Only an hour's drive from Vancouver, British
Columbia, the resort town of Whistler has been
nicknamed the Disneyland of Skiing. And once you
tour the pristinely organized streets of Whistler
Village, ski the slopes, bike the trails, or
experienced the nightlife, you'll understand why.
Whistler and Blackcomb are the two local
mountains, both of which are accessible from the
same base area. Although the mountains used to be
owned independently and charge separate lift fees,
Intrawest now owns both and charges a single price
for access to all lifts.
Combined, the two mountains offer more terrain
than most ski resorts in North America. High speed
lifts and gondolas service the entire area; even
on crowded days you can ski or snowboard to your
heart's content. The lower part of the mountain is
geared towards beginners, while the more advanced
skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of
challenging runs higher up. Adventurers will find
a number of bowls and backcountry runs to explore,
too.
As great as Whistler is during ski season, it's
not only a winter phenomenon. There is actually
more to do in the summer than in the winter
(although the nightlife isn't quite as happening.)
Mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, tennis,
golf, a ski jump into a swimming pool, and summer
skiing on the liftaccessible Whistler glacier are
just some of the summer activities available. The
mountain biking tours from the top of the mountain
down are worth the price. More advanced bikers can
rent bikes without taking the tour. River rafting
around Whistler is especially exciting for first
timers.
<big>Food and Drink</big>
After you exhaust yourself playing outside all
day, it's time to chow. Dining in Whistler is
superb, but you should be aware that the best
restaurants require a hefty checkbook (or plenty
of plastic.) The Mongolie Grill, a Mongolian
restaurant where you fill a bowl full of your
choice of raw meats, vegetables and sauces, is my
personal favorite. The house chefs cook your food
on a large grill; meals are priced by the weight
of your bowl. A decent size meal will run $10 U.S.
The Teppan Village is an excellent Japanese
restaurant, with chefs who perform acrobatic feats
with kitchen knives and your food while preparing
your meal. For superb Italian dining in a more
formal environment, Trattoria di Umberto serves up
some exquisite dishes. Teppan Village will run $20
U.S. for a meal, while Umberto may cost up to $50 U.S.
Students looking to party will find a plethora of
bars and clubs in Whistler Village. Three of the
best are Citta, Buffalo Bill's and Garfinkle's.
Citta is a good place to go to talk over drinks,
while Buffalo Bill's is better for dancing.
(Bill's is also more lenient about the age of
their patrons.) Garfinkle's is probably the best
overall nightspot for college students looking to
party hard with people their own age.
The 19yearold drinking age is a welcome change
for Americans used to sneaking their way into bars
and clubs with fake IDs. If you're not of age,
even under Canadian law, the best time to hit the
bars is during the week. There are fewer customers
then, and the bars are more lenient about whom
they serve. Potheads will also marvel in the large
variety of "B.C. bud" that is available from
notsosubtle locals.
<big>Lodging</big>
Hotels at Whistler are expensive. However, there
are some cheap youth hostels and condos for rent
during certain times of the year. If you are
planning a winter trip to Whistler around an
American or Canadian holiday, make your
reservations at least six months in advance.
The Chateau Whistler is probably the best area
hotel. The interior is superbly decorated and
organized, with the ski storage a convenient
30foot walk from the lifts. Not surprisingly, the
Chateau is trés pricey. Whistler has a central
reservation system for all hotels in the area, and
you can find reasonable prices if you book in
advance for ofpeak dates. Whistler also has a
number of inexpensive hostels, though they're all
located outside the town.
<big>Crowds</big>
To avoid crowds, visit Whistler midweek, as the
resort is a popular weekend destination for
Vancouver area residents. One of the best times of
year to visit is during the week before Christmas.
The snow at this time of year is usually excellent
and the hordes are still celebrating at home. Be
aware, however, that the resort will be mobbed the
day after Christmas.
If you find yourself at Whistler during high
season, there are a few things to remember to save
you time and hassles. First, purchase a multiday
ticket to avoid daily ticket lines. Second, wait
until after one o' clock to eat on the slopes.
Finally, the Fresh Tracks program is a good
investment for those looking to get a jump on the
lift lines. For about $10 U.S., Fresh Tracks gets
you a ride up the mountain an hour before the
lifts open, breakfast at the summit lodge, and as
many runs as you can ski before the crowds reach
the top. If you don't dawdle at breakfast, you can
get three runs in before the lift lines begin to form.
Jon Rosen once skied four runs before the lifts
opened.
