Encompassing one of the largest and
most visited ski
resorts in the world, and boasting a number of other top-notch facilities,
Whistler is a resort
town that attracts upwards of 2,000,000 visitors a year. Because of this massive
influx of tourists, the Village offers a wide variety of amenities including
lodging, eateries,
activities
and more for travellers of all ages and incomes. As with most other world-class
ski resort towns, Whistler features lavish hotels
and deluxe home rentals, ritzy restaurants and chic lounges,
exhilarating outdoor adventures and trendy nightclubs.
Opulent, extravagant and lush are all words used to describe the best of the
best on offer in Whistler.
ACCOMODATIONS
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The
Fairmont Chateau Whistler1 |
Hotels
Discerning visitors looking
for luxurious lodging in Whistler are spoiled for choice as the resort features
no less than six hotels and resorts that have been given a five-peaks rating
by Tourism
Whistler. Accommodations receiving this luxury rating are considered the
best that Whistler has to offer. Personal comfort and satisfaction are of the
utmost importance at these lodgings which offer highly attentive staff, stunning
surroundings, extensive services and top facilities. Featuring spas, swimming
pools, fine-dining establishments, lounges and more, guests can conceivably
enjoy their entire stay in Whistler without ever having to leave their hotel.
Lodgings receiving the five-peak
Luxury rating include the Fairmont
Chateau Whistler, The
Westin Resort and Spa and the Pan
Pacific Whistler Mountainside. Part of the prestigious Fairmont Hotel Chain,
the Fairmont Chateau Whistler boasts ski in/ski out convenience and sports its
own Golf
Club. Its amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and saunas,
the Vida
Wellness Spa, a fitness centre, The
Wildflower restaurant and the Mallard
Lounge. Located minutes from both the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain gondolas,
The Westin Resort and Spa is an all-suite accommodation where all rooms include
a fireplace and the company's renowned Heavenly Beds. Other features include
an indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpools, a spa,
the Aubergine
Grille and the FireRock
Lounge. Located slopeside, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside offers
studio-, one- and two-bedroom suites, each of which includes a full kitchen,
a soaker tub, a fireplace and a balcony. The resort-hotel also includes a full-service
spa, an exercise studio and steam room, the West
Coast Gallery, meeting rooms and the Dubh
Linn Gate Irish Pub.
Those who do not need all of the
amenities of a five-peak hotel but who are still looking for top-quality lodging
can investigate one of the ten, four-peak Superior hotels in Whistler. While
these lodgings do not offer as many services as luxury hotels, they still feature
a wide variety of comforts as well as attentive staff. Some of the hotels bestowed
with superior ratings include the Adara
Hotel and the Crystal
Lodge in the Village, the Residence
Inn by Marriott in the Upper Village, the Summit
Lodge at Village North and Legends,
located Creekside.
Condos, Town Houses & Executive
Homes
Of course there are numerous lodging options other than hotels which are
ideal for visitors searching for a home-away-from-home experience while in Whistler.
A range of four- and five-peak condos,
townhomes and executive homes can be rented through individual owners or
property management companies. These accommodations feature most if not more
than the usual creature comforts.
Several four- and five-peak apartment-style
condos are available for rent and each offer a range of special features that
may include front desk reception, fireplaces, full kitchens, saunas, hot tubs,
restaurants and more. There are a number of four-peak town home properties available
for guests in Whistler and these possess many of the same attributes as condos,
but also offer a private guest entrance. Executive homes are detached private
houses that offer comfort, luxury and convenience. Many of the homes available
in Whistler boast a five-peak rating and are more than 3000 sq ft in size. These
lavish residences offer the best of the best and may include unique features
like mountain or golf course views, several bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
and Jacuzzi tubs, heated floors, theatre and billiards rooms, spacious patios
with outdoor hot tubs, saunas and more.
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| Whistler
is Known for Being a World Class Ski Destination2 |
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RECREATION
Whistler boasts a copious amount
of some of the most exciting outdoor activities in Canada
and perhaps the world. The skiing
and snowboarding are world class, there are a number of championship golf
courses located around the Village and a variety of other exciting adventures.
