The Canadian resort Whistler will, alongside Vancouver, co-host the next Winter Olympics.

Few winter resorts are more deserving of a chance to showcase their hosting skills than Whistler. When the Canadian national anthem plays out at the opening ceremony, it will mark the fruition of a dream that began forty years ago.

In 2008, Whistler is a town in its own right, with a well heeled community thriving at the foot of resort's two mammoth mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb.

In its current guise, it's hard to believe this skiing mega resort has failed to woo Olympic selectors before. Even prior to the successful bid in 2003, facilities both on and off the mountain could already rival those anywhere in the world. Current boasts include a soon-to-open 'Peak to Peak' gondola lift that will connect the resort's two main mountains; an increasingly exclusive property market (one home recently sold for $17.5 million) and the small matter of the best chef in Canada keeping the après-ski crowd happy.

Lycra-clad Olympiads asides, how does such investment benefit a visiting snowboarder with much more realistic sporting aspirations (ie staying upright)? Well, when the 'Peak to Peak' lift opens in December, it will whir skiers and boarders between Whistler and neighbouring Blackcomb in around 11 minutes, on what will be the world's longest free-span lift in the world. Traditionally, skiers and boarders have tackled a mountain a day, now they'll be able to explore both before tea-time.

As important as any physical investment is, the inevitable buzz that hosting an historic event brings is worth its weight in tourism gold. Vancouver 2010 merchandise - the official symbol is the inukshuk, stacked Arctic rock in a human form - is already packing the souvenir stores and interest in the Olympic runs - Whistler will host the downhill, Super G and slalom – is growing fast. On a sparkling blue-sky Sunday in February, it felt like the world and his snowboarding mother were gathered at the foot of the two main gondolas in Whistler Village.

The atmosphere in the largely pedestrianised village is friendly... tipsy snowboarders clad in the latest neon colours pad past young families heading out for early dinners. Atmosphere is half the battle with a winter holiday and Whistler is already aglow with Olympic pride. As 2010 draws ever closer, it's a chance for mere mortals like you and I to instill some of that energy into our own holidays.

Overseas Homes Forever have a range of well priced properties in the Whistler area, starting from CAD319,90. With the value of the Canadian dollar and optimum opportunity to earn excellent rental incom, Whistler offers investors excellent return on investiment.

Extracts from the Mail written by Jo Tweedy, Editor, TravelMail