Pan Pacific Whistler Mountain Side. (5 Star Hotel at the base of Whistler Mountain)
(This and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, also a 5 Star Hotel, at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in "Upper Village", are the two signature luxury hotels.)
Whistler Blackcomb has three bases, Whistler Village, Upper Village (base of Blackcomb) and Creekside each with lifts or gondolas to the mountain.
The focus of the Whistler development is "Whistler Village" which has a town hall, fire and police station, medical clinic, museum, library, and more than 200 shops and 90 restaurants.
Thus after one arrives in Whistler, a car is no longer necessary as you can traverse the village most easily on foot.
This mountain village was architected to optimize the guest's view of the surrounding mountains by paying careful attention to the design and locations of buildings and sightlines.
When a guest first arrives they are immediately struck by both the visual and functional appeal of the village.
Whistler has great snow, a huge double mountain ski resort with apres ski to match as well as famous nightlife.
I prefer to ski Blackcomb Mountain with its' true fall lines and more challenging terrain, then party on the Whistler side.
Whistler is a stunning scenic two hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia on the south western Canadian coast. Vancouver Canada is easily accessible via its international airport.
Whistler / Blackcomb Mountain Terrain:
With 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. Local heli-ski services open that up to 494,000 acres. Add to this an annual snowfall of 396 inches and you have a skiers paradise.
Whistler Blackcomb also has seventeen high-alpine bowls, do your best to get to all of them as each offers a unique experience.
Riding with a local will probably take you to terrain you will otherwise miss: explore the Crystal zone (Blackcomb) and you will find that the terrain is adventurous as you are.
Chutes:
There is no shortage of steep terrain for the advanced skier at Whistler/Blackcomb.
Advanced skiers will want to look for Couloir Extreme (off to the skiers left is even steeper), Cirque, West Cirque and for the daring, Spanky's Ladder pictured here.
You can also find "Secret Chute" near Spanky's.
Grey Davis plunges down very top of Blackcomb Glacier.
(Its a 15 minute hike to the top of the ridge from the Glacier chair.)
"Powder Powder" A Sick Line!! - Backside of Blackcomb Diamond Bowl
Cornices and steep runs can be found at "Chainsaw Ridge" on Blackcomb, Flute (has a hike) on Whistler, and "Harmony Ridge/Horseshoes" on Whistler.
Most of the expert terrain is above the tree line so it can be rough on windy days.
You will find the entrance to "Spanky's" is greeted with plenty of warning
signs for beginners to turn back and they well should.
Look out for cliffs.
The end of Spanky's runout is rather long and flat via glacier road.
Moguls:
Try "Ratfink", "Jimmy's Joker" or "Overbite" (once the world cup mogul run where individual moguls are as large as some East coast resorts).
Looking out from Jersey Cream Express lift.
Trees and powder:
You will find tree skiing everywhere at this resort including some steep tree skiing off the back of Harmony ridge.
Exit to the riders right off of Peak Chair or liftie's leap, right next to peak chair to find more steep runs.
"Seppo's" is also a pleasure.
For some open glades try "Bark Sandwich" or "Yard Sale".
Beginners and Intermediates:
This mountain has plenty of terrain for the beginners and intermediates.
The areas are clearly marked and easy to find.
The most grueling intermediate run in North America can be found on Whistler mountain and is known as "Peak to Creek". It runs the full 5,000 feet of vertical and over 4 miles in length. Be sure to take a break along the way (look for the giant bench on the left about half way down).
Whistler Terrain Parks:
Try out the terrain parks which vary from beginer to extreme.
Note that the advanced "Nintendo Terrain Park" on Blackcomb requires both a helmet and a separate waiver to gain entrance.
Whistler Apres Ski:
CITTA restaurant; across from Amsterdams.
Whistler excels at the Apres ski scene. Regardless of your taste you should be able to find a spot which suits you.
Also:
Garibaldi Lift Company - 604-905-2220
Lounge upstairs from the base of the Whistler gondola.
Outdoor patio:
Whistler Village: The Longhorn
Creekside: Dusty's
Blackcomb: Merlins
Whistler Helicopter Skiing:
British Columbia offers some of the worlds best Heli-skiing with
80% of the world's heli-skiing operations. Heli-Skiing companies in BC are licensed to heli-ski in regions defined by the British Columbia government.
