Today is Canada Day, a popular Public Holiday, we make an early start to the day, have some coffee and breakfast buns in the Village, before boarding the Gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain (Round House Station). Travel through the tree line into the snow line, it's Summer, but there is still plenty of snow at the top.
Enjoy a craft beer, before walking to the Whistler Peak Ski-lift, where we catch the Chairlift to the top of Whistler Peak. Quite a heart pumping and white knuckle ride in an open chair (a "hand me my new brown trousers" moment for me) but we reach the Peak without any mishaps. At the top, there is a Sky Bridge to the Peak itself, Judith gives it a go, but I decline and spend some quality time with the stone Inukshuk cairn (built by the Inuit people of the Arctic Region).
We then retrace our way back down on the Chairlift, to the Ski-lift Station, where we walk back up to the Round House Station and buy ourselves some ice-creams (eating ice-cream in the snow!) before boarding the Twin Peak Gondola.
The Twin Peak Gondola runs between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, it is the longest and highest single span cableway in the world. The view between the two mountains from the Gondola is absolutely spectacular. There is still enough snow on Blackcomb Mountain for some serious skiing to take place. We enjoy lunch at the Peak to Peak Station, before boarding the final Gondola trip back down to Whistler.
Down in Whistler, do some last minute sightseeing, before making our way back to Vancouver. The highway leading to Whistler is jam-packed with cars as everyone seems to be heading to Whistler.
We stopped off at Britannia Mine Museum, in Britannia Beach. The now defunct Mine, was an important source of copper ore for 70 years, and during the 1920s and 1930s it was one of the largest mining operations in Canada.
Close to Vancouver we go up Cypress Mountain, to the View Point, for a 180° view of Vancouver and surroundings, before heading home.
Measuring up to see if you can ride the Gondola.
The start of the ride - still in the tree line.
Looking back down towards Whistler.
Into the snow line.
Arriving at the Round House Station.
The Round House Station.
Pictorial showing Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains
Walking down to the whistler Peak Ski lift.
Riding the open Chairlift to Whistler Peak.
Going up towards the Peak.
Sheer cliff face near the top.
The Inukshuk cairn at Whistler Peak.
The Sky Bridge.
Going down to Roundhouse Station.
Approaching Roundhouse Station.
Walking back up to Roundhouse Station.
Boarding the Twin Peaks Gondola
Start of the Twin Peaks ride looking towards Blackcomb Mountain.
Looking back down to Whistler between Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains.
Blackcomb Mountain ski slopes.
Boarding the Gondola down to Whistler.
On the way down.
Approaching Whistler.
"Jeri" a statue by James Stewart
The now defunct Britannia Copper Mine.
Old mining equipment display (Front End Loader)
Chief Mountain a very popular rock climbing destination.
View of Vancouver City from Cypress Mountain view point.
Cheers
Mike T & Judith
