18 — Friday, August 7, 1998 — North Shore News FRIENDS didn’t believe me when I told them on a recent visit to Whistler I climbed 3,800 feet and covered 10 kilo- metres of logging road in less than an hour. OF course, I didn't tell them I had a little help —- of the combustible engine JRE kind, ANDREW Mechene For the past seven semmers, Whistler | > ATV has offered guided tours in the Whistler Valiey backcountry, The first to ofter motorized rentals in the area, the company offers a num- ber of tours, from the casy grade Brandywine Creel. Tour, to the challenging Marshall Lake Tour, which includes a stunning viewpoint of Black Tusk. The difference in difficulty is most felt on the steepness of the trail, though the four-wheeled machines are surprisingly stable. This Adventure starts with the company’s air-conditioned os van picking you up in Whistler village and driving south to a logging road entrance off the Sea-To-Sky highwa' Here is “where the stable of Yamaha Breeze 125ce four- OUT & AFDUT wheelers are kept. Riders are given helmets and graves, and a_ guide leads you out onto the logging and mining roads the company has use of during beth summer and winter (wher the company Switches to snowmobile tours): : tier “ATV owner/operator Mike Jakobson knows this : + back-country weil — prior to renting out the four-wheelers the __ longtime Whistler resident operated a heli-skiing operation in ‘the same area... - ~All the machines are automatic, so the ras of driving them : up thie rocky roads is made much easier. - “Jakobson guided us on the Top of the World tour, an inter- -* mediate tour. chat-climbs:3,800 feet to a ridge viewpoint which ‘takes in much of the valley, including Black Tusk, Mt. Fee, the two ski hills and'a 360 degree view of Armchair Glacier. (One of the riders.on our trip had never operated a motorcy- cle or an ATV; and after 4 tentative beginning, was hot on the failpip of: Jakobson’ s trail bike for much of the tour. We:were out.at the height of a hot afternvon, so litle wildlife’ came: into View, but according to Jakobson, deer, bear, Suse ofen provide photo ops for camera-toting “riaers: A massive ancient cedar ‘ree is also a prerequisite stop for ithe .< camera crowd, Tours teave Whistler seven ‘days: a week at 8:30 a.m. 1] a.m., 30'p.m. and'4'p.m. New for this year is a 6:30 p.m. evening idee which features.a mountaintop ‘sunset. Children 11 and - ee.with. the guide or on an adult-driven . Prices range “Die tip on: machines) For more: information check out wwwatvtours.com $89 to $125 per person (less if riders dou- . high poi p of ihe World ATY tour offers s i Whistier Valley, including t the dominant Btack ‘tusk peak (jus From page 15 quaint inn is listed in the Best Place To Kiss In tite Pacific Northwest guidebook). In the seemingly ever-expanding choices of large hotels, accommodation deals can still be found during the summer months, Many are combined with golf games or cther activities and sold as packages. (Your travel agent should have the details). A ew addition to Whistler's nightlife is the Dubh Linn Gate pub i in the Pan Pacific Lodge. Dubbed-“An Irist:‘ Pub : xperience”, the authentic pub is that and then some: On recent Saturday night it was standing room only. MM. as the sunburnt crowd reveled in ciassic sing-alongs and bawdy :: humor from a real Irish entertainer. It’s a worider no one thought of opening an Irish . . pub in Whistler before. With both the summer and winter.” crowds, the wood and brass room will no doubt become.a village favorite. Also part of the Pan Pacific Lodge is the upscale Arthur’s restaurant, though it’s quict setting is better suited to romantic din-_ "ners, Other new establish- ments in Whistler include a NEWS photo Andrew McCredie cular views of the ust right of centre). ‘The quadeuple bill of Chantal Kreviamuk, Philosopher Kings, Cowboy Junkies and Blue Rodeo on Saturday, Auigust:15 is the finale of this year’s ister Summit Concert Series. You can win two tickets to the’show by telling us the name of one of the CDs reviewed in this is.ue. Include your name and phone number with the entry and send it to the Whistler Summit Contest, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. You can also fax your entry to us at 985-2104 or e-mail them to johng@nsnews.com. Deadline for the _ contest is Wednesday, August 12, & p.m. If your name is drawn you will be notified by phone: Elfie Kothlow wins the Jann “Arden tickets arid Janis Soutek wins the Fred Penner tickets for this weekend. Upcoming Whistler Events: Aug. 8, 9 and 15: ‘The Whistler Summit Concert Series; Sept. 5-7; Whistler's Really Big Street Fest; Sept. 12-13: Alpine Wine Festival; Sept. 18-20: Whistier Jazz & Blues Weeheind; Oct. 10-11: ” Whistler’s Okto fest; Nov. 13-15; CORNUCOPIA (food and wine festival). New additions to: nit bank card is as important as a * solid pair of ‘hiking boots in - this mountainous country. ‘But there’s nothing stopping tia ‘from packing a lunch ‘én finding your own little sli¢e of: heaven. There’ ’s lots to do that vial The Home 2 Fashion Wing ts located’ fn Park wepats South on the main devel. Jusé fi the Siems south ee the escalator in Centre court.