Vancouver Life

Friday, July 09, 2010

Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains

While the resort is called Whistler, the actual ski hills are spread over two mountains named Whistler and Blackcomb. They were totally separate mountains until December 2008 when the resort opened the Peak 2 Peak Gondola connecting the two peaks.

Neither David nor I had actually been up the mountains in Whistler previously and now with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola open it was an added attraction.

This is the base of the Blackcomb Mountain gondola which was actually closed during the quiet early summer season so we were able to go up via the Whistler Mountain gondola and cross onto Blackcomb via the Peak 2 Peak.

Views around Whistler town.

The flags of British Columbia, Canada and Whistler.

So we rode the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain. David at the top near Roundhouse Lodge.

From the top of Whistler Mountain we took the Peak 2 Peak Gondola across the valley to Blackcomb Mountain.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola set two new world records for Gondolas which it still holds today including the longest unsupported span between towers (3.024km / 1.88mi) and the highest point above ground (436m / 1427ft).

Views here from the gondola over Whistler mountain towards the resort.

Views North.

View ahead towards Blackcomb.

Mum, Dad and myself on the Peak 2 Peak.

Brief video footage on the gondola.

High above the Fitzsimmons Valley entering the long unsuspended section of the route, looking south towards Whistler.

Views North up the valley from high above it.

Surrounding peaks from the gondola.

Eventually we arrive on Blackcomb Mountain. Views from this side of the valley and near the Rendezvous Lodge.

We stop for lunch at the top of Blackcomb before taking one of the chairlifts to its terminus and back for a variety of views.

On the chairlift mum, dad and myself.

Views down the chairlift.

East along the valley.

After a quick turn around at the bottom we once again approach the Blackcomb terminus for the chairlift. Views here on our way back up.

Me on Blackcomb.

Once back on Blackcomb we rejoin the Peak 2 Peak to get back to Whistler Mountain for our downward journey.

From the gondola the view south towards Whistler.

One the way back down to the resort from the top of Whistler Mountain we spot two black bears, one which passed us on the ground below too quickly to photograph and the other really too far away…..honestly the black dot in the centre of the clearing in this photo is a bear !

However, we were fully rewarded on our drive back to the house from Whistler meeting this black bear right at the side of the road on the way.

A great day out and fun to enjoy the snow on a sunny day.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Waterfalls in Whistler & Pemberton

Just a couple of kilometres north of the house we rented was Brandywine Falls. Although we had all visited Brandywine before as we were passing it each day on our way in and out of Whistler we took another visit there this year.

Brandywine Falls

The top of the falls

Some video footage of Brandywine Falls.

Views from the lower deck towards the Brandywine River valley and Daisy Lake.

We took a walk within Brandywine Provincial Park.

Views of Brandywine Creek before returning to the parking lot.

We also drove North of Whistler to continue along Highway 99 towards the town of Pemberton.

Shortly before Pemberton these views of the Green River.

We then visited Nairn Falls Provincial Park. To get to the falls is a 1.5km walk alongside the Green River.

This is the upper section of Nairn Falls.

Green River blasts its way through the canyon having shaped interesting rock formations over the thousands of years.

Video of the upper falls.

The lower section of Nairn Falls.

Video of the lower section of falls and the continuation of Green River downstream.

Views up and down the river.

We continued into the town of Pemberton, views of the station here.

Pemberton is a huge supplier of seed potatoes to growers around North America and has affectionately been nicknamed Spud Valley.

However, even in these small country towns, you can still get a good mocha !

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Whistler 2010

Adrian’s Mum & Dad are here to visit so we arranged to meet them in Whistler as they were arriving in the town on the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper.

We rented a house in a small subdivision about 5-10 minutes south of the town called Pinecrest Estates.

This is a view of the back of the house, as it overlooks a small ravine.

Inside there was a large and comfortable living room with high ceilings and lots of windows.

The dining area was also ample big enough for us.

In the main living room the sofas were big and comfy.

However, throughout the house there was a really odd assortment of personal belongings that had been collected by the owner over the years. Everything from old tools to a genuine sheepskin hung on one of the walls. Some of the items were useful though including these antlers which made great clothes airers.

Mojo quickly learned that the forest backdrop to the house was a terrific source of wildlife to watch and if no-ones looking, chase.

Amongst the wildlife we saw from the house included a couple of raccoons who came to visit on the first night. They happily tucked into the the seed on the birdtables.

There was a big two-tier deck with a huge hot-tub to sit back and enjoy the views. Mojo chilling on the deck, hoping for a squirrel to chase.

There were numerous birds in the area including chickadees, cowbirds, robins and lots of these stellar’s jays

Video of the stellar’s jay feeding

There were also lots of squirrels and chipmunks

While they were much to quick to photograph very well there were also a number of hummingbirds.

The subdivision that the house was located on was situated around a couple of small lakes with lots of green areas, beaches and playgrounds.

These lilies were growing at one end of Pinecrest Lake.

Views across Pinecrest Lake.

The Whistler-Squamish railway line and Back Lake.

One of the beaches on Pinecrest Lake. It’s hard to imagine that this becomes an ice-skating rink during the winter !

The railway line that ran along the perimeter of the development also ran along the bottom of the ravine behind the house we rented.

It wasn’t a busy railway line, perhaps one or two goods trains at night was about all.

During the day the Rocky Mountaineer would pass twice, once on it’s way to Whistler from North Vancouver during the morning and then back again during the afternoon.

Here the view of the train passing from the back of the house.