Whistler in Style

In the winter, the highlight is definitely the skiing. If you want to experience the best skiing North America has to offer, Whistler is the place to go. As an avid skier, I had heard this many times. And now I know why. The variety and number of slopes at the Whistler/Blackcomb resort is mind-boggling. After three solid days of skiing, I just scratched the surface and spent most of my time on the Blackcomb side of the resort.

For some specific skiing highlights, try the following:

- Go up to the glacier. It isn’t the best skiing, but the views are incredible, the snow is amazing, and it is a unique challenge due to the ungroomed conditions.
- My favorite runs included Southern Comfort (off the 7th Heaven Chair), Cruiser (off the Jersey Cream Chair), the runs off of the Glacier Express Chair (you don’t have to go all the up to the glacier), and the runs off the Crystal Chair (there are fewer people on the runs).

One other highlight was the Fairmont Hotel. This was one of the most incredible hotels I have stayed at. I can’t recommend this hotel enough.

Quick Tips:

Save up for the Chateau Whistler. It will make your trip special, and you’ll forget how much you spent in a few weeks.

Don’t miss First Tracks. It may seem a little hard-core, but it is definitely worth getting to the Whistler lift at 7am and paying extra for First Tracks. You are the first up the mountain and the first to take the runs in the morning. As an added bonus, a very nice breakfast buffet is provided in the lodge at the top of the mountain as part of the . One warning, don’t make the mistake I made and eat too much!

Don’t be discouraged by the weather. If the rain, fog, or clouds set in, go higher. I couldn’t believe how different the conditions were depending on where you were on the mountain.

Best Way To Get Around:

I had a rental car, but it stayed in the parking garage the whole time (except for one night at dinner). Whistler Village is fairly compact, so you can walk to everything you need to get to (i.e. restaurants, shops, slopes, grocery store, etc.). My hotel was right next to the slope, so I had it made. Shuttle buses are available if your accommodations are farther from the lifts.

Several friends were jealous when I mentioned I would be staying at the Fairmont. I shrugged it off, until I checked into the hotel. It was magnificent! At first glance, I was impressed by the imposing presence of the chateau. This impression was furthered when I walked into a very grand lobby area…very classy, yet comfortable and not overdone. I checked in late, but even at 2am the staff was exceptional. This high level of service and friendliness was consistent in every single interaction I had at the hotel…not a surly person in the bunch.

As for the room, I still chuckle when I think about it. I had a suite that was twice the size of my apartment in New York. It had an entrance area with a separate bathroom, a living room (complete with desk, couch, TV, and fireplace), a very large bedroom, a huge walk-in closet area, and an amazing master bathroom (complete with shower, hot tub, double sinks, and separate toilet area).

But it was actually the little things that made my room and stay so special. Just to list a few of the special touches:

When you turned on the lights in the bathroom, they started out very dim and gradually got brighter (great for early morning).
The towels were placed on an electronic towel warmer.
The bathroom was well stocked with the best lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, lip balm, etc.
Every night, the weather forecast and two bottles of water were brought to the room.
Everywhere you went, the staff knew your name and treated you magnificently.
The room had high-speed internet access (make sure you bring your Ethernet card and adapter if you want to use it).
The fitness room had everything you would ever need, including robes, towels, and locks, as well a wide range of cardiovascular and weight machines (and free weights).
Ski storage was provided at the bottom of the hotel (making it even easier to get back to your room and relax). The hotel was only 100 yards from the lifts. I could go on, but you get the picture.

When it came time to eat, the hotel had several options. For a casual environment, try the Portabello restaurant (it had a really nice, affordable breakfast buffet). The more formal dining room was a bit more upscale but still very comfortable. I spoiled myself and ate at the hotel several times.

Finally, you should try the spa. It is top-notch and worth every penny (and you will spend a lot more than pennies). I got an Ayurvedic Treatment ("a balancing treatment for the mind, body and spirit"). Specifically, I got the Swedana treatment: a 60-minute massage, 20 minutes in a cedar steam cabinet customized with herbs and oils (picture my body in a cedar steambox with my head sticking out), and a full-body exfoliation. It really was fantastic.

It is pricey, but I can’t recommend this hotel enough!

I was craving something healthy, and the concierge at the hotel recommended Sushi Village. The sushi was better than average great, the atmosphere was lively, and the staff was very friendly. This place is definitely a little bit of a scene given its popularity with tourists and locals alike. But once you get seated (prepare for a wait, especially if you don’t have reservations), it is a very enjoyable dining experience. I sat at the sushi bar and ordered different sushi rolls and pieces as well as a seaweed salad. I particularly enjoyed the eel roll and spicy California roll, but everything I had was fresh and tasty. My sushi chef was happy to give a recommendation and quick to put the sushi in front of me once I ordered. I’ve had better sushi, but for the price (and considering it was in the middle of Whistler Village and tourist central), Sushi Village is a place I would recommend. It was located in the main Whistler Village and is near several nice pubs if you have the energy to continue the festivities after dinner.

