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Destinations » North America » Canada » British Columbia » Whistler » City Guide: Historical Background

Whistler, Canada » Historical Background

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Named for the shrill whistle sound of the Western Hoary Marmot, "Whistler" was not always a vacation playground. The Coast Salish First Nations people inhabited the land around Whistler for many thousands of years, hunting and gathering and living a nomadic lifestyle long before European settlers arrived.

The Whistler Valley was an isolated wilderness frequented by the Lil'wat Nation from the Mount Currie area and the Squamish Nation who lived in an area stretching from present day North Vancouver to the Squamish River watershed and the northern area of Howe Sound (Gibson's Landing). Whistler was often a way point for First Nation trading routes between the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations as it was rich with wildlife and resources. At one time tens of thousands of Coast Salish First Nations people lived, traded and thrived in the areas between Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Lillooett areas. In fact, some of the hiking routes between Howe Sound and Deep Cove (east of Vancouver) are the same routes traveled on by the Coast Salish First Nations peoples.

With the opening of the Pemberton Trail north of Vancouver in 1877, trappers and fur traders began to move to the area, bringing back with them a surge of interest in the natural beauty and incredible wildlife of what was then Alta Lake. Word spread and many families began packing up their lives to start anew on the cheap land and burgeoning logging industry. Soon after families and settlers began arriving, the name Whistler was decided, paying homage to its local rodents.

It wasn't until 1914 with the arrival of The Great Pacific Eastern Railway when Whistler was officially linked to the outside world. The arrival signified the start of what would be a massive industry of mining and logging shaping the future look of Whistler and the surrounding areas. Soon after the areas first settlers, Myrtle and Alex Philip, bought their ten acres of land and built the Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake, other settlers gradually began coming, building lodges and hotels of their own. With the abundant fish stocks, excellent weather, and natural beauty, scores of people began making the trip to Whistler, establishing the area as a top summer destination, long before it was a winter one; even more popular than Jasper or Banff!

Beginning in the 1950's, Whistler made a virtue out of its extreme weather conditions with a gravel road to Squamish that was carved from the cliffs of Howe Sound enabling many to safely make the 5-hour trip into and around the area from Vancouver. At this time, the Garibaldi Whistler Mountain was named, creating a lodge, double ski-lift, gondola and a subsequently serious ski industry. Since then Whistler has made a name for itself in winter sports, having one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Blackcomb, and having been awarded (along with Vancouver) as the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler has, and will always be, a top destination for the avid historian, sports enthusiast, or outdoorsman for generations to come.

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