Hung up our local hat today and channelled our tourist vibes. What a day. We loved every step, every gondola ride and every view. What a stunning place in all its contrasts - beautiful wildflowers, lakes of black and green, steep volcanic slopes, sharp ridges and wall to wall pines trees under a vibrant blue sky and in glorious sunshine. Magic.
The addition of the suspension bridge and the skywalk to the Peak2Peak experience was new to us - and it was spectacular. Did have to work for it and do a little climbing, complete with some skidding on the scree slopes, but every step was worth it.
Thanks to all the genuine locals who combined to put this little adventure together for us.
Here's how the day unfolded.
Started our adventure with a quick dash to the weekend free bus, headed to Blackcomb, stumbled on the weekend markets and got ourselves on the first of our gondolas to take us to the peak of Whistler Mountain.
First upload was from the Upper Village - the Blackcomb Gondola. We had a little carriage to ourselves and swapped seats and views trying to look up and down the mountain trying to now pick out the familiar landmarks. Green Lake is a gimmie! Don't mind admitting already that we felt very overdressed , I had multiple layers and we were both sporting long sleeves. Very hot in our little glass sauna even as we climbed higher. No bears here - or on any other run we took today.
First climb and it was steamy hot
The Blackcomb Gondola
Greeted at the top with a close-up view of the exposed black volcanic ridge that is shaped like a rooster's comb that gives Blackcomb Mountain its name. For us, really just the stop over to climb aboard our next gondola.
Views from Blackcomb - can identify Green Lake - our local walking route from "home"
The Peak2Peak Gondola is the record breaker of the day and is the longest span of its type in the world. This ride takes you from Blackcomb Mountain to Whistler Mountain - Peak2Peak .... obviously.
Total distance Peak2Peak is 4.4 kms with an unsupported span of 3.024 kms and travels 436 m above valley floor
A great ride with breathtaking views into our favourite Fitzsimmons Creek
It was a quick traipse to the signed entry for the Peak Express - an open chair that delivered us to the top of Whistler, the suspension bridge and the sky bridge. You had to work for access to this lift and every step we took down was tinged with the understanding that we had to climb back up on the return journey. We did note there were quite a few heavy breathers making that return journey ... yep, out turn would come.
And again, it was still so hot. Even as we were ascending and passing pockets of frozen ice, the warmth remained in the air and there was not a hint of a breeze.
Lots of sheer cliff faces here and you do have to wonder how they get all of that infrastructure up here.
That's where we are heading to get the next chair - every step down is one we have to claim back on the return home
Looking back up - about 1/3 of way down
You can just make out the Peak Express between the yellow lines
Our goal - that suspension bridge
Still warm even on the open chair - perfect day
Lots of flower stops (feigning interest to get a rest stop!)
Once at the top, there is a guided 2.5 km circuit that gives 360 views from the mountain peak. First a little 130 m walk over the Cloudraker Skybridge over the Whistler Bowl followed by a walk on the cantilevered Raven's Eye. Very grateful that it was such a calm day - not sure what this might be like with the wind howling. You then follow a track (or can take the alternate boulder route) to take in views including the appropriately named Tusk.
Very confident Cloudraker
Nervous Nelly Cloudraker
Ducks everywhere donated by visitors from around the world
Once we'd snapped every view it was back onto the Peak Express and the long slog back up to the Roundhouse. One foot at a time - resting in shade as it presented itself and eventually rewarded ourselves with 🍺 and ☕️.
Always confuses the wait staff - beer drinker unexpected
The perfect finale for the Peak2Peak day was the Mountain Feast at the Roundhouse. A hot and cold buffet - with views back to the valley. We were not slow in digging in and making our choices from the ribs, salmon, prawns, beef and chicken - and threw in a few veggies as a pretence of a balanced diet. Took our time and enjoyed seconds and dessert.
There was a line-up for the Mountain Feast
Last Whistler Mountain views before gondola ride down
We were a little worried there may have been a weight limit for the last gondola ride which took us on a steep descent down Whistler Mountain and back to the Village to meet up with our bus ride home. We had definitely overindulged.
Early evening views through dirty gondola glass - look at the haze for the setting sun
Thoroughly enjoyed our day and did not need any reminders about changing shoes at the front door this evening - we were visibly covered in the very fine dust of our mountain trek.
Think we will sleep well tonight and will have to return to local duties tomorrow.
PS: Speaking of sleeping well - that was not the case last night. At about 3:30 I woke myself and @Mac up screaming the place down caught up in a nightmare. I am absolutely surprised that the neighbours were not making inquiries. The stranger in the Mounties hat, pursuing me, scared me so much I couldn't get back to sleep until it was daylight.
Meanwhile in 🇪🇺 with @M&I
Boaties loving the water as they cruise the islands apparently stopping to meet up with other boats and to dive in for a swim "every hour."
This total relaxation a great way to kick of their holiday.
Pics sitting on front of the boat take me back to glorious days as part of the @Twist family ❤️ - minus the beverage of course.
Living their best life
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