Whistler

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Stay

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler - Careful attention to detail carries over into the 550 guest rooms and suites of this elegant chateau-style hotel, just off the Blackcomb slopes. Stop in for an après-ski cocktail at the Mallard Lounge, book dinner at the Wildflower restaurant, and indulge in a lava-rock massage at the Vida Wellness Spa. (604) 938-8000, fairmont.com/whistler.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler - When it comes to luxury and service, the name Four Seasons speaks for itself. Factor in 273 guest rooms, suites and townhouses with gas-burning fireplaces, the Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Bar and a full-service spa with 15 treatment rooms, and your stay will reach new heights. (604) 935-3400, fourseasons.com/whistler.

Adara Whistler Hotel - A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this designer boutique hotel has a decidedly urban edge, which mixes nicely with the rusticity outdoors. The 41 guest rooms and suites are comfy and contemporary, and Whistler Village is just steps away. (866) 50-ADARA, adarahotel.com.

The Edgewater - A mere three kilometers north of Whistler Village, The Edgewater sits on 42 acres of private land along the shores of Green Lake. Book one of the 12 lakefront rooms for a serene stay you’ll want to write home about. A meal at the glass-enclosed The Edgewater Restaurant is a must. (604) 932-0688, edgewater-lodge.com.

Eat

The Bearfoot Bistro

Bearfoot Bistro - Sip a glass of bubbly at the pewter Champagne Bar (one of only 150 Dom Perignon Houses in the world, the Bistro has an unparalleled selection of champagnes), then settle into the whimsical dining room for modern Canadian cuisine. A 12,000-bottle wine cellar is also of note. Three-course menu from $45. Dinner nightly. Mountain casual attire.

VITALS: Located in the Listel Whistler Hotel. 4121 Village Green, (604) 932-3433, bearfootbistro.com.

Araxi Restaurant - Chef James Walt is revered for his sophisticated fare featuring seasonal regional products (check out the 100 Mile menu) in an equally chic setting. Dinner nightly. Dinner entrées from $29. Mountain chic attire.

VITALS: Located in the heart of the Village Square. 4222 Village Square Whistler, (604) 932-4540, araxi.com.

La Rua Restaurante - Named after the traditional arched entrances to Spanish towns, this elegant restaurant offers international specialties appropriate for both a mountain clime and discerning palates. Dinner nightly. Dinner entrées from $19. Mountain elegant attire.

VITALS: Located in the Chamois Hotel, in the upper village, across from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. 4557 Blackcomb Way, (604) 932-5011, larua-restaurante.com.

Shop

Stroll the pedestrian-friendly Whistler Village and you’ll find nearly 200 interesting places to shop. For starters, stop in CAN-SKI (604-938-7755, glaciershop.com) or Westbeach the Shop (604-932-2526, westbeachtheshop.com) to get outfitted for the slopes, Le Château (604-932-3702, lechateau.com) for designer duds, Amos & Andes (604-932-7202), Whistler’s famous sweater shop, for comfortable casual wear, and Snowflake (604-938-2019, snowflakecanada.com) for shearling, leather and cashmere.

The Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery (604-938-0887, adelecampbell.com) represents internationally known Canadian artists, while Luminaura Whistler (604-905-3891), located in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, features contemporary artifacts and jewelry.

Slip and slide day and night on green, blue and black lanes, then ride back to the top on a magic carpet at the Tube Park on Blackcomb Mountain. Photo by Leanna Rathkelly

With more than 200 shops and 90 restaurants—as well as spectacular views—the Village is Whistler’s central hub. Photo by Rory Tucker

Play

Depending on your definition of adventure, you can slide downhill at the Coca-Cola Tube Park (604-932-3434, whistlerblackcomb.com) on Blackcomb Mountain, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through pristine wilderness, snowshoe through the backcountry, don a pair of skates and take a spin around the indoor rink at the Meadow Park Sports Centre (604-935-PLAY), or tackle backcountry ski terrain via helicopter with Whistler Heli-Skiing pros (888-435-4754, whistlerheliskiing.com).

Top 10 Picks in Whistler

1. Take a 7:30 a.m. ride up the Whistler Village Gondola to a buffet breakfast at Roundhouse Lodge (whistlerblackcomb.com), then grab as many fresh-track runs as you can before the mountain opens.

2. Cross-country ski around Lost Lake during the day (or under the lights in the evening), or along 28 kilometers of additional trails from easy to expert.

3. Catch an Olympic prelude, the FIS World Cup Alpine Ski Races (fis-ski.com), Feb. 18-24, featuring the women’s Downhill and Super Combined and men’s Super G and Giant Slalom on the new Olympic course.

4. Make time for a little pampering with an organic paprika AHA facial, aromatic Swiss steam and massage, or a tai chi, meditation or yoga class at the Solarice Wellness Spa (solarice.com).

5. Cozy into a bucket seat in a heated, 19-person snowcat for a ride up to the Crystal Hut and a fondue dinner with Canadian Snowmobile Adventures (604-938-1616, canadiansnowmobile.com).

6. Stop in Armchair Books (604-932-5557, whistlerbooks.com) in the Village and peruse (or better yet, purchase) a wide selection of books on the First Nation art and culture of the Pacific Northwest, as well as regional books and maps.

7. Indulge your sweet tooth at Rogers’ Chocolates (rogerschocolates.com), where you can select Victoria Creams, Empress Squares, turtles, truffles and more made from time-honored recipes.

8. Top off your time on the slopes (or in the shops) with a taste of the grape and a delicious bite from the bar menu at Après Restaurant Francais (604-935-0200, apresrestaurant.com).

9. After hours, check out the dance tracks at Garfinkel’s (604-932-2323, garfswhistler.com), comedy nights at Buffalo Bill’s Bar & Grill (604-932-6613, buffalobills.ca), or the upstairs cigar room and downstairs dance floor at the Savage Beagle (604-938-3337).

10. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

FYI

Whistler Blackcomb (888) 403-4727
whistlerblackcomb.com