Peak to Peak

Ken and I spent the last week at a conference in Whistler, British Columbia. Wow! What a great spot to spend some time! I have always thought of Whistler as a winter destination but I would not hesitate to go back for a summer holiday.

One of the many activities in which we participated was the Peak to Peak gondola ride. Much of the mountain infrastructure was created for the winter Olympics a few years ago and everything is first class.

To begin the Peak to Peak experience you take a chair lift to the top of one of the two peaks. We decided to start on Blackcomb so we could hike once we got to Whistler.

 After the first chair lift you walk a short distance to catch the gondola.

This is truly a marvel of modern engineering. It spans the longest distance of any free spanning gondola in the world. The total distance is just under 3 miles with the longest unsupported span measuring two miles.

A view looking back toward the town of Whistler.

 At its highest point the gondola sits 1427 ft above Fitzsimmon's Creek. This is not a ride for anyone who does not like heights!

Once off the gondola you take a second chair lift to the top of Whistler Peak. From there we hiked about three miles back to a spot where we could catch another chairlift back to town.

A great view from the top of Whistler Peak.