Whistler Film Festival - Dec 3-6 2009

The Whistler Film Festival returns for it's 9th edition and it's time again to enjoy a 4-day extravaganza of films, celebrities, live music and parties.

Kicking off tomorrow, this fantastic festival presents a whopping 80 films from around the world, including 33 premieres.

Special events include a fabulous Opening Gala, a tribute to legendary Canadian director/producer Ivan Reitman, and a Celebrity Challenge ski race on Whistler Mountain.

There is even a free Outdoor Screening, featuring ten Olympic-themed films.

A event not to be missed!

Special Events:

Opening Gala - Thu, Dec 3, 2009, 7:30pm, Whistler Conference Centre
Tribute - Fri, Dec 4, 2009, 7:30pm, Whistler Conference Centre
Celebrity Ski Race - Sat, Dec 5th at 10:30am, GMC Race Centre, Blackcomb Mt
Outdoor Screening - Sat, Dec 5th, 5pm, Skiers Plaza.

For more information visit www.whistlerfilmfestival.com


Planning a trip to Whistler?

Activity Bookers is a one-stop website for researching, planning and booking Whistler winter activities and Whistler things to do. Same prices as booking direct, with all the convenience of using one site.

Ever been dog sledding in the Canadian Rockies?

Now's the time to try it! For more info on Banff dog sledding and
a wide range of other Banff winter activities check out Activity Bookers Banff.

Whistler Dog Sledding Tours Start Tomorrow

So now's the time to book!

For more info on Whistler dog sledding and
a wide range of other Whistler winter activities check out Activity Bookers Whistler.

Banff Ice Fishing

Another exciting new tour from Activity Bookers.
Prices start at $119 per person.

Banff Ice Fishing tours are suitable for the whole family - beginners and experts alike. The fish are easy to catch and your guide will even cook them for you! With heated huts and breathtaking scenery it's a great day out in the Rockies.

Check out Activity Bookers for a great range of other Banff winter activities.

Ever been to an NHL ice hockey game?

Cheer on the Calgary Flames on a exciting ice hockey tour from Banff. Just one of the many new Banff winter activities available now from Activity Bookers.

Great deals on Cat Skiing in Whistler this winter

Whistler Cat Skiing deals from only C$499 per person, and Private Cat Skiing from only C$5489 for up to 12 people.

Top 5 Family Activities in Whistler this Winter

Looking for activities for the whole family in Whistler this year?

Choose from Dog Sledding, Family Snowmobiling, Zip Lining, Sleigh Rides, Snow Shoeing and more!

Today's Activity: Backcountry Skiing in Whistler

Whistler Backcountry Skiing tour only $215

Whistler Apres Ideas

It's not all about the bars! There are some great evening snowmobiling tours. Or how about a magical sleigh ride with fondue dinner? Looking for something more energetic? There's also evening snowshoeing.

Banff Winter Activities & Tours

Check out a great selection of Banff winter activities including Banff snowmobiling, Banff dogsledding and Banff icewalks. No booking fees!

Whistler Mountain Opens Early

Whistler Mountain opens for skiing and snowboarding today, twelve days ahead of schedule. A great start to the Olympic season. The last 7 days has seen more that 110cm of new snow and the snowbase is already 100cm.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner, all eyes are on Whistler and the excitement is building. There are great early deals to be had on lift passes, and a whole range of other winter activities for non-skiers.

Opening day on Whistler Mountain tomorrow. Hurray!

And time to book this year's vacation activities.

Top 5 Activities for Non-Skiers in Banff

Choose from dog sledding, ice walks, Banff snowmobiling, snowshoeing and Banff sightseeing tours.

Activities & Things To Do in Whistler

For the best selection of Whistler winter activities for the whole family check out Activity Bookers or the new Activity Bookers travel blog.

Whistler Zip line - Soar Like a Bird!

Soar like a bird on the Whistler zip line - only $99 per person

Last chance for Banff Gondola & Sightseeing Tour

Last day is Oct 19th for the Banff Gondola Sightseeing Tour.

Activity Bookers Launches in Banff

Planning a trip to Banff? Activity Bookers now has a great range of winter and summer activities in Banff as well as Whistler.

Ever Ridden an ATV?

No? Then check out our Whistler ATV Tours sharpish!

Whistler Hummer Tours

Lakeside Dinner Hummer Tour in Whistler - just $139

Whistler Horseback Riding

Beginner horseback riding and intermediate horseback riding tours.

