Students Guide To Whistler

From OSU Wiki

1 What Whistler Has To Offer

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What Whistler Has To Offer

Average Snowfall 360 inches/30 feet per year

Total Terrain 8,171 acres/3,307 hectares

Trails 200 +

Longitude/Latitude 50° latitude, 122° longitude

Mountain Restaurants 17 with a total of 6,540 restaurant seats

Highest Lift Elevation 2,284 metres/7,494 feet

Village Elevation 675 metres/2,214 feet

Number of Lifts 33

Hourly Lift Capacity 59,007 skiers per hour

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Winter

Whistler/Blackcomb is a skiers/snowboarders paradise from Mid-November to Late April. Freestyle huckers can flip, spin, grind, and jib their way down the multiple freestyle parks or in the vast backcountry Whistler has to offer. Beginners can take ski lessons from highly experienced guides or learn on their own in one of many wide open green runs throughout the mountains. Freerider's will drool over the free flowing powder runs within the mountains combined 8000+ acres of ski-able runs. Those who wish can even heli-ski one of the most popular glaciers in the world in complete isolation from other people.

For more information on other activities offered during the summer around whistler please visit winter activities

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Summer

It may seem odd to go to a world famous ski resort in the summer when the snow has gone, but whistler's summer attendance in 2006 was more than during the winter! Whistler Mountain is the mecca for Gravity Mountain Biking in the world. It is simply heaven on earth for downhill racers, freeriders, dirt jumpers, slopestyle riders, and weekend warriors of all skill levels. Guides are offered for a small fee and if you prefer more time on the mountain one of many camps can be attended for discounted price. The world famous trails get better every year with major improvements throughout the season, offering a different experience every day on the mountain. Trails are clearly marked for skill level and offer easy routs around difficult stunts. Two skill builder areas are found on the mountain for beginners to hone their skills before attacking the mountain in full force. If you are new to the sport, do not fret, all equipment is available to rent on a daily basis and is always the best quality found in gravity mountain biking. It is guaranteed that you will have a fun time at whistler during the summer, whether you are on the mountain, roaming the village, or participating in one of the other great activities offered around whistler.

For more information on other activities offered during the summer around whistler please visit summer activities

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Where To Stay

Whistler/Blackcomb is split into three main places; Main/Lower Village, Upper Village, and Creekside. There are multiple smaller areas to stay, but they commonly include houses/condos to rent. Since we are college students and most of us are on a limited budget, I will only explain the cheapest way to stay in Whistler. The Tantalus Lodge is close to the mountain and located in the Main/Lower Village. If you play your cards right and just ask for a one bed room, you will only pay $89CND a night in the summer and around $189CND in the winter. The trick is that the Tantalus Lodge does not have any one bed rooms, they are all two bed rooms with a full kitchen, living room, dining room, and two bath. Then you stuff as many friends in there as possible. It will sleep 6 on beds (the couch folds out) and however many more you can fit on the floor. The managers are very cool and understand that we are out of money and just want to get on the mountain. Anywhere else you stay is all depending on your budget and comfort level.

For the best deals in Whistler/Blackcomb, visit accommodations

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Where To Eat

The food in Whistler/Blackcomb is where the trip gets expensive. Unless you go to one of the markets located in the middle of the Lower Village or the north side of the Lower Village, you are in for minimum $10 per plate if you want to sit down. Drinks range from $3-$8CND depending on what you are in the mood for. Earls, Chitas, GLC, and The Longhorn are the best places for a college budget decent Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast is over priced and you are better off forgetting about it and saving your money for a drink later in the evening. If the budget is not a problem for you, then you are up for a major decision on where to eat. Whistler/Blackcomb offers great food choices of all kinds, and the food is always wonderful.

Here is a list of the amazing restaurants offered in Whistler/Blackcomb.

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Night Life

The Night Life in the Lower Village is a big part of the Whistler/Blackcomb culture. The locals like to party, and they party hard! The local’s party at a different pub/bar/club every day of the week and it varies from week to week where they go. The place is set by word of mouth, so keep in ear out if you want to attend the party of the night. If a big party is not your deal, there are many chill' bars/pubs around the village that are super fun to hang out at and go over the days fun and the plans for the next day. WARNING!!!--STD's come and go in Whistler/Blackcomb very often, be very very careful when doing sexual acts with someone you just met. Whistler/Blackcomb is a huge tourist town and many people come and go and often do not care about what they give to other people. The medical facilities will give you more information if you need it.

You cannot buy beer or liquor in a Canadian gas station or market; you have to go to a proper liquor store. These are located right next to the markets within the village and are open from 11am-11pm. Most of the village opens around 10am to accommodate for the late nights on the town.

Here is some good insight on the night life

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Directions From Oregon State University

This is the quickest and easiest rout to Whistler from campus. Follow the directions carefully when you get to the Canadian border and do not miss the exit. DO NOT take the Peace Arch across the boarder. It takes longer and is quite confusing when trying to reach the sea to sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler. When you are coming to the HWY15 on ramp, you will go over the freeway and take a clover on-ramp eastbound. This is also an easy to miss part.

There is a lot of construction on HWY 1 due to the Olympics in 2010. Drive safely and cautious. Canadian construction works day and night, so there will always be closures. Make sure to compensate for this time loss if you are on a tight time schedule.

Prepare to wait at the border if you cross at peak times. If you are a resident of a non-bordering state, then you will need your passport and I.D. to get in and out of Canada. A birth certificate is good enough if you are a resident of a bordering state. As of 2008 all Americans will be required to have a passport.

Do not give the border officers any grief, because they will make your crossing hell, and can keep you for up to 120min if they wish.

Mapquest directions.

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