On July 2nd, 2003, thousands of locals gathered in Whistler's Village Square to hear the International Olympic Committee's official announcement of the 2010 host city. When it was announced that the Winter and Paralympic Games would finally be coming to Whistler, a cheer went up in the air that could be heard on the opposite shores of Alta Lake. Whistler will present all alpine skiing, nordic, and sliding events. But why wait until the world arrives to try that yearly average of 30 feet of powder? Head there this season and you'll understand why Skiing Magazine has rated Whistler the top ski resort on the continent for the past decade.

And don't for a second believe that Whistler is only a one-season resort. The town is popular in the summer and fall months for families who crave the active travel lifestyle. You can mountain bike down the ski trails, take a gondola and hike up atop the snow-capped peak, canoe with eagles down a serpentine river, try the longest zipline in North America, or simply lounge in that exquisite outdoor pool at the Four Seasons.

There are many upscale choices to choose from in town, like the Fairmont and Westin, but it's hard to top this sybaritic retreat in the Upper Village, about a 15-minute walk to all the restaurants and shops in the center of town. One step inside the limestone and granite lobby, with its tall ceilings, and you've been transported to a state of Zen-like bliss. The tall flowers in vases are always freshly cut, cranberry lemonade in summer and hot chocolate in winter are handed to you upon arrival, and service is at its finest.

Outside, the resort's two buildings are separated by a wide courtyard and pool that highlights its view of the peaks. Walkways lead to the base of Blackcomb where you can be catching the morning runs in a matter of minutes. Yet, like most Four Seasons, the best feature of this hotel is those spacious rooms for families, many with requisite views of the mountain. Expect mattresses that suck in your weary body after a day outdoors and then spit you out in the morning ready and rearin' to do it all over again.

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