Summer kicks off July 1^st with the Canada Day long weekend to include festivities and fun for everyone! Canada Day weekend in Whistler launches our Whistler Presents Outdoor Concert Series to include 54-40!  Kids can enjoy a parade during the daytime where many local businesses come out with their best costumes and stroll from one end of the village to the other handing out goodies and Canada day stuff to get everyone celebrating early!

Come celebrate the 4^th of July in Whistler too! Our American guests can also enjoy free concerts July 5^th & 6^th along with the exciting and crazy Whistler Longboard Festival! The Skate Culture comes alive at this festival and riders from around the globe compete at warp speeds at the Whistler Sliding Center downhill race. Other events include less intense and more laid-back competitions, demos and more.

This July 13 & 14, 2013 the Whistler Children’s Festival celebrates 30 years! This must do family event of the summer brings in Children’s workshops, activities, animation and even features musical and performing acts by award winning entertainers! This year’s anniversary celebration promises t o be bigger and better moving to the Whistler Olympic Plaza! Don’t miss the online registration for this event June 1^st by visiting the website here.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is coming back due to last year’s huge success. Stunning music under the stars with a beautiful mountain backdrop, who wouldn’t want to experience such a performance?! This year they are performing through Whistler Village between July 16 & 17 with three concerts daily. The weekend of July 19 – 21, 2013 brings them to the Whistler Olympic Plaza so bring your lawn chairs and blankets to cozy into this unforgettable performance.

The month ends with another long weekend starting August off with BC Day August 5^th! August is another month filled with entertainment, but stay tuned as details will be announced in our Summer 2013 Events Part 2 – August is Action Packed blog coming soon!

This Summer Whistler Village comes alive with street entertainment putting a magical spin on your experience adding a lively atmosphere while you stroll through town. Street entertainment includes performances from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, artist’s demonstrations, kid’s creation stations, buskers, artisan markets and more!

The Canada Day Long weekend kicks off this year’s “Whistler Presents Outdoor Concert Series” at the Whistler Olympic Plaza including performances by Matt Dusk and 54-40. Bring a blanket or lawn char and enjoy amazing performances with a stunning mountain backdrop.  Every weekend hosts new acts including the Trews, Hey Ocean and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performing both at Whistler Olympic Plaza and throughout the village. Don’t miss a thing during your stay, for a complete schedule of Summer events visit here.

The daily live entertainment and weekend concert series is sure to make your Whistler experience an unforgettable one for all ages to enjoy!

Years later I found myself living in Whistler and found out that all the excitement and energy captured on TV was just a drop in the bucket compared to what the festival was really about! It’s absolutely a great time full of ski and snowboard events, but this 10 day festival is so much more. The World Ski and Snowboard Festival brings out the best in mountain culture; this festival showcases the best in Film, Photography, Fashion and the Arts as well as the amazing Sports Competitions that blow your mind like the famous Big Air!

Whistler Village comes alive and unbelievable talent comes together to showcase what this little town is about. Here are some festival highlights to take in this April:

Film: The Filmmaker Showdown is a one of a kind event where contestants get 72 hours to create a film and edit it for a cash prize of $10,000! If you can’t get tickets to this event you can always see the runners up of with the 2^nd Cuts 72hr screening, or the ENCORE to the winning event! These events are a great way to spend the evening.

Photo: There is a saying “A photo can say a thousand words” and there is nothing more moving and captivating than this event. A slideshow showcasing the best photographers from around the globe and their best photos of intriguing places, the characters they met on their journey and sports.

The Arts: There is a little unknown secret in Whistler; our arts community is full of inspiring artists. You can see their masterpieces and even purchase an original one of a kind souvenir at the Whistler Conference Center. Local artists’ masterpieces will be displayed daily throughout the festival and it’s free for all ages to enjoy.

Concerts: Après at the base of the mountain with live music! Take in the vibe and enjoy the entertainment daily at 2:30 and 4:00pm. Still a work in progress but some of the big names for this year are Swollen Members and K-OS!

Sports Competitions:  The Big Air and Slopestyle competitions will be sure to impress and amaze you! Each weekend has a Big Air Competition where the jump is so insanely huge your adrenaline will be at an all time high just watching everyone compete. Slopestyle takes place on Blackcomb Mountain in the Terrain Park. This means when the ski and snowboard festival is here this park is mind blowing.

If there is one thing to experience in your lifetime it would be a thriving Whistler Village during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Come celebrate the end of a great season, enjoy the spring skiing and take in the best Ski & Snowboard Festival ever. The festival this year runs April 12 – 21^st for more information and to purchase tickets visit www.wssf.com.

