Whistler is in British Columbia, Canada near Vancouver . A major ski resort and location for the alpine events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. In summer Whistler offers mountain biking, golf, fishing, white-water rafting, hiking trails and natural parks.
Whistler village is positioned between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The mountains providing 200 marked ski trails. In the valley Whistler is built around a series of small lakes. Whistler is British Columbia 's fastest-growing municipality. Whistler has a village atmosphere with good shopping areas and many excellent restaurants. Whistler is a pedestrian village and a car is not needed.
Whistler History
Whistler was originally called Alta Lake . It was changed in the 1960's using the local name for London Mountain “Whistler Mountain” so called due to the whistling marmots on its' flanks. London Mountain was surveyed in the 1860's. Whistler Mountain officially opening on February 15, 1966. The original people were the Coast Salish who lived in this isolated area for thoCanadands of years.
The area was opened up with the construction of the Pemberton Trail in 1877 from Howe Sound through the Coast Mountains linking the Pacific coast to the Pemberton valley. This brought in trappers and prospectors. In 1914 construction started on the Rainbow Lodge at Alta Lake and the Great Pacific Eastern Railway was built to Alta Lake . Whistler then became a base for logging and mining. A highway was built from Howe Sound in 1965.
Skiing started in 1966 when the Garibaldi Lift Company opened its first lift. Blackcomb Mountain opened to skiers in 1980. In 1992 Snow Country Magazine voted Whistler the "Number One Ski Resort in North America " and ever since then Whistler has developed its ski facilities.
