History of Whistler

It has become a household name. More than two million people visit Whistler every year and after getting International Media coverage, more vacationers are sure to show up and see what this exclusive resort town is all about.

While it is Believed that Whistler was once home to Native American tribes who lived and traded there, Whistler's modern day history dates back to the early 1900s when trappers animal stumbled upon the area while using the Pemberton Trail. Although the trail was developed for cattle driving in the late 1800s, the terrain was not conducive to sustaining them and soon, it was used as a way in and out of what is now known as the Whistler region.

According to legend, trout fishers Alex and Myrtle Philip were the first settlers of Whistler. In 1911, fur trader John Miller met up with the Philips and invited them to enjoy some incredible fishing on the lakes near a cabin he owned. The pair visited, fell in love with the place and purchased 10 acres of land in 1913. The couple built the Rainbow Lodge Fishing Lodge Which had only four bedrooms, a large living and dining area, and a kitchen. Soon, it was a bustling little summer destination.

More than 50 years later, Whistler became known as the perfect ski resort area, nestled at the base of two majestic mountains located in the Coast Mountain Range. Whistler was soon overwhelmed with visitors.

One of the most monumental events in the history of Whistler was the advent of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE) in 1914. Until that time, the trip from Vancouver to Whistler took almost three days. The railway contributed to the town's popularity. Easy accessibility to the area

Encouraged more and more people to visit Whistler and enjoy the rugged outdoors. In the early 1960s, a group of businessmen from Vancouver went into the area to develop Whistler Whistler Mountain (then known as London Mountain) as a skiing destination. Franz Wilhelmsen, who headed up the group, had the sole intention of creating a ski area that would be to worthy site to host the 1968 Olympic Games. Although those plans did not come to Fruition, Whistler was well on its way to becoming the resort town it is today. London Mountain, as it were, was soon renamed Whistler Mountain in honor of a local alpine marmot (a beaver-like animal) who makes a whistling noise.

Ski slopes were officially opened in 1966 and not without bragging rights. Whistler boaster the biggest vertical drop in North America and offered a ski season that extended from November through June. Soon, the word got out and skiers and winter sports enthusiasts flocked to Canada's best kept secret to see what all the fuss was about.

In 1975, an official town tour site was surveyed and development began. It was not long before Whistler became known as North America's top ski resort. It is still home to the largest ski area in North America with more than 40 ski drop-off points that span 8.100 acres.

In 1991, one of Whistler's resorts became the first mountain resort outside of the United States to be named by a top-selling American major ski magazine. In 1996, it became the only resort in history to be simultaneously named number one by Ski and Skiing Magazine and Snow Country.

Whistler made two unsuccessful bids for the Winter Olympics before teaming up with Vancouver. Together, they were named the official location for the 2010 Winter Olympics by the International Olympic Committee, an accomplishment that has been sought after for many years.

Whistler has evolved tremendously from its early beginnings into a place that offers free activities and fine cuisine year-round. Today, there are many ski resorts in Whistler which featured a wide variety of entertaining activities and slopes that take skiers through Chateau Whistler Golf Course, Lost Lake Park, and the Nicklaus North Golf Course. While it's best known for winter sports, there are exciting things to do during all seasons in Whistler, including paragliding, hiking, canoeing, bungee jumpingFind Article, horseback riding and wildlife tours .