Postcards from Canada: The Whistlers

The air was cold, crisp and clean, we were at the highest point of our Canadian road trip and it was breath-taking. There we stood on the 8,100 foot peak of the Whistlers; a snow topped mountain in the Trident Range nestled in Jasper National Park. After an action packed few days, we used the Jasper Sky Tram to take us up the mountain before walking the rest of the trail to the summit.

There really is no place like the mountains to make you feel alive, my face hurt from the sub-arctic temperatures but I felt at home as I trudged through the snow to the top. The towering giants of the surrounding mountain ranges reached up into the clouds and I never wanted to leave. I didn’t put my camera away for a moment.

From here we could see the false summit with a few people milling around but I was determined to get to the actual summit, so we pressed on and it was so worth it. We could see nothing but mountains, including the highest peak,  Mount Robson and the iconic Pyramid Mountain, along with the stunning Indian Ridge. 

It was the perfect way to round off three whirlwind weeks and I couldn’t recommend it more. The Jasper Sky Tram is essentially a cable car that takes you up the main part of the mountain; from here you can mill around the viewing platforms or complete the hike up to the summit. It’s a fairly easy hike but the shale and snow does make it a little slippy underfoot.

It’s a great way of escaping the crowds and taking in the spectacular scenery at your own pace. Here we could see some of Jaspers iconic landmarks including Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, Lake Edith and the Athabasca River. There’s also plenty of wildlife to see, including mountain goats, marmots and bears. 

Once on the top we didn’t want to leave, the golden sunlight danced along the snow topped mountains and there was no noise, not a single noise, only the sound of the wind. My feet and fingers were freezing, but I have never felt so happy and would happily go back in a heartbeat. 

When these strange times are over, I want to head back to the mountains, I want to feel the cold and be yet again in complete awe of amazing views. I want to feel alive, wild and free.

The mountains are calling and I must go.