As I dangle 1,427 feet over Fitzsimmons Creek halfway between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain on the much-anticipated $52 million Peak 2 Peak Gondola, I suddenly recall the brochure I read on my shuttle from Vancouver Airport – “Longest unsupported span...

for a lift of this kind in the world at 3.024 km / 1.88 miles” – and find myself wondering if that is really a good thing.

Of course five and a half minutes later (total ride time is 11 minutes), once I have safely disembarked at the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb and my heart has stopped racing, I decide it’s a great thing.

Until recently, December 2008 to be exact, skiing both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in one day was pretty much unheard of, but with the completion of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, visitors can move quickly and easily between Whistler Blackcomb’s 8,000 plus acres of terrain, assuming they can put their fear of heights aside.

As the mountain community prepares to host the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics and the slumping economy affords travelers better and better deals, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for a last minute trip to Whistler and a ride on the resort’s world record breaking gondola. 

Tourism Whistler’s “Suite Secrets” program (www.whistler.com/deals) offers flexible visitors last minute lodging deals at some of the best properties in town, including the funky, 40-room Adara Hotel (http://adarahotel.com/) in Whistler Village. The catch is, you don’t find out exactly where you’re staying until after you confirm your reservation. According to Tourism Whistler’s website, this is because “these prices are so low, hotels won’t advertise them under their brand name.” 

And the deals don’t stop with lodging. Unique and affordable dining and après options abound in Whistler, like the Bearfoot Bistro’s (www.bearfootbistro.com/) oyster and champagne après. A refreshing break from typical après-ski fare, the Barefoot Bistro’s Champagne Lounge currently offers six oysters on the half shell for only $9.95CA at their patented ice champagne bar 3-6pm daily. Purchase a bottle of champagne and you are invited down to the restaurant’s 20,000-bottle wine cellar to saber it yourself!

Need more reasons to head to Whistler now? How about getting a sneak peak at the 2010 Winter Olympic venues (www.whistlerblackcomb.com/olympics/index.htm) before the rest of the world? Take a run on the Dave Murray Downhill, site of all the Men’s Alpine Skiing events; check out the Whistler Sliding Centre where the Bobsled, Luge and Skeleton competitions will take place or visit the Nordic Competition Venue, host site for Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined events. 

Whatever interests you, you can find it in Whistler. And there is no better time to be spontaneous and head North to check it out for yourself.

For more information on last minute getaways to Whistler, call 1-800 WHISTLER or visit www.whistler.com/.

By Beth Jahnigen Pappas

Photo Credits:

P2P gondola: Paul Morrison/Whistler Blackcomb

Adara Hotel:  Adara Hotel