The 2010 Winter Olympics made Canada's renowned ski village legendary. But once the elite athletes and TV cameras rolled out of town, the year-round destination resumed its identity as an idyllic outdoor fantasy park for the rest of us. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is a spectacular run of just under two hours. Thus you can achieve the perfect combo experience: a thrilling and challenging drive along mountain roads in an exceptional vehicle, topped off by a day of exhilarating fresh-air activities.
The skiing options are obvious, but keep in mind some of the other outdoor thrills that the resort town offers. From paddleboarding on the crisp mountain lakes to alpine hiking and the fantastic, mud-slicked rollicking time of Whistler Mountain Bike Park, there are endless opportunities to get physical.
For thrill seekers, Whistler Bungee was North America's first commercial bungee experience. For 27 years, people have been diving off the 160 foot steel bridge above the Cheakamus River. Just a 10 minute drive south of the village, the site offers view of the peak of Black Tusk and the glacier-fed Cheakamus river surrounded by iconic old-growth forest. The thrills don't come cheap at $130 a pop, but rest assured this is something you will never forget. If you get hooked on the feeling, you can purchase a membership which means you can jump for $80.
If fishing is more your speed, the salmon run through the rivers here in the autumn. And to really slow things down, the Spa at the Four Seasons offers decadent "mountain life" spa packages. And at the Scandinave, the Finnish tradition of outdoor soaking in a tranquil and secluded setting will envigorate mind and body.
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department, in consultation with Cadillac. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.