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Whistler

When people think of Whistler they tend to think of skiing, expensive hotels, celebrities, expensive restaurants, golf, expensive real estate, outdoor adventure, expensive spas….you get the picture.  The word expensive tends to cloud one’s judgement of this amazing village, and don’t get me wrong, for a couple of months a year, Whistler can be VERY expensive!  But, for the other ten months of the year, Whistler is a bargain and one of the best places on earth!

With low shoulder season hotel occupancies and top restaurants offering multicourse meals for less than $30, this is the Whistler that needs to be explored.  And here’s a little known fact – Whistler is now even busier (and more beautiful) in the summertime than it is during ski season now, so head on up during July and August and stay in a gorgeous room for 1/5 the price, and go for a swim in one of the lakes, play a round or fore (pun intended) of golf, and then stay up late soaking in Whistler’s incredible nightlife and fabulous restaurants.

Here is a list of some of our favorite places to check out when we visit Whistler (*Edible BC president and founder, Eric Pateman, lives in Squamish – a short 35 minute drive away, so he tends to spend a fair amount of time in this great village).

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

 Araxi (Whistler) – easily one of Whistler’s top two dining experiences.  Chef James Walt is an amazing talent, with such a firm dedication to the local produce of Pemberton that he regularly stops by the farms on his way to work to pick up his ingredients.  And with a wine list, atmosphere and staff that are all world class, this is a a must-do during any visit.  In winter it is cozy and cocooning, and during the summer its patio onto the main village offers some of the best people watching anywhere.

Bearfoot Bistro (Whistler) – The other “must do” in Whistler.  With one of Canada’s top chefs at the helm and Proprietor Andre St. Jacques always wanting to pushing the envelope just that little bit further, Bearfoot Bistro will always impress with its creativity and style.  Young Chef Melissa Craig is probably one of the most talented chefs in North America.  The extensive wine list is housed in one of Canada’s largest cellars where guests can sabre bottles of champagne to enjoy with their dinners.  This is an experience not to be missed – just don’t forget your platinum card!  (*Note: During happy hour, the Champagne Bar offers oysters on the half shell for around $10 a dozen – cheaper than anywhere else we have found them in BC, so go and enjoy!)

Elements Urban Tapas (Whistler) – Even though Araxi and the Bearfoot have the top end of the market covered, there are no shortage of other restaurants charging top end prices that just don’t live up in terms of quality or service.  Elements Tapas Bar is a rare gem – one of are few that truly offers a great value in Whistler.   Located in the North Village, this funky little tapas bar offers reasonable prices, great wines and outstanding food that makes it easy to go back time and time again.  It also offers one of the best brunch menus in the village.

Mountain Club (Whistler) – If you are looking for a restaurant that combines a clubby, loungy feel with good quality drinks and food, this is the place for you.  The drinks are a highlight and the scene is hopping.  This is the land of the beautiful people, especially on the weekends, and it can get a little loud, so if you’re looking for a quiet night out, we would suggest you look elsewhere.

FiftyTwo 80- Four Seasons Resort (Whistler) – What is not to like at what is surely the most stunning property in Whistler.  If you have not had the pleasure of staying here, the next time you head up to Whistler, splurge and spend the extra to spend a couple of nights in this palatial compound and be treated like royalty – it is worth every penny!  Current chef Scott Dolbee has done a fantastic job with catering to the well heeled guests, while not alienating the locals.  This is my favorite place to enjoy a gin and tonic on the lawn in the courtyard during the summertime, or to curl up in the cozy lounge in the winter with a port.  Rates during the winter months can be as high as Whistler Mountain, but show up in the the summer, spring or fall and enjoy living like the rich and famous for a fraction of the cost!

RimRock (Whistler) – An old time Whistler favorite that is always filled with locals celebrating a birthday, anniversary or just an epic day on the slopes.  The RimRock is affordable - you can go and have dinner a couple of times during your stay without breaking the bank, and – bonus – they have a great wine list with some amazing bargains.  Located just outside of Creekside, be sure to take a cab so you can enjoy some of the great wine deals!

Whistler Tasting Tours (Whistler)- They lead pleasant walking tours through the village every night, visiting five gourmet restaurants to sample delicious culinary creations paired with fine BC wines. This five course meal with wine pairings is a fantastic way to explore the village dining scene. They have two great line ups to choose from featuring some of the best restaurants in Whistler. Mention EBC when you book and receive 10% off the tour price.

WHISTLER ACCOMMODATIONS

Four Seasons Resort (Whistler) – The best of the best, absolute luxury, an oasis in this mountain town.  Once you have stayed here, you will not be able to stay anywhere else in Whistler!  And aside from the busiest winter months, the rates are crazy insane for the rest of the year, so splurge a little and enjoy a piece of heaven!

Nita Lake Lodge (Whistler) – If you don’t need to be in the center of the village and within walking distance of everything, the place to stay is this brand new boutique hotel located just outside of Creekside on stunning Nita Lake.  This Boutique Hotels of BC lodge is exquisitely furnished and the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail on the patio right on the shores of the lake (the only place in Whistler you can do that!).  With extra large suites, this is the perfect place for families or people who really do want to get away from it all.  Welcome to Whistler as it used to be, and as an added bonus, this is also the terminus of the Rocky Mountaineer train, so you can leave the car at home!

Aloha Whistler (Whistler) – If hotels aren’t your thing and you would prefer to rent a condo, house or multi-million dollar mansion, this is the option for you!  With units ranging from condos on the golf course fairways to some of the most exclusive homes in Whistler, this is the perfect choice for individuals or corporations looking for that special place to call home during their time in Whistler.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN WHISTLER

While you are in Whistler you can easily just eat, sleep and be merry, but you should also check out some of the other great things this amazing mountain town has to offer.  Some of the places we suggest visiting include:

North Arm Farm (Pemberton) – a 25 minute drive north of Whistler leads you to an incredibly fertile valley town called Pemberton.  This is where many of Whistler’s permanent residents live, and it is also where a lot of Whistler’s chefs source their foodstuffs.  Hop in your car for the short drive and enjoy a morning exploring the farms.  And if you are a golfer, be sure to make time for a round at Big Sky – one of the top courses in BC!

Golf - There are a number of excellent courses in and around Whistler but our favorites include Big Sky (in Pemberton) for its incredible views of Mount Curry and the groomed fairways which are like golfing on carpet, as well as Whistler Golf Club for its value and excellent customer service.  Nicholas North and the Chateau Course are also both excellent, but a little on the pricier side.

Of course there are hundreds of other Whistler adventures awaiting you including skiing, spas, outdoor adventures, shopping and many, many more.  If you are heading to Whistler and would like us to help you plan your trip, please give us a call at (604) 812-9660 or fill out our online form, and we would be happy to work with you to provide you with a personalized experience that will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime!

ON THE WAY TO WHISTLER

As a side note… on your journey from Vancouver to Whistler, you will need to pass through the town of Squamish.  While it may only look like a truck stop town with the usual assortment of chain stores, we do have the inside scoop on a couple of places that make it worth a stop.

In the northern part of the town there are two new restaurants that have opened within the last couple of years.  One is called Sushi Sen (located just behind the Chevron Station) and it offers some of the best and most authentic sushi we have found outside of Tokyo (run by a Japanese family using old-school recipes). The other place is The Burrow , a funky tapas bar (located just behind the Petro Canada Station) run by two ex-Whistler gals.  Both places could be in the heart of Vancouver and not be out of place, and both are a great addition to the Squamish dining scene.

 

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