Whistler in Summer
Took a trip to Whistler last month to see what the deal was with summer and to tag along on an Ironman course preview with Kona spot-seeker Brian August. SPOILER ALERT: Nailed it.
I thought the non-triathletes of us would find miles and miles of rambling trails for running but seemingly the only one we could find out the front door - and this after a first lost attempt - took us from the village up to the Peak 2 Peak chair on Whistler.
It was hours and miles and thousands of feet of elevation gain - surely, numbers that would impress you if I remembered what they were - but mostly it was just a long, rambling, beautiful adventure from forests to meadows to ridgeline with mountain tops draped in snow appearing as Dana, Kara and I crested the first of several false summits. Oh snow, you always make my heart race.
Off the trails, Whistler was bumping with a big shopping-eating tourist scene and of course, it's epic mountain biking draw. We rented full suspension bikes to go "live the dream" in one of the premier mountain biking destinations and bag the tagline "Yeah, I mountain biked @ Whistler".
I'd like to say we hit the downhill course hard and without fear but why embellish? We made our way over to the more accessible XC trails around the lake starting off with a sweet, gentle single-ish track that wound quietly up the hillside where we encountered a father and his young son - maybe 4? - riding what appeared to be a balance bike, all decked out in tiny little kid helmet and pads. #humbling
We did move out of the comfort zone long enough to ride across some wooden bridges, scramble over rocks and, for me and Tina, take a few crashes along the way. Never underestimate how fun it is to feel like a beginner again and experience the joy of taking risks. Even if you're being passed by 4 year olds. As I say every time I finish a ride, I am SO getting back into mountain biking! SPOILER ALERT: I haven't been on one since.
All in all, Whistler rolls out the green carpet for summer as you'd expect from the Canadians. It's a playground of activities to choose from book-ended by live music, outdoor restaurants and people watching.
And if you're wondering - did I ski? The answer is no. Blackcomb DOES have summer skiing up on the glaciers and we saw a few peeps walking around with skis and boots, but the thrill of skiing in August in Canada was defeated by the cost of baggage fees to shlep a set of ski clothes up North. Besides, it just wouldn't feel right without my winter Whistler friends alongside me.
Nothing against the summer friends, of course.
Whistler, you are a beauty in summer - I think probably because I can see more of you. But when winter comes, who cares what I can see as long as you're blanketed in snow and Spanky's is open. Oh, Canada.
I thought the non-triathletes of us would find miles and miles of rambling trails for running but seemingly the only one we could find out the front door - and this after a first lost attempt - took us from the village up to the Peak 2 Peak chair on Whistler.
It was hours and miles and thousands of feet of elevation gain - surely, numbers that would impress you if I remembered what they were - but mostly it was just a long, rambling, beautiful adventure from forests to meadows to ridgeline with mountain tops draped in snow appearing as Dana, Kara and I crested the first of several false summits. Oh snow, you always make my heart race.
I'd like to say we hit the downhill course hard and without fear but why embellish? We made our way over to the more accessible XC trails around the lake starting off with a sweet, gentle single-ish track that wound quietly up the hillside where we encountered a father and his young son - maybe 4? - riding what appeared to be a balance bike, all decked out in tiny little kid helmet and pads. #humbling
We did move out of the comfort zone long enough to ride across some wooden bridges, scramble over rocks and, for me and Tina, take a few crashes along the way. Never underestimate how fun it is to feel like a beginner again and experience the joy of taking risks. Even if you're being passed by 4 year olds. As I say every time I finish a ride, I am SO getting back into mountain biking! SPOILER ALERT: I haven't been on one since.
All in all, Whistler rolls out the green carpet for summer as you'd expect from the Canadians. It's a playground of activities to choose from book-ended by live music, outdoor restaurants and people watching.
Nothing against the summer friends, of course.
Whistler, you are a beauty in summer - I think probably because I can see more of you. But when winter comes, who cares what I can see as long as you're blanketed in snow and Spanky's is open. Oh, Canada.
Comments