Tee up, eat up and meet up in the Rockies
Besides four golf courses, Whistler offers food, drink, entertainment and more
WHISTLER, B.C.— After finishing my morning round at Whistler Golf Club, I temporarily lost my senses.
Maybe it was the stunning mountain scenery or the thin air, but I agreed to try mountain biking in the afternoon. I dutifully yanked on the watermelon-sized helmet and strapped the NFL-sized shoulder pads on tight, hopped on the lift and made the ascent.
According to my guide, it should have been a 40-minute joyride to the bottom — it seemed to take me about a day and half and I quickly wore out the bike’s brakes and my guide’s patience.
The memory is punctuated by a pint-sized kid, who knew nothing about Sir Isaac Newton and even less about the laws of gravity and who repeatedly launched himself and his bike off boulders and small cliffs.
The whole experience was thrilling and terrifying and I decided I would never leave the golf course again. But I loved the fact Whistler offers so many experiences besides featuring four very fine golf courses: Whistler Golf Club Perfect for early tee times, the Whistler Golf Club is in the village and about a five-minute stroll from the hotels and lodges. The club recently opened the Nike Pinnacle golf shop, the second one of its kind in Canada. If you are a hoops fan, have a word with Alan Kristmanson, the club’s general manager. He suited up for the Canadian men’s basketball team in the 1988 Olympics and in a 1992 Olympic qualifying game played against Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Nicklaus North Designed by now-retired pro golfer Jack Nicklaus, the course is nestled along the shore of Green Lake, which reflects the sawtooth peaks of the coastal mountains. I once had a black bear watch me tee off from the 18th hole at Nicklaus North. I shanked the ball and I swear I saw the bear shake its head and roll its eyes at my poor shot. Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club The first six holes of this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design curl around the edges of Blackcomb Mountain while the back nine tumble down toward the village. Watch out for the water — some fairways are slashed with creeks that are swollen with glacier runoff. Big Sky Golf Club Located about a 20-minute drive north of Whistler in the Pemberton Valley, Big Sky butts up against the base of majestic Mount Currie. Architect Bob Cupp has guarded many of the greens with grass swales, so bring along a couple of wedges. Village life There are dozens of eating options. The latest favourite is Bar Oso, a tapas place Where Magazine has recently named Whistler’s best new restaurant.
For nightlife, you’ll always make new friends at the Dubh Linn Gate, an Irish pub that offers live music and 25 draught taps.
There are free outdoor concerts throughout the summer in Whistler Olympic Plaza, including a performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on July 1 and 2. Whistler is also big on festivals, including Wanderlust Whistler, which runs from July 28 to Aug. 1. It’s an eclectic mix of yogis, musicians, chefs and new-age experts.
If you haven’t had enough of winter, you can ski or snowboard on the Horstman Glacier in July.
Go to whistler.com for more information on what’s going on in Whistler. Ian Cruickshank is a Toronto writer whose column appears on the fourth Saturday of each month. His trip was sponsored by Tourism Whistler, which didn’t review or approve this story.