Top 5 Whistler Hikes

Whistler has so many excellent hikes to choose from that it's often difficult to know where to start. From gentle, undulating walks through old growth forests, to challenging climbs up to awe-inspiring peaks, there is something for everyone. Here's our top five.



Cheakamus Lake - Easy
Length: approx 6km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Minimal

Starting only 8km south of Whistler this trail is easy to get to. From the parking lot it's a fairly easy, mostly shaded, 45 minute walk through old growth forests to the lake where you are rewarded with a beautiful view and a relatively secluded campsite. You then have the option to either hike further round the lake or return.

Ancient Cedars Trail - Easy
Length: 4km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 150m

You really need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to this trail. Access is via the 16 Mile Creek FSR off Highway 99 at the north end of Green Lake. It's a pleasant trail with some decent views and the 1000 year old cedars at the base of Cougar Mountain are very impressive.

High Note Trail - Easy
Length: approx 5km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 258m

The High Note starts behind the Inukshuk at the Peak of Whistler Mountain and can be accessed by the Whistler Gondola. The views of Black Tusk and Cheakamus Lake are breathtaking, and in August, when the wildflowers are in bloom, the meadows come alive with colour.

Singing Pass - Moderate
Length: 23km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1000m

The Singing Pass trail begins at the bus loop in Whistler village. It's a good single track trail that initially passes through forest and then alpine meadows. The hike itself is very rewarding with spectacular views of the Fitzsimmons and Spearhead mountain ranges. It's also possible to do a short side trip to Russet Lake from here.

Wedgemont Lake - Challenging
Length 14km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,200 m

This hike starts approx 12km north of Whistler village and there is a parking lot at the trailhead. It's a challenging hike taking 4-6 hours one way, with some steep and rocky sections, but the rewards are great. The lake is pristine and the surrounding landscape is magnificent. There is even a pit toilet and hut.

Planning a trip to Whistler?

Activity Bookers is a one-stop website for researching, planning and booking Whistler activities and Whistler things to do.

Inspiring ideas from guided hikes to horseback riding, from river rafting to the Whistler zip line - the possibilities are endless.

Whitewater Rafting Classification - A Guide

Most whitewater rafting tours use the International Scale of River Difficulty to describe the river conditions and the difficulty involved in navigating it. This scale goes from 1 (very easy) to 6 (almost impossible). The levels are referred to as a ‘class’ or ‘grade’. The time it takes to pass a rapid can vary from just a few seconds to almost a minute.

Class I - "Relaxing"

Gently moving water with small waves and no serious obstacles. Not much maneuvering required.

Class II - "You’ll probably get splashed"

Waves are bigger and more frequent, up to 3 to 4 feet in height. Simple manoeuvring will be needed to avoid rocks or other obstacles.

• A great example of Class II and perfect family rafting is Cheakamus River, Whistler, BC.

Class III - "You’re gonna get wet!"

Many rapids and large, less predictable waves, some may be approx 6ft. there may be small drops or waterfalls. Requires greater maneuvering of the raft. This is where true 'whitewater' begins.

• Class II-III gems are: Green River, Whistler, BC and Kananaskis River, Alberta

Class IV - "You'll get soaked!"

Lots of high, irregular waves and long rapids. There will also be rocks that need to be avoided. Difficult conditions that require scouting.

• Fun Class IV experiences: Elaho-Squamish River, near Whistler, BC and Horseshoe Canyon on the Bow River, Alberta.

Class V - "Kinda scary – for adrenalin junkies only"

Very difficult, long and violent rapids. Large, often unavoidable waves. Extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.

Class VI -"Are you crazy?!"

Unraftable. Almost never attempted.

Remember though, this scale is just a guide and the conditions in any river change hugely in different seasons and can even change considerably overnight.

Although high water usually makes rapids more difficult and dangerous, sometimes it actually makes a river easier because some of it’s features may get covered.

Planning a trip to Whistler or Banff? Activity Bookers has a great selection of Whistler rafting trips and Banff rafting tours. Plan your trip and book securely online.

Black Bears in Whistler

Bear tours and hiking tours in Whistler.

Hiking on Whistler Mountain

Daily hiking tours on Whistler Mountain.



Planning a trip? Browse Activity Bookers' Whistler activities and things to do in Whistler including Whistler alpine hikes and Whistler walking and hiking tours.