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My last blog post about Whistler thrilled you with my random thoughts... hopefully 😀😁
This post is going to be about our three favourite things we did this time in Whistler. As in a true top 10 list (with only three things on it!) we are going to count down to our favourite.
#3 - The Peak 2 Peak Gondola
I think this is a classic Whistler experience that you have to do at least one time. Basically you take the Gondola up Whistler mountain. Then take another gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Then take another Gondola down Blackcomb mountain. You could also go in the other direction if you are so inclined.
Fun fact:
Did you know that the Peak 2 Peak holds a Guinness World Record for the longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind? The span is 4.4 km long! That makes it sound kind of scary and unsafe doesn't it??? Well don't worry. I'm terrified of heights and this was definitely not the scariest thing I've done!
Important Tip:
As you know I'm a moderately experienced traveller/researcher of all things travel... and yet I still ended up somehow buying the wrong tickets for this Gondola experience. I started on a website that clearly explained this experience... then I clicked on the buy button... and somehow I ended up with lift tickets for the Squamish Sea to Sky gondola. So just be careful or you are going to be doing more gondola experiences than you expected 😁
Here are a few photos to show you the incredible views you'll experience!
When you arrive at the top, you are greeted by many Canadian flags (just in case you forgot where you were!)
There are COVID-19 precautions in place. You need to wear a mask where you might come in contact with other people (getting on and off the gondola) or in crowded spaces... to be fair there were not any crowded spaces! Also only you and your party are in a gondola car. I imagine that during non-pandemic times you might be squeezed in with way more people.
Look! I hardly look terrified at all 😧
#2 - The Train Wreck Hike
Several people recommended this to us, and we're glad we listened to them! The train wreck hike is an easy hike through a beautiful forest, crosses a suspension bridge over a fast-moving river, and ends up at some train cars covered in graffiti. You can do the whole hike in an hour if you rush, but budget a couple of hours to really soak it in.
Fun Fact:
Apparently the train wreck happened in 1956 when a train derailed in the area. The wrecked train cars were dragged through the forest to get them out of the way... and now they are a tourist destination!
Important Tips:
1) This is relatively easy to find if you follow instructions well...which we apparently don't because although we did find it... we were a bit confused for a while. These are the things that tripped me up:
a) our car GPS is crazy! It has a mind of it's own and takes us crazy places... also the google maps on our phone works for about 5 seconds and then just stops. Obviously we need to be less reliant on technology.
b) When we finally made it to the unmarked parking lot, it wasn't really clear which way to go. So I took a picture for you. When you get to the crosswalk, walk straight onto the path at the end of the crosswalk... just keep going straight... don't go left or right. Trust me! The rest of the way will be self-explanatory.
2) Gentle reminder that bears live here! And also mosquitos. Luckily we didn't run into any bears... but unluckily we did run into the mosquitos.
As you can imagine, Steve took A LOT of photos on this beautiful hike. I will try to choose just a few to give you an idea of how it looks.
And then you get to the train cars. Like a piece of art contrasting nature and urban graffiti. They were strangely beautiful.
And finally... drumroll please....
Our #1 favourite thing we did in Whistler this time is...
#1 - Vallea Lumina
A few people recommended that we do the forest of lights experience. It is actually called "Vallea Lumina" and we both loved it. It is basically a multimedia light show in the forest at night. We both loved the sparkly lights. There is a story you are also following as you follow the trail, but I found that much less compelling than the pretty lights🤩
Important Tips:
1) Once again our GPS situation caused us a problem and we almost didn't find it. Keep in mind that you need to see this in the dark, which makes it even more complicated to find. The road you go up off the highway seems like you are going the wrong way because there are no signs (or not any signs that I could see in the dark!). We actually turned around because we thought we were driving up a forestry road in the dark in the middle of nowhere... but then we saw a blue school bus going up the road, and realized we were in fact in the right place. So we kept driving and did end up at the right place after all.
2) This is not an "easy" walk. It was no problem for me and I am completely out of shape... but... you couldn't do it with a stroller... there are a lot of stairs... and it's dark. You be the judge if you can manage that. I did see an older lady fall because she lost her footing in the dark.
I've included a few photos to try to give you an idea of what it was like, but keep in mind the pictures don't work great in the dark... and photos can never capture what something really looks and feels like while you are there. You need to experience this for yourself!
And those were our top three things in Whistler this time. We're definitely planning to go back to Whistler again. What are your favourite things to do in Whistler? (Remember I don't do snow!)
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