Planes, trains, snowmobiles ... golf carts? Whistler, B.C.

Picture this: I'm standing on a thin metal stair 200 feet above a mountain gorge, clinging to what now seems a rather dainty fabric strap hooked to a steel cord that's supposed to hold my weight as I zip 2,000 feet across a gaping canyon. A whitewater river rages below, and there's nothing left for me to do but step off into the abyss. It's too late to turn back ... and there's a group of eight people behind me on the platform looking on, waiting to see if I survive, because it's their turn next.

Fuller zips 2,000 feet across a canyon

My heart pounds and I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my body as I prepare to make the final step and then ... I let out a massive YEEEE-HAAAAWWW!!! And now I'm screaming through space, a 210-pound human meteor hurtling through the crisp mountain air. Welcome to Whistler.

We had arrived barely an hour before, and this Ziptrek Ecotour was the very first thing on a jam-packed, fun-filled, four-day itinerary. What a rush. In the ensuing days, we'd play golf twice, explore the shops and restaurants of this darling town, learn some First Nations history at the brand new Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre, hike, mountain bike and sleep very well.

But that first exhilarating thrill ride, etched into my memory banks as I soared like a clumsy bird across the canyon gorge, never left my mind.

Whistler had been on my list of must-visit destinations for several years but somehow never made it to the top. Now I can't wait to go back. My personal preference is to visit the mountains in summer, when the golf courses have thawed and short sleeves are the order of the day. But Whistler is far more renowned as one of the best skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports destinations in North America. Indeed, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games are headed to Whistler, with most alpine skiing competition to be held on the majestic side-by-side peaks, Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

But for me -- balance-challenged that I am on skis and skates -- summer is my season, and Whistler proved to be a perfect destination. For accommodations, we chose the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, a very enjoyable property located in an area known as the Upper Village. In addition to several memorable restaurants -- the more formal Wine Room provided the best meal we had during our entire stay, and the breakfast and lunch café, Portobello, was tempting for everything from muffins to pizza to soup -- golfers enjoy the Fairmont's Chateau Whistler Golf Club, a very scenic Robert Trent Jones II design that opened in 1993. A David Leadbetter Golf Academy is found on the opposite end of Chateau Whistler's driving range, and excellent instruction can be had.

Fairmont's Chateau Whistler Golf Club

Although the course tops out at just over 6,600 yards, there are constant elevation changes, uneven lies and a plethora of bunkers to contend with. The course climbs to its highest elevations on the front nine and then descends with some picturesque and drivable par-4s on the home nine.

A casual glance into the woods that border many holes on this course -- where admittedly one or two of my golf balls strayed -- was enough to discourage much searching. Posted signs read: "Warning -- Bear Observation Area," and indeed, as we played, a course ranger came by and mentioned that a black bear was at that very moment hanging out by the lake on No. 8.

"They're vegetarians," he assured us.

Golfers should also make time to play Nicklaus North -- a flatter, parkland-style layout next to lovely Green Lake that is perfect for less experienced and higher-handicap golfers -- and if a third round is on the agenda, nearby Big Sky Golf & Country Club (a Bob Cupp design) is highly recommended.

The Four Seasons Resort Whistler (and its award-winning spa for soothing those weary muscles you've earned from all the fun you're having) is also found in the Upper Village, as is the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre, where art and artifacts of the two native nations are displayed and described by engaging tribal members.

Guests of the Four Seasons can now taste Squamish and Lilwat cuisine at the resort's Fifty Two 80 Bistro; the two entities have formed an exclusive partnership to offer visitors an experience of First Nations indigenous culinary offerings, including savory bison carpaccio and braised sturgeon with seasonal local Pemberton vegetables including beets, leeks, potatoes, savoy cabbage and baby carrots.

From Vancouver, Whistler is two hours by car, or three hours by train aboard the Whistler Mountaineer. The more leisurely trip by rail is a great way to ease into vacation mode. The engineer slows at every picture postcard view, bridge and waterfall so patrons can click away with their cameras.