Endless skiing fun in Canada: Whistler

Early visitors called the area 115 kilometres northeast of Vancouver "London Mountain", but it came to be called Whistler after the whistle of the groundhog. After trappers were attracted by the natural beauty of the Canadian mountain landscape, the first lodge was built in 1914, others followed - but until the 1960s almost no infrastructure was in place. It wasn't until the first ski lifts went into operation (which resulted in a bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics) that more and more winter sports enthusiasts were attracted. Today Whistler-Blackcomb, named after the two elevations Whistler Mountain (2181 meters) and Blackcomb Peak (2436 meters), which are connected by the highest gondola in the world - 436 meters above the valley -, the largest ski resort in Canada, known for its snow reliability (on average 10.8 meters of snow fall here per year), varied terrain and a wide range of recreational activities. It finally succeeded in hosting the Winter Olympics in 2010 after a failed bid in 1968. One of the remnants of this time is the bobsled track at the Whistler Sliding Center, which can also be ridden by non-professionals. No previous experience is required - after an introduction, you'll be guided down ten curves by a trained pilot. This is not for the faint-hearted: speeds of up to 125 kilometres per hour can be reached here. Speaking of adrenaline rush: Passionate off-piste riders love the Coast Mountains, as the Canadian mountain range is called. The Symphony Express, a high-speed lift with four-seater chairs, provides access to four square kilometres of back bowls on Whistler Mountain. Here you'll find deep powder and forest runs for expert skiers. Another highlight: Heliskiing has been offered in Whistler for over 40 years, the terrain includes 173 glaciers and 475 runs.