You’ve heard a lot about Whistler Blackcomb, and you’re familiar with the fact that it has some great slopes. But, did you know that there a lot of other things you can do here? It’s true. From bear viewing to champagne sabering, here are some little-known, but amazingly fun activities to check out when it’s time to hang up the skis for the day.
Rock Climbing
Go to the Whistler Core and climb its 5,500 square foot indoor rock climbing wall. Don’t have rock-climbing equipment? No worries; you can rent everything you need. The giant wall offers you an almost endless number of ways to get to the top and, if you’re new to the sport, you can get a 1-hour guided lesson.
Even kids can do this, so bring them along if you have them.
Create Some Stone Art
Ever wanted to carve your own personal stone art? Most people have never heard of this phenomenon, but it exists and it’s at Whistler. There are a lot of galleries, including the Fathom Stone Art Gallery, where you can create your own art and take it home with you. The carving workshops are one hour in length, but they can extend all day if you want to “go deep” in your understanding of stone art.
Don’t be fooled by their simple beauty – a 12cm inukshuk can take you 2 to 3 hours to complete.
Slice Some Champagne
Ever wanted to take a sharp saber to a champagne bottle? Now you can. The Bearfoot Bistro at Whistler lets you learn about a tradition that dates back to the Napoloenic period. Being able to successfully shear the top off of a bottle of champagne meant good luck in the coming battle.
Be sure to check out some of the Whistler Blackcomb lodging options if you do stop by the Bearfood Bistro. You’ll be drinking all night long, and your cork from the bottle will be packaged up for you to remember long after your time here is over.
Find Out What Bears Really Do
Is the old saying about what a bear does in the woods really true? Find out on a bear viewing excursion. The Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are filled with bears – 60 black bears and cubs make their home here and these are the only population of black bears in British Columbia that have been studied for over 2 decades.
Your guide will show and tell you just about everything you ever wanted to know about bears, the flora and fauna here, and even the ecology.
Ski With An Olympian
If you’ve ever wanted to ski with an olympian, now’s your chance. Julia Murray, Anastasia Skryabina, Tami Bradley, Rob Boyd, and Kristi Richards all offer you an adventure. Pick from any one of these champions, and learn from the best.
Whether you want to up your game, get better at the basics, or ski and have fun while you make friends with an olympic athlete, this program lets you do what you’ve always wanted to do.
Whistler Sliding Centre
This one is strictly for bobsled lovers. If you’ve ever wanted to feel the wind whipping past your ears and travel faster than the sound of your screams as you careen down the track, this event is for you. Prices start at $169.
Maria Harder is a self-confessed ski bum and avid traveler. When she’s not on the slopes, she’s at her keyboard writing about her passion. You can read her enlightening articles on a variety of websites and blog sites.
