If you’re looking for a family winter vacation with fantastic slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, breathtaking natural beauty perfect for outdoor adventures, and a lively village with plentiful shops and après dining, then add Whistler, BC Canada to your travel bucket list and c
Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski destination with low altitude and features the Peak 2 Peak Gondola that links the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Whistler offers outdoor winter activities including skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating or relaxing in outdoor baths. In addition, Whistler has a vibrant pedestrian village with stores such as Lululemon and Patagonia and many restaurants for sipping an après hot cocoa.
Not surprisingly, we have spent the past three holiday breaks in Whistler and are sharing our Whistler Top 5 Tips and Tricks for your next Whistler family ski vacation.
Getting Here
We flew from Chicago to Vancouver, spent a night in Vancouver and rode the Sea to Sky bus from Vancouver to Whistler Village (~2 hours). The bus ride offers spectacular views of sky-high mountains and glaciers. Another option is to fly into Seattle and drive to Vancouver. If you opt for this, allow for sufficient time to cross the Canadian border.
Whistler Top 5 Tips and Tricks
EAT
Our biggest money saving tip was to stock up on groceries at Whistler Grocery located in the heart Whistler Village or at Market IGA near Whistler Village North. We had breakfast and some lunches and dinner in our suite. Here are our favorite restaurants in Whistler:
- Family Dinner
- Brewhouse – busy brewpub near the Olympic Plaza with delicious oven roasted chicken and pizza and great ambiance. TIP: Share the oven roasted chicken and get in the vacay grove with dinner here on your first night.
- Pizzeria Antico – wood baked pizza in a hip space with craft beer and wine. TIP: Enjoy the Ruccola con Limon salad before your pizza. This is a fun and inexpensive option for New Year’s Eve.
- Keg Steakhouse – delicious steak and seafood and nice wine list. TIP: End the vacation on a high note with dinner here and the kid’s steak is a great value.
- Date Night Rimrock – upscale seafood in an intimate setting with an extensive wine list. TIP: Strongly recommend making a reservation three months in advance, try the BC sockeye salmon and save room for the sticky toffee pudding.
- Bakery & Coffee
- Pure Bread – hands down the best sweet and savory baked goodies in the most charming bakery. Don’t be surprised to see people lined up before it opens at 8a. TIP: Try the blueberry lemon scone.
- Hot Chocolate & Treats
- Blenz – best hot cocoa in Whistler village (kids couldn’t decide whether the milk or vanilla hot chocolate was better). TIP: stop here after ice skating or sledding at the Olympic Plaza.
- GLC – Après-ski destination with a fun vibe overlooking skiers as they ride down the mountain. TIP: Seats fill up fast, so go early to beat the rush
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – best chocolate in Whistler. TIP: Try the white chocolate covered Oreo bars. It’s a great stop after the Fire and Ice show.
- Apres Cocktail
- Bar Oso – Best holiday cocktails in an efficient chic establishment with seating mostly at the bar. While it offers small plates, strongly recommend that you try one of the cocktails. The Trophy Wife made with pink peppercorn infused Stoli vodka, apricot, egg white citrus, pink peppercorn dust is a must – cheers!
PLAY
Skiing is one of the many winter sports to enjoy in Whistler. We highly recommend starting with ski lessons on your first day ꟷ either a family lesson or Whistler kids depending on your group’s ability. Recommend booking your rentals early to get a free child rental with an adult rental. Don’t be afraid to go to the top of the mountain – the snow is light and there is a variety of runs for all levels. Consider buying an Epic Pass – we bought a 7 day and took advantage of the early bird rate. TIPS: Buy an Epic Pass, book your lessons in advance, wear layers.
STAY
There is an abundance of lodging options in Whistler. We have stayed at
The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler twice and most recently at the Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites. Both times, we redeemed Marriott/SPG points plus a cash upgrade to a one bedroom suite. The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler is a category 7 hotel (60K points/night) and the Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites is a category 5 hotel (35K points/night). TIP: Book in advance to redeem Marriott points.
The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, a luxurious ski resort, is steps from the base of Whistler mountain which is so convenient walking in ski boots. There is also a spa (wonderful facial) and fitness center with indoor & outdoor pools and hot tubs which can get very crowded when the slopes close for the day. A one bedroom suite offered an eat-in kitchen, gas fireplace, queen bed, sofa bed, and beautiful views of the mountain and ski in/ski out. Rollaways are not permitted, so we brought an aero bed for the kids.
Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites is located in the heart of Whistler Village (~10-minute walk to the base of the mountain or accessible via a hotel shuttle). Delta had a smaller fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and an outdoor hot tub and overall excellent service (Our room wasn’t ready when we checked in so left all of our luggage and groceries with the bell stand. They accidentally dropped our gallon of milk and went out and replaced it instantly.) The kids especially loved the free daily hot cocoa and treats. A one bedroom suite had a full kitchen, in-unit laundry (a huge plus for a family of 5), gas fireplace, queen bed, sofa bed, and provided a roll-away when it was available.
FUN
Whistler offers fun for skiers needing a day off and for the non-skiers (Bridget!) from snowshoeing, snow tubing, bobsleighing and ice skating in the Olympic Village, rejuvenating and relaxing at the serene Scandinave Spa, practicing yoga and much more.
Tubing at Coca-Cola Park – located at the base of Blackcomb mountain (a fun gondola ride) its the perfect exhilarating family day.
Scandinave Spa & Baths – Pure serenity! Suggest going early as the Baths fill up and people are turned away during their busy season. Recommend going on a day the kids are in ski school and book the early bird package – how does a massage following by a bath experience. Bring a swimsuit, flip flops, and a book (if you want to read in the relaxation room).
Aviva Wellness Massage & Spa located in the Village next to Yogacara offers excellent 90-minute massages at very reasonable prices (~US$93). Don’t be put off by the check in at the cigar store, the massage itself is worth it.
Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing at the Whistler Olympic Park – A p
Bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Center – we won a bobsleigh experience for two (~C$400 value) and rode a 4-man bobsleigh down an Olympic track in 41 seconds. Unbelievable! The same track from the 2010 Olympics and training site to many Olympic hopefuls.
Ice skating and Sledding at the Whistler Olympic Park– perfect either before or after dinner at the Brewhouse and stop at Blendz for hot cocoa.
Yoga – Yogacara offers an unlimited week of yoga for ~US$50. The studio is located in the heart of the Village near a Starbucks and convenient above a green juice store. Nice variety of different classes perfect for all yoga levels.
Movie – Relax after an active day on the mountain and catch up on the latest movies at Village Cinema 8. Some of our faves that we’ve seen here have been Jumanji, Greatest Showman, Moana, Spiderman.
Fire and Ice Show – a
SHOP
Strolling in and out of the shops in Whistler Village may be one of my favorite things to do. My favorite stores are Lululemon, an anchor in the Village, Patagonia, NorthFace and Shoppers Drug Mart. There is no shortage of outdoor ski gear stores if you forgot to pack ski pants, snow boots, gloves, hats, etc. – CanSki, Roots. Cool as a Moose and Armchair Bookstore book store was the kids’ favorite store (a cute souvenir store). TIP: Leave space in your suitcases for your purchases (especially considering the favorable exchange rate between the C$ and US$).
Have you been to Whistler Village? What are your must dos? Hope to be back in 2020!
Happy Travels,
Bridget, Family Galavant
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