The small ski town of Whistler is nestled into the surrounding mountains, and the very life and vibe of the village originated from the ski business. But Whistler is not like any other ski town. It contains so much more than winter sports, from canoe trips to the beautifully quaint town plaza to the history of Whistler itself. Whistler is full of treasures waiting to be discovered, and you don’t have to travel nearly as far as you would to visit Paris or London.

The town of Whistler started out in 1900 as a little collection of settlers just north of the city of Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada. It was nestled between the mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb. Whistler was given it’s name because of the whistling sound the native hoary marmots, large, squirrel-like rodents, made. Lodges started to spring up in Whistler, and Whistler was actually prized as a summer resort destination before it was ever a ski resort. However, it soon became a popular winter destination when a road was carved in the mountains leading from Vancouver to Whistler. Whistler also went on to take a part in hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, officially held in Vancouver, and is still the prized ski town it was 50 years ago.

Because Whistler is more known for all things ice and snow, summer activities are not as treasured as the winter ones. However, the summer activities in Whistler are just one of the jewels of Whistler waiting to be uncovered. Canoeing, hiking, biking, and just staring from the top of Whistler mountain are all relaxing and unique to Whistler because of the beautiful scenery. Whistler Eco Tours, a company that ‘brings people back to nature’, offers everything from bear awareness tours to canoe trips to sightseeing. The canoe trip offers beautiful views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountain, and floating down the river in the canoe is very relaxing and serene. But there is so much more to Whistler than just the summer side of it.

Whistler is rich in activities that get visitors out in nature, but when you’ve had enough of climbing mountains and paddling canoes, once again, Whistler comes through. The town plaza of Whistler is located right in the heart of Whistler. It’s a pedestrian-only area, and the small streets are lined with quaint and authentic buildings, home to shops like North Face and Columbia. There are also unique restaurants with thrilling views of the mountains, and cute shops and cafes perfect for wandering around in. Whistler village has it’s own beautifully unique atmosphere, enhanced by the surrounding mountains.

However, Whistler’s main attraction isn’t the quaint village, or that there are so many things to do in both winter and summer. The main attraction broke world records, and is located at the top of the mountain. The Peak 2 Peak gondola is the longest and highest lift in the world, and connects the peaks of the Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. The extraordinary views from the gondola is worth the long lines. The whole town of Whistler appears to be a child’s toy when laid out among the gargantuan mountains. Nothing could ever compare to the incredible views, but if heights aren’t your thing, you should probably just stick to hiking!

Whistler is a hidden paradise, cut off from the rest of the concrete and hard world, because if how it incorporates so much nature into its very life. It may even be better than London or Paris, because of how different and natural it is. From gondola rides to canoeing to shopping, Whistler has something for everyone. It is a beautiful, unique and original place. Whistler is a place that is definitely worth visiting, and anyone can enjoy themselves in Whistler–this is definitely not your normal ski resort.