Tuesday 16th August: Oh wow what a perfect day

We have so lucked out as it is the most beautiful blue sky sunny morning a perfect day for "going up the mountain". We are amongst some of the first to ride the Whistler Village Gondola. They are designed for 6 people but as "trade" is light we get one to ourselves.
This pic and next 4 are taken from the area of the Gondola stop at The Roundhouse Lodge

A marmot enjoying the morning sun

We then had a 10 minute walk down a very very steep track to get on the Summit Express which is an open chair lift. A notice pre boarding states this ride is not for the faint hearted !!!! Well I am not very keen/good with chair lifts and almost back out but then again in for a penny !!

On my it looks a tad tight but of course it's fine and in fact I was ok and actually enjoyed the ride and oh so worth it the views from up here at the summit are fantastic

The 2010 Winter Olympics logo The Inukshuk

We walked the Interpretive Trail, 1.6km around the summit of Whistler Mountain, very rocky terrain but stunning views

This "pointy" bit of mountain is in many posters and paintings around the village

And back down in the chair lift to the Roundhouse Lodge, going down is more a challenge than going up ! There are several man-made lakes on the mountain which are storage of water for the snow making machines.
Time for a coffee and the most delicious ice cream....yummy but perhaps I should have had the small !!!!

The next part of the days adventure is the Peak to Peak Gondola. This is the world's highest lift of it's kind, also the longest free span lift and the longest continuous lift system. It takes 11mins to cross from one side to the other, a total of 2.73 miles. The length of the unsupported span is 1.88 miles. It was awesome. There are a few glass bottom cabins but there was a bit of a queue and I wasn't quite sure that I could cope with it !!

View from Peak to Peak gondola

We are now on Blackcomb Mountain and it is even better than Whistler, a much prettier area and again fabulous views

Part of the Alpine Trail, very rocky and some parts compacted icy snow. Fabulous views and so quiet, good fresh air and by now very warm

More of the Alpine Trail

Yes this is also part of the trail !!

And so is this........on route to Fitzsimmons lookout

And more trail.......

Beautiful alpine flowers on the Overlord Trail. There were masses of flowers in bloom on this part of the trail including what looked like edelweiss and of course the song was then stuck in our heads !!!

Back on the Peak to Peak and then back again for the experience. No stopping me now !!

We had been advised to ride the open chair lifts,  The Solar Express and then The Wizard Express, back down to Whistler village (about half an hour ride) and we were not disappointed, a bit hairy at times but the views of the valley and Whistler were stunning.
We have had the most perfect day, needless to say I took loads of photographs, I'm sure some won't do it justice but we have the memories in our hearts and minds