few places in Canada where locals actually prefer the winter season. Sure, summer may offer an unparalleled variety of activities in t-shirts and flip flops, but nothing compares to the sensation of riding your skis or snowboard over powder snow. It’s one of the reasons why people have been coming to ski in Whistler for 50 years, and Whistler Blackcomb is consistently rated as North America’s number one ski resort.
Not everyone is an expert at sliding sports though, which is why there are hundreds of dedicated ski and snowboard instructors who make their living helping improve your mountain experience. Once you have the basics down, both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have plenty of accessible lifts and run options that allow you to slide your way around the mesmerizing alpine landscapes. On some days, the clouds will linger low in the valley, the surrounding mountain peaks glistening in the sun like islands protruding out of the sea.
Having fun in the snow doesn’t always require a chairlift or gondola ride. Whistler has all manner of activities to get the most out of the white stuff. Families love hitting the Coca-Cola Tube Park on Blackcomb, offering speedy thrills for kids and adults alike. The Magic Castle on Blackcomb, and Tree Fort on Whistler are great stops during the ski day, letting kids explore fun, adventure play lands complete with slides. Older kids can zipline through the snow-dressed treetops, dig snow caves, try a dog-sled tour or cuddle on a horsedrawn sleigh ride.
Winter doesn’t need to be a time to stay inside in front of the TV. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are excellent ways to experience the coastal rainforests while getting exercise, and if that’s a bit too much work, snowmobiling can quickly whisk you to the mountaintop with the push of a throttle. When the sun goes down, a walk through Whistler village has endless options for food and drink, shopping and nightlife.
Winter doesn’t need to be the long, wet darkness between summers. Instead of booking the all-inclusive beach destination, find your adventure in Whistler’s snowladen paradise this season.