Skiing and Boarding
After finding a spot to
drop the luggage and settle in at night, it's time to hit the slopes. With a
ski and snowboard season lasting from November until August (the longest in
North America) and 3306 ha (8171 acres) of terrain, there is plenty of time
and space for visitors to get their thrills on the hill. Between Whistler and
Blackcomb Mountains there are five mountain bases, 33 lift chairs and over 200
runs for beginner, intermediate and expert skiers and boarders. A variety of
lessons, both private and for groups, are available for newcomers or those who
would like to brush up on their skills. There are also women's only lessons
offered that are ideal for those on a girl's weekend or for ladies who are a
bit shy about learning with a mixed group.
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View
of the 18th Green at Nicklaus North Golf Club3 |
Golf
Visitors, especially golf-lovers who are headed to Whistler in the summer,
will be impressed to find that there are no less than four award-winning, 18-hole
golf courses located in and around the Village. Nicklaus
North Golf Club was created by the golf legend himself and offers some of
the best scenery and most challenging golf in the country. Guests tee-off on
the par 71 course surrounded by views of the mountains and surrounding fir forests.
Featuring Canada's only David Leadbetter
Golf Academy, the rugged and stunning Fairmont
Chateau Whistler Resort Golf Club is the perfect spot for visitors to brush
up, learn new skills and improve their game. The Academy offers a number of
instructional programs including lessons and retreats, and utilizes the most
up-to-date teaching methods and products available.
Golfers can also check out the Big
Sky Golf and Country Club which winds around mountain lakes and forest,
as well as Whistler
Golf Club. Designed by golf great Arnold Palmer, the par 72 course features
impressive mountain scenery along with challenging water hazards and sand traps
that will test the skill of golfers of all levels.
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| Snowmobiling
in the Backcountry4 |
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Extreme Whistler
Naturally, not all tourists
in Whistler are looking for the same outdoor experience. While many are happy
to spend their days on the hill or the greens, some head to the resort town
for adventures that are off the beaten track. There are a range of fun and exhilarating
activities on offer, both in the summer and the winter, that will get the heart
racing and lead to great photo opportunities and stories to tell back home.
Anyone who has ever considered trying
out heli-skiing
or boarding will find that Whistler is a great place to give it a go. With
over 40,470 ha (100,000 acres) of terrain available for the activity, the area
around Whistler is ideal for those at a skill level of intermediate or better.
A number of companies in the Village specialize in taking visitors out to try
outstanding, hard-to-find powder terrain.
Those that want to take a break from
the slopes but still want to have fun outside can enlist a local snowmobiling
company to take them out for a few hours of touring through snowy backcountry
paths. Adventurers can get their heartrates up while racing through the wilderness
and marvel at the pristine wintertime landscape. There is also kilometre upon
kilometre of trails in and around Whistler that are perfect for snowshoeing
and cross-country
skiing, and companies will take visitors out and show them the ropes.
Ziplining
is a popular and viable option in both summer and winter. Any visitor who has
ever wondered what it would be like to fly will love the sensation of whipping
through the air with nothing under their feet but clear mountain air. Zipline
courses that soar more than 300 km (1000 ft) over rivers and coastal rainforest
can be experienced with the help of local adventure tour companies. Whitewater
rafting
is an exhilarating, hands-on experience where visitors can struggle against
the powerful rapids while trying to stay dry. Outdoor-lovers will find these
and a wealth of other activities including hang-gliding,
fishing,
mountain
biking and helicopter
tours throughout the year in Whistler.
EVENTS
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic
and Paralympic Games
Whistler residents, visitors and the rest of the world are gearing up for
the biggest event to occur in the Village's history, the Vancouver
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the Olympic Games taking place from
February 12th to 28th and the Paralympics happening from March 12th to 21st,
there will be plenty of action on offer for visitors looking to experience the
euphoric Olympic spirit. An array of activities will occur from as far away
as Richmond and
downtown Vancouver
all the way to Whistler, and those lucky enough to secure the coveted tickets
to an event in the Village will have the chance to see Downhill Men's and Women's
races, Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom at Whistler Creekside, Biathlon and
Cross-Country Skiing at the Whistler Nordic Venue in Callaghan Valley as well
as Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton at the Whistler Slide Centre on Blackcomb Mountain.
Visitors thinking of heading to the resort during either the Olympic or Paralympic
Games need to act fast as lodgings will fill up quickly and have the potential
to be very expensive.
