Whistler Accessible Accommodation and Attractions Information

Introduction

Whistler prides itself on being a famous international resort with accessibility to all people, including disabled travelers.

Main Digest

As the Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in March 2010 - nearly all the events will be held here - access means everything in Whistler. In the short-term, the municipality has launched the Accessibility Project which will focus on upgrades to signage, way-finding information and physical change, including the construction of a new ramp system at the Breezeway between Village Square and the taxi loop.

Whistler is only two hours from Vancouver along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway and five hours from Seattle, Washington. Travel to the resort is easy via air, train or bus.

Whistler Village is accessible with pedestrian-only streets, paved access to the Valley Trail, close proximity to transportation, and wheelchair access to the Whistler Mountain gondola for skiing and sight-seeing. Whistler is an inclusive community that is striving to improve its accessibility in all areas as the proud Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the completion of The Whistler Sliding Center (luge, bobsled, skeleton) and Whistler Olympic Park (cross country, biathlon, ski jumping), the venues will provide an ongoing legacy for many years to come.

Whistler Mountain itself is more accessible to the wheelchair user than Blackcomb Mountain. The Village Gondola can accommodate a person in a wheel chair, with accompanying party members.

Accessible Transport at Whistler

The Whistler bus system provides specially designed wheelchair accessible buses but they are not on a specific route or schedule. You may call the transit in advance and request pick up from one of these buses. All transit buses come equipped with ski and bike racks, and you can even carry your snowboards on board. Phone 604.932.4020 for Whistler's accessible transit bus information.

Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) also improves Whistler's accessibility for people with disabilities. Its 12 'low-floor' buses provide access to wheelchairs and scooters and have a kneeling feature that lowers the entry level for passengers who use walkers, crutches or who have difficulty climbing stairs.

If you're driving to and around the resort, there are designated disabled parking spaces in the parking lots in and around Whistler.

Accessible Accommodation in Whistler B.C.

The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa hotel - Located in the heart of Whistler Village, just steps from the chairlifts of the world famous Whistler Blackcomb Resort in Whistler, BC Canada.

Adara Whistler Hotel - The hotel's 41 guest rooms and suites highlight British Columbia's best contemporary design elements, with a vibrant color scheme and charismatic decor. As testament to its distinctive quality and exceptional service, Adara is Whistler's first and only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Adara Whistler Hotel lets you choose from four distinctive room configurations, featuring spa-like bathrooms, luxurious beds, "floating" fireplaces and artful design details.

Note that some hotels and apartments may be up a hill and although getting to your hotel room is accessible getting to the village and back may not be.

Accessible Sports and Attractions at Whistler

During the winter months, WASP operates in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb to deliver skiing and snowboarding lessons to children and adults with special needs. Trained and certified instructors, guides, and assistants will help those with both physical and cognitive disabilities.

The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program provides the opportunity for hundreds of people with a wide range of disabilities to take part in sports and recreation programs along side any other Canadian, with a sense of adventure and the feeling of well-being that comes from immersing oneself in Whistler's world class recreational opportunities.

The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program is a not-for-profit society that provides year-around, recreational programs for people of all ages with disabilities. We are a center for learning and sports excellence that has a local, regional, national and international clientele and encourage independence, self-confidence and self-motivation for all of our athletes and participants through outdoor recreation.

The IPC Para-Alpine World Cup takes place March 9 to 14th, 2009. Spectator Viewing Location is the Whistler Creekside Venue and these events are free to attend and accessible by public transit services in Whistler.

For a uniquely Canadian adventure, try dog-sledding through Whistler's snow-covered forests.

Reference: Whistler for the Disabled - Disabled Access and Information for Whistler.

Whistler for the Disabled (www.whistlerforthedisabled.com) was created to help out those individuals in Whistler who have some form of disability. The site provides access information for the disabled in areas such as: disabled friendly accommodation, shopping and medical assistance, recreational programs and tour adventures, dining and entertainment, news and events and community updates. It is also a resource for the community by providing a reference guide for Whistler employees to assist visitors who may have a disability, by assisting the temporarily disabled who have been injured and by providing resources to business owners who wish to register their access information.

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Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Fran Gerhard. (2009, January 19 - Last revised: 2015, March 18). Whistler Accessible Accommodation and Attractions Information. Disabled World. Retrieved September 14, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/travel/canada/accessible-whistler.php

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