ever been to Whistler, British Columbia?

[suzyjazz]

Anyone ever been to Whistler in Canada and have any tips on where to go, what to see? We're going in mid-December. I think I already know what I want to do, but it all depends on the weather. We don't have a lot of time. I've already talked to one person to get a reservation on a dog sled tour through Soo Valley. The first day they open supposedly is the last day that we could go. I'm VERY glad because I would have been really disappointed if we couldn't do that. Unfortunately, in the winter there is less wildlife to see (like bears). The plus side is I will see snow (the snow has already started so it should be good) and it should be very pretty. I realize everything depends on the weather.

I want to see a waterfall, so I've already made notes on a couple of places we could go. I'm also interested in seeing bald eagles, and December is a good time of year for that, so I need to do some searching on how to set that up. I doubt I'd get any good bird photos because my longest lens is still only the 70-200 f4, but that's OK. I won't want to lug much more around anyway. I'll be lucky just to drag myself out into the cold at all! Mostly I want scenic photos and a nice silky waterfall. I'd like to take pics of the town at dusk so I will bring the tripod.

We're flying into Seattle and if the weather is decent we'll go to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It may not be the the greatest zoo, but it has animals we don't have down here. Maybe I'll get to see an Arctic Fox in his winter coat. The next day we will drive to Whistler. We really only have 2 days to do anything.

Do I need to put any insulation around my lens when I go outdoors and come back in? The temp should range from something like 19 to 28. I forget where I found it, but that's what I recall seeing. I could get those handwarmers that MyKey talked about.

I despise the cold.... This will be a good challenge for me!

[Gordon]

I spent Christmas/ New Year in Whistler in 2004. All we did was ski and drink.

I didn't realise there was anything else to do ! The countryside is beautiful there though, I'm sure there are awesome things to find.

Cheapo point and shoot pictures of whistler for some idea of what to expect

[suzyjazz]

Thanks Gordon. I think my drink of choice during my stay will be hot chocolate! I can't view the pics from work, but I'll check it out later. I did a search on pbase a few weeks ago so I may have seen them and not noticed your name.

I did a search on Whistler when we first heard about the trip (it's for a wedding) and found the whistler.com site. I was so excited when I found the dog sledding activities. If I have to be in the "tundra", I can't think of anything more up my alley! I'm really excited about the trip. It will be my Christmas vacation since I can't take any other days off this year. It will be only the second time in my life to be around a significant amount of snow.

[byarger]

We've been to Whistler, but only on a day trip from Vancouver in June. There is a great mountain waterfall on the way up there. It's huge and very scenic, along with a great vertical-faced mountain (lots of climbers in the summer). The ski resort, slopes, valley, etc. offers some great shots. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you don't exactly care for the snow and cold weather), I can't tell you about this time of year. Have fun!

[Jay Henley]

Three months ago we we drove up to Whistler for a walk around look and see. Shannon Falls is on the way up there. Post by fellow TPF'er. http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28016&highlight=shannon+falls There is another falls closer to Whistler which looks totally different than Shannon Falls, I just can not remember the name of it at the moment. The friend I was with was more impressed with that one than he was Shannon Falls.

[Jay Henley]

The other one is Brandywine Falls. here is picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfie/182667103/

[jerrykr]

The scenery on the drive from Horseshoe Bay up to about Squamish is really wonderful. You drive along the ocean inlet, mountains (islands) jutting up out of the sea. Be prepared to pull out and take some pictures.

The drive the rest of the way into Whistler is like being in the Colorado mountains. Beautiful.

Don't know about animals, except some in the bar after sking all day.

Vancouver is a beautiful city if you get the chance to spend any time there. The food is great, and most of the city is safe by US standards. Try a night shot of the city from the resteraunt at the top of Grouse Mountain in North Van.

I wanna go with you!

Have fun.

-=- Jerry -=-
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[Jezebel]

I spent a day in whistler in '00. I was in Canada for the big ol' 1999 new years bash extravaganza bananas. I wish I could recommend something but I spent so little time there. We went snowshoeing and had a lot of fun. The whole town is very cute/quaint though. Any photographer would love it :D

[suzyjazz]

Gordon, I like that ski lift pic! It must have been filtered out at work, too.

Bob, maybe it was Brandywine waterfall that you saw? Jay, thanks so much for pointing me to that photo. I definitely want to go there! The one I had on my list was Nairn Falls but now I have changed my mind. Now I need to find out exactly where these places are.

Thanks for your input, Jezebel and Jerry. We won't have time to stop in Vancouver, but it sounds like there will be plenty of photo ops around Whistler. It would be so cool to see a bear, but they'll be hibernating. Maybe I'll see a deer somewhere?

[boxofrocks]

That's the place I took my first ski trip, and remains my favorite!

[Jay Henley]

Is'nt the next winter olympics in Whistler?

[suzyjazz]

Originally Posted by Jay Henley

Is'nt the next winter olympics in Whistler?

Yes. My sister-in-law, who lives in Seattle and whose wedding is in Whistler, will trying to get tickets to something....

[boxofrocks]

One thing about Whistler I didn't like: From Olympic station and below, you will find it very wet. Often it is raining at the bottom of the mountain and snowing at the top.

Blackcomb Glacier is tons of fun, and there are lots of bowls and drains all over both mountains. You'll love the "Rock Garden"

[Janice_d]

Suzy.. Whistler is the most popular ski area to go.. I know alot of Locals from Seattle go there. Mainly cause the snow is better due to being a higher mountain . The same weather is here.. snow on top..rain at the bottom. The Woodland park zoo might be another choice to go to. Have Fun up there... Im not a skiier.. but I could sit in a lodge and sip cocoa...Janice

[suzyjazz]

Oh my, I meant Woodland Park Zoo! That is so funny... Earlier I was thinking it sounded wrong, so I googled it, and it actually exists, but since I was at work I only quickly glanced at the web site and didn't see where the zoo was located. LOL. I just checked, and the Lincoln Park Zoo is in Chicago. Not even close.

Sounds like I will need to be prepared for damp weather! I won't be able to take any pics around the mountains if it's always raining. Bummer.

I'm not interested in skiing or snowmobiling, just in seeing things. My husband likes to ski, but that's not really in the cards on this trip.