Strap on your skis and make for the hills for excellent winter sport facilities, miles of cross-country trails and heaps of fun.
Nestled among towering forests, cascading waterfalls and glacial lakes in the stunning Callaghan Valley, Whistler Olympic Park is much more than your average winter sport destination. As well as the usual gamut of winter sport activities, visitors can also explore scenic tramping trails, go horseback riding, mountain biking, take an interpretive tour of the park, and all before enjoying a delicious evening meal. At just 18 kilometres from the town of Whistler, this winter sports complex is a terrific destination and should be at the top of every winter to-do list.Famed for hosting many of the 2010 Winter Olympic events, the park has since become a magnet for all kinds of visitors from winter sports enthusiasts to nature lovers and beyond. Serious athletes and amateurs can each avail of the park’s excellent facilities which include competition areas for cross-country and biathlon events, as well as a state-of-the-art ski-jumping facility.The site also has specific sections for instruction and a ski-play area where novices can hone their newly found skills. So whether you’re thinking of trying out for the next Winter Olympics or simply praying you can stay upright get some practice in with certified instructors. With an excellent range of lessons to suit all skill sets, you’ll be whizzing down the slopes like an expert in no time.In the winter months, visitors can enjoy a multitude of world-class ski, snowshoe and cross-country trails that suit all abilities. The park has 27 first-rate trails including 11 beginner trails, 12 intermediate trails and 4 expert trails making a total of 56 kilometres. Some of the paths cross over to the nearby Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures (CCWA) area, and together they make up the Ski Callaghan area, forming an even more exciting and expansive trail network.For a really fun challenge, try your hand at the biathlon. This sport involves skiing around a loop, pausing, shooting five rounds at a biathlon target and skiing around the same loop again. Testing co-ordination, speed and balance, you’ll need a keen eye and a steady hand to beat your rivals.Although primarily a winter destination, this park is also a fantastic place to visit in the summer months. Make a beeline for the backcountry and explore this magnificent terrain on foot, by bicycle or if you want to get a better view, on horseback!
