Whistler, British Columbia
Holiday Destination
Nestled in the Coast Mountains, 40 kms inland from the Pacific Ocean and 120 kms from one of Canada's largest urban centres, Whistler is a unique Canadian success story. Despite a First Nations culture rooted in antiquity, our pioneer history goes back a scant century. And our reincarnation as a ski town and Olympic dream dates only to 1960 when wild-eyed businessmen, inspired by the 1956 Winter Olympic Games at Squaw Valley, cast about to find a suitable Canadian venue to bring the Games north.
What started with big dreams and small steps, grew into one of the top ski resorts in North America and Canada’s premier destination mountain resort in what seems like the blink of an eye.
And why not. Whistler Blackcomb out polls all other resorts as the spot skiers and boarders would head to if they could go anywhere in the world. With a mile of vertical on Blackcomb Mountain, and just under that on Whistler, over 8,100 acres of in-bounds terrain, more snow in more alpine bowls than you can tackle in a day, the most groomed acreage of any resort, glades, groomers and great backcountry, this place is a winter paradise.
But that’s just scratching the surface. Whistler is a four-season resort with more to do than there is time to do it. For instance, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking, golf, tennis, in-line skating and sailing. And let’s not leave out fine and casual dining in and around Whistler Village, our leisurely patio culture, the fine art of après — itself a four-season nosh — and vibrant nightlife. Of course, life isn’t all play and no work. But you can combine the two with our extensive conference facilities.
FoMo Info: www.whistler.com
Mountain Community
No, we don’t all live in the Village. Many visitors are surprised to discover there’s a real — and really small — town somewhere just outside our lively, pedestrian Village. Whistler is a thriving mountain community of 9,500 permanent residents. Our sense of community is very strong and we’re passionately commitment to protecting our natural mountain environment becoming a truly sustainable resort community. See the section on Toward Sustainability for more information.
In addition to our permanent resident base, Whistler is a home-away-from-home for approximately 11,500 second-home owners from around the world, and 2,300 seasonal residents. With overnight and day visitors, our per day population averages 28,280 in winter and peaks, usually around New Year's, at approximately 45,000. Which explains how a town of fewer than 10,000 boasts more fine restaurants than towns an order of magnitude larger.
FoMo Info: www.whistler2020.ca
Local Government & Tourism
Whistler was Canada’s first Resort Municipality; we invented the designation. The Resort Municipality of Whistler, led by an elected mayor and council and run by a professional staff, is the local government. RMOW provides local services and community infrastructure including water, sewer, roads, fire protection, bylaw enforcement, law enforcement through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, parks, conservation and protected areas, recreation and cultural programs, and resident housing. It also legislates and enforces land use and development and maintains all municipal property, including Whistler Village.
Tourism Whistler, incorporated under the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act, is the local tourism marketing board. It is an association of land owners and business operators whose task is to promote, facilitate and encourage the marketing of the resort. They offer central reservation, activity booking and information services to Whistler visitors, and operate the Whistler Conference Centre and Whistler Golf Course.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler is the Host Mountain Resort and a member partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In or near the Village, we will host the Nordic skiing and ski jumping events, alpine skiing competitions and sliding events — bobsleigh, luge and skeleton — of the Olympic Games from February 12 to 28, 2010. We’ll also be hosting many of the Paralympic Winter Games events in March.
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