Why You Should Visit Whistler Village, B.C., Canada

Nestled north of Vancouver, Canada, Whistler Village is that quintessential sleepy Alpine village dotted with quaint log cabins and snow-frosted pine trees. The straight-out-of-a-travel-catalogue impression belies the busy, busy ski resort that is Whistler Village, and certainly a huge part of its appeal. What's the best part about this place? On most days, it's only a 2-hour car ride away from Vancouver, making it the perfect, laid-back weekend getaway from the urban jungle!

Over the past 40-some years, Whistler has earned an quite a reputation among international winter sports circles, and it's cementing its status even further as one of the best ski resorts by playing host to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The village started earning acclaim with the rising popularity of Whistler Mountain among skiers. In 1980, adjacent Blackcomb Mountain was opened to skiers and ever since, the slopes of Whistler-Blackcomb have been one of the most popular winter destinations in North America.

Strap On Those Skis!

Skiing season officially opens by mid-November and lasts all the way to April for Blackcomb Mountain, with an extended run for Whistler Mountain that lasts till June. Whoever you're with and whatever you feel up to, Whistler has a bit of something for everybody. If you're the avid skier or snowboarder, you can take on the challenge of the slopes-8,171 acres of open skiable terrain-that's certainly enough to satiate thrill-hungry beginners all the way to the extreme daredevils. All throughout, there are events and competitions hosted along different areas of the slope that's free for anyone to join, such as the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup, the Pontiac GMC Canadian Alpine Championships, the Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup, and the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, to name a few.

You'll be surprised at how family-friendly the place is, too. For those who want to take the rat pack for a thriller, you can hit the Adventure Zone, found at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Here, there are rides that zoom down the slope, wall-climbing and bungee trampoline escapades and even breathers at the Golf Center's putt. For more adventurous kids, there are beginners ski programs to give little tikes their first taste of the slopes.

All Revved Up

At Whistler, the problem isn't so much what to do, but which to do first. Skiing and snowboarding are, of course, essential to the experience, and there are many age-grouped skiing courses or private classes to boot. But if strapping on skis and snowboards is not your cup of tea, and money is no question, there's so much more to do. You can hit the slopes with a pack of Huskies for some dog-sledding and the experience would certainly be once in a lifetime. The price, though, may also be quite an experience in itself. This aside, there are helicopter rides to usher you to some magnificent aerial views of the slopes, again at a hefty price. For the budget-conscious, the Ziptrek is a good option. Here, you are strapped onto a harness and "zipped" through the woods suspended on a line, much like rappelling-definitely not for the faint-hearted. For those who prefer a more "grounded" experience, there are bike trails and hikes that welcome you anytime of the year.

Of course, no vacation for a gourmand is complete without that sublime culinary moment of discovery. Enter Cow's. Ironic that this is an ice cream parlor sitting in the middle of a ski resort but that said, their ice cream would certainly be, if not the most, then one of.the most unforgettable experiences in Whistler. Not only that, their merchandise is every humorist's delight. And Cow's is exclusive to Whistler, so it's worth a mention, and a visit. This aside, there are a number of other notable restaurants and bars in the main village square that will have you feeling cozy after a tumble on the slopes and have you raving and partying till dawn.

Some Helpful Tips

Winter season is, of course, ski season, and the slopes are naturally crowded. It's always best, therefore, to plan ahead to avoid getting harangued and ending up with a ruined vacation. Check for early season discounts or reduced prices if you purchase tickets or book hotels online. Pre-booked rentals on the internet can also save you a bundle. Special rates for ski and snowboard rentals and lift tickets are available from any lowland 7-11 outlet in Vancouver and surrounding areas, so thinking ahead really helps. B.C. and Washington residents can save on everything, from lift tickets to rentals and instruction programs when they avail of the EDGE card. If you are eligible, you can also avail of occasional promos like early bird specials and accommodation packages.

Driving to Whistler is relatively easy, but because it's hosting the 2010 Olympics, there are many construction sites and road widening projects underway, so be sure to check on road opening and closing times to avoid detours and delays. Taking the Greyhound service is also convenient, saving you the trouble of driving. There are buses that leave Vancouver for Whistler and vice versa nearly every two hours everyday, depending on the season. For the travel savvy, there's also the newly completed rail service to Whistler that you can book online.

When traveling with a group or with your family, you can save on food expenses by staying at a suite equipped with a kitchen. There's a grocery in the main village where fresh produce and meats are available. Those who are tight on budget can also opt to look for lodging in adjacent Whistler Creek or Pemberton, two rustic villages adjacent to Whistler. Local buses constantly make the rounds. That aside, these two villages are also excellent itineraries for day trips in themselves, with nature trails, biking, sightseeing, fishing, and lots of other activities.

Late ski season kicks in around March or April and when it does, you'll be thrilled at how prices of everything-from lift tickets to rentals-go down, down, down. And whoever said Whistler goes bust in the summer? The mountains may be closed, but you can have as much fun on a shoestring budget, exploring bike trails, having summer mountaintop barbeques and hiking through the nature walks, to name a few. All year round, Whistler Blackcomb is the stuff of adventure, wild fun and electrifying excitement.