HOLIDAYS: Whistler's a mother..

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 3, 2002 | by DAVE WATKINS

THE air is still as the ex-Gillingham goalkeeper stands with his knees slightly bent and hands out in front.

He's tense and ready. I move to go left, but Harvey has already taken a quick leap into space leaving me standing.

We're not on a football pitch, we're at the top of Extreme Couloir in Whistler, Canada, and Harvey doesn't keep goal any more, he just carves up mountains with the precision of a David Beckham and the speed of a Michael Owen.

"I came here and fell in love with the place, so I stayed," he says...and it's easy to see why.

Whistler is a mother of a resort with two mountains - Blackcomb and Whistler - and a skiing area of 7,000 acres, plus an unfeasibly large amount of snow, 30ft. It's also a vertical mile from the top of Blackcomb Mountain at 7,500ft to the base at 2,000ft. You can add 100ft or so to the height if you're prepared to walk up to the Blackcomb Glacier in your boots.

If you do, avoid looking down the Blowhole, a run so vertiginous I think they actually have to glue each snow crystal to the rockface.

There are a couple of tricks to skiing in Whistler. Firstly, take a guided tour - they are free, and times and meeting places are marked on the piste maps.

These tours are for intermediates and experts and will take you to places the locals like, such as the last piece of deep powder, or a gentle run through the trees.

Secondly, those wanting to warm up on the first day should try and get over to Whistler Mountain and the Harmony and Symphony zone. The runs are very varied so you can up your game as the day wears on.

Experts will find some of the best skiing on the edge of the Blackcomb Glacier zone in the runs off Spanky's Ladder. Be warned - when the sign says: "No Easy Run Down Beyond This Point" that's what it means.

Stop off at the Roundhouse Lodge - for under pounds 10 you can get smoked salmon chowder, a glass of wine and some apple crumble. The mountain views come free unless the clouds are chucking down yet another few inches of fresh fluffy powder.

When you've finished for the day you can download on the gondola and avoid all idiots schusing down using the slow skiers as moving slalom poles.

Most of the hotels are within walking distance of the base lifts. Ours, Chateau Whistler, provided vats of bubbling water on the mountainside where you can sip a G&T and simmer to a nice shade of salmon pink while admiring the scenery.

It's then back to your room to work out which of the 12 towels, seven bars of soap and three moisturisers will set you up best for your evening meal of foie gras at one of Whistler's top restaurants, the Bearfoot Bistro.

THE FACTS

-SKI the American Dream (020 8552 1201; www.skidream.com) offer seven nights at The Fairmont Chateau, Whistler, from pounds 858 per adult and pounds 432 per child, based on three sharing a Fairmont room and including return scheduled flights from Heathrow with Air Canada's non-stop daily service to Vancouver, and transfers.

-Air Canada fly daily non-stop to Vancouver from Heathrow and regional departures also available. www.aircanada.ca (phone: 0970 524 7226)

-For further information about Whistler, visit www.tourismwhistler.com

-For information about skiing in British Columbia, visit www.HelloBC.com