Cheap Hotels in Whistler

Site of the 2010 Olympics!!! Whistler is a year round holiday destination offering great skiing in the winter and wonderful mountain outdoor activities in the summer months

Located 120 km north of Vancouver, Whistler is a charming alpine village situated among the Coast Mountains. This resort town of 7,200 people, is the home of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offering world-class skiing during the winter season and a multitude of summer activities. Whistler's European style village is great for shopping, nightlife and festivals.

Regardless of season, the landscape around Whistler is its main attraction. When the snow disappears, the area opens up for walking and mountain-biking, with an almost endless variety of tracks and trails heading off from the Village - some of the best ones pass the three major lakes nearby (Lost, Green and Alta). Decent bikes can be hired from a number of outlets in the main village, for about $30 a day.

The Gondola is also still operating out of skiing season, and although the mountains aren't nearly as attractive stripping of their white lining, the views from the top are well worth seeing, and a number of bone-shaking descents can be taken if you opt to ride the chair lift all the way to the peak (about an extra five minutes' ride up, plus the same time to walk from the main terminal there). If you're particularly suicidal, you can take your bike up with you to the first station and ride it back down the mountain, although I can't quite fathom why anyone would do that willingly.

A short walk out of the Village to the Upper Village, a variety of activities lie at the foot of Blackcomb mountain. A fairly tame Luge, a decent mini-golf course and a couple of circus-style stunts, such as a flying trapeze, are amongst the deviations here, tickets being purchased at the booth in the centre of the area.