Whistler Sliding Centre Tours and Activities

Located in the Fitzsimmons Valley on the south-east slopes of Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler Sliding Centre is famed for hosting the skeleton, bobsleigh and luge races for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Only 1.6 kilometres from Whistler Village, this first-class sliding track is a mecca for all kinds of winter sports enthusiasts from novices to ski aficionados.The centre is easily accessed by car or bus but visitors might also like to take the Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola from Whistler village to Blackcomb Base II. Although confined to winter months, this is nonetheless a really entertaining way to travel and is particularly popular with children.But the real highlight here is the granddaddy of all tracks. With a total length of 1,450 metres, this is one of the fastest sliding tracks in the world and as a result plays host to a number of winter sports competitions. Visitors are welcome to attend, so avail of the opportunity to pick up some tips from the high-performance athletes as they compete in official races.The centre has a great scope of exciting activities for members of the public with bobsleigh and skeleton sliding being two of the most popular events. Professional guides are on hand to instruct visitors on the importance of safety and orientation before they proceed with their chosen activity.If the thoughts of spinning solo down the track in a bobsleigh make you nervous, don’t worry. With a qualified pilot at the helm, all you need to do is enjoy whizzing down the track at speeds up to 125 kilometres an hour before coming to a gentle stop at the finishing dock.Adrenaline junkies will relish the hair-raising thrill of skeleton sliding. This challenging sport sees brave individuals hurtle head-first down the frozen track while lying on the stomach. Reaching a maximum speed of 100 kilometres an hour, this slide is terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure. Highly addictive and highly recommended!Throughout the summer, the centre is open to visitors who wish to avail of a self-guided interpretive tour of the complex so grab a map from the entrance and explore at your leisure. However, please remember that this natural environment is home to all sorts of wildlife so keep a beady eye out for any bears who may wish to join you on your jaunt.