I wanted a really nice meal and felt like seafood. The concierge at the Chateau and everyone else I spoke with recommended the Rimrock Cafe. It is a favorite for locals and tourists alike (make reservations early if you want a chance to dine here). Its reputation is definitely well deserved.

The food was very nice. We tried the appetizer sampler which included selections with a local flavor and some Asian inspiration. My favorite appetizer item was the shrimp tempura sushi. As for entrees, you have several meat and fish dishes to choose from. I chose the fish trio (three different fish selections) because I couldn’t decide which I wanted more. It was a good choice because everything was delicious. The prawns with risotto was also very nice (I even preferred it over my fish entrees). Everything is beautifully displayed and very flavorful.

The service was excellent. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, and right on with her recommendations. The ambience was also nice (very relaxed, lots of wood – like a ski lodge, a fireplace with a roaring fire). All of this contributed to an excellent dining experience. This is a great place for a romantic dinner, a get-together with friends and family, or even a nice business dinner.

The only downside is that the restaurant is not in Whistler Village (it is about five minutes away in the Creekside portion of the mountain), no big deal if you have a car or don’t mind taking a taxi or shuttle bus.

If you are staying in Whistler Village and want a casual place to eat, try the Portabello Restaurant. It is located in the Chateau Whistler hotel in the area of shops on the bottom floor (there is access directly from the outside). I found some nice places to eat in Whistler, but this became my standby, and I ate here three times (twice for breakfast and once for dinner). The breakfasts were fantastic. There is a breakfast buffet that is really nice, and I highly recommend you try it at least once. It has everything you would want, including sweets, meats, omelets, fresh fruits, granola, and much more. The only downside is that I stuffed myself before going skiing. For my second breakfast, I chose the healthy route and had a special yogurt and granola mix that was delicious. For dinner, I had the pizza, which was perfect for a quick bite.

The service was spectacular. Each time, my waitress was so attentive I almost wished she would stop asking if I needed any help. Most impressively, everyone was super-friendly and seemed genuinely eager for me to have a nice dining experience. The ambience was also very relaxed and the rustic décor made the Portabello a fun place to eat. There were a lot of families eating here, which makes sense given the relatively inexpensive meals and very casual atmosphere. Don’t make the mistake I made and wait until your third day to discover the Portabello.

This was some of the most incredible skiing I have ever experienced. The variety of runs, the massive size of the ski area, the breathtaking scenery, the quality of the facilities, and the amount of snow all combine to make this a ski destination that any avid skier must visit. To be fair, it is probably not the best resort for the beginner skier. There are green beginner runs, but this is a mecca for the intermediate or expert skier. You will be challenged to say the least, and you will uncover amazing runs all over the mountain. I feel like I am better skier having been to Whistler and pushed myself down some of the tougher runs (of course, I had my share of tumbles).

Make sure you go up to the glacier. It isn’t the best skiing, but the views are incredible, the snow is amazing, and the skiing is a unique challenge due to the ungroomed conditions. It is easily manageable for a decent intermediate skier and the easiest route down is marked by blue stakes. You do have to walk up a small hill at the end of the final t-bar lift, but this just adds to the allure of the glacier…it’s worth the extra work. Of course, if you are an extreme skier, the glacier offers all you can handle and more.

My favorite runs included Southern Comfort (off the 7th Heaven Chair), Cruiser (off the Jersey Cream Chair), the runs off of the Glacier Express Chair (you don’t have to go all the up to the glacier if you take this chair), and the runs off the Crystal Chair (there are fewer people on the runs).

One word of caution, don’t get cocky when skiing here. Every time I let my guard down, I ended up crashing (and consequently laughing at myself). There is always a series of bumps, spots of poor visibility, or the errant skier lurking to throw you a curve. Stay alert and ski hard and you will reduce the number of stupid little spills.

For a special treat, don’t miss First Tracks. It may seem a little hard-core, but it is definitely worth getting to the Whistler lift at 7am and paying $16 extra for First Tracks. You are the first up the mountain, and the first to take the runs in the morning. As an added bonus, a very nice breakfast buffet is provided in the lodge at the top of the mountain as part of the $16. One warning, don’t eat too much!

My final analysis of Whistler/Blackcomb is to prepare yourself for great skiing, lots of challenges, few frills, and friendly people. No matter what level of skier you are, the mountain has something to offer (and to kick your butt if you’re not careful). There is no more beautiful scenery in the world, and I will make a trip back to Whistler as soon as possible.