This Week In Whistler

11/27/2019

What’s New in Whistler
There is always something on the go in town. Learn more about what’s new and exciting in the resort.

01/04/2019

Disconnect to Reconnect at the Scandinave Spa Whistler
By Dee Raffo

What would you give for some interrupted “me time?” No rings, beeps or pings—just the soothing sound of water as it cascades over your body, washing away the distractions of everyday life. For many of us, our smartphone is the first thing we check when we wake up, and it’s typically never more than an arm's reach away the whole day. Constantly scrolling through emails, messages, and social media feeds takes us away from the here and now. However, at the Scandinave Spa your smartphone is something they ask you to leave in the locker room, along with any other electrical devices you might be harbouring.

The whole concept of this spa centres around wellbeing, a focus on the body and mind, and how to invigorate both. They do this through hydrotherapy—the process of heating the body and quickly cooling it to stimulate blood flow, release toxins, and strengthen the immune system. The hot baths, eucalyptus steam rooms, Finnish dry saunas, and solariums are the perfect places to ruminate and relax, whereas a quick dip in the cold plunge pool brings your whole body to life. Time slows so that you can savour the scents of the spruce and cedar trees that surround you, the steady roll of the clouds through the sky, and the sensation of your own body responding to the environment.

An enforced digital detox might sound a little harsh at first, but the benefits are that it leaves you feeling more at peace, gives you the space to think, and a chance to truly check in with yourself. When you leave, you might find that you’re not craving that screen time quite as much as before.

Does a disconnect sound like something you need right now? Visit https://www.scandinave.com/whistler/en/

01/04/2019

There are great deals to be had on getaways to Whistler, and BC and Washington residents should look at the Whistler Rewards program, which is free to sign up for and gives you access to special discounts and rates. Visit

Whistler.com's loyalty program for BC & Washington residents. Earn $50 credit for every 5 nights booked plus get access to offers on accommodations, activities, events and more.

12/20/2018

Feel the Holiday Vibe Early
You don’t have to wait for the holidays to experience a winter wonderland adorned with twinkly lights and surrounded with festive cheer; it’s closer than you think!
Whistler Village is glowing with a joyful vibe early this month. Not only are there plenty of ways to save while you stay with deals on accommodation and popular activities, you can get all the same festive-feels as Christmas week, and for great value to boot.
In the weeks leading up to the holidays, there’s a slower pace in Whistler to enjoy. You can wander along the Village Stroll, admire the twinkly lights, and dip into the many shops where you might just find that perfect last-minute gift. If you’re feeling hungry, simply step into any of the delicious restaurants scattered throughout the village for a cozy meal, pick-me-up cocktail, or warm hot chocolate.
Winter fun on or off the slopes come easy in Whistler. Enjoy a family skate in Olympic Plaza or soar through the air on a zipline adventure. Step into a gondola to hit the slopes where you can enjoy a few more laps as the mountain is quieter before the holidays, and this winter Whistler Blackcomb has introduced three new lifts to help speed you up to your next run.
Don’t forget, you can also save the longer you stay with Stay and Ski packages that offer discounted lift tickets when you book accommodation. It’s the perfect way to play more on the slopes while you save.
As locals, BC and Washington residents can reap in the benefits of exclusive access to special perks through the Whistler Rewards program. Sign up is free and for every fifth night booked you’ll receive a $50 credit towards your next stay. The best part? The nights booked don’t have to be consecutive, so you can spread out your visits throughout the year. Sign up today at whistler.com/rewards.
Feel the holiday magic and experience Whistler by taking advantage of early season deals and the best rates available when you visit whistler.com.
Photo by Mike Crane courtesy Tourism Whistler

12/14/2018

Whistler Westin Renos
Michelle Hopkins

Whistler Blackcomb is now open for the winter season, and this world-class ski destination is truly a magical winter wonderland.
Nestled in the village, steps away from the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain gondolas, you’ll find the award-winning Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, which recently underwent a stunning makeover—all four hundred spacious suites received a refresh. The newly renovated suites feature that Whistler vibe we all love, which marries well with the stainless-steel kitchen appliances and cozy fireplace. In addition, each suite received upgraded entertainment systems, including a 55-inch television with media-streaming services such as Netflix and Bluetooth.
This family-friendly resort highlights twenty percent off winter mid-week rates if you book three nights. “That includes a $50 food credit and free Wi-Fi,” says Matthew Clark, marketing manager, The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler. “All suites offer full kitchens, which is a great convenience for families wishing to whip up a meal before a day of activities in Whistler.”
Another first for the resort is its igloo experience. From December 21 to January 5, 2019, this fun new pre-dinner gathering will run Fridays and Saturdays. This is just another way The Westin will be adding more excitement to your stay.
“The igloo will showcase a luxurious adults-only pre-dinner experience with canapés and champagne, as well as hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting by the outdoor fire pits,” adds Clark.

