Whistler lies on the west coast of Canada, roughly 100 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 75 miles northeast of the city of Vancouver. The town is located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The nearest American city is Seattle, Washington. Whistler is surrounded to the south and west by Garibaldi Provincial Park, a Canadian national park. The Garibaldi ranges have many ski slopes in the winter and many hiking paths during the summer. Whistler serves as a convenient home base for skiers and hikers seeking the sights of this area directly.
Whistler initially served as part of a trading route between the Squamish and Lil'wat Native Americans. The area was later explored by the British in the 1860s. In 1877 the area was used for ranching cattle and as part of a trail to bring them to market in Vancouver. At the turn of the century a small hunting lodge and resort called Rainbow Lodge was established. The creation of a railway to nearby Vancouver in the 1910s made access to this area easier from both coasts. Vacationers traveled to Whistler to explore nearby lakes as well as to hunt and fish. Skiers were drawn to the area's fine slopes. As a result a year-round population was established. At present there are roughly 10,000 people who live in the area full time.
Whistler shares relatively cool summers with Vancouver. Temperatures even in midsummer rarely rise above the mid-seventies. Rain is frequent during this period, with an average of two inches for both July and August. Spring and fall are also quite temperate. The average temperature in May is in the low sixties. Winter can be relatively cold with an average temperature of thirty-two in January. Snow is common during this time, with an average of nearly a foot for every month of winter.
Vancouver was chosen as the official site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The 2010 Olympics are scheduled to be held from February 12 to February 28. During this time some Olympic events will be held in Whistler. These include all Alpine competitions such as downhill skiing. Whistler will also be the site of sliding events such as luge and bobsled and the snowboarding events such as the halfpipe.
Whistler is home to the Whistler Blackcomb resort. This resort offers visitors many skiing trails designed for skiers of all levels and abilities. Visitors may also make use of a mountain bike path where bikers can travel down a designed trail. Mountain biking festivals and competitions are held several times each year in this area.
