Most people think of Whistler as a ski resort. This is not surprising, since it is one of the top-ranked ski resorts in the world, with a spectacular range of terrain for skiers of all levels. However, Whistler is not only a winter destination. Unlike many other ski resorts, which have little to offer in the summer, Whistler has year-round attractions which bring people to visit in every month of the year.

The most distinctive summer offering is the lift-fed mountain biking. Whistler has more lift-fed mountain biking terrain than anywhere else on the planet. The queue for the Fitzsimmons Chair which is the primary mountain biking lift is generally significantly longer in the summer than in the winter, and since the opening to bikers of the Garbanzo Chair, which starts at the top of the Fitzsimmons, the range of biking trails is truly awe-inspiring. Keen mountain bikers come from all over the world to bike the Whistler Mountain trails.

However, mountain biking is far from the only attraction in Whistler. The Whistler valley is blessed with a chain of Lakes, starting with Nita Lake, then moving north through Alta Lake, Lost Lake and Green Lake. Lost Lake is the warmest and most popular swimming lake; Alta Lake, which is bordered all round by houses is heavily patronised by canoeists and kayakers as well as swimmers; Green Lake, the largest, is generally too chilly for swimming but is very sought after by sailors and water-skiing enthusiasts.

The lakes are also home to a great variety of fish, including Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char, but they are by no means the only place to fish in Whistler. Call up one of the fishing guides and they will take you to mountain lakes, to remote streams and other secret venues where you can have some of the best fishing of your life.

If golf is your calling, then Whistler is probably the worlds best golf and ski resort. With no fewer than 3 world-class courses (designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr.) right in the resort itself, and 4 other courses with an hours drive, it is a nirvana for golf lovers. Come in the shoulder season and get great green fees, too.

This overview has only scratched the surface of the leisure opportunities in Whistler in the summer. There is also summer glacier skiing, fabulous hiking in the woods and the mountains, ATV tours, zip-line tours and many other great outdoor activities. But the best of all is that unlike specialist summer resorts, Whistler lodgings are extremely inexpensive in the summer. You can get a beautiful townhome sleeping 8 or 10 people overlooking the valley which might cost you $1800 a night in the winter for just $400 a night or so, including a private hot tub.