Buffalo Bills proudly calls itself “a party spot for everyone,” playing mainstream music and classic tunes for a slightly older crowd than at Whistler’s other clubs

Whether or not you’ve spent the day on the slopes, taking an hour to skate ski through quiet woods and circle a frozen lake is a privilege. You could head out to the Olympic venues south of town, but the easiest option is to walk the short distance from the village to Lost Lake Park. At the Cross Country Ski Center there, rent traditional cross-country skis, newer skate skis or snowshoes. Over 20 miles (32km) of trails offer options for beginner to advanced Nordic skiers, although note that even the beginner tracks here do have some elevation change. Two and a half miles of trails are lit for night skiing, and seven and a half miles of snowshoe trails allow you to go deep into the forest on your own.

If you are comfortable on black diamond runs and are ready for more excitement, let the guides at Extremely Canadian expand your perception of what skiing is all about. You can take steep skiing clinics, or take a guided Backcountry Adventure tour to explore the unbelievable, untracked terrain just a stone’s throw from Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Powder diehards will love this opportunity to carve the first turns on newly fallen snow. With a special ticket, skiers can out early, arriving at the Whistler Gondola by 7:00am. Only 600 skiers are allowed up, so you need to get in line early. Up top, the Roundhouse Lodge serves a buffet breakfast of freshly made pancakes, eggs, sausages, house baked breads and fresh fruit., but don’t linger over breakfast. Eat quickly, because as soon as the bell rings, it means the slopes have been cleared for skiing.

Whistler’s top live music venue has seen well-known bands and DJs perform on its stage. A young crowd throngs the club on Thursday nights to see skateboarders catch air on the indoor skate ramp, before the DJ takes over at 11:00pm. Fridays and Saturday nights you’ll hear a mix of electronic dance music, house and classic indie tunes.

In summer, Whistler is a golfer’s paradise. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler course challenges golfers with a 400 feet elevation gain, but offers spectacular views as a payoff. The Nicklaus North Golf Course lies at the edge of scenic Green Lake, which really is green, the result of mineral-rich glacier run-off. The course at the Whistler Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, allows you to take in the magnificent vistas as you await your turn to swing.

The erstwhile Olympic Medals Plaza for the 2010 Winter Games has been converted into a lovely outdoor skating rink. The rink is open from the late morning to the evening, with an afternoon break from 4:00-6:00pm.

Finished in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the breathtaking Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains breaks world records. Crossing the sky at 1430 feet above the valley floor, it’s the highest lift of its kind anywhere. Only four towers hold up the cable spanning the 2.7 mile distance, two on one mountain and two on the other. In between lies the longest unsupported span on earth, nearly 2 miles long. While not for the faint of heart, the Peak to Peak Gondola is a wonder to behold, and the eleven-minute ride, in winter or summer, is unforgettable. If you have time, wait in the special line to get in one of the two glass-bottomed gondolas.

Deep in the forest beyond Whistler Village, Scandinave aims to create a full mind/body experience. Visitors walk through a serene wooded path before reaching the spa, and by the time you enter the welcoming lobby, warmed by a fireplace, you are already feeling at ease.

The quiet conversation in the lobby and changing rooms ceases when you step outside and take in the lovely spa grounds that spread along the hillside. There, silence is the rule. It’s awkward, but you quickly adjust. Once you’ve stepped into the steam room, lightly scented with eucalyptus leaves, you really relax. After some minutes in the heat, you can take a quick dip in the cold pool and then rest in the solarium. Other options include the sauna, a beautiful take on the typical Finnish sauna, or hot pools with strong jets to massage achy muscles.

Visitors are meant to spend at least two hours at the spa, alternating between hot and cold. Even if you don’t have that much time, the Scandinave is worth a visit. Many luxurious treatments, from deep tissue massages to hot stone treatments, are available.

If you have the family in tow, you might enjoy a quintessential winter holiday activity: sleigh riding. Start at the Nicklaus North Golf Course at the edge at Green Lake or take the mountain sleigh ride on Blackcomb Mountain. Wrap yourselves in warm blankets provided on the sleigh and sip hot chocolate as you enjoy the half hour ride. Your driver may have you singing carols as well. Some of the tour options include a fondue dinner at the Den restaurant on Green Lake. It’s all very seasonal and romantic, but skip dinner and just do the sleigh ride; You can find a better meal elsewhere in Whistler.

For skiers and riders, Whistler Blackcomb Resort tops the list. It’s simply the biggest and baddest resort on the continent – with 8171 skiable acres, over 5200 vertical feet, 16 bowls, 200 runs and 37 lifts, nearly all of which are high-speed. Expert skiers will be wowed by the sheer number of double black diamond chutes, cornices and gladed tree runs. In fact, Whistler Mountain’s Excitation/Exhilaration is the steepest inbounds ski run in North America.

Skiers of all levels will find something for them on Whistler Blackcomb, with most chairlifts offering groomed alternatives to challenging mogul runs the excellent ski school offers lessons for beginners. Ski and snowboard options abound for kids and adults, from private lessons to daily or weekly group classes.

Snowboarders will find a mountain that was among the first to welcome the newer sport. Whistler Blackcomb’s six terrain parks have nearly 100 acres of terrain for beginner and advanced riders and skiers alike.

Indagare Tip: To avoid lift lines, contact our Bookings Team to arrange a private guide.

Kids absolutely love stepping into an oversized inner tube and speeding down the hill. You can choose how scary a lane you want to descend, and then ride a conveyor belt back up to do it all again. Kids should wear helmets—the tubes go fast.

Note: Ski boots aren’t allowed in the park.

When the snow melts away, ski lifts convert into bike lifts that take intrepid riders thousands of feet uphill. This is no ordinary mountain biking experience, and proper gear is a must. Those not comfortable blazing downhill on a two-wheeled vehicle at top speed can opt for gentler bike trails.

The number of ways to enjoy Whistler in the summer can be overwhelming. There’s excellent hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and glacier skiing. If you opt for hiking, consider guided tours with local experts, who can give you a fuller picture of the region’s remarkable flora and fauna. The bear tours in four-wheel drive vehicles led by noted bear researchers are remarkable.

In summer or winter, experience Whistler’s spectacular scenery while whizzing over the treetops. The five zip lines, in the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains over Fitzsimmons Creek, afford spectacular views of the forests, cliff faces, verdant woods and perhaps some local wildlife as well.