Why Not Visit Whistler, British Columbia

I love going to Canada because it's so unspoiled, absolutely beautiful, has friendly people and the American dollar goes further than at home - so why not consider this ski area which is busy getting ready for the 2020 Winter Olympics. And, only 75 miles from Vancouver makes it very easy for US visitors to get there. For the next few years there will be continual road construction of the highway, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, as they get ready for the onslaught of traffic during the Olympics. (Check out mywhistler.com for road closures and other pertinent information.)

It's the premier ski resort in North America, according to Ski and Snow Country magazines. The Whistler/Blackcomb complex boasts more vertical feet, more lifts, and more ski terrain than any other ski resort complex in North America. Besides downhill skiing, there is also cross-country, backcountry, snowboarding, snowmobiling, heli-skiing, and sleigh riding. If you visit in the summer, there's mountain biking, rafting, hiking, golfing, kayaking, water sports and horseback riding among other pastimes.

Back in the 1970s, the city fathers outlined the building of what is now "Whistler Village" a resort town with many hotel beds, arranged around a central village street in a compact fashion that means you don't need a car during your visit. The good news is there are no strip malls, gas stations and/or cheap motels which mar so many resort towns; the bad news is you won't find that charming little eatery run by an old couple, tucked away in an out-of-way location.

Whistler Village has well-marked paths and trails linking together the shops and restaurants. Your hotel should have a map of the Village and the surrounding area. The walk between the Whistler Mountain (Whistler Village) and Blackcomb Mountain (Upper Village) resorts takes around 5 minutes.

Many annual ski competitions are held from December to May, including the Owens-Corning World Freestyle Competition, the Whistler Snowboard World Cup, the Kokanee Fantastic Downhill Race, and the World Ski & Snowboard Festival. Mountain bikers also have their oen competitions including the Cheakamus Challenge Fall Classic Mountain Bike Race and the Power Bar Garibaldi Gruel.

In summer there are also annual events including Whistler's Roots Weekend when you'll enjoy the sounds of bluegrass, Celtic, zydeco, and folk music at free and ticketed events. . The Whistler Summit Concert Series is held during August weekends. The mountains provide a terrific backdrop for performers including as the BlueRodeo, Barenaked Ladies and Amanda Marshall.

The Alpine Wine Festival takes place the first weekend in September and features wine-tastings and other events highlighting some of North America's finest wines. The next weekend is the famed Whistler Jazz & Blues Festival, featuring live performances in the village squares and the nearby clubs. And, Cornucopia is Whistler's premier wine-and-food festival. It's held the second week in September and its opening gala showcases 50 top vintages from the Pacific region. They also have a celebrity chef competition and wine tastings and similar activities.

The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside is one of the premier hotels at Whistler Village. This award-winning hotel offers an intimate, luxurious ambience while featuring well-appointed hotel suites including a full kitchen, fireplace, balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and deluxe Aveda amenities. They also have a heated outdoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, a cardio and weight room, steam room and spa. Its location is near four world-class golf courses and close to all the other sports available at Whistler. Dubh Linn Gate - Old Irish Pub, located on the premises, has origins rooted in Irish. Built in Ireland and transported piece by piece "across the pond," its Irish heart can be felt beating in every single corner. Here you'll enjoy a true Irish experience with authentic Irish music, pub food and wide selection of imported beers. (Visit whistler.panpacific.com for details)

You may choose to camp with or without an RV in the Whistler area. There is a wide selection of campgrounds and RV parks in the region. (See mywhistler.com for details.)

Have a great time.