If you are looking for incredible skiing or riding adventure, you will want to consider one of the world’s top winter destinations. Whistler in British Columbia, Canada is renowned for both its stunning scenic beauty and its award-winning skiing and snowboarding on Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. With a 10-year average snowfall of 11.7 meters and 36 lifts, the resort offers runs for beginners, intermediate and expert levels.
For the experience of a lifetime, Whistler’s Luxury Retreats provide unparalleled comfort and elegance. You will enjoy being nestled near the fireplace, savouring fine cuisine and viewing spectacular vistas from your private outdoor deck.
In addition to skiing and riding, Whistler offers many other wonderful experiences. There are a wide variety of activities and places to see that will make your vacation even more of a memorable adventure!
1. Soak in Your Outdoor Hot Tub
After a long day on the slopes, it’s delightful to come home and relax with a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate as you soak your cares away in your private outdoor hot tub. Imagine settling into the bubbling water, steam rising in the air as the orange and red hues of the fading sunset light up the soon to be nighttime sky. The magnificent scenery will astound you with its beauty and a gentle snowfall will bring a magical stillness to the land. At your luxury villa, every night can be a hot tub and fireplace night.
2. Celebrate with Local Cuisine
If you are feeling more like an evening of delicious food and epicurean experiences, Whistler is the place for you. The resort town offers a wide range of incredible food choices and some great craft beer too. One of the best après ski spots is Bearfoot Bistro, which offers a dozen oysters prepared the way you’d like for a special price.
If you’re looking to share warmth and camaraderie at a special spot, a fondue experience would be the perfect way to go. It is one of the top choices for both travellers and locals alike. You’ll enjoy the cheese and meat and can even add options like truffles, vegetables, potatoes and fruit. The chocolate fondue dessert course is pure bliss, they say!
3. Enjoy a Sleigh Ride
For the quintessential winter, experience considers a sleigh ride. You will want to dress warmly for this winter experience. Meet at the campfire and enjoy a hot cider or hot chocolate before you depart. Then enjoy a truly magical moment as you see the sleigh approaching and the hooves of the powerful Clydesdale horses echo in the air. The beauty of the snow-covered forests and the lodges nearby will delight you as you snuggle under the warm winter blanket on the forest trail.
4. Bobsled at Whistler Olympic Park
If it’s speed you need, bobsledding is the way to go. Whistler hosted the Nordic elements for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the bobsled track is still operational. Pro athletes from around the world train there but amateurs can give this heart-racing sport a try too! After some instruction and training, you will find yourself navigating the banks and turns of the bobsled run. You will probably only go half the speed of the professionals, but you will feel like you are flying. If you are a true daredevil you could also try the skeleton.
5. Explore the Arts and Culture
Whistler has wonderful art and entertainment scene. The Audain Art Museum offers a tour through the visual arts of the British Columbia coast. Their permanent collection of over 200 items includes many works by the renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr. Her paintings are extraordinarily beautiful and soulful, and in her later years, you will see that her paintings are filled with light.
For a true cultural experience, you will want to visit the First Nations’ Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. This Centre will take you on a journey that illustrates the deep ties between the tribal people and their land. You will be greeted by a traditional song accompanied by tribal drumming. The exhibitions highlight their long cultural history and showcase incredible art.
6. Visit a First Class Spa
After enjoying days of skiing and riding, it may be time to pamper yourself with a visit to Whistler’s Scandinave Spa. It’s a delightful solution for tired muscles and a true gift to your sensual self. After you put on your luxurious robe you can enjoy the thermal pools and slip into total relaxation. The eucalyptus steam room will have you sweating you cares away and can be followed by a cold plunge. When you are sufficiently blissed enjoy the winter magic as you sit next to a roaring outdoor fire or relax in a hammock in the solarium.
7. Experience Alpine Beauty on a Snowmobile
An exhilarating snowmobile ride is perfect way to complete your Whistler vacation. For beginners, the tours include instruction and safety talks that will educate you and have you comfortable in no time. Intermediate level tours will take you to higher elevations and on more strenuous routes. People who took these tours called their experience the highlight of their trip and said they would remember the breath-taking alpine scenery forever.
If you would like to make the most of your winter Whistler skiing or riding vacation, staying in a luxury rental and enjoying some of the great local adventures and experiences is the way to go. You will return home with incredible stories and indelible memories of your special time there.
