Sights & Attractions in Whistler and Blackcomb

Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, part of Whistler Resort, which will host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, are consistently ranked among North America's top ski destinations. Between them they have the largest ski area and the two longest vertical drops on the continent, as well as one of the world's most advanced lift systems. And the ski-in, ski-out village has enough shops, restaurants, nightlife, and other activities to fill a vacation without ever hitting the slopes. In winter the resort buzzes with skiers and snowboarders from all over the world; in summer the pace relaxes as the focus shifts to cycling, hiking, golfing, and boating, though heli-skiers will still find snow. Whistler's Mountain Bike Park is quickly becoming a top summer draw, in large part because every year it introduces ever more innovative jump-infested trails.

At the base of the two mountains are Whistler Village, Village North (also called Marketplace), and Upper Village—locals, though, refer to the entire interconnected community of lodgings, restaurants, pubs, and boutiques at the base of the mountains as Whistler Village, and all of it is rapidly expanding. Another village center, called Whistler Creek, continues to develop along Highway 99 a few miles to the south.

Whistler Village is a pedestrians-only community. Anywhere you want to go within the resort is within a few minutes' walk, and parking lots are just outside the village (although as a hotel guest, you may have access to underground parking). The bases of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are also just at the village edge; in fact, you can ski right into the lower level of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel.

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