Photo via Doug Dryburgh / Shutterstock
Renowned for having world-class ski resorts and mountain adventures, Whistler attracts visitors from far and wide no matter the season. But few are aware that just north of Whistler Village lies the former townsite of Parkhurst, an abandoned ‘ghost town’ in the woods.
The first non-Indigenous settlement in the Whistler area, Parkhurst was once an active mill town dating back to 1902, when the Parkhurst family built a small home at the north end of Green Lake. In 1926, the land was sold to the Barr brothers following Mr. Parkhurst’s death, who were looking for a new source of lumber, according to Tourism Whistler.
As logging settled into the area, Parkhurst evolved into a plethora of homesteads, gardens, and families, who enjoyed unobstructed views of Rainbow Mountain.
In 1956, the mill officially closed, and the town’s homes and buildings were used as “a sanctuary for ski bums,” according to Tourism Whistler.
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Flash forward to today, and there are a few remnants of the townsite’s once bustling community. Three standing buildings and remnants of vehicles remain, encompassed by old-growth. As a result, snow tends to linger in the area for longer, making May to the end of October an optimal time to visit.
So there you have it, Vancouver. Your next adventure off the beaten path awaits!
Where: Whistler, BC
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