The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers.

Christie Fitzpatrick sees the world in 35mm. The travel and outdoor photographer based out of Whistler, British Columbia often climbs above the clouds to capture the region’s high peaks and returns to sea level to snap awe-inspiring lake reflections and local wildlife. Some of her work can be found in Condé Nast Traveler, Outside Magazine, National Geographic UK, and Ori, among many others.

Tucked into Canada's Coast Mountains, Whistler is positioned perfectly for the outdoor aficionado. Fishing, hiking, skiing, whale-watching, biking—the list goes on. But to experience the best that Whistler has to offer, Fitzpatrick suggested her favorites for culture, nature and scenery in the area she calls home. Here is Fitzpatrick’s Whistler through the lens.

Best Cup of Coffee

Ed’s Bred, because I can walk to it from my house, and they don’t charge extra for oat milk.

Favorite Cocktail

A negroni from The Raven Room.

Favorite Quick Bite

Samurai Bowl, Creekside. Anytime.

Best Sunset

It’s got to be hiding up behind Peak Chair after patrol have done their last sweep in the winter time.

Favorite Spot for a Night Out

Wild Blue—the most gorgeous decor and unparalleled food and service. A must try: the oysters with green chili granita.

Best People Watching

The Beacon Pub, it’s positioned right in the middle of town, sort of sticking out on the stroll, so the people watching is epic. You see lots of good dogs, too.

Best Outdoor Activity

It’s cliche but skiing kind of has to take the biscuit. After 8 years I haven’t skied every trail and I’m not sure I ever will!

An Overlooked Part of Whistler

There seems to be no limit to what Whistler has to offer for those interested in the outdoors. Backcountry skiing, fishing on lakes, rivers or the ocean, hiking (either on alpine ridges or through dense old growth rainforest), climbing, mountain biking, gravel biking. You can even whale watch in the Howe Sound 45 minutes south or horseback ride through arid canyons 45 minutes north. For motorheads, the dirt biking and sledding is unreal, and the hunting is great out past Pemberton. Its proximity to nature and opportunities to pursue and enjoy the outdoors is incredible.

Favorite Tourist Trap

The Panorama Ridge hike. I try to do it every year - it can be brutally busy on a summer weekend but once you’re up there, it doesn’t really matter how many of you there are, it’s so vast. All that just gets forgotten, at least for me.

Why Whistler?

The queues.

Nah, just kidding. Honestly, just my friends and their positive attitudes. It gets busy for sure, and that can be frustrating, but the community mindset of "how lucky are we to live here" is what makes it home for me.