12/14/2018

A Twilight Zipline Adventure
Steve Fisher
Since opening in 2002, Ziptrek has been one of Whistler’s top adventure activities. At their Whistler location alone, Ziptrek has guided hundreds of thousands of guests over several million zips. If you’re coming to Whistler, joining a zipline tour is a great way to add an extra thrill to your ski day.
Ziptrek offers several different tour packages: The Bear tour features five mellow ziplines that are ideal for first-timers or families, and the Eagle Tour offers up five bigger, faster and more exciting lines. These tours take 2.5 to three hours to complete. For the most fun, Ziptrek’s 4.5 hour Mammoth Tour includes 10 ziplines.
During the winter, Twilight Tours depart between 3-6pm daily. A perfect après-ski activity, these tours include six ziplines and run for three hours. Ziptrek’s Director of Marketing Warrick Hubbard says this time of year presents guests with a uniquely changing atmosphere.
“The early sunsets, combined with the snow capped mountains make for a pretty spectacular setting. A nice mix is if you manage to zip a couple ziplines in the fading light, witness the alpenglow, and then finish off with a couple more lines in the dark with headlamps,” says Hubbard.
Ziptrek also offers a Peak-to-Peak combo, which includes a ride on Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain-spanning gondola. This discounted package is available with all Ziptrek tours while the gondola is operating. Visit whistler.ziptrek.com for more.

12/01/2018

Whistler’s Vivid Winter Art Scene
Brigitte Mah

Winter is knocking on our doors, and the first snowflakes will bring a new series of arts and cultural events to inspire and excite you in Whistler.

The iconic Audain Art Museum is hosting Ancestral Modern: Australian Aboriginal Art from the Kaplan & Levi Collection, organized by the American Federation of Arts, from now until January 28, 2019. This collection is being shown in Canada for the first time, and includes a selection of distinguished contemporary art pieces by Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists. The exhibit celebrates, honours, and explores the emotions and events that marked a pivotal time for Australian Aboriginal people in the late 1960s, when the need to tell their stories and establish their cultural identity sparked an artistic renaissance. The show is not just paintings on canvases; you’ll see paintings on eucalyptus bark, along with some remarkable stoneware and woven sculptures—all of which tell a story that reflects the Aboriginal people’s unique perception of the land, water and fauna. Also in the collection is artwork consisting of landscapes without horizon lines, still life devoted to bush agriculture, and portraits of ancestral beings. Tommy Mitchell’s Walu consists of vivid tornado lines that depict the story of a naughty nephew who stole food, denied it, and was turned into the wind. The minute dots that create the lines reflect the dissolving fate of the young boy.

The museum offers free Family Studio Sundays with admissions every Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., where families can try a variety of art-making activities inspired by works in the permanent collection. And, if you arrive later in the day on Fridays, you can still explore the exhibits because the museum is now open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights. More details at http://audainartmuseum.com/

Planning your trip to the Audain Art Museum and seeing a full listing of Whistler arts and cultural events is simple at whistler.com, and now is an ideal time to capitalize on midweek savings and early season deals.

