Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau first came to visit Whistler in 1969 to view the proposed Olympic site. Franz Wilhelmsen is shown here greeting him in the summer alpine meadows of Whistler Mountain.
Whistler's European history stretches back to the 1860's when when British Naval Officers surveyed the area and gave Whistler Mountain the original name of London Mountain.
Whistler's people history owes much to the fearless and pioneering spirit of Myrtle Philip. Her devotion to the resort and the community inspired visitors year after year.
The Coast Salish (Aboriginal peoples) inhabited much of the land around Whistler for many thousands of years. Their influence on the area is featured in much of the art depicted in
many art galleries in Whistler Village.
Follow the chronological order of Whistler's history:
|
1877 |
The Pemberton Trail is completed linking the Pemberton valley to the Pacific coast, north of Vancouver. |
|
1900 |
Trappers and prospectors settle in the area. Alta Lake is the original name of Whistler. The name "Whistler" is used by these settlers because of the shrill whistle sound made by the western hoary marmots who live among the rocks. |
|
1910 |
Myrtle and Alex Philip arrive in Vancouver from Maine. They hear about Whistler's spectacular beauty. |
|
1911 |
Myrtle and Alex take the three day journey to Whistler: a steamer ship from Vancouver to Squamish, overnight in Brackendale, and a two-day horse trek to Whistler. |
|
1914 |
Myrtle and Alex buy ten acres of land and build the Rainbow Lodge on the shores of Alta Lake. |
|
1914 |
The Great Pacific Eastern Railway (now BC Rail) is built to Alta Lake and links the valley to the outside world. Whistler becomes a base for logging and mining. Myrtle and Alex's Rainbow Lodge is the most popular resort destination west of Banff and Jasper. Way to go, Myrtle! |
|
1950's |
Other lodges open throughout the valley. The abundant fish stocks make Whistler a summer resort destination long before it is considered a winter one. Winter travel becomes possible when a gravel road to Squamish is carved from the cliffs of Howe Sound. |
|
1964 |
The single-lane road is extended to Whistler because of the ski area development, and to Pemberton later that same year. The trip from Vancouver to Whistler took 5-6 hours. |
|
1965 |
Whistler Mountain finally gets the name "Garibaldi Whistler Mountain". A four person gondola, a double chairlift, two T-bars, and a day lodge are constructed. |
|
1966 |
Whistler officially opens for skiing.A two-lane gravel road built in 1965 was paved to Whistler and then to Pemberton by 1969. |
|
1969 |
A two-lane gravel road built in 1965 was paved to Whistler and then to Pemberton by 1969 |
|
1977 |
The new municipality is given 53 acres of Crown land to develop a town centre. |
|
1978 |
Construction begins on the new town centre that will eventually become Whistler Village. |
|
1980 |
Blackcomb Mountain opens creating one of the largest ski complexes in North America. |
|
1985 |
Blackcomb Mountain expands it's terrain and becomes North America's only "Mile High Mountain". |
|
1992 |
Snow Country Magazine votes Whistler the "Number One Ski Resort in North America" and the trend continues for almost a decade. |
|
1998 |
Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains merge under Intrawest Corporation. |
|
2002 |
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) short lists Vancouver/Whistler as a Candidate City for hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games. |
|
2003 |
Whistler (and Vancouver) win the bid to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games |
|
2003 |
Skiing Magazine votes Whistler Blackcomb the "Number One Ski Resort in North America" Would you like to know more about Whistler history? Visit the Whistler Museum & Archives
4329 Main Street
Whistler, BC
V0N 1B0
Phone: 1-604-932-2019
Fax:1-604-932-2077 |
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