Cornucopia
While the Olympics may be the most anticipated upcoming event to hit the
Village, there are plenty of other exciting annual events that tourists can
enjoy in the meantime. Established in 1997, Cornucopia
is a festival that celebrates decadent food and delicious wine and has become
one of the most popular events in the Village. Taking place annually over four
days in November, the event was created to show-off the vast array of world-class
eateries in Whistler. Visitors can enjoy activities like wine tasting, food
pairing workshops, seminars with celebrity chefs, a retreat, various theme luncheons
and much more. Participants who range from amateur cuisine fans to those with
experienced and sophisticated palates have the opportunity to check out everything
from intimate gatherings to exclusive after-parties, making Cornucopia a favourite
among locals and visitors alike.
Whistler Film Festival
The Whistler
Film Festival typically occurs over the first weekend in December. The event
works to promote and celebrate the Canadian film industry and presents work
from around British Columbia
and across Canada as well as the rest of the world. Launched in 2001, the festival
has quickly become a major player on the international film festival circuit
and draws renowned filmmakers as well as movie-lovers, industry insiders and
media from across the planet. Throughout the four-day event over 80 films vie
for thousands of dollars in prizes and visitors have the chance to check out
screenings, attend workshops and live it up at some of the year's hippest parties.
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The
TELUS World Festival Brings Out the World's Best Boarders5 |
TELUS World Ski & Snowboarding
Festival
One of the biggest events taking place in Whistler each year is the TELUS
World Ski & Snowboarding Festival,which celebrates the end of the season.
Thousands of athletes descend upon the Village to take part in a variety of
professional ski and snowboard competitions. The 10-day festival also presents
over 50 live concerts by some of Canada and the world's most popular alternative,
rock and hip hop acts. A variety of cool art shows take place, as well as a
spoken word event and the Filmmaker Showdown short film competition. The festival
also sees Whistler's already legendary nightlife scene get even crazier with
parties and special guest DJs.
SHOPPING
While Whistler Village has a fairly
small population of permanent residents, the constant flow of seasonal workers
and tourists of all types has helped ensure that the shopping
available around town is varied and impressive with over 200 shops in total
in the Village as well as in the Creekside and Function Junction neighbourhoods.
All kinds of outdoor gear is readily available as a number of sports
and recreation shops litter the mountain and sell everything necessary for
a day on the slopes or roaming the backcountry.
There are also swimwear
and mountain
bike stores for summertime fun. Find an outfit or outdoor-wear
for all seasons and occasions at one of the high
fashion boutiques or clothing shops that offer famous names such as Gucci,
Prada, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
Visitors who are in Whistler celebrating
a big occasion and are looking for something to spoil that special someone can
find quality watches, necklaces, earrings and rings set with precious and semi-precious
stones at one of the Village's jewellery
stores. Shops housing a range of uniquely Canadian items and trendy Whistler
souvenirs
abound while those looking for something a bit different can visit one of the
art
galleries showcasing work by artists from BC, as well as traditional First
Nations works.
Those wanting to indulge in some
of the finer things in life can enjoy decadent chocolates and treats from the
Rocky
Mountain Chocolate Factory and the Great
Glass Elevator Candy Shop, and grab a bottle of wine from one of the province's
best vineyards at the Blackcomb
Wine Store.
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| The
Village Nestled Between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains6 |
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SPAS
Many who love Whistler do so because
the resort community features all the finest things in life including spas
that offer up rest and relaxation in exotic and ritzy atmospheres. In total
there are more than 20 spas in Whistler featuring a range of massage therapies,
body treatments, aesthetics and more. Many offer special treatments for men
as well as packages for couples and special events such as weddings and girls'
nights.
Avello Spa and Health Club
The Avello
Spa and Health Club located at the Westin
Hotel works to incorporate relaxation and health philosophies from other
cultures into their treatments and provides all the regular aesthetic therapies
including mud wraps, pedicures and facials. The spa specializes in massage and
visitors can choose from relaxation, aromatherapy, sport, deep tissue, reflexology,
shiatsu, Thai, hot rock, pregnancy and reiki signature massages which are all
on offer for those looking to relax after a day of activity.
Solarice Wellness Centre and Spa
The Solarice
Wellness Centre and Spa has two locations in Whistler including one at the
Delta Whistler
Village Suites and one above the Whistler Info Centre. The spa, which was
designed using elements of feng shui in order to impart a sense of calm and
tranquility, takes a holistic approach to wellness and offers all of the traditional
pampering treatments such as hydrotherapy, exfoliation and facials. Solarice
also includes a large and sunny studio where visitors can partake in a yoga,
tai chi, qi gong or Pilates classes. Private lessons are also available for
those looking for something a bit more exclusive.