Head up to the Tube Park by loading up the Excalibur Gondola which is just steps away from our conveniently located Whistler Village Hotel. Enjoy the views of the snowy village as you head up the gondola ascending to the top. If you go up in the evening you can see Whistler Village lit up at night with remarkable colours and lights beaming from one end of the village to the other!

Once you are off the gondola follow the signs up the short trail to the park! The trail takes you through a forest that winds you along a trail with lights guiding you to the top. Here a large bon-fire welcomes you. Enjoy a quick warm up and some heat as you look upon the lanes to choose from and the excitement builds.

Grab a tube and head to the convenient 1000 foot conveyer belt which takes you to the top….yes, this means no climbing necessary! There are multiple lanes to choose from and picking which one to start with is the most difficult task as they all look so fun! The anticipation builds as you wait to reach the top and when you get there the fun begins! You feel the wind in your face and the butterflies in your stomach as you speed down the lanes to the bottom where you slow to a stop laughing the whole time! And then you find yourself rushing to the conveyer belt again to try another lane and get in as many runs as you can!

This experience is so much fun; where grown adults truly feel like a kid again and those who experience it just can’t get enough! If you stay at the Sundial, make sure you take in this experience, our guest service specialists will be happy to arrange this for you.

Here are a few tips on how a Whistler Blackcomb Gift Card allows you to indulge:

Gondola rides on the Peak 2 Peak Alpine Adventure! This thrilling ride takes you on Whistler Blackcomb`s record breaking engineering marvel! The world record span of 4.4 kilometres from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain is sure to leave you breathless with stunning views high above the valley and 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain peaks! This gondola is the longest continuous lift system in the world with the largest unsupported span of 3.024 kilometres….an exhilarating experience not to be missed!

In resort shopping at it’s finest! Whistler Blackcomb operates many stores in the village with designer names such as Burton, Quicksilver, North Face, Salomon, Columbia and more! April brings new lines of clothing for those lazy days of summer or clearance sales to stock up for next winter!

FREE day of skiing or snowboarding….or almost free that is! Apply your gift card towards lift ticket purchases to get those spring skiing turns in! As our locals say “any day spent on the mountain is a good day” so use your gift card and get up there! Enjoy the unparallel views, the fresh air, and ski or ride your heart out.

Take a lesson and enjoy the full experience of the largest skiable terrain in North America! Use your gift card to join a Ski School Group and make the most of your ski day with personalized tips and suggestions to enhance your skills!

Coca-Cola ®/™ Tube Park is fun for the whole family. Don`t miss out on this exhilarating experience as you speed down the course with full excitement from top to bottom! There are eight lanes to choose from ranging in difficulty levels from green to blue to black labeled runs! The good news getting back up to the top is a breeze with the conveyor lift taking you back up for more thrilling rides!

Après of course! Another legendary tradition to experience in Whistler; where the lively after skiing scene is always the perfect way to end the day. Undo those boots sit by the fire, relax and indulge in a beverage at the GLC, Merlins, or Dusty`s Bar and Grill at the end of your ski day.

Restaurant options galore! Whistler Blackcomb has many on mountain options to indulge in serving fresh local creations daily. Delicious meals to recharge the soul, with stunning views as you dine at over 2000 metres definitely a great way to spend your gift card.

Don’t use it until the summer! If you can’t figure out a way to use your gift card while you are here, come back in the summer time and use it for the bike park or maybe some summer sightseeing and hiking at the top of Whistler Mountain. How about a mountain top barbeque? Year round there is always something going on at Whistler Blackcomb and you have the opportunity to indulge whenever you want!

With all the excitement in Whistler spending your gift card shouldn`t be hard but deciding where or what to spend it on may be a bit more challenging! Hope this helps and see you at the hotel or on the slopes!

Not only are all activities steps away from the Carleton Lodge, but dining options are also plentiful with International cuisine such as Italian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Irish, West Coast and more. Shopping is also available just outside the hotel with many brand name stores such as Burton, Quick Silver, Lululemon, GUESS, Salomon, Helly Hanson and many more.

The Carleton Lodge offers spacious residential style apartments where you can enjoy one, two and three bedroom accommodation. Each Suite comes with a full sized kitchen, fireplace, washer & dryer and some boast stunning mountain views.  Easy, Safe & Convenient describes the Carleton Lodge which has everything you could ask for to accommodate your perfect ski vacation.

Want to have a unique experience? The private lessons will offer you the advantage of a lesson completely adjusted to your own needs and expectations. Ski with the best instructors of Whistler Blackcomb’s snow school (and some of the best instructors in Canada too!), explore the mountains, discover some of the most secret runs, improve your skills and enjoy a lunch on the mountain at one of the several restaurants dispersed throughout the terrain – and maybe also cheers at the après!

