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Whistler, British Columbia is a Canadian resort town incorporated as a resort municipality, with a permanent population of approximately 9,965. Over two million people visit Whistler annually, primarily for its world-famous snow skiing and mountain biking at Whistler-Blackcomb. Whistler is located on Highway 99 approximately 44 kilometers (27 mi) north of Squamish. 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.
The Whistler valley was a traditional trading route of the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations long before the arrival of Europeans; 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 every staked.
Until the 1960's, the 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.
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 approximately 2,400 athletes, coaches, trainers and officials. Post-games, the site will be turned into a new resident neighbourhood. The Athlete's Village has been intended to be an Olympic Legacy, yet funding from the provincial government has not been forthcoming. Construction has yet to be begun, and plans and blueprints have yet to be finalized.
Whistler in late summerAlthough not specifically part of the preparations for the Olympics, the ongoing improvements to Highway 99, the road that links the Lower Mainland with Squamish and Whistler, are commonly perceived as among the largest of the Olympic construction plans. The great majority of the road is being widened and straightened, with the intention of both improving traffic flow and reducing accidents. Construction is expected to be completed by 2008. One section of the highway has been routed over Eagleridge bluffs, a nesting habitat for eagles and a wetland. Despite the efforts of protestors, who staged a blockade of the worksite, the construction has gone ahead. The protesters wanted a tunnel built, which would have required about 25% of the whole projects budget be spent in the first few kilometres of the new Highway.
A great deal of controversy exists regarding the highway improvements. The absence of a centre divider has been widely criticised, as has the routing of the highway through Eagleridge Bluffs, a sensitive wetland ecosystem near Horseshoe Bay. Talk has also been made of creating a "hydrogen highway", even though commercially viable hydrogen power is not available.
The Games themselves were briefly endangered when the City of Vancouver held a referendum on the games after the city had already won its bid. The referendum resulted in a respectable majority in favour of the games but it was humiliating for the Vancouver Olympic Committee |
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