Whistler is a Winter Wonderland and it’s no wonder that Australians flood there to ski, year in, and year out. This was my second trip to Whistler, and albeit brief, was even better the second time around.
One of the things I love about Whistler is that it is all so compact, and easy to get around. It’s also really easy to reach and access, with being only a couple of hours drive from Vancouver. It’s a lovely scenic drive through mountains and lakes, so hopefully you have a bright, sunny day as we did as it’s an enjoyable drive to do and will open up the beautiful scenery of Canada for you to experience.
Whistler is a skier’s paradise, as the lifts are accessed directly from the Village. There are several lifts, but the Whistler and Blackcomb lifts are the main ski lifts accessing the two main mountains. There is also a scenic lift between the two peaks, which takes in the beautiful scenery and valley below and is particularly spectacular to do on a clear day. There are slopes for all levels (200 marked runs, 37 lifts, 16 alpine bowls and 3 glaciers) and large cafe area, where you can enjoy a meal, see the famous Inuit man and also the colourful Olympic Rings.
Skiing isn’t the only snow sport on offer in Whistler; it’s also well-known for snowmobiling, heli-skiing and cat-skiing. In Summer, there are hikes and walks aplenty, taking in the lakes, waterfalls, mountains and parks. Whistler is also a great spot for mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and fishing.
Whistler village itself is gorgeous, home to lots of accommodation houses of all standards (hotels, motels and apartments), most of which can easily access the slopes without much walking involved, which is important when you are lugging around ski gear. We stayed at the Hilton this time, which was perfectly located, but there are lots of great places to choose from in the main village area.
Whistler is also home to lots of great restaurants and bars. Make sure you secure reservations ahead of time as they fill fast and you don’t want to miss out on all the good spots. The Brew House is located right beside the Olympic Rings in the centre of town and has great food, lots of craft beers and a two-sided fireplace. It’s warm and cosy and a great spot to enjoy at the end of the day. This is one of my favourites but there is an abundance of restaurants to choose from.
If you’re not a skier or want to relax at the end of the day, stroll through the village and take in the souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants – it’s a true alpine village and a great community.
Whistler certainly won’t disappoint and is a fantastic spot that you will definitely enjoy if travelling to Canada, no matter whether it is in Winter to ski the slopes, or Summer to enjoy the mountain activities. And even if you’re not a skier, it’s a great place to visit and just hang out.