"Whistler Blackcomb receives lots of press aboutits big-mountain features, but theresort offersplenty of terrain for every family member and skill level. The Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, among the bestin North America, is great for both seasoned skiers and kids as young as toddlers. Even tweens and teens can enjoy small-group lessons, which offer equal parts socializing and instruction in the terrain parks and beyond. Welcome on the Whistler and Peak 2 Peak gondolas, non-skiers will have the village to themselves during the day. When back with their group, they can hang at one of the more than 25 on-mountain restaurants."

"The River of Golden Dreams that connectsAlta and Green lakes isa calm, meandering stream that gently conveys your kayak or canoe with hardly a riffle in sight. The self-paced three-mile voyage, typically about three hours, takes youunderwillow branches and between the second growth alder forests. Thisrare alpine riparian zone is a habitat for breeding yellowthroat warblers, great blue herons, and all manner of amphibians and reptiles, as well as wildflowers likefoxglove andIndian paintbrush. Most rivers in the Coast Range have whitewater passages and require guides, but on thisrun between Whistler’s largest lakes, a novice will feel comfortable behind the paddle. Vessel rentals, guides, and return shuttle services run throughout the summer."

"Whistler Blackcomb doesn’t do anything small, so it was no surprise thatWhistler Bike Park quickly emerged as the global go-to, lift-access, downhill-biking destination. The parkeven hasits own massive festival, Crankworx, a 10-day rock-hopping frenzy every August. Walkingamong the armored throngs rollingtheir studded-tired bikestoward the lifts, youcouldforget that it snows here at all. Any thoughts of summer being the off-season have vanished. You don’t have to be a millennial—though it helps—to get dirty here; there are more than enough green and blue runs to providea serious rush for youngsters and boomers. Sign up for the park's outdoor clinics forcritical insights into your technique."

"Of the four big golf options in town, what makes Robert Cupp’s Big Sky Golf Club design more appealing than thoseof the three other designers (whose names happen to be Jones, Palmer, and Nicklaus)? Landscape and layout. The 18 holes lie below a broad granite rock face and under the shadow of Mount Currie. The course wends its way around six lakes, anda stream shows up several times throughout the round. (The stream crisscrosses the fairway of the troublesomefourth hole, aptly named Purgatory, four times.) It’s hard to stop staring at the hanging glaciers on the rock face or the frequent gliders that soar overhead, but the finishing five demand five excellent approaches. You’ll have plenty of time to gaze skyward when sitting on the patio, decompressing after your round."

"It takes a serious zip line to gain notice in Whistler. Ziptrek launched itslines above Fitzsimmons Creek long before the bobsleds started rumbling down the Sliding Centre or the Peak 2 Peak Gondola began soaring overhead. Though zip lines are as familiar as breakfast buffets in resorts today, the Bear and Eagle lines here were the first in North America. Ziptrek hasrecently strung together the continent’s longest line, the Sasquatch, which is 1.25 miles. Sasquatch zip linerscan reach 75mph while sailing from Blackcomb Mountain to Whistler Mountain. As part of your experience, you'llstart witha comprehensive interpretive nature tour ofthe Coast Mountains rain forest. You can then review your notes while cruising among the eagles high above the treeline."

"The 25-mileValley Trail provides anoptimal circuit for anyone wanting to get in adaily run while on vacation or traveling. The locals'preferred route starts at the entrance of the Valley Trail beside Whistler Golf Club and follows the perimeter of the course. This almost-5K route is runnable in most weather and varies between hills and flats withstunning views of the surrounding mountains as well as the golf course. After completing the circuit you can continue on through the village and grab a coffee and breakfast to refuel for the remainder of the day."

"Of all the reasons to hike in B.C.’s Coast Range, visiting a train wreck would not rank high elsewhere. This is Whistler, though, where a train derailment becomes a canvas for artists and a must-see novelty that remains well off the beaten track (sorry!), even for many locals.A new bridge spanning the Cheakamus River makes the hike legal and considerably less treacherous.Thetrail's steel-meets-seedlings design isreminiscent of New York City’s High Line, and among the manyspurs are aboardwalk into the coastal rain forest anda longer trek that leads to the Sea to Sky Trail. Once a hush-hush locale for graffiti artists and mountain bikers, the Train Wreck hike and suspension bridge route are now well-marked at the Sea to Sky trailhead, just outside of Function Junction."

"Located just an axe toss from Coast Mountain Brewing in the heart of Function Junction, Forged Axe Throwing might be the most perfect representationof the "lumbersexual" aesthetic, if you judge by the groomed beards in the crowd. Participants laugh as they hurlhatchetsattimber bull’s-eyesat the end of each ofthree lanes separated by chain-link fences. AZen-like technique of gently releasing the axe rather than chuckingit seems toproduce the best results, though a tight grip when handling a hatchet is obviously key. After taking your Paul Bunyan star turn, follow theparade of the flannel-clad to one of thenearby breweries."

"There is no Winter Olympic legacy quite like the bobsled run, simply because you can get in on the fun, winter or summer. The Whistler Sliding Centre track remains the fastest in the world, and careening downthe track at 78miles per hour (56 mph in summer) will definitely test your own mettle. Treat your teenagers to a luge class, surely to become a much-liked social media share. Adults can takea skeleton runduring the winter, because who doesn’t want to zip face-first around six serious corners at 62mph on a sheet of ice? Don’t miss a ride at the sliding center, whether your sled is on winter blades or summer wheels."

"Alta Lake. Whistler There are a fewways to paddleAlta Lake—you can head to Wayside Park and rent a kayak or you can head to Lakeside Park and rent a canoe or a stand-up paddleboard.Either way, driftingaround amid this scenery makes a memorable afternoon. Both parks have picnic tables, barbecue grills, and beaches—perfect for a day out in the sun. If you prefer a more intense and guided water experience, Whistler Eco Tours offers a variety oftours via paddleboard, kayak, orcanoe, on both Alta and Green lakes."