Vancouver

Day 6 of our San Francisco/Seattle/Vancouver trip: Sunrise over Vancouver at the marina. We left Vancouver very early in the morning to drive up to Whistler Mountain, about 2 hours from Vancouver.

Vancouver

On the Way to Whistler Mountain

The road to Whistler Mountain is a very easy one––no hairpin turns, no switchbacks, no steep climbs. Whistler Village’s elevation is only 2214 feet, so it is more like driving through a mountain valley than up a mountain. The roads were clear of snow. There were many scenic views on the way.

On the Way to Whistler Mountain

Whistler

We arrived at Whistler Village about 9 a.m. but our room wouldn’t be ready until about 4 p.m. We stayed at the Westin Spa and Resort, which was a major coup on my part. I kept trying to find a hotel to stay at Whistler for one night––Saturday––and the only hotels that I could find required at least a three–day stay, except for the Westin at the price of $459 a night. I finally tried the Orbitz site and they directed me to the Hotwire site. Hotwire works this way: They will offer you a certain star hotel at a much lower price than you would usually pay for it, but you have to book the hotel before you are told which hotel it is. They were offering a 4 1/2 star hotel for $179 per night––I took it and then they told me that it was the Westin, for over 60% off the regular price. A good site if you want to stay at high–priced hotels for little money. The Westin was right at the gondolas to go up either Blackcomb or Whistler Mountains. Keith rented his skis at the hotel; I didn’t ski, just took photos, but I paid a reduced rate to go up Whistler Mountain on the gondola with him. This photo shows skiers getting ready to go up the mountains to ski.

Whistler

On Top of Whistler Mountain

The highest vertical rise ski lift in North America is the Blackcomb lift. The second highest is the Whistler Mountain ski lift––we went from 2,214 to 6000 feet on the gondola––quite a climb. The are other lifts to take you higher up the 7,160–foot mountain. The gondola took us up to the restaurant and some of the ski runs. This is a photo of the gondola. Note that Vancouver/Whistler will host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

On Top of Whistler Mountain

On Top of Whistler Mountain

It was truly beautiful here. Whistler has not had a great snowfall this year because all its usual rain and snow was instead drenching California. They would like it back! There is a movie clip on this site entitled “On Top of Whistler Mountain.”  Go to Movies, Canada.

On Top of Whistler Mountain

On Top of Whistler Mountain

Another view on top of Whistler Mountain

On Top of Whistler Mountain

On Top of Whistler Mountain

I loved it up here. I hadn’t seen snow before for a number of years and it was great to be in it.

On Top of Whistler Mountain

On Top of Whistler Mountain

Man sitting on edge of a snow clift.

On Top of Whistler Mountain

Going Down Whistler Mountain

Going down the mountain on the gondola––the gondola’s windows were smudgy. There is a movie clip on this site entitled “Going Down Whistler Mountain on the Gondola.”  Go to Movies, Canada.

Going Down Whistler Mountain

Whistler Village

ou can see Whistler Village at the bottom of the mountain.

Whistler Village

Whistler Village

Photo of Whistler Village. Here there are many shops, most were selling ski clothes, and restaurants. It must look beautiful when there is snow on the ground.

Whistler Village

Whistler Village

Sidewalk dining at the village. There was also entertainment here and I put a movie clip on this site one of the acts entitled “Entertainers at Whistler Village.” Go to Movies, Canada.

Whistler Village

Hike to Lost Lake

It was still early afternoon so I decided to find Lost Lake (to go along with finding Lost Lagoon in Vancouver). This is a photo of a mountain stream I passed on my walk.

Hike to Lost Lake

Hike to Lost Lake

Along the trail to Lost Lake. There was some slushy ice in some spots. The trail was more than a mile to the lake and then a mile back, though most of it was on level ground. When this trail is covered with snow, it is a cross–country ski area.

Hike to Lost Lake

Hike to Lost Lake

Two dogs frolicking in what must be icy cold water.

Hike to Lost Lake

Lost Lake Found

The lake was frozen but the top layer was slushy. So why are these people walking on the lake?

Lost Lake Found

Going Back to Vancouver

Day 7:  We were ready to leave Whistler at 6:30 a.m. but had to walk around the village to find someplace open for breakfast. We finally found a Starbucks open (skiers must sleep late). The youngish counterman had a very British accent. We had been hearing the British accents of many of the resort’s workers, so I asked him where he was from. He said many youngish Brits come over to work at Whistler during the winter. I took this photo on the way back to Vancouver.

Going Back to Vancouver

On the Way Home

We drove straight from Vancouver back to Seattle and Sea–Tac to catch our planes home, only stopping off for gasoline, to get the Canadian GST tax back at Customs, and to go through U.S. immigration––the trip from Whistler to Sea–Tac took about 4 1/2 hours. Here is the sign that greets you when you cross the Canadian–U.S. border (not rain in the photo). I had a truly great trip––thanks Keith for letting me tag along, and thanks Kris for setting up this site so I could share my trip.

On the Way Home