Whistler is world famous. There was a time when it was not and the village and the slopes were once our happy secret. Located just a short drive from Vancouver, Whistler is another gem of the spectacular Pacific Northwest.
Whister. Home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
We, Canadians, are quite proud of that, and 14 gold medals ain’t too shabby. Alas, most people know Whistler as a winter playground. Even some locals, so I won’t blame you. Summer is actually a great time to check out Whistler Village and all that nature. Especially if you don’t ski/snowboard, or otherwise don’t like snow/cold.
Whistler-in-the-summer is like Whistler-in-the-winter’s shyer and quieter twin. And a cheaper date.
Growing up in Vancouver, we also saw Whistler mostly in the winter. I remember Christmas vacations either driving down the West Coast, visiting family or hanging out at Whistler, if we did anything that is. My first summertime experience was the year I graduated from high school. We stayed at our friend’s family cabin, the group’s last hurrah before we all scattered, heading for university and the real world.
My second summer stay in Whistler was in 2007. On one of my admittedly rare trips home, I spent a weekend there with my sister and a friend from Victoria I had met in Bermuda. To be honest, I forget where we stayed. We did decide on a condo lodge with a kitchen. Nestled right in the village, close to everywhere including the grocery and liquor stores and a ton of restaurants.
My sister had really gotten into biking and unsurprisingly, that was the first thing we did. It’s super easy to rent bikes and there are trails everywhere, for all levels of skill and fitness. For real bikers and thrill-seekers – drop offs, rock faces, and definite air time. For me? I insisted on easy – a green run.
From the village, we headed out on the Whistler Valley Trail to Alta Lake (the second largest lake in Whistler). Even though September is usually quite warm (Indian summer and all), it wasn’t that day. In fact, it was freezing cold. The beach was empty. There were no kayakers on the lake. The trails were quiet. It was perfect.
Obviously if you want more excitement, then you should head to Whistler during the actual summer holidays. Lots happening at all the beaches and parks. There is something for everyone – kid-friendly, dog-friendly, BBQ and beer-friendly…and even nudie-friendly. Check out the nudie-dock at Lost Lake, just 10 minutes on foot from Upper Village. It’s not “secluded” like Wreck Beach in the (University) Endowment Lands. And an easy 10 minute jaunt is nothing compared to over 400 steps down to this most famous clothing-optional beach.
And of course, you don’t have to stay overnight. In my university days, we headed up just for concerts and it was FUN. University was just fun, wasn’t it? I had some really good times, some of which I have solid memories of and some more hazy. If you are headed up for the Labour Day weekend, check out what’s on in Whistler.
I have to say, living overseas, I had forgotten how beautiful BC really is. And it’s also the scale of things.
Bermuda is quite a gem, not overly developed and tiny. 60,000 people. Singapore is green, as far as Asian urban cities go, though pretty much flat. Hong Kong is much more green than most people realize. Hiking trails traverse the territory. Yet home is still what is home to the heart.
Here I was, leaning against my rental bike, I was simply dwarfed by the mountainous backdrop, the trees, and water. The force of nature is undeniable. I was in awe. Looking out into the mountains, surrounded by deep and dense green, you wouldn’t know how much clearcutting has gone on. We drove into Whistler so we didn’t see; had we taken a helicopter, the evidence would have been stark. Sad, and disturbing.
Biking was the highlight of our Whistler weekend, as far as activities go, though my friend led us through a yoga “class” which was awesome. We almost signed on for ziplining, some tree top adventures, after much self-talk (on how safe it was and how this would be the perfect way to face my demons in the eye, etc). I did almost feel guilty when the timing didn’t work out since I was secretly hoping it would fall through (remember my fears of height and speed?).
Our Whistler getaway was subdued, relaxing I would say. We walked through the ever-expanding village, checking out the shops. It was no shocker that it’s completely built up from when we were young, a process that started way before the Olympics story.
That was five years ago, September. Of course Whistler is much more developed now, more glitzy. And just BIGGER. Even Whistler’s website is a huge marketing machine.
For me, I’ll always have my childhood memories of getting stuck in the gondola or the chair lift, freezing wind whipping into my face. Or the hot chocolate after hitting the slopes. And yes, even that time I slid off the icy roads driving up with my dog. Thanks to my guides, we were okay. Without a cell phone back then, I don’t even remember how help came! I’ll also always remember that summer, between teenager and young adulthood, the last time the six or seven of us were together.
It is like knowing someone before they became famous. It’s kind of neat, to have seen the more humble, more grounded, more soulful version of the kid who grew up and got mass appeal. Still fun, just different.
