April 26, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Attractions
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I was up in Whistler this weekend for the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival with a bunch of friends, and while they snowboarded, I took the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful sunny day by riding the amazing Peak 2 Peak Gondola. I
Even if you're not skiing/boarding, you can get a lift ticket and it's worth it for the views on a clear day. Just magical. I hopped on the Gondola at Village base and road it to the top of Whistler Mountain, enjoyed the views there (and the snowboard demo park for the WSSF), and then snuggled into a P2P gondola for an 11-minute breathtaking tour of the skies over to Blackcomb peak.
You also get a birds-eye view of the village, the local lakes and more tree tops and ski trails than you could ever imagine. Once at Blackcomb, grab some nosh at the lodge or do what I did, lay down a plastic bag in the snow, have a seat and enjoy the sunshine (put sunscreen on, it's really strong sun!), the views and ruddy faces of all the people skiing.
February 12, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Whistler, Attractions
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One of the goals of the 2010 Olympic Games was to be the greenest / most environmentally games ever. Since I have an interest in the environment and sustainability I did a bit of research. I’ve listed a few of the interesting facts I found below:
Richmond Oval’s roof: The enormous (approximately 200m by 100m) roof at the Richmond Oval was made from wood that had been killed by pine beetles. At one time, the wood was thought unusable.
Sliding Centre: If you were wondering why the track at the sliding centre is painted white, it isn’t to look like snow, it’s to minimize the amount heat absorbed.
Medals: Even the gold, silver and bronze medals have an environmental aspect to them. 2.8 million tones of metals from electronics that were headed for a land-fill were used in making the medals.
Making the most of the rain: It’s no secret that Vancouver gets its fair share of rain. May of the new venues will collect rainwater and reuse it for flushing water efficient toilets, heating and even making ice at skating venues.
Whistler Olympic Park: The majority of wood waste generated from the construction of the Whistler Olympic Park was reused to build temporary structures, or to revegetate the area.
July 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Attractions
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A trip up to Whistler is always busy busy busy. There is so much to do there. It is difficult to decide what to participate in when you are there for a short stay. One thing is for certain, you are guaranteed to be tired and hungry by the end of the day. After playing 18 holes of golf and then going out for dinner, I wanted some peace and quiet and some time to unwind. We found the perfect spot to do that at the Nita Lake Lodge. This boutique hotel is fairly new to the Whistler area and is a little oasis in an otherwise bustling town. It offered all the amenities we were looking for including an upscale restaurant as well as a Bistro type coffee shop. The hotel itself is situated across the street (highway 99) from Whistler’s Creekside gondola. It is right on Nita Lake so we woke up to a very calming lakeside view. I would certainly agree with the staff when they say they have the best back yard in Whistler. For me this hotel had it all and more. The staff were great, very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and all there was to do. You are situated close enough to the Whistler Village to enjoy all it has to offer, yet the hotel’s location is quiet and relaxing. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle back and forth to the village so you can have that second glass of wine or if you like, take full advantage of Whistler’s night life. Then, when you are ready to call it a day, the shuttle will take you back to a little piece of hotel heaven.