The beautiful mountain town of Whistler is a haven for sports enthusiasts and a day trip to Whistler from Vancouver is a must-do activity.
In winter, the town sees tourists flocking to it for skiing and snowboarding at the Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America.
In summer, the town comes alive with activities like mountain biking and hiking. And the not-to-miss Peak-2-Peak Gondola that plies between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
If you have just a day in Whistler in summer, then this gondola ride should be on top of your itinerary.
Vancouver to Whistler
Whistler lies at a distance of 121 kilometres from Vancouver.
The best way to get to Whistler is by bus from Vancouver which will take about 2 hours and will go through the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway.
A luxury train called 'Rocky Mountaineer' also runs between the two cities on scheduled days and offers panoramic views of Fraser Valley and the mountains and forests of Alberta and British Columbia. But it's expensive both in terms of money and time since it takes 12 hours to cover the distance.
A day in Whistler
We started very early from Vancouver since we had just a day in Whistler. Buses ply at regular intervals but it's best to buy tickets in advance, especially during the peak season.
We reached Whistler within two hours through the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway.
The town is small and has an old-world charm to it.
Whistler is a walkable city, you can easily go on foot around restaurants and the marketplace.
The day was sunny and bright, we wanted to make the most of it, so, we headed straight for the gondola ride.
This post does not have lots of information about Whistler since we visited the town as far back as 2011, a lot of things would have changed in this much time. I'm just sharing my personal experience with some photos.
For the latest information and updates, please refer to their official website
And now the gondola ride....
There are 3 gondola rides in all, the Whistler Village gondola, Blackcomb Gondola and Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
The 436-metre-high Peak 2 Peak gondola is a cable car connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. It has held the Guinness World Record for being the highest of its kind gondola.
You should keep aside at least two hours for the entire gondola experience.
Buy the Peak 2 Peak 360-degree Experience ticket. This will give you access to all three gondola rides.
At 4 kilometres long, it is also one of the longest lift systems in the world.
The ride between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is an 11-minute journey.
One gets to see stunning alpine scenery through the gondola...
I've come across a lot of forums where there is a lot of comparison between Peak 2 Peak Gondola and the Sea to Sky Gondola. When we visited Whistler in 2011, the Sea to Sky Gondola did not exist. It was built in 2014. I'm afraid I will not be able to give any input on this comparison.
To sum up, I'd say that the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is worth your time and money. We sighted a huge grizzly bear on the mountain slope below us during our gondola ride. Back then, photos were taken with cameras, not phones, by the time I switched on my camera, both the gondola and the bear had moved on. But the experience of seeing such a huge bear in its natural habitat was amazing.
If you visit Whistler, do share your experience with me.
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