Winter Fun for All
The popularity of crosscountry skiing is growing, helped by the legacy of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and people looking to stay fit during the winter months. One of the venues built specifically for the Games was Whistler Olympic Park—a short 20-minute drive south of Whistler Village—which now functions as a training facility for athletes as well as offering a variety of recreational experiences.
With 90 kilometres of trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing, one day at Whistler Olympic Park isn’t nearly enough to explore them all. If your pooch is joining you for your weekend away, there are even 30 kilometres of dog-friendly trails where your canine can run alongside you off-leash. The whole family can enjoy the thrill of self-propelled gliding, with rental equipment and lessons available for both kids and adults, and even toddlers can be pulled along the trails in snow chariots.
For those looking for a more relaxed pace, more than 40 kilometres of snowshoe trails allow you to explore the park on foot. Snowshoeing is suitable for just about everyone, and here, too, there are 20 kilometres of dog-friendly trails to enjoy. To get the whole family giggling there is tobogganing on safe and friendly hills with toboggans and helmets available free in the day lodge.
Whistler Olympic Park is also home to two more unique Nordic disciplines: biathlon and ski jumping. Introductory biathlon lessons are available for those who want to learn how to ski fast and shoot straight. Ski jumping is all about speed and momentum. Novices can try the sport on the Park’s new junior ski jumps and drop-in sessions can be booked on weekends for intermediate skiers bringing their own downhill gear.
Whether you want to have a fun and relaxing winter’s day with the family or take Nordic skiing to another level, the extensive facilities at Whistler Olympic Park have your to-do list of activities well covered.