The area was originally called Alta Lake. In the early 1900's trappers and prospectors who settled there used the name "Whistler" because of the shrill whistle sound made by marmots that lived on the mountain. In 1965, the mountain officially became "Garibaldi Whistler Mountain". The original ski lifts were installed at what is now called Whistler Creekside. In 1977 land was ceded to develop a town centre, and in 1978 construction began on what is now Whistler Village.