Posted on 10 March 2012

Whistler in British Columbia is one of Canada’s top skiing destinations, best known for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Its skiing area covers more than 8,000 acres, and while its renowned for offering challenging runs to advanced skiers, there are also numerous slopes and runs more suitable for novices.

It’s also a great resort for snowboarders. The skiing season begins in mid-November and continues right through until May, and there is even some skiing on the glacier. The ski lifts are some of the most advanced anywhere, and the Peak to Peak gondola is the longest in the world, bridging the gap between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and offering dramatic views on the way across.

The pedestrianized village is very attractive, and contains numerous bars, nightclubs and restaurants and shops, and is renowned for its very lively apres ski. The resort is just one and a half hours drive from Vancouver along a very picturesque route, and is a nine-hour flight from the UK. It’s not the cheapest ski resort, but it is one of the most exciting, and it also has a reputation as a year round resort.

Accommodation here tends to be of a very high standard, although it’s possible to self-cater, as many people who own apartments in the resort rent them out year-round. During the summer the slopes are used by mountain bikers, and there are plenty of hiking trails and golf courses. There’s also the option to visit the glacier, or to book a trip to view the resident population of black bears who spend their winters hibernating on the snowy slopes of Whistler.