Whistler has a new real-estate record with the pending $17.5-million sale ofa sprawling luxury home on 1.9 hectares with a view of Blackcomb Mountain.

The house, a five-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot wood-and-stone luxury home at 6715 Crabapple Dr., was listed on the Multiple Listing Service last July for $22 million.

The deal has not yet closed, but the $17.5-million price tag will make it the second most expensive home to sell in all of B.C. according to data compiled by Landcor Data Corporation from the provincial land titles registry.

The most expensive transaction, according to Landcor's list, was the $28.2-million sale of 3330 Radcliffe Ave. in West Vancouver.

That luxury home in West Vancouver (1 1/2 hours from Whistler) previously attracted attention in 2004 when it sold for what was then a record $17 million.

Patrick Kelly, Presdient of The Whistler Real Estate Co., said market activity has not been the strongest at the "super high-end," but "certainly interest has increased for more expensive family-oriented property.

"And that's a trend right across North America. That's not just a Whistler thing."

Kelly said that Whistler is becoming more of an icon resort because of the Olympic venues that have been built there.

"I haven't talked to anybody who's been to the new Whistler Olympic Park (WOP, Where the 2010 Olympic Nordic events will be held) centre who isn't just raving about it," he said.

"I don't think it will ever be an Aspen or a Vail," Kelly said, but right now Whistler's stock is rising.

Published: Friday, February 08, 2008. Vancouver Sun