As a resident, business owner and frequent skiier at Whistler, I have realized that there are "secrets", things to see and do that the average visitor to Whistler has NO idea about. I'll try to pass along a local's knowledge, but know that Whistler is a paradise all of its own - these secrets merely add to the magic!
Hotels can be $300 a night and up during ski season, and peak summer season - but three ideas have saved me money on accommodation. First, there is a condo booking agency called resortquest that can offer off season specials - I stayed in a gorgeous townhouse a block from the village square, with hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, sleeping 4-6 people for $100 in the early fall - ask about any deals like that!
If you are sociable, and willing to both ENJOY and put up with the common areas of a bed and breakfast - resortquest had bed and breakfast in a spectacular chalet looking out on the mountains for $90-125. Very social hosts, and a dining table looking out on the mountains with double sided fireplace and mulled wine while visitors from around the world discuss snow and ski conditions simply can't be beat!
Lastly, there are two hostels - the venerable Shoestring Lodge, just north of Whistler maybe ten blocks distance, and slated to be "developed" into townhouses before the Olympics, has beds for $25, as does the hostel across the Lake from Whistler - you may share a room with some interesting strangers, but that price leaves plenty of money for food and entertainment!
Whistler has an incredible array of high end restaurants, but one I found outstanding was the resortquest, just north of Whistler a few miles. Check the picture in the website, combined with the Zagat quote "venison to die for" (they have their own venison farm) and you'll be on your way!
At the other end of the spectrum, the mall beside the Whistler Conference Center hosts Shakespeare's Pies - Australian meat pies for under $4 that you will come back for over and over, especially after visiting Whistler's bars and nightclubs!
Three bars stand out as amongst Whistler's best, and offer a unique experience. Tommy Africa's will attract the early 20s crowd, with glass DJ booth, the best local DJs and a zebra striped door! The Savage Beagle is a two level bar on the main walkway, with a crowded dance floor downstairs, and a "belly up to the bar" section upstairs. The "cougar bar" for 30s and up is Buffalo Bills, at the other end of the main walkway - live bands, great DJs and comedians have offered many great nights over the years.
Ski lift passes are often available at the 7-11 in Squamish or Vancouver on your way to Whistler for a discount that can be $10-20 per lift ticket. Lift lines are shortest at the Whistler Creekside lift, if you want to get going quickly, but I prefer the skiing at Blackcomb, the other mountain (they are joined at Whistler Village)
The best kept secrets about Whistler are the summer activities - there are a group of pristine lakes to swim or canoe, mountain bikes with full protection gear are rocketed to the top of the mountain for rapid or tricky, descents, and the ski hill has a glacier at the top that is kept open until August!
Oh yeah, some guys named Palmer and Nicholas have golf courses, and there are ski camps, tennis camps, zip trek lines, heli hiking, white water rafting, fishing, horseback riding, ATVs - there are a LOT of great things to do, but bring money!!
Enjoy it now, before the Olympics - because 2 weeks of staring at this on TV is going to make the world go crazy for Whistler!
Andrew Larder
resortquest
How many of you have seen the classic Chevy Chase... Read More
Vacation rentals are an option when you plan to go... Read More
Stay a week or stay a lifetime, the Emerald Coast... Read More
Motels became prominent in the United States after the advent... Read More
The largest barrier island on the Atlantic coast between New... Read More
For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More
Cheap vacations can still be relaxing, fun and whatever else... Read More
Welcome to Washington, DC - The nation's capital is a... Read More
Valencia is the third city of Spain, by number of... Read More
Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches,... Read More
Once you make up your mind to on a vacation,... Read More
When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why... Read More
What is a villa? Come to Orlando, Florida to find... Read More
Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an... Read More
Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north... Read More
Family Vacation in Costa RicaYou will not have any problem... Read More
Visiting the best Orlando timeshare resorts: a report on my... Read More
If you are thinking about renting a condo in the... Read More
When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted... Read More
Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists,... Read More
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure... Read More
What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More
Most of us take vacations for the express purpose of... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..Originally founded in the early 1800s as White Oaks, Gatlinburg... Read More
South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are particularly in demand with... Read More
Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More
Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists,... Read More
Lake Tahoe cabin complexes rangein size from small, six-unit, luxury... Read More
I love Sussex County Delaware. I am native born, multigenerational... Read More
Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More
Each year, over two million people find their way to... Read More
If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More
Sea Pines Plantation ? The Pearl of Hilton Head IslandHilton... Read More
Families have flocked to Hilton Head, South Carolina as long... Read More
That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More
Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More
Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More
Many times, when we plan a vacation, we know where... Read More
Because many people want to live in or near Lake... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new... Read More
Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in... Read More
Making the decision to dive into the world of timeshares... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and... Read More
Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a... Read More
Scam artists pose as potential renters everyday on many different... Read More
A chalet is a traditional Swiss style house with a... Read More
Vacation Rental |