With gorgeous mountains, pristine lakes and untamed wilderness on its doorstep, the city of Whistler is an action junkie's paradise. Hiking, skiing, mountain climbing and river rafting are some of Whistler's biggest tourist attractions. But if trekking up a mountain or riding down a river is not your cup of tea, the city also has all the conveniences of a larger city, from shopping and sightseeing to wining and dining. It truly is one of those unique towns that encompasses the best of both worlds. Each neighborhood has something to offer, so why not start exploring right away?

Village

The village is the main hub of Whistler. With over 200 stores, there is something to meet everyone's retail needs. It has everything from charming independent shops such as, BlueBalls Boutique, Edin Boutique and Whacks Of Whistler to the more traditional like Eddie Bauer, Foot Locker and Gap. The village also has a variety of different outdoor and rental shops for those looking to explore their natural surroundings. After a day of shopping why not treat yourself to one of the Village's many cafes and restaurants - Brandy's at the Keg, Pasta Lupino and Hy's Steakhouse - just to name a few. The Village also has a variety of indoor activities to choose from, such as, Whistler Museum and Archives Society, First Nations Cultural Center and several art galleries–all perfect for a rainy day! Pubs, bars and clubs are a main attraction for the night owls of whistler–places like Tommy Africa's Bar and Garfinkel's Night Club, which are all conveniently central are sure to show you a good night out. And while you're jam packing your days and nights in the village, be sure to look about and take in the beauty of your natural surroundings —try finding that in New York City!

Upper Village

The Upper village area of Whistler is where many of the outdoors activities happen. Many access points to trailheads and slopes can be found here, along with countless other businesses such as theChateau Whistler Golf Clubhouse which is a popular summertime hangout and the Whistler Farmers' Market, which sells a variety of fresh produce and specialty breads, jams and spreads. For an extra special meal, check out Christine's, a gourmet restaurant that sits 6000 feet above sea level atop Blackcomb Mountain. Some of the best hotels, chalets and day spas can also be found in this wonderful part of town.

Tapley's Farm/Nesters

This area of town is the place to go to for adventure and adrenaline. Whistler Air, which conducts flying scenic tours and Whistler River Adventures, for those bold enough to brave the wild rapids of the Elaho and Squamish rivers. A great place to eat in this part of town is The Beetroot Café, which has a large selection of freshly prepared organic menu items. It's a health nut's paradise!

Alpine Meadows/Nicklaus North

This area of town is the place to head to if you're thinking about hitting the slopes. The mountains surrounding Whistler are known for having some of the best skiing and snowboarding trails around. There are several companies to go through, such as Powder Mountain Catskiing Ltd. and Whistler Cross Country Ski & Hike. Both offer skiing packages and rental equipment. There is also Whistler Nature Tours Ltd, who offer a variety of different tours and walks for the nature lover.

Whistler Creek

This area is home to Whistler's great summertime tradition - Canadian National BBQ Championships, a yearly event that takes place at Dusty's Bar & BBQ. The event garners a lot of attention and is worth checking out as it's one of the highlights of the Pacific Northwest's BBQ circuit. The Whistler Creek area has several lodges and hotels, all of which have gorgeous views and central locations.

Blackcomb Mountain

Just up from Whistler's Upper Village is Blackcomb Mountain, an idyllic pedestrian-only area, which filters into both the Village Center and the glorious mountain. This area of town is one of the most exciting and luxurious. Some of the best hotels in the area are located here, like Blackcomb Lodge & Spa, which offers suits and studios that come equipped with kitchens, full amenities and pool/hot tub access and The Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, an award-winning accommodation which has some of the best staff and services around. You can also find Coca-Cola Tube Park, Adventure Zone, and Blackcomb Horsedrawn Sleigh Rides, which offers unique rides and tours for the hopeless romantic.

Alta Vista/Blueberry Hill

Head over to this area of town for some beach time summer fun! The Beaches at Alta Lake are an idyllic place to swim, work on your tan or picnic with the family. Lakeside Park and Rainbow Park are the best places to head if you're looking for fun in the sun, and feel free to take bikes and hiking shoes with you because this area also as several lakeside scenic trails which are well-worth doing. Bear Back Biking is located in this area. You can rent bikes here and get advice from the friendly and experienced staff members about where to go on your journey.

Spring Creek/Bayshores

This area is home to one of the most extreme biking businesses available to visitors. West Coast Freeride Guides, offer extreme mountain biking tours that take you off the beaten trail and into some really excluded parts of the mountain. Spring Creek is also a great area to hang out, grab a coffee or a bite to eat while taking in the beauty of your surroundings.