We're not having a white Christmas in Metro Vancouver for this year since we didn't have a snowfall except in the Mountain resorts of North Vancouver. We had a great time in Mt. Seymour on my first Christmas here in Canada, so this time, we traveled a bit farther to experience a white Christmas in
a mountain resort and village. This time we spent a holiday in Whistler!
I've always been fascinated and dreaming about celebrating a white Christmas, so we'll be experiencing the village of Whistler as it turns into a wonderful Christmas winter wonderland.
In addition to Vancouver, Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, so we spent time in the Olympic Village and took photos with the Olympic logo. Just behind the Olympic logo is an ice skating rink where everyone has fun.
Whistler is a world-renowned destination for snow adventures and is known as the top ski destination in North America and the world. We had to experience the fun, so we took a gondola ride to reach the first jump-off station, where we enjoyed watching the ski adventure. Skiing is fun to watch. I wish to take a lesson next time to join the ski adventure.
One of the most unforgettable experiences was joining a medicine trail snowshoe adventure on Christmas day. It was a great way to recharge and reconnect with nature as we traveled to old-growth forests with our tour guide, Melanie, a French Canadian Botanist. Mel is knowledgeable and passionate about the Whistler wilderness. I connected with her as she shared about forest bathing and its benefits. I told her I had blogged about 'forest bathing,' shinrin Roku in Japanese. It was a unique experience, feeling the snow crunch under my snowshoes and the crisp air filling my lungs. I was truly 'bathing in the forest.'
"This is my first real forest bathing, as we literally bathe in the forest," I told her.
The snowshoe adventure starts with a 20-minute bus ride to Callaghan Valley, where Mel was our driver and guide. We share the bus trip with other adventurers who are into snowmobiling and dog sledding, and they have their guides.
It was about an hour and a half of snowshoeing in the wilderness, with several stops for Mel to share fantastic real-life stories about the trees and plants. Just before we got close to our starting point, Mel shared that the totem pole is believed to be a portal, and we have to set out a wish before we pass through it.
Mel emphasized that the power of manifestation lies in genuinely believing it will happen. She always reminds us of our intentions so we get the best results.
As we ended the snowshoe adventure, Mel offered tea to warm up before we got back to the bus for another trip back to the town center. That was an enjoyable experience, and I learned some information from Mel about the temperate rainforest that we live in.
The Whistler village is alive, and the shimmering Christmas lights on the trees add a magical experience as we pass through the cobblestone streets. The local shops and restaurants were all decked out for the holidays, and we even got to experience some of the local Christmas traditions, like the lighting of the village Christmas tree and the carolers singing in the streets.
As we return to our cozy Airbnb room, we always make it a point to have a cup of cafe mocha and hot chocolate. This ritual of sharing travel stories and discussing our future goals over warm beverages is a source of joy and inspiration for us. Our travel experiences not only inspire us but also help us visualize our future goals and dreams.
On the third day of our stay, we were greeted with a fresh snowfall early in the morning. We anticipated that, and we're glad it happened before returning home. Before breakfast, we spent an hour walking around the Olympic Park, where everyone enjoyed the fresh snowfall. Families with little kids played in the snow, building snowmen, and others played ice skating. It was fun to see happy faces full of excitement and joy.
Our holidays in Whistler were truly magical. The vibrant town transformed into a Christmas village in wintertime, and it was a sight to behold. The energy and festive spirit were infectious. We left with a desire to return in another season, eager for a different experience and a higher level of adventure.
We'll always have a Merry Christmas, and the joyous holiday season brings warmth and joy for an extraordinary Whistler experience that's truly a Christmas in our hearts.
©️ 2024 Del Cusay
