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Peak pleasures (page 2)
From alpine adventures to zooming ziplines, these Whistler area attractions are sure to lift your spirit
By Masa Takei
Get in the grooves
You can always hit the Lost Lake trail system, 30 kilometres of track, practically within the village of Whistler. But the new
Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley features 55 kilometres of groomed trails for classic and skate-skiing aficionados,
as well as trails for biathletes, snowshoers and canine companions. Both have night skiing until 9 p.m. For those who prefer
to skin up on fat planks and are looking for a quick backcountry hit, the trail up to Elfin Lakes or the Red Heather hut in the
Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park is hard to beat for accessibility and low cost (the price of admission is trailhead
parking).
www.whistlerolympicpark.com, (877) 764-2455
www.crosscountryconnection.ca, (604) 905-0071
www.tourismsquamish.com, (877) 815-5084
Zipping right along
Slide down cables through old-growth forests with Ziptrek Ecotours, the first zipliners in North America. Soak in some
nature while zooming at up to 80 kilometres an hour down the highest, longest ziplines available. Another significantly longer
and higher cable to traverse is the one supporting the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which links the tops of Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains. It lays claim to having both the longest (more than three kilometres) and highest (435 metres) unsupported
lift span in the world.
www.ziptrek.com, (866) 935-0001
www.whistler.com/gondola, (800) 944-7853
Fuel up
Recognizing that food and wine are the best pairing after fresh powder and a new base wax, Whistler celebrates the combination
in style with a Bacchanalian celebration called Cornucopia, now in its 13th year. From November 12 to 15, geek out with wine
professionals at seminars, rub elbows with restaurateurs and be merry. For those who can’t make the four-day feasting fest, a
more private option is a foodie foray with Whistler Tasting Tours. Hit up to five restaurants in an evening; the chef’s
creations at each are paired with British Columbia wines.
www.whistlercornucopia.com
www.whistlertastingtours.com, (604) 902-8687
Watch it
In the tradition of Sundance, the Whistler Film Festival, from December 3 to 6, showcases more than 90 films from around
the world, including premieres from North American A-list directors. It concurrently runs a filmmakers forum for
industry types. There’s also a theatre screen at the sleek, new Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, but it only runs one movie.
The 15-minute film depicts the traditional lands and culture of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, the two peoples on whose
territory Whistler lies. The rest of the venue houses museum space displaying sacred artifacts and interactive exhibits, as
well as replicas of a traditional Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Pit House.
www.whistlerfilmfestival.com, (604) 935-8035
www.slcc.ca, (866) 441-7522
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