Ski High

When looking for a winter wonderland filled with activities for the whole family, the answer may be right in front of you. Whistler is putting skiing back on the map, providing a gateway to a multitude of winter sports and activities.

The resort town has been recognized as the hot spot for winter, heating up the dull, drab, colder months and offering an outdoor adventure for people of all ages.

Mary Zinck, representative for Whistler Tourism, says visiting Whistler has become a popular trend year-round.
“We have more than 200 retail [stores], 90-plus restaurants and bars, different spas and art galleries… You can go swimming or ice skating in the winter. We have a snow tube park but we also have horse-drawn snow carriages with fondue for those romantic getaways,” says Zinck. “There’s quite a variety for everybody, on everybody’s budget.”

According to Zinck, Whistler actually sees a slight increase of visitors in the summer with 52 per cent of their annual visitors, compared to 48 per cent in the winter. But things may be changing this year. Since hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Whistler is helping visitors bring out their inner Olympic athlete.

“We have 120 km of cross-country ski trails for all ski levels and you can go to Whistler Olympic Park, which was a venue for the Nordic. Visitors can come and use the Olympic venues,” says Zinck. “New for this year, you can go on the Whistler Sliding Centre and experience bobsleigh or the skeleton.”

But not everyone is a natural at hitting the slopes. To bring out the ski bunny in everyone, Whistler Blackcomb offers a ski and snowboard school, providing lessons for children and adults. Whistler Blackcomb is an award-winning ski resort that provides visitors with more than 8,100 skiable acres. It also was the official host of the alpine skiing events for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Bartosz Barczynski, general manager of Whistler Blackcomb’s ski school for adults, says lessons can help everyone, from amateurs to pros.

“I would definitely [suggest] getting a lesson. Not only would it brush up their skills… but it would also help to familiarize them with the mountain. Our instructors are very knowledgeable about where to go and the basic questions that people would have… It would get them familiarized with the big mountain experience here that we offer and of course, that would be catered to whatever ski level they are at,” says Barczynski.

The ski school offers a variety of programs to help skiers reach new heights. With more than 1,000 ski instructors, the school offers private   lessons that are customizable for each skier. There are also group lessons that can allow up to seven people to participate, supergroup lessons for a semi-private lesson with up to three people, and ski camps with multi-day programs to extend the learning experience.

Skiing can be a vigorous workout. It helps to exercise the entire body, especially the legs, arms and back. It also provides a cardiovascular workout to help strengthen the heart. After a day of skiing, a crash pad may be necessary. The good news is that luxury accommodations are not too far from the mountains.

Blackcomb Peaks Accommodations provide lofts, condominiums and townhouses for visitors who are looking for the comfort of a home environment. For out-of-town visitors, hotels in Whistler provide luxury amenities for skiers to enjoy. Hotels such as The Westin Resort & Spa, Four Seasons and The Fairmont Chateau provide golf courses, spas and the convenience of ski valet, which allows guests to check their skies in at the hotel so they are free to explore the properties without having to carry their equipment around.

For local residents, many resorts including Whistler Blackcomb also offer season passes for visitors to enjoy at their convenience.

According to Barczynski, this winter season is expected to be a busy one for Whistler Blackcomb, especially with all eyes on the city from their strong presence in the Olympics.

“It definitely puts us on the map further than it already has,” he says. “I hope that watching the Olympics, especially in your backyard, has kind of inspired people who have not skied for a while to pick it up again, [and] for the ones who haven’t tried it to give it a try. We find you can learn at any age.”

For one of British Columbia’s biggest trademarks, skiing may be all about going downhill. But the view from the top is something you’ve got to see to believe. •


 

Be a Ski Star

Trying out the sport is only the beginning.
 

Whistler Blackcomb is confident in their resort and activities, so much so that they offer friendly warnings on their website to let people know what to expect when visiting the resort — “Addiction. The first step is admitting it” and the clever pun “Awesome on so many levels.”

But with any sport, there are risks involved and these risks can be more apparent for someone who is new to the sport.

Whether you are a young learner or late bloomer, Barczynski recommends giving skiing a try, especially in the winter months.

“You can learn at any age,” says Barczynski. “One of the biggest programs we have is the senior ski team. It just further lends credence to the fact that you can start at any age or restart at any age and we invite you to do it.”

Whistler Blackcomb has taken a variety of safety precautions to help each visitor’s stay be a pleasurable one. This includes having six levels in their Ski Ability Chart, ranging from First- Time Skier to Expert. The chart helps skiers find which areas they belong in and areas they can strive to be in.

With every risk comes a reward. Skiing and other winter sports can be beneficial to one’s health. It provides a full body workout that helps strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health.

Barczynski says for the price of skiing, the benefits outweigh the cost.

“It’s the value for what you’re getting,” he says. “It’s healthy and you get to enjoy the mountains.”

Photo by Randy Lincks