Whistler Village, British Columbia, Canada

Whistler Village is the hub of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The famous Sea and Sky highway runs from the west coast of Canada through Vancouver, Whistler, and Whistler Village. Wherever you rent in Whistler, you'll more than likely pass through Whistler Village.
Whistler Village is pedestrian only, meaning very few automobiles are permitted. Cross the Fitzsimmons Creek and you are in Upper Village. Eldon Beck was the developer. He scouted the area thoroughly, climbing to the tops of trees and calculating the movement and direction of the sun. In other words, Whistler Village was developed in accordance with visitors, skiing, and nature. Before white settlers arrived in Whistler Valley and its outer region, then called the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation - now known as the Coast Salish First Nations - hunted, gathered and traded.With the completion of the Pemberton Trail came a number of hunters, fishers, and trappers. Alex and Myrtle Philip opened the Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake, which was popular among them.
Logging and mining industries drove the economy. It was not until 1965, with the unveiling of Whistler Mountain, did the skiing industry increase the population and wealth of the town. Blackcomb Mountain opened in 1980. At that same time, Whistler Village was developed at the base of both mountains. Since then Whistler has become one of the best ski resort destinations in North America. It will host the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Population of Whistler is 9,595, while an estimated two million visit the city annually.
Whistler Village is next to Upper Village. Both are directly at the base of Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Meaning, if you go to the mountains, you will probably go through Whistler Village or Upper Village. From Whistler Village, two Gondolas climb Whistler Mountain: Whistler Village Gondola and Fitzsimmons Express. Excalibur Gondola climbs Blackcomb Mountain. The views are breath-taking. Know the mountains: The stats for Whistler Mountain are as follows: base elevation is 2,214 feet and peak 7,160 feet; vertical rise is 5,020; 21 ski lifts; +100 runs; longest run 7 miles. Ski terrain is 4,757 acres, 25% of which is for experts, 55% intermediates, and 20% novice. Blackcomb Mountain stats are: base elevation is 2,214 feet and peak 7,494; vertical rise is 5,280; 17 lifts; +100 runs; longest run 7 miles; ski terrain is 3,414 acres, of which 30% is for experts, 55% intermediates, and 15% novice. Average annual snowfall for Whistler is around 30 feet.
Whistler Village, British Columbia, Canada, is in itself an attraction. Finding parking is doable as the lots are on the outside. Walking through the store-lined streets, hitting the Village Marketplace, driving along the Sea and Sky highway, hiking to Meadow Park or Lost Lake - all are among things to do nearby. One activities that's fun is ziplining over Fitzsimmons Creek, which is a natural boundary between Upper Village and Whistler Village. Skate board at the nearby skate park. Picnic at Rebagliati Park. Meadow Park Sports Centre has indoor swimming, ice skating, hockey, and aerobics.
In the summer time, kids will enjoy the water park situated behind the sports center. Tour the natural world; Whistler has the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world; or see the alpine flowers bloom at the great heights of Whistler Mountain. Learn more about Whistler, Canada, and the world, by touring the local museums. Kids will love the Adventure Zone, where there are trapezes, a climbing wall, maze, luge, miniature golf, ponies, bungee trampolines, and more. Pluck berries from the earth at the U-Pick, Sturdy North Arm Farm, in nearby Pemberton. Whistler Village has shuttles coming and going, so you don't have to spend all your time there and you can branch out in the whole Whistler Valley.
Whistler Village may not have all of the events, but Whistler the city does not lack in fun happenings: Whistler's Cornucopia attracts wine pros, food critics, and those who love fine foods and wines. ARTrageous congregates visual artists, multimedia artists, dancers, circus acts, established as well as fresh directors, and all who appreciate art.
In Upper Village, the Farmer's Market is huge. WinterPride celebrates homosexuality with a parade, parties, skiing, and palpable excitement in the air. The annual TELUS Winter Classic is a weekend of skiing, wine, food, and mountaintop parties. The Fire and Ice Show wows visitors with fire-involved dancing and acrobatics, and fireworks shot from the side of the mountains. And, of course, the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will have whatever event you love. Not to be missed.

Restaurants & Shops of Whistler Village

Whistler Village, which cannot be understated, is where you go, out of all of Whistler, to shop and eat. Over 200 stores and ninety restaurants have just about everything: the latest fashion, sports gear, bargains, furniture, antiques, art galleries, name-brands, indie - you name it. With over ninety restaurants, imagine the delicious oysters and seafood, sushi, pasta, vegetarian, French cuisine, pizza, pints of beer, fish burritos, prime rib and more. Just about every ethnicity and flavor is covered. Groceries can be delivered to your rental property.
Whistler Village is the center of Whistler's shopping, and dining. The US-based Skiing Magazine has, to this day, rated Whistler number one in "Top 25 Ski Resorts in North America" for eleven consecutive years. Snowboarding is excellent here as well. Whistler Village is the perfect starting point for conquering the mountains. Winter comes with many sports; all of which can take years to explore: skiing, snowboarding, sled riding, sleigh riding, dog sledding, cat skiing (a twenty person, heated Snowcat), heli-skiing, heli-tours, cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice hockey, tubing, and whatever you can make of snow.
Spring, summer, and fall slows, but doesn't stop: mountain bike, bungee jump, bear and eagle watch, tour by ATV, by helicopter, by plane, by train, by hot rod, by hummer, and by jet boat, canoe and kayak, fish, hike the mountains and trails, horseback ride, rock climb, zipline, whitewater raft, wakeboard, boat, golf, tennis, and swim and tan at the beach.
When you arrive in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, the mountains will mystify, slopes challenge, and Whistler Village impress. Your rental condo or chalet is a gateway to the vast Coast Mountains and a short trip to a town designed for you. It won't be to hard to find the home you search for, as many are great and set in a spectacular, unforgettable location.