Vida Wellness Spa
The Fairmont
Chateau Whistler houses the Vida
Wellness Spa, a 395 sq m (4250 sq ft) complex complete with couple's rooms
and specialty manicure and pedicure stations. Vida's spas aim to be elegant
yet nurturing and promote wellness, balance and healing. The treatments available
at the spa are meant to spoil the senses and restore inner calm. After a treatment
such as a Soothing Rain Facial, a Vida Canadian Maple Body Exfoliation or a
Ginger and Lemon Grass Wrap, guests may relax in the hotel's steam room. While
Vida presents special offers for a range of occasions, their speciality is a
number of wedding packages that cater to the bride, groom and bridal party.
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After
Dark Locals and Visitors Come Out to Enjoy the Nightlife7 |
EATERIES, APRÈS SKI AND NIGHTLIFE
Restaurants
When it comes to eating
and drinking, Whistler provides the type of quality and variety that could easily
make residents of much larger cities jealous. Everything is available including
hip après ski hangouts, sophisticated lounges,
upscale restaurants
and wild nightclubs.
Visitors will find flavours from near and far on offer in Whistler's numerous
upscale eateries. Among the cuisines represented are Japanese
fare, Italian
cuisine, continental
delicacies and regional
dishes, as well as delights inspired by the Pacific
Northwest.
Après Ski
Late in the afternoon the
outdoor fun begins to wind down and skiers and boarders return looking for a
spot to relax after a day on the slopes. A number of bars and pubs in the Village
cater to the après crowd and are popular for their relaxed atmospheres as well
as for the availability of beer, martinis and cocktails. Those looking for something
to eat after some après beverages can sink into the leather chairs with at drink
at The
Attic and then head downstairs to 21
Steps for dinner. The
Garibalidi Lift Co. is frequented by hip locals and visitors both due to
the exciting atmosphere and the snowboard and ski videos that play, accompanied
by a soundtrack of reggae and chill-out tunes. Located in the Pan
Pacific Whistler Mountainside hotel, the Dubh
Linn Gate is an obvious choice for those that love the traditional Irish
pub atmosphere. Visitors drink malt Scotch, eat Irish fare and dance to live
Celtic music. Black's
Pub at the Sundial
Boutique Hotel in Whistler Village offers a stunning 90 beers on tap and
features a large outdoor patio so patrons can enjoy the sunshine, while the
Amsterdam
Café Pub features a Euro-pub atmosphere and is a favourite spot among a
crowd trying to see and be seen.
Nightlife
There is plenty for the
late-night crowd as well and the clubs in Whistler get packed to the rafters
in both summer and winter. One perennial favourite is Tommy
Africa's. The bar has been busy ever since it opened in 1988 due to the
presence of GoGo dancers, a dance floor packed with some of the best looking
crowds in the Village and music that includes hip hop, breaks, top 40, funk,
house and retro 80s. The club often hosts internationally renowned DJs who keep
the party going until all hours. Garfinkel's
is another night spot that is usually hopping. Theme nights that have included
costume parties and bikini contests are always popular, as are the live music
nights and the long-running weekly local's night. Savage
Beagle Bar is a hot spot that is open all year. Located in the heart of
the Village, the club is known for specialty drinks such as martinis made with
freshly-squeezed fruit juice. The bar is busy at all times from après ski to
late night in both summer and winter. Those looking for something a bit less
crazy than a club night out can visit either the Mallard
Lounge at the Fairmount Chateau Whistler and listen to live music or settle
by the firepits on the outdoor terrace, or get warm relaxing by huge stone fireplace
with a drink at the the FireRock
Lounge at the Westin.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- c/o Tourism Whistler; The Fairmont Chateau Whistler; Whistler, BC, Canada
- Luke MacMillan; Whistler is Known for Being a World-Class Ski Desination;
Whistler, BC, Canada
- John Henebry; c/o Tourism Whistler; View of the 18th Green at Nicklaus
North Golf Club; Whistler, BC, Canada
- Maureen Provencal; c/o Tourism Whistler; Snowmobiling in the Backcountry;
Whistler, BC, Canada
- Luke MacMillan; The TELUS World Festival Brings out the World's Best
Boarders; Whistler, BC, Canada
- c/o Coral; View of the Village Nestled Between Whistler and Blackcomb
Mountains; Whistler, BC, Canada
- c/o iStock; After Dark Locals and Visitors Come Out to Enjoy the Nightlife;
Whistler, BC, Canada
Canada