11/17/2018

Early Season Deals in Whistler
Michelle Hopkins

The first hint of winter is in the air, and the thoughts of enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders naturally drift to B.C.’s ultimate ski resort—Whistler. There is nothing more exciting than the thrill of hitting deep powder on the slopes, except for maybe getting a great deal when you plan an early season getaway. With the help of early season booking offers and the exclusive Whistler Rewards loyalty program, experiencing Whistler for less has never been easier.
For those eager to start the ski season early, check out whistler.com for great rates on accommodations, especially for midweek stays and during the weeks leading up to the holiday period. Save even more with Stay & Ski packages when you bundle your accommodation with lift tickets. Also, this season Canadian and Washington State residents can take advantage of the two-day Whistler Blackcomb EDGE Card, but you need to act fast because the EDGE Cards are only available for purchase until November 18.
And the deals don’t end there. Whistler’s premier celebration of food and drink, Cornucopia, presented by BlueShore Financial, is on now with culinary events running all week and into the weekend. The perfect festival to indulge your palate or simply learn something new, there are tickets still available to enjoy everything from cooking demonstrations to drinks seminars and winery dinners. Be sure to check out the POURED grand tasting on November 17, and, for the best value, take advantage of the POURED ticket and accommodation packages available at whistler.com.
Finally, save big all season long when you join the Whistler Rewards loyalty program. Available to B.C. residents, members enjoy new perks and savings each month, and for every fifth night booked, you’ll receive a $50 credit towards your next stay. Members also get exclusive access to special offers on accommodations, activities, events and more, as well as priority access to Whistler-based travel consultants. Best of all, the Whistler Rewards program is free to join.
So, what are you waiting for? Get a head start on your upcoming winter vacation and take advantage of the best rates available by visiting whistler.com. To purchase Cornucopia tickets, visit whistler.com/events.

10/10/2018

Get Ready to Run
By Dawn Green. Photo by Mike Crane courtesy Tourism Whistler.

The starting line is an exciting place to hang out. Here you get to witness a sea of bright colours and alternating levels of noise as jittery, excitable runners stretch their thighs one last time, exchange banter with their neighbours, or silently eye the track ahead.

On October 13, there will be runners gathered at a starting line in Whistler for a very special race—the Whistler 50 Relay and Ultra Marathon, now in its seventh year running.

One of them will be Kimberly Dodge, who also happens to be president of the Squamish Titans running club. This will be the fourth time she’s laced up her sneakers for this race and she’ll be in the relay event alongside fellow club members. No batons here—a timing chip is handed off to the next runner as they pass through transition points along the way.

Dodge says her experience running in the relay has been nothing but positive.
“The relay team option allows you to participate in the event, as fifty miles is a lot for the average person to take on alone,” she notes.
“It’s not about being the fastest team or individual out there, it’s about the participation, making the commitment to be there, to do the training and to doing your best and supporting each team member.”
The 80-kilometre (50-mile) race is open to relay teams as well as solo ultra marathoners who tackle the entire distance on their own. Centred around Whistler Village itself and the magnificent Valley Trail system, the Whistler 50 is a great event not only for runners but also for the spectators who cheer them on.

Dodge says it’s the cheering that makes all the difference.

“The support you receive from the spectators, your own team, and other teams is amazing. They are all incredibly encouraging and supportive, regardless of your running level.”

Whether you’ll be running or cheering at the Whistler 50, make sure you plan on staying
for the weekend to savour not only the big day but also all the fall offerings happening in Whistler this season.

Find out more at whistler.com/events

10/10/2018

Fall for Whistler this Thanksgiving
By Sandra Thomas

So, while it’s not quite winter in Whistler, summer has definitely left the building.
It’s a time of year locals love because it marks the days between the end of mountain biking and hiking season and the start of ski and snowboard heaven, which brings a kind of calm to the Village and surrounding areas during this too-brief shoulder season.

But, just because there’s a slower pace in the Village, doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to do, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving. If you’re considering a road trip to Whistler this October long weekend, here are just a few suggestions to keep you and the entire squad busy—even if that entourage includes two kids and a dog.

A much-anticipated event is the annual Whistler Blackcomb Turkey Sale, October 5 to 8, where budget-minded shoppers can find epic deals on name-brand ski and snowboard gear—all under one roof in the Blackcomb Daylodge in the Upper Village. Coinciding with the sale is the Whistler Mountain Ski Club’s Ski and Snowboard Swap, where you can find gently-used equipment at great prices. The sale is a practical one for families with growing kids. Just in case you need another reason to start your Thanksgiving long weekend early, on October 5, Season Pass and EDGE Cardholders get first dibs at the bargains prior to the public opening.

As you can imagine, Whistler in the fall is spectacular. To get a closer look at the changing colours of the mountains, consider ziplining, which runs year round, or taking part in an ATV or RZR tour before they close for the season. Or, maybe you want to embrace that laid-back fall vibe and stay closer to the Village. In that case, explore Whistler’s gallery scene. Every Friday night through October, enjoy sumptuous appetizers and beautiful B.C. wines while perusing art of all genres at private and public art galleries on the free Whistler Wine Walks.

