Whistler Family Vacation- Day 2

The upper lift on Whistler is the best of all of them. I am surprised that kids enjoyed these. I expected them to freak out. They weren't too scary because they are very smooth. The thing that struck us is how quiet everything is when on them: you're just floating in the air.

Looking down on the town

This is the official symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

"Black Tusk"

Taking a break at the tea hut. It was pretty cool and breezy (around 7500 feet) so we got some hot chocolate here.

Apparently, instead of yelling "Cheese" I yelled "Everyone close you eyes"!

Here I caught a biker tearing down the mountain (steeper than it looks)

Bottom of the bike area. Some of the larger jumps are only used for big competitions I think.

My Smart Truck

I've always thought this old building/dock/whatever was neat so I finally pulled over a got a pic of it.



North side of Vancouver

Whistler Family Vacation- Day 1

We just got back from our first official family vacation ever (day trips after work and 3 months living with another family don't qualify...). We went to Whistler overnight and had perfect weather and a great time. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

I sure love moonroofs, but I paid the price with a fried head by the end of the day.

The Sea to Ski Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is very beautiful. You are right on the edge of mountains over the water. It is actually salt water- a really long sound (Howe Sound I think). I will say that it is much better on a bike though.

We stopped at Shannon Falls on the way up. This was taken by the parking lot. The falls are over 1000 feet tall but you can't really see all of them from the ground.

This picture sums up our family. Cameron only worried about food and trying to stuff her face as fast as possible. Courtney fairly quiet and obedient. Nikki crazy and all over the place.

This pic sums up Whistler. Lots of hotels and mountain bikers (and of course they turn to skiers in the winter). They use the ski lifts to bring their bikes up and some of the trails are absolutely crazy- 15 foot drops etc. We can see some of the action from the gondola going up.

Whistler has 2 main mountains: Whistler and Blackomb. They both have gondolas to bring you up and large resturants at the top. From there both of them have ski lifts to bring you even higher and that is where all of the good views are. This summer they opened the peak to peak gondola. If you look closely at the center of this pic you can see it. The cars are 1430 feet over the valley; the total length is 2.74 miles, and the middle unsupported span (between towers) is 1.88 miles. That unsupported section really amazes me. There is no sway and the whole ride is really smooth. The 2 upper open ski lifts are more fun though.

Heading up Whistler Mt

Resturant/Gift Shop etc

In a Peak 2 Peak car

Headed over to Blackomb

Passing one on the way back

On Blackomb, they still have ski lifts going for another week. I think it is mostly glacier skiing. Here is a snow board area (it was about 80 degrees up there)

Cameron liked to lay back and chill out on the open lifts.

Pooped out and heading to the hotel.

What the girls were really looking forward to: swimming!