If you are bringing the kids along, there are plenty of programs, from one day drop-in lessons, to weekly adventure camps and private lessons, that will offer your children a great experience, a chance to make new friends from all over the world, and an opportunity for you to go skiing with the certainty that your little ones are well cared for by professional ski instructors, devoted to make your kids’ holidays a terrific one! There are also plenty of programs for your teenagers, from beginners to avid park riders: your child is sure to find a good fit among them!

Avoid getting lost on the mountain or skiing the same terrain as everyone else.  Lessons will allow you to find a great powder run and have tons of fun!  Ask our friendly concierge team to book your lessons today by calling 1-888-499-2233!

One of the advantages of the River of Golden Dreams is that there are always people around, so if you get stuck along the shore, you will for sure find a charitable hand to help you get back on track! The water is very cold, but on a warm day like we’ve had recently; sometimes it’s exactly what you are looking for!

Another perk is all the wildlife you can encounter while canoeing in Whistler – there are several ducks species nesting around, and if you go later in the day (after 5pm), when it’s more quiet, you might see the beavers getting busy building their dams, a trout jumping to catch bugs on the surface of the river, and much more!

If you prefer to cruise around, you also have the possibility of just paddling on the lakes – and viewing some of the finest houses in Whistler built on Rainbow Mountain. It is such a relaxing activity to do and you can feel the tension slip away as you are slowly paddling your way through the water.

So on the next sunny day, hop on a canoe with your friends, choose a spot, and enjoy the scenery! And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Written by Martine

All guests, whom stay at the Carleton Lodge, during the month of June 2011, will be automatically entered into the Dream Weekend contest.  Contestants will receive one entry ticket for each night of their stay. 

The Whistler Dream Weekend Grand Prize includes:
• 3 Nights Accommodation in a One Bedroom Deluxe Hot Tub Suite, at the Sundial Boutique Hotel
• 3 Nights Parking for one vehicle
• A round of golf at Nicklaus North Golf Course for 2 people
• 2 Peak2Peak Sightseeing Tickets
• 2 Entry Passes to Scandinave Spa
• A $100 Dinner Certificate to Hy’s Restaurant
• Daily Breakfast for 2 at Black’s Restaurant

Carleton Lodge – Whistler Dream Weekend Contest – “Stay & Win” June 1 – 30, 2011
1. This contest will run from May 25 – June 30, 2011
2. This contest is open to all guests of the Carleton Lodge who stay between the dates of June 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and must be a minimum of 25 years of age from the United States and Canada.  This contest is not open to employees and relatives of Sundial Management Inc., its agents and associates.
3. One contest entry per night per room will be allowed.  Even in the event more than one adult is staying in the room, only one entry per night is allowed to enter the contest.
4. Entry forms will be provided at check-in and when full payment of the room for the entire duration of the stay has been received.
5. Entry forms must be submitted by placing into the designated contest box located at reception/lobby of the Sundial Boutique Hotel, located at 4340 Sundial Crescent, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4 no later than 11:59PM on June 30, 2011.
6. By entering into this contest, the entrant agrees to abide by the terms and conditions as stated.
7. The contest winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.
8. The decision of the organizer is final and no further correspondence will be entertained.
9. The contest prize consists of one (1) Grand Prize of a Whistler Weekend and activities.
10. No prize substitutions or changes may be made.  In the event one of the activities is not operating when the winner makes their reservation that activity certificate will simply not be valid.  There will not be any reimbursement or substitution of activities.  There is no cash value.
11. Reservations for both the hotel and activities are subject to availability at the time of reservation.
12. The winner of the Grand Prize will be selected in July 2011 witnessed by a 3rd party.  The contest winner will be notified directly by e-mail and or telephone and will be posted on the official contest page of the Carleton Lodge – Whistler Dream Weekend website.
13. The Grand Prize must be claimed within three months from the date of the announcement of the winner failing which the prize will be forfeited.  All prizes are not exchangeable for cash and for the Grand Prize, it is also not transferrable.
14. In the event that any of the specified prizes become unavailable, the organizer is not required to substitute a replacement prize – this is at its absolute discretion.
15. Some conditions may apply to individual components of the prize package and exceptions will not be granted.
16. Winners of the Grand Prize may be required by the organizer to participate in interviews, photography, and or video sessions and the organizer has the right to use these in any medium without any obligation whatsoever.
17. Sundial Management Inc. shall not be responsible for any taxes, gratuities, insurance or other expenses that may be incurred with the activities associated with the grand Prize.
18. Once the prize has been reserved, cancellations or changes will be accommodated subject to availability only.  Cancellations within 15 days of arrival will result in the forfeiture of the entire package.  There is no cash value associated with this prize package.
19. The prize winner will participate in the prize activities entirely at their own risk.  Sundial Management and associated partners can not be held liable for any injuries, damages, or loss associated with participation in the activity.  The prize winner will be required to review and sign liability waivers associated with participation in activities.  The prize winner is not obligated, in any way, to take part in any activity that they do not feel comfortable with or do not desire to participate in because of any real or perceived risk to themselves or other members of their party.
20. Expenses for items over and above those directly mentioned in the prize package will be incurred by the prize winner directly and are not the responsibility of the organizer.
21. Non purchase entry is available by submitting a hand written post card either in person or by mail to Sundial Management Inc. at 4340 Sundial Crescent, Whistler, BC, V0N 1B4.  The post card must include full name, address, e-mail address, and phone number of the entrant.  No more than one entry per day is permitted.  To be eligible, post cards, must be submitted in person by June 30, 2011 or received no later than July 7, 2011 with a June 30, 2011 or earlier post mark if sent by mail.
22. Participation: The organizer reserves the right to amend and change these terms and conditions without prior notice.