And while nothing says Thanksgiving quite like turkey dinner, who needs the mess? Whistler Village has gained a reputation worldwide as a foodie’s paradise and there is literally something for everyone depending on taste and budget. Many restaurants even offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu with all the trimmings to make you feel right at home with the family. Visit whistler.com/dining for a comprehensive list of options for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Note: While the Whistler Village and PEAK 2 PEAK gondolas are still running, their hours are limited to weekends and holidays only through to October 8 when they close until the winter ski season begins. Visit whistler.com for more information on the gondolas and for other ideas for enjoying Whistler in the fall.

10/02/2018

Whistler Writers Festival
by Margaret Peterson

Whistler is renowned for its world-class outdoor recreational activities, yet in the past few years it has also grown to become a popular destination for arts and culture. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, avid reader or a well-known author, you’re sure to discover something extraordinary at the 17th annual Whistler Writers Festival, which runs from October 11 to 14 throughout Whistler Village.

“We have an exciting and sweeping range of authors, guest presenters and publishers coming this year,” explains festival director Stella Harvey. “From emerging talents to literary masters, this year’s program is possibly the festival’s best ever.”

With multiple hands-on workshops and reading events, the Whistler Writers Festival will bring over sixty guest authors to town and offer an array of unique literary events. Master storyteller Peter Carey will headline the festival alongside literary stars Eden Robinson, Esi Edugyan, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Lisa Moore, Lorna Crozier and many more leading authors.

There’ll be evenings with food, music and stories, a crime-writing lunch, plus several craft workshops and a pitch-your-work session where seven publishers will be present at the Speed Dating Publishing Session. The Saturday Night Gala, Literary Cabaret, Sunday Brunch, Book Lovers’ Literary Salon and A Walk to Lost Lake are among festival favourites and sell out early, explains Harvey.

“Stories and Song, hosted by award-winning CBC broadcaster Grant Lawrence and Cooks with Books are two of my recommendations,” says Harvey, adding, “you will hear all-star musicians perform together with spoken-word artists and other authors at the new and exciting event.”

The festival began in Harvey’s living room with one guest author and an audience of twenty people and has since grown to involve close to two thousand participants. This year’s festival theme of “no one succeeds alone” was inspired by the long-standing and ongoing support of the community. “You just can’t do these things on your own in life without people believing in what you’re doing,” says Harvey. “Some of the people who came seventeen years ago are still coming back to this day.”

For more information and tickets visit whistler.com/events.

09/26/2018

The Yin and Yang of Whistler
By Dee Raffo

Everything has yin and yang aspects to it, but Whistler is in the unique position of having both ends of the spectrum in abundance. There’s nowhere else in the world that combines such a range of incredible natural experiences, adrenaline-pumping activities, relaxing spas and lakes, and world-class après and dining—all with a celebratory vibe that’s hard to beat. Here are two yin and yang days that could only be possible in Whistler.

The cooler weather means perfect conditions for bike riding. You can either hit the Whistler Bike Park for a gravity-fuelled day whipping down the trails, or opt to earn your turns with a bit of cross-country pedal-up action. If you’re looking to feel a little thigh burn, head over to Lost Lake and ride through the dense network of trails that weave through the surrounding pine forest. This intense network is a great mix of rocky single-track and gravel paths offering a variety of options for every rider. Afterwards, it’s time to flip the switch and relax at the Scandinave Spa. Swap the hoots and hollers for complete silence as you treat your body to the cool plunge pools and relaxing hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. Now it’s time to tell tall tales over a few craft beers down in Function Junction, with two local breweries, the Whistler Brewing Company and Coast Mountain Brewery, to choose from.

Or, you could start the day with an early morning stroll around Lost Lake as the mist rises from the water and the fall sun makes its way through turning leaves. Make sure you go out onto one of the docks to get the full effect. Head for a relaxing breakfast on Main Street and opt for either the eggs benedict at Elements or a breakfast crepe at Crepe Montagne. From nature to the arts, head into the Audain Art Museum to explore some of Canada’s most eminent artists, and the world’s finest collection of Northwest Coast First Nations’ masks. Going from the valley to the peaks, take the afternoon to new heights with a zipline tour that gives yet another perspective. Feel the air whip past your face as you soar through the sky, heart pumping. From fine flying to fine dining, try the Rim Rock Cafe, Araxi, or Il Caminetto for a night of great food and wine to round off your day.

Each day is filled with both yin and yang. Whistler has so many sides to explore, how you balance them is up to you. More at whistler.com.