[prisna-google-website-translator]
It all began in 1914, when pioneers Myrtle and Alex Philip opened Rainbow Lodge, a summer fishing camp, in what was then known as Alta Lake. For the next 50 years, it was the most popular Canadian summer destination west of the Rockies.
Summers continue to be just as popular as they ever were!
With hundreds of hiking trails, incredible sightseeing opportunities, clear mountain lakes, championship golf courses and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world.
Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round destination resort. Visitors find an undeniable spark in Whistler – an energy that lights up smiles, powers lasting memories and draws them back to the resort, year after year.
In winter, our vibrant mountain community is everything a skier or snowboarder could desire! With long, perfectly groomed runs, alpine bowls, steeps, chutes and endless powder. Imagine a charming alpine village set between TWO impressive mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Add all the amenities and comforts of a city, plus more outdoor adventure activities and lively events than you could possibly experience in just one visit. It’s easy to see why Whistler is consistently voted the #1 resort in North America.
Whistler opened for skiing in the 1960’s with the hopes of hosting the 1968 Winter Games. That did not happen, and in the following years, Whistler was put forward 4 more times as a potential host venue before its Games dreams finally came true. In reality, Whistler was born and bred to be an Olympic venue.
2010 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC HOST MOUNTAIN RESORT
On July 2nd 2003, Whistler was awarded the honour of co-hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Winter Games have been almost woven into the very fabric of Whistler as it has developed over the years. Street names that commemorate former Olympic Winter Games sites, as well as, athletes and many Olympians who have trained here and still call the resort home. Whistler is prepared to welcome the world in 2010 and show off the energy, spirit and diverse culture of this authentic mountain community.
Already an internationally respected host of world-class sporting and entertainment events, Whistler’s venue have been expanded and improved upon for the 2010 Winter Games. New facilities have been built that will further enhance the visitor’s experience in the resort long after 2010.
VISIT THE OLYMPIC VENUES NOW!
Whistler’s Creekside hosted both Olympic and Paralympic alpine events, including men and women’s downhill, Super G, slalom, giant slalom and super combined. You can ski the same terrain where the world’s top athletes were challenged for the gold in February 2010. Take in one of the many scheduled events throughout the reguar ski season.
The comprehensive Whistler Olympic Park is the newly built Nordic Venue in the Callahan Valley just south of Whistler. Three separate stadiums hosted biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. The cross-country ski and snowshoe trails are currently open to the public from mid-November until Mid-April.
Blackcomb Mountain is home to the new Whistler Sliding Centre that hosted the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events. The centre remains open after the 2010 Winter Games and allows visitors the chance to experience the thrills of sliding sports.
Source: Tourism Whistler
2010 GAMES QUICK FACTS *
XXI Olympic Winter Games: February 12 – 28 *
X Paralympic Winter Games: March 12 – 21 *
17 days of Olympic Games events *
10 days of Paralympic games events *
20 Olympic and Paralympic events *
5,000 Olympic Games athletes and officials (projected) *
1,350 Paralympic games athletes and officials (projected) *
80+ countries participating in Olympic Winter Games *
40+ countries participating in Paralympics Winter Games *
10,000 media representatives *
Over 3 billion worldwide television views *
75 million visits worldwide to Vancouver2010.com (projected) *
Total economic impact: $10.7 billion
Tourism (Canada’s tourism Business magazine)