EXPLORED

Whistler For The Non-Skier

February 23, 2018

*By Anne-Marie Marais*

I don’t ski and really have no interest in trying it at this point. But winter, I love. Along with a good dose of après ski, of course. Recently, I had the chance to experience what a destination like Whistler, BC, has to offer an extreme non-skier like me. With an open mind and looking for a challenge, I was ready to take on Whistler, from the picturesque to the extreme rush of adrenalin…

Whistler For The Non-Skier, British Columbia

Four Snow Adventures In Whistler For the Non-Skier

1. Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience

Just over 4 kilometres long, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride from Whistler to Blackcomb (or vice versa) takes about 10 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to snap many pictures and soak it all in. From glass bottom gondolas to the 360° views of the blue-sky meeting the snow capped mountains and forests, these breathtaking views are some of the most gorgeous I’ve seen in this part of Canada.

Whistler For The Non-Skier, British Columbia

A stop on either side offers more views plus delicious eateries for all budgets. If you really want to treat yourself to extraordinary food and drink with a view, a meal at Christine’s on Blackcomb is a must.

2. Coca-Cola Tubing Park

Located in the Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb Mountain, the Coca-Cola Tubing Park will have you laughing all the way up on the magic carpet and all the way down as you speed, spin, bounce and bump down the runs. With multiple runs to try from slower to pretty fast, everyone will enjoy the exhilaration of tubing.

Whistler For The Non-Skier, British Columbia

3. Ziplining

For many, the idea of flying through the air, the very cold air, is not something that they would consider. Maybe you see yourself doing this in shorts and a t-shirt during the warm, summer months. But ziplining in the winter has it’s own beauty: there’s nothing more gorgeous than flying through mountain valleys over the snow capped forest with the sun in your face. A vantage point that not all get to see…

Whistler For The Non-Skier

Now, don’t get me wrong, it is cold. But dress for the weather and it will be completely worth it. I joined a group from Superfly Ziplines for this amazing activity. After a short bus ride, some safety information and equipment testing, we donned our helmets and went up Rainbow Mountain in 4X4s to get to our start point. From there we ziplined via four lines back down to base camp…

From zipline to zipline we reached speeds upwards of 100km/h and soared 180 metres above ground. Now all this might sound like a big challenge, but I have a great fear of heights and felt completely comfortable and safe throughout this entire experience. This is an adrenaline-filled activity you’ll want to add to your bucket list.

4. Bobsledding

As a big lover of everything Olympic, especially that of the Winter Games, my number one priority in Whistler was to give bobsledding a try. And that I did at the Whistler Sliding Centre. This experience definitely the tops when it comes to a rush of adrenalin in Whistler for the non-skier, but it is not to be missed. Don’t worry you won’t have to do anything more than sit in the sled and enjoy the ride. You’re not going to have to play out a scene from the Jamaican Bobsled movie, ‘Cool Runnings’. There will be no ‘Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up, it’s bobsled time!’

The knowledgeable staff at the Whistler Sliding Centre create teams of three based on various factors like height and weight. You are also grouped with an experienced driver/brake person. To give you more piece of mind, I must say that once they get you in the sled there isn’t much space, or really any, for your lower body and legs to move around. And when you follow the instructions, you’ll keep your upper body strong and enjoy the 40+ second ride down the course at speeds upwards of 126 km/h while experiencing about 4Gs of force…

Along with all of these snowy adventures , Whistler has no shortage of amazing restaurants and bars to enjoy with your skier and non-skiers friends at the beginning, middle and end of your day. The village also has many shops, museums and cultural events year-round. It would definitely not take much convincing for me to head back to Whistler Blackcomb to experience, all over again, what the destination has to offer non-skiers.

A huge thanks to Tourism Whistler for hosting us on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are our own. For more on Whistler – including where to go and what to do – check out www.whistler.com

21 Comments

  • Reply
    Diana
    February 25, 2018 at 10:34 pm

    Looks so amazing – I want to visit. I would totally try the bobsledding.

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      February 26, 2018 at 8:04 am

      Right?! Olympic dreams.

  • Reply
    Josy A
    March 7, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Oooh this all looks so fun! I love Whistler so far for the winter sports, but I’d never even considered all these options!!

    You need to add the awesome free things like snowshoeing…and maybe a visit to the spa too! But I guess everyone knows about those options already.

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      ooh great idea re: snowshoeing & spa. Two of my favourite things. – SK

  • Reply
    Kelly Mongan
    March 7, 2018 at 9:07 am

    We are skiers, but it’s always nice to take a day or two off to enjoy other things. I love how much Whistler offers for skiers and non-skiers alike – we are planning to visit soon, so I’ll definitely keep these activities in mind. Especially bobsledding!!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      Doesn’t the bobsledding look fun?! So fast!! Enjoy your trip to Whistler. – SK

  • Reply
    Anna
    March 7, 2018 at 9:25 am

    I’ve only ever been skiing once and didn’t really enjoy it that much, so it’s great to hear there’s more to do in Whistler than ski! I can’t believe you can try out bobsledding too. What a great experience!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      So many activities to try in Whistler. I hope you get to experience them one day! – SK

  • Reply
    Serena
    March 7, 2018 at 9:28 am

    All great activities especially now I’m too scared to snowboard after hurting my neck last time. I’ll keep this in mind when I go someday 🙂

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Oh no!! Snowboarding can be tough on the body. These are great ways to still get the rush of winter adventure. -SK

  • Reply
    Sage
    March 7, 2018 at 11:25 am

    You lost me at “I love winter,” but had my attention back with “lots of apres ski!!!” 🙂 What gorgeous photos, and how cool would it be to go bobsledding, even if it was so cold my hair would be freezing? They offer that in Salt Lake City, and I want to give it a go next time I’m there!!!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Hahaha many ppl love the apres ski part. Agreed, Anne-Marie snapped some beaut photos! -SK

  • Reply
    Neha
    March 7, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    Looks beautiful. It would have never really struck me though that a ski resort could have anything for a non skier to keep busy 🙂

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Right?! They do a fab job at Whistler. -SK

  • Reply
    Kristi
    March 7, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    I’m not much of a skier, so this list is perfect for me! The tubing sure looks fun and great way to experience winter in BC. That bobsledding looks scary though!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Glad you found the post useful. Yah the bobsledding is mighty fast! – SK

  • Reply
    Sami
    March 7, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    Now that I have a completely torn ACL, I don’t think I am able to ski anymore with all of the turns and such. So have alternative ideas is so wonderful! I hope I can find some activities when I am in Colorado next winter!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 7, 2018 at 10:56 pm

      Oh noooo ACL injuries are the worst! Hope you can ski again one day.

  • Reply
    Nerissa
    March 8, 2018 at 4:00 am

    I love this! So great to find out other activities available other than skiing. It makes me excited and really want to visit here now! The tubing sounds so fun!

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      March 8, 2018 at 9:09 am

      It’s always good to have choices! So many winter adventures in Whistler. – SK

  • Reply
    Hanna
    March 8, 2018 at 9:13 am

    I don’t ski at all either! This is a fantastic list of activities. I’d love to try bobsledding too! Did you sit in the back or front?

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