Whistler Mountain, Canada (Eng, part 1)

Whistler Mountain (part 1: overview)

if God is a skier he certainly lives here...

the second part (runs and ski area) is here
la versione Italiana invece è qui

I have wonderful memories of Whistler. A lot of snow, long runways, a fairytale landscape. Definitely one of the best places to ski in the world. The village is well equipped and organized to perfectly mark the day of a typical skier (like myself!). I must admit that it is indeed a quite challenging trip for a European, especially from the economic point of view (be prepared to the worst when you come to the section Skipass!).

Be prepared to nice encounters

When to go and how to get there

Ok, we all know that the best time to ski almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere is February/March. Unfortunately, it is not the best time to spend money! I suggest you go after New Year’s Eve: it will be very cold but 1) won’t have to argue with your boss for holidays, 2) booking in advance, you will be able to get acceptable rates for the flight, the accommodation and your ski pass.

Book a flight to Vancouver (there are several possibilities ... even with direct flights from Europe ... consider an expense of at least a 6/700 euro). Once in the Canadian city (well worth staying a day — one is enough, though— exclusively to admire its beautiful location on the bay), the cheapest solution for the final transfer is the Greyhound bus leaving from the Pan Pacific station (2 hours by the Sea -to-Sky Highway) to Whistler (the bus also stops at Whistler Creek ... so check carefully the address of your hotel ... Whistler Creek is a few kilometers away from Whistler!). If you have some extra cash you can also book a direct transfer from the airport. Alternatively, you can rent a car (but keep in mind that during your stay you will not use it that much).

Paradise... not cheap!

Skipass

UPDATE 2014

Just one word: expensive. Skiing in North America unfortunately has this inconvenience. There is no way to spend less. The only chance you have is to book in advance even the skipass (multi-day passes). To give you an idea of what I am talking about consider that a day pass for the whole area costs 109 Canadian Dollars (about €85).
-

Village and Apres ski

Nightlife...

As I wrote above, Whistler is a village that offers any kind of service. I was pretty impressed by the Ski Valet's one: every evening a nice clerk took my skis to allow me to do the 50 meters that separated me from the hotel in total comfort. That said, there is a world of opportunity to fill the time when you are on the slopes: dozens of restaurants (of any type and for any pocket), pubs, clubs (evenings starting at 9.30p.m. … which allows you to get enough sleep and be ready for skiing the day after!), a multiplex cinema, many shops . You can find most of these services along the main street that starts from the end of the slopes. Of course, although it is a nice town without the awful architecture of some European ski resorts, Whistler doesn’t have the charm and history of other well-known places. All in all, it is a huge, pleasant and well organized resort. For the Apres ski, all the bars and restaurants overlooking the end of the tracks offer live music. Take out your money and enjoy the happy hour offers!

Skitrotter tips

•         The cost of hotel accommodation is proportional both to the facility’s category and the proximity to the lifts: evaluate this aspect carefully. For longer periods, it is possible to rent a cheaper apartment in one of the many condos, that are mainly located in peripheral areas of the village ...
•          There are two big (very, very big) dining venues on the slopes (Rendez Vous Christine's and Roundhouse Lodge) where you can find any kind of food you want (from sushi to pizza ...), but the small chalets scattered in the ski area are far more charming and peaceful: among others, the already mentioned Crystal Lodge, the Horstman Hut and the Chic Pea ...;
•        Be prepared! Especially in January, lifts close earlier than in the European resorts (3.30p.m.), so make sure that you wake up at dawn!

Info

Whistler Blackcomb

British Columbia, Canada

From Vancouver Sea-to-Sky Highway to destination

Info www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

More Info

follow me on twitter @skitrotter
on Facebook, on email skitrotter@gmail.com