Welcome to Whistler
Whistler History
History of Whistler
Whistler is a region with a fascinating history and cultural background. The Whistler region is the home of two native cultures, the Coastal Squamish Aboriginal people and the mountain Lil'wat Aboriginal people (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). The two groups lived together in what is now the Whistler region. They lived in peace; respecting each other and the land. Whistler was often used as a stopping place for the First Nations people when on route to trade (Tourism Whistler, 2016). The area was rich in wildlife and resources. Many hiking routes that exist day are the original routes travelled by the Coast Salish First Nations People's (Tourism Whistler, 2016) Whistler remains an area rich in drumming, dancing and artwork (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). It is a great place to learn about how the history of the First Nations people, how they lived and continue to live on the land today (Tourism Whistler, 2016).
How Whistler Got Its Name
Due to the large amounts of fog that often gathered on and around the mountains of Whistler, it was originally known as "London Fog." In the 1860's it was renamed "London Mountain" (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). Years later, they decided to change the name "London Mountain" to "Whistler." This was because of the loud call of the many marmots that made the mountains their home (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015).
How Whistler Came to Be
Since the area was rich in wildlife and many different resources, during the early 1900's many trappers and loggers travelled to whistler and set up small camps (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). Later, in the 1900's the Rainbow Lodge was built and rail roads were built to make it easier for people to get to Whistler from Vancouver. The area was starting to gain a reputation as a vacation destination (Destination BC Corp, 2016). Until the 1960's, the Whistler area was very quiet and lacked basic necessities like water and electricity (Destination BC Corp, 2016). Then, in 1962 businessman started exploring the area and eventually built a ski resort (Destination BC Corp, 2016). In the 1970's, the Whistler area was incorporated as a Resort Municipality and many people started vacationing there in both the summer and winter (Destination BC Corp, 2016).
Whistler is a region with a fascinating history and cultural background. The Whistler region is the home of two native cultures, the Coastal Squamish Aboriginal people and the mountain Lil'wat Aboriginal people (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). The two groups lived together in what is now the Whistler region. They lived in peace; respecting each other and the land. Whistler was often used as a stopping place for the First Nations people when on route to trade (Tourism Whistler, 2016). The area was rich in wildlife and resources. Many hiking routes that exist day are the original routes travelled by the Coast Salish First Nations People's (Tourism Whistler, 2016) Whistler remains an area rich in drumming, dancing and artwork (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). It is a great place to learn about how the history of the First Nations people, how they lived and continue to live on the land today (Tourism Whistler, 2016).
How Whistler Got Its Name
Due to the large amounts of fog that often gathered on and around the mountains of Whistler, it was originally known as "London Fog." In the 1860's it was renamed "London Mountain" (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). Years later, they decided to change the name "London Mountain" to "Whistler." This was because of the loud call of the many marmots that made the mountains their home (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015).
How Whistler Came to Be
Since the area was rich in wildlife and many different resources, during the early 1900's many trappers and loggers travelled to whistler and set up small camps (Discovery Scenic Tours, 2015). Later, in the 1900's the Rainbow Lodge was built and rail roads were built to make it easier for people to get to Whistler from Vancouver. The area was starting to gain a reputation as a vacation destination (Destination BC Corp, 2016). Until the 1960's, the Whistler area was very quiet and lacked basic necessities like water and electricity (Destination BC Corp, 2016). Then, in 1962 businessman started exploring the area and eventually built a ski resort (Destination BC Corp, 2016). In the 1970's, the Whistler area was incorporated as a Resort Municipality and many people started vacationing there in both the summer and winter (Destination BC Corp, 2016).
Aboriginal Artwork Ski resort being built in Whistler Marmot
(Whistler Peak Productions, 2016) (Whistler Museum, 1979) (Marmot, 2016)
(Whistler Peak Productions, 2016) (Whistler Museum, 1979) (Marmot, 2016)
City Map of Whistler Map of Canada