Whistler is a great destination with something to appeal to everyone – both skiers and non-skiers alike.  There are great restaurants and shopping, and a wide range of outdoor activities.  We’ve visited with and without kids, in the winter and also in the summer, with friends and on our own.  We have always enjoyed it.

Our most recent trip was in February with the kids.  Our family skis and/or snowboards, and Whistler Blackcomb has miles of runs for all ability levels with beautiful views across the valley.  The Peak 2 Peak gondola makes it very easy to move back and forth between Whistler and Blackcomb.

There are several on-mountain dining options, with large lodges but also some small alpine huts with tasty choices.  Our favorite is the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb that serves delicious Belgian waffles. Yum!

This trip we had a whole week at Whistler so wanted to try some new activities on the days we weren’t skiing.  The first one we chose was zip-lining.  We did the Eagle Tour with ZipTrek Eco Tours.  Heights make me nervous but I still had a lot of fun.  The guides were great and made us feel very safe. It was definitely a thrill!

The thrill-seekers in my family wanted another adventure, so two of us (NOT me) decided to do the Whistler Bungee.  You jump 160 feet over the Cheakamus River.  There is no minimum age (although you need parental permission under 19) so our 12 year-old decided to take the plunge.  She’s already talking about going back and doing it again (with a back-flip next time).

Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics which brought some fun additions to the area, including the Olympic Rings (nice photo op), the Sliding Centre (where you can try the luge, bobsleigh, or skeleton), and Inukshuk statues on both mountains.

The current exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar means U.S. residents can find some good deals on shopping right now.  We found the best deals (when considering the conversion) were at Canadian brands (like Lululemon).  It’s also nice to save on dining and lift tickets.

If you are a resident of Canada, Washington, or Oregon state, Whistler offers the EDGE Card which gives discounts on lift tickets, dining, and some activities and stores .  Beyond being a money saver it’s also very convenient because you don’t have to wait in line to buy lift tickets, your card will automatically be charged when you get on the lift.  The EDGE Card can also be linked to your credit card for retail purchases so that you can use it for on-mountain purchases and don’t have to bring your wallet on the slopes.

Whether you’re taking part in the on-mountain activities or sticking to the village, everyone will find something to enjoy in Whistler.