Physical Geography
Soil and Vegetation
There is a wide variety of plants that grow in Whistler (Torism Whistler, 2016). There are many varieties of trees such as pine, cedar, hemlock and evergreen (Tourism Whistler, 2016). Smaller plants that are found in the area include: lichens, mosses and wildflowers (Tourism Whistler, 2016). Whistler's forest soils are rich in black organic material, are extreamly high in nutrients and have the perfect conditions for plants and trees to grow (Tourism Whistler, 2016).
There is a wide variety of plants that grow in Whistler (Torism Whistler, 2016). There are many varieties of trees such as pine, cedar, hemlock and evergreen (Tourism Whistler, 2016). Smaller plants that are found in the area include: lichens, mosses and wildflowers (Tourism Whistler, 2016). Whistler's forest soils are rich in black organic material, are extreamly high in nutrients and have the perfect conditions for plants and trees to grow (Tourism Whistler, 2016).
Cedar Tree
(Susan Patterson, 2016) |
Evergreen Tree
(Wahmhoff Farms Nursery, 2016) |
Hemlock Tree
(Wikipedia, 2016) |
Pine Tree
(International Living, 2016) |
Extreme Weather
In the winter months Whistler offten recieves large amounts of snow. It is not uncommon for high wind and cold wind chill warnings to be issued. Several centimetres of snow can fall in very short periods of time. In October of 2016 Whistler recieved 60cm of snow over one weekend (Daily Live, 2016). This weather is enjoyed by ski and snowboarders when dressed approprately, but can be extreamly danderous for those on roads and the elderly (Daily Live, 2016).
In the winter months Whistler offten recieves large amounts of snow. It is not uncommon for high wind and cold wind chill warnings to be issued. Several centimetres of snow can fall in very short periods of time. In October of 2016 Whistler recieved 60cm of snow over one weekend (Daily Live, 2016). This weather is enjoyed by ski and snowboarders when dressed approprately, but can be extreamly danderous for those on roads and the elderly (Daily Live, 2016).
Landforms
The Whistler village is located within a valley, at the base of two world famous mountains (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). These very heavily forested mountains which include a variety of trees and plants are known as Blackcomb and Whistler mountains (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). Several glacial-fed and freshwater lakes, rivers and streams are also found around Whistler (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). Some of these bodies of water can only be reached by floatplane or helicopter as they are located extreamly high within the mountians (Destination BC Corp, 2016).
The Whistler village is located within a valley, at the base of two world famous mountains (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). These very heavily forested mountains which include a variety of trees and plants are known as Blackcomb and Whistler mountains (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). Several glacial-fed and freshwater lakes, rivers and streams are also found around Whistler (Destination BC Corp, 2016 ). Some of these bodies of water can only be reached by floatplane or helicopter as they are located extreamly high within the mountians (Destination BC Corp, 2016).
(Whistler Mountains, 2016)
Climate and Weather
Whistler is extremely well known for downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter months and hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, golf and fishing in the summer months (Destination BC Corp, 2016). This wide variety of sports would not be possible without the climate Whistler receives. Whistler experiences all four seasons. In the winter months Whistler village receives fairly moderate temperatures that average between -6 and 0° C (Destination BC Corp, 2016). As you go up the mountains the temperature typically gets cooler (Destination BC Corp, 2016). On average they receive approximately 914 cm of snowfall each year (Destination BC Corp, 2016). The summer months in Whistler are typically warm and perfect for outdoor activities. The mountains hiking and biking season normally begins in about July because until then most of the trails are snow covered or extremely wet and muddy (Destination BC Corp, 2016). During the summer, the average daily high within the village is 23° C with an average daily low of 9°C (Destination BC Corp, 2016). During the spring the evening temperatures can get quite cold while daytime temperatures often reach between 11-15°C (Destination BC Corp). It is quite common during autumn for the daily temperature to reach freezing (Destination BC Corp, 2016). In November, the village receives great amounts of rain while the mountains receive their first heavy snowfall of the year (Destination BC Corp, 2016).
Whistler is extremely well known for downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter months and hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, golf and fishing in the summer months (Destination BC Corp, 2016). This wide variety of sports would not be possible without the climate Whistler receives. Whistler experiences all four seasons. In the winter months Whistler village receives fairly moderate temperatures that average between -6 and 0° C (Destination BC Corp, 2016). As you go up the mountains the temperature typically gets cooler (Destination BC Corp, 2016). On average they receive approximately 914 cm of snowfall each year (Destination BC Corp, 2016). The summer months in Whistler are typically warm and perfect for outdoor activities. The mountains hiking and biking season normally begins in about July because until then most of the trails are snow covered or extremely wet and muddy (Destination BC Corp, 2016). During the summer, the average daily high within the village is 23° C with an average daily low of 9°C (Destination BC Corp, 2016). During the spring the evening temperatures can get quite cold while daytime temperatures often reach between 11-15°C (Destination BC Corp). It is quite common during autumn for the daily temperature to reach freezing (Destination BC Corp, 2016). In November, the village receives great amounts of rain while the mountains receive their first heavy snowfall of the year (Destination BC Corp, 2016).