The popular children’s’ rhyme “Teddy Bears Picnic” may have been inspired in Whistler! I have spent the last 8 months from October 2010 to May 2011 living on the out skirts of Whistler Village and although I haven’t seen any Whistler Black Bears enjoying a little picnic snack, I have seen many whilst walking the valley trails and snowboarding on  Blackcomb Mountain…  Just to clarify I was snowboarding – the bears were just foraging and munching away on spring clover and dandelion flowers!

As a native of Australia I am no stranger to seeing wild creatures co-habiting close to humans.  I’ve encountered my fair share of Kangaroos on golf courses, Brush tail Possums in by back yard and Carpet Snakes in my chicken coup! Growing up on the Great Barrier Reef I have seen, happily not too up close and personal, Salt Water Crocodiles and Black Tipped Reef Sharks in the warm waters of the Daintree River and Coral Sea.

Coming to Canada for a two year working holiday, I was hoping to see some of its iconic animals and am happy to have ticked Orca, Seals, Sea Otters, Elk, Deer, Racoons, Squirrels and Bald Eagles off the list during my travels in the Rocky Mountains and on the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island. What I was surprised to find was the healthy population of Black Bears active in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months that also call Whistler and the Sea to Sky corridor Home!

My second day in Whistler whilst walking along Fitzsimmons Road my friends and I, from a safe distance, spotted our first ever black bear, munching away on our neighbours front lawn fattening up for winter hibernation. It was a magical moment and the delight at seeing such a magnificent creature so close never fades no matter how many times I see one.

In the last three days alone I have seen 5 black bears on four occasions.
1. One big black bear walking behind my house which backs on to Fitzsimmons Creek in the late afternoon – 23rd May.
2. Later that same night whilst walking home from dinner in the village a smaller black bear joined us from Montabello Estate on the Valley Trail along Blackcomb Way before crossing the road and heading in to the forest – 23rd May.
3. Whilst enjoying the 15 minute walk from my home to work at the Sundial Boutique Hotel again along Blackcomb Way some rustling and shaking branches brought my attention to two large cubs playing in a tree just at the edge of the wooded area beside the road – 24th May.
4. And again today on my way to work a big black bear was eating clover just over the Nancy Green Bridge behind the Fitzsimmons Walk condo’s adjacent to the Valley Trail – 25th May.

We are lucky as visitors and residents of Whistler to share this beautiful landscape with these awesome animals but to avoid negative interactions between bears and humans it is important to remember the following while in bear habitat::

Being Bear Smart
• Never feed a bear, either intentionally or unintentionally. All garbage must be disposed of in bear-proof containers. In Whistler, it’s the law! Bearproof containers are located throughout the village, municipal parks and the valley trail.
• Respect bears! Give them plenty of space and never approach them. No one should ever feed, pet or pose
for a photo with a bear. Take pictures with a telephoto lens from a distance.
•  Be careful when driving in and around Whistler. Unfortunately, many bears are hit and injured or killed on roads.
•  Always be alert and aware in bear country. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can detect the aroma
of a barbecue or picnic from a considerable distance.

What should you do if you see a black bear?
• Stop and assess the situation.
• Remain calm. Do not approach the bear. In most cases, the bear will flee.
• If the bear is still a distance away, maintain a respectful distance and detour around the bear.
• If you encounter a bear on the roadside, do not get out of your vehicle, not even for a quick photo.

I am always delighted when guests of the Carleton Lodge tell me they have also seen bears during their visit to Whistler. It really is a special experience to see bears in the wild and along with the array of summer and winter activities and year round amenities Whistler has to offer really makes for the holiday of a life time or in my case the working holiday of a life time!

I hope you enjoy your stay and if you would like further information or would like to make a donation to help protect the Whistler Bear Population please visit www.bearsmart.com
(Information on being Bear Smart courtesy of the ‘Get Bear Smart Society’ website.)

By Angela Cook, Guest Services Agent