Whistler – A Sushi Roll of Outdoor Adventure

June 15, 2014

12:00 AM

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Tourism BC - Randy Lincks

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Mike Crane

Ninja Cougar in the Whistler Bike Park

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Mike Crane

Whistler Bungy

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Steve Rogers

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Mike Crane

Canada Day Fireworks over Whistler Village

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Mike Crane

Summer concert at the Whistler Olympic Plaza

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Mike Crane

Canada Day Celebrations in Whistler Village

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Mike Crane

Whistler Children's Art Festival

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Mike Crane

Paddling the River of Golden Dreams

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Mike Crane

Rafting the Green River on a hot summer day

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Mike Crane

Paddling the River of Golden Dreams

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Mike Crane

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Mike Crane

2013 Tough Mudder at the Whistler Olympic Park

Staff Writers

It's not easy to sum up Whistler in a few short words. Through the years, this town of 10,000 has risen to fame as one of the world's premier resorts. Yes, Whistler is a star, but the attention is well deserved — from the deep snows of winter to the sparkling days of summer, it offers a staggering range of options for travellers of all ages and all tastes. Surrounded by thick forests, soaring peaks and beautiful rivers and lakes, Whistler has come a long way since its days as a trading post on the Pemberton Trail. And as the Host Mountain Resort for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the town entered a whole new era. It's a spirited place, but still one where the peace of the wild prevails. Wherever you are in Whistler — even if it’s sipping champagne and shucking oysters in a five-star restaurant, you're only a few minutes from some of most stunning backcountry the world has to offer.

In summer, the town's focus turns to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park (www.whistlerbike.com), with its 1,507 vertical metres (4,900 feet) of descending trails. Once you've strapped on your helmet, you'll find everything from easy cruisers to experts-only single-track. The truly radical will want to head to the jump and slopestyle parks.  

With four championship courses and gorgeous summer weather, Whistler is also an unforgettable place for a week on the links. Whistler Golf Club (www.whistlergolf.com), the first Canadian course designed by Arnold Palmer, offers spectacular views and immaculate play. Nicklaus North — by the legendary Jack Nicklaus — is another of the area's can't-miss courses (www.golfbc.com/courses/nicklaus_north).

Whether it's the glaciers, the forests, or the lakes and rivers, there's no end to the opportunities for fresh-air fun. Before long, you'll find yourself absorbing the passion that Whistler’s residents have for their surrounding environment. Some of the other standout activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, fly-fishing, rafting and ziplining. At WildPlay Element Park, discover unique outdoor activities like tree-to-tree climbing and a bungee jump. At the end of the day, you'll find your attention turning to the town’s après scene. A drink or two in the Village is always a great way to settle deeper into the vibe and do some people watching. There's also great shopping at the town's galleries and boutiques. For all of the above and more, Whistler.com is the most reliable resource.  www.whistler.com 

Whistler has also become one of British Columbia's centres for arts and culture. The area is home to a thriving population of artists and craftspeople, and their work is on display at numerous locations throughout Whistler Village. The Whistler Museum and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre are great ways to get a feel for the town's pioneer and First Nations past. The town's festivals also provide an opportunity to tune into the sophisticated side of mountain life. Check out the Canada Day Celebrations featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday July 1,2014. Enjoy a series of family friendly performances from July 1 to 5, some with just four musicians, others with the entire orchestra.

Wondering how tough you are, or how tough fellow Canadians can be? The Tough Mudder competition Jun 21-22 is a 16 to 19 km hardcore obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces. Sounds to me like a great event for a lawn chair and a beverage.

Another family event is the Whistler Children’s Festival on from July 12-13. With roving costumed characters and a main stage providing entertainment from award winning entertainers like Bobs & Lolo, Charlotte Diamond, and Wil Stroet, this could be the highlight of 2014 for your kids. There’s also a complete line-up of art workshops from soap stone carving to jewelry making, and dance to tie-dye. If you missed the sixties, don’t miss this.

There's a ton to do in Whistler, but there are also blissful days when you don't have to do anything at all. On those days, a yoga class, a stroll or a soak and massage at one of the town's spas, such as the sublime Scandinave Spa Whistler, will more than suffice. Grab an espresso and experience Whistler’s famous coffee culture, or snuggle up with a favourite book beside a crackling fire.  www.scandinave.com/en/whistler

Whistler is about superlatives, and that applies to its food scene as well. With access to a huge range of high-end local product, the town is a base for some of British Columbia's most creative chefs. Araxi, featured on FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen, is one of Whistler's most prestigious restaurants, with fantastic seafood and artfully prepared West Coast cuisine. The village’s Barefoot Bistro, headed by 2008 Gold Medal Plates Culinary Champion Chef Melissa Craig and her Sous Chef Jimmy Stewart (of Canada’s Next Top Chef fame), blend classic techniques with a touch of molecular gastronomy. Another standby is the longstanding RimRock Café — soya marinated Ahi tuna and venison pan-fried with Foie gras are among its unique entrées.

Sushi Village is an icon of the town’s social scene, and its private booths have a lot of stories to tell. If you can’t get a seat there, head for Sachi Sushi, run by a couple of former Sushi Village chefs. For your morning fuel-up, you'll want to hit the Elements — the eggs Benedict and signature potato tartlet are to die for.

With outdoor adventure, sports, culture and children’s festivals, make sure you take your RV to Whistler this summer for an inspiring vacation.

Two fantastic RV Parks to stay at while you enjoy your Whistler experience are:

Whistler RV Park and Campground (www.whistlerrvpark.com)

Riverside Resort (www.whistlercamping.com)