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Whistler, British Columbia

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Municipality of Whistler
Town
Whistler Panorama
Whistler Panorama
Official logo of Municipality of Whistler
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional DistrictSquamish-Lillooet
Settled1914 by Mrytle and Alex Philip
Incorporated1975
Government
 • MayorKen Melamed
 • ManagerBill Barratt
 • Governing bodyWhistler Town Council
 • MPBlair Wilson
 • MLAJoan McIntyre
Area
 • Total161.72 km2 (62.44 sq mi)
Elevation
670 m (2,200 ft)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total9,248
 • Density55/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
Postal code span
V0N
WebsiteWhistler.ca
Street signs in Whistler Village.

Whistler, British Columbia, is a Canadian resort town in the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains, approximately 125 km north of Vancouver. Incorporated as a resort municipality, Whistler has a permanent population of approximately 9,965.

Over two million people visit Whistler annually, primarily for its world-famous alpine skiing and mountain biking at Whistler-Blackcomb. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards and Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major ski magazines for the past 15 years. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler will host most of the alpine and sledding events.

History

The Whistler valley was a traditional trading route of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations long before the arrival of Europeans. The first British survey by the Royal Navy took place in the 1860s[1]. These surveyors named the region London Mountain, but the area informally acquired the name "whistler" due to the call of the indigenous hoary marmot[2]. In the late 19th century, a trail was cut through the valley linking Lillooet via Pemberton with Burrard Inlet via a pass from Squamish to the Seymour River. The trail was completed in 1877, but because of the difficult and unforgiving terrain, it was only used once for its intended purpose, which was to drive cattle. The area began to attract trappers and prospectors (such as John Millar and Henry Horstman) who established small camps in the area in the early 20th century. The area began to gain recognition with the arrival of Mrytle and Alex Philip, who in 1914 purchased 10 acres (4 ha) of land on Alta Lake and established the Rainbow Lodge. The Philips had relocated from Maine to Vancouver in 1910, and had heard rumors of the natural beauty of the area from John Millar. After an exploratory journey, the couple was convinced.

The completion of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the same year greatly reduced the travel time from three days, providing ease of access from Vancouver, and the Rainbow Lodge gained a reputation as the most popular vacation destination west of the Rockies. The lodge was primarily a summer destination, with boating, fishing and hiking among the most popular activities, and soon other lodges began to open not just on Alta Lake, but on other valley lakes as well.

Appreciation of the outdoors was not the only activity in the valley, however; logging was also a boom industry, and during the first half of the 20th century, most of the lower slopes of the surrounding mountains were cleared of old growth. At its peak, four mills were in operation, most located around Green Lake. Prospecting and trapping were pursued as well, though no claims of great value were ever staked.

Until the 1960s, this quiet area was without basic infrastructure; there were no sewage facilities, water, or electricity, and no road from Squamish or Vancouver. In 1962, four Vancouver businessmen began to explore the area with the intent of building a ski resort and bidding for the 1968 Winter Olympics. Garibaldi Lift Company was formed, shares were sold, and in 1966, Whistler Mountain opened to the public.

2010 Olympic plans

Whistler is the Host Mountain Resort of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the first time the IOC has bestowed that designation on a community. Whistler will host the alpine technical and speed events, the sliding events, the Nordic events in nearby Callaghan Valley and all the Paralympic events except the opening ceremonies, sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. The Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village (commonly referred to as the Athlete's village) will house around 2,400 athletes, coaches, trainers and officials. Construction is well underway, plans and blueprints are being finalized for the athlete housing and village.[citation needed] Post-games, the site will be turned into a new residential neighbourhood.

Whistler in late summer

Bears

Whistler's urban landscape was specifically designed to accommodate the natural environment, and as black bear populations have gradually recovered, coupled with the loss of pinyon pines due to multi-year drought conditions, bears have begun seeking food in settled areas. Many of Whistler's bears have learned to do things like open car doors or hold spring-closed gates open so they can reach food. Most are relatively docile and few bear-human incidents have been reported. Whistler residents are strongly conservationist, and the official response has relied heavily on behavior modification for both bears and people. Removal or killing are last resorts. The techniques being used are being studied by other municipalities with bear problems.[3]

Transportation

Whistler is located on British Columbia Highway 99, also known as the "Sea-to-Sky highway", approximately 58 kilometres (36 mi) north of Squamish, and 125 km (76 mi) from Vancouver.

Notes

  • The Windows XP codename "Whistler" is named after this community
  • The Windows Vista codename "Longhorn" is named after a saloon at the base of Whistler Mountain. Country Dick Montana died at the drumset in this saloon in 1995.
  • The television show Whistler takes place in Whistler, B.C.

See also

  • A panorama of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains taken in March, 2007.
    A panorama of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains taken in March, 2007.
  • Black Tusk as seen from Whistler Mountain.
    Black Tusk as seen from Whistler Mountain.
  • Singing Pass in August as seen between Whistler and Blackcomb.
    Singing Pass in August as seen between Whistler and Blackcomb.
  • View of Whistler from Whistler mountain.
    View of Whistler from Whistler mountain.
  • View of Whistler from the Cable car in the summer.
    View of Whistler from the Cable car in the summer.

References

  1. ^ BritishColumbia.com - Whistler, British Columbia
  2. ^ BritishColumbia.com - History and Heritage of Whistler Mountain
  3. ^ Darcy Frey (November 25 2007). "The Bears Among Us". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

50°7′15″N 122°57′16″W / 50.12083°N 122.95444°W / 50.12083; -122.95444

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