Heli-skiers are provided with an avalanche transceiver to strap under their jackets, and "powder cords" to help locate skiers in the event of an avalanche.
Twenty miles of alpine skiing trails are just minutes from Whistler village.
The most popular area is "Lost Lake" (five minute walk from Whistler Village) which leads to the Whistler Nordic Centre at the "Nicklaus North" golf course clubhouse (beginners).
Look for the entrance to Lost Lake Park, next to the Ticket Booth off Lorimer Rd.
Call 1-800-WHISTLER (800-944-7853)
Whistler Village hosts more than 150 shops in a pedestrian only enclave.
Panoramic Virtual Tour of Whistler Village from the to the ski lift to the bridge to North Village.
(Series of 5 panoramic images of Whistler Village best viewed in full screen mode)
Whistler Night Life:
Nightlife in Whistler centers around the "Village".
Garfinkels (my personal favorite), Moe Joe's, the Longhorn Saloon, Merlin's, Whistler Brewhouse, Black's Pub, Citta's, Tapley's Pub, Tommy Africa's (especially on Monday's), Dubh Linn Gate (apres ski), Maxx Fish, the Village, Buffalo Bill's, ... See why we like this place!
Of the 2000 work visas Canada issues to Australians each year as a "Commonwealth exchange", over 1200 park themselves in Whistler to work the resort and party crazy at night.
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Whistler $$ - 604-938-0878
Studio, one and two bedroom units located in Whistler Village. Rooms include jetted tubs, washer / dryer and internet access.
4295 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
Le Chamois $$$$ - 604-932-8700
(Wildflower lodging company)
Studio, one, two and three bedroom suites located in Upper Village (Ski in/ski out).
4557 Blackcomb Way V0N1B0
Legends $$$$
One, two and three bedroom suites located at the base of the Creekside express gondola (ski in/ski out). Billiards and media room.
Lost Lake Lodge - 604-905-7631
4660 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
Mountainside Lodge $$$
Studios to lofted suites located in Whistler Village.
Nita Lake Lodge $$$$ - 888-755-6482
Timber and stone lodge with 77 suites. View of Nita Lake.
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside $$$ - 604-905-2999
One and two bedroom luxury suites. Eight of the suites have a private hot tub. Each suite includes a full kitchen, gas fireplace and internet. Located in the heart of Whistler Village.
4320 Sundial Crescent V0N1B4
Summit Lodge and Spa $$$ - 604-932-2778
Located in Village North and features a complementary shuttle. Rooms include a kitchenette, fireplace, balcony and free internet access.
4359 Main St. V0N1B4
Whistler Village Inn and Suites $$$ - 604-932-4004
Located in the heart of Whistler Village near all of the shops, restaurants and bars.
4429 Sundial Pl. V0N1B4
Woodrun Lodge - 604-932-6699
Ski in / ski out located in Upper Village.
4910 Spearhead Pl. V0N1B0
Whistler Conference Center - 604-905-7625
Indoor climbing wall. Families with kids (older than 6yrs) should try the supervised "Climb and Dine" dinner.
4010 Whistler Conference Center
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountain Side. (5 Star Hotel at the base of Whistler Mountain)
Grey Davis plunges down very top of Blackcomb Glacier.
"Powder Powder" A Sick Line!! - Backside of Blackcomb Diamond Bowl
CITTA restaurant; across from Amsterdams.
Whistler Village hosts more than 150 shops in a pedestrian only enclave.
Nightlife in Whistler centers around the "Village".
Garfinkels (my personal favorite), Moe Joe's, the Longhorn Saloon, Merlin's, Whistler Brewhouse, Black's Pub, Citta's, Tapley's Pub, Tommy Africa's (especially on Monday's), Dubh Linn Gate (apres ski), Maxx Fish, the Village, Buffalo Bill's, ... See why we like this place!
Of the 2000 work visas Canada issues to Australians each year as a "Commonwealth exchange", over 1200 park themselves in Whistler to work the resort and party crazy at night.
