Muchmor Canada Magazine takes a look at what Whistler can offer.
Whistler has been voted #1 for 12 years running by U.S. based SKIING Magazine. The resort is within the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia with two mountains to enjoy: Whistler and Blackcomb, each with its own unique features.
Whistler Village is the centre of the resort and has a strong sense of community. The resort also offers a public transit system called the Whistler and Valley Express, also known as WAVE. The nightlife in Whistler is excellent with bars, restaurants, clubs and plenty of live music to enjoy. Everything from luxury hotels to reasonably priced chalets and B&B’s are available. There is also the Hilton Resort, the Westin Resort and the two Pan Pacific Resorts at Mountainside and Village. You will also find luxury condos, homes and chalets available. If you want to bring your cat or dog with you, Whistler offers some excellent pet-friendly accommodation as well as doggie daycare facilities.
The 2008/09 winter season will see the opening of the brand new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Opening on December 12th 2008, the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will stretch from the top of Whistler Mountain to the top of Blackcomb Mountain traveling a distance of 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in just 11 minutes. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be the longest, highest gondola of its type in the world and will provide a breathtaking journey for visitors – winter and summer.
Whistler prides itself on being an international resort with accessibility to all people, including disabled travellers.
There are several accessible transportation options for getting to Whistler. If you’re driving to the resort, there are designated disabled parking spaces in the parking lots in and around Whistler. The community’s public bus service and local taxi company both have designed wheelchair accessible options.
Whistler Village is accessible with pedestrian-only streets, paved access to the Valley Trail, close proximity to transportation, and wheelchair access to the Whistler Mountain gondola for skiing and sight-seeing.
Whistler is considered “the largest gay-friendly mountain resort in North America.” The best time to fully enjoy Gay Whistler is during WinterPRIDE week. Mr. Gay World will be crowned during WinterPRIDE.
The 2009/2010 Winter Season is off to a stellar start with an early mountain opening and posed to be the snowiest November on record with over 233cm base already and another meter of snow in the forecast!
GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE moves to March 1-8, 2010 and will be immediately following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The energy is going to be electric as the festival baths in the afterglow of the Olympic Spirit. This is the year to come and be part of the magic.
Also new this year is PRIDE House – a pavilion that will span the Olympics, WinterPRIDE and the Paralympic Winter Games. A Pavilion that celebrates diversity and openly discusses homophobia within sport and beyond. Located at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre as well as the Vancouver location at Qmunity on Bute/Davie Street and Score on Davie – a Gay Sports Bar.
Hope to see you out this year. For reservations call 1.866.787.1966