ICE Ventura

Whistler

The worlds number 1 ski resort, Whistler remains my favorite destination for skiing.

Year after year it boasts some of the best snow conditions found in the world and there is certainly never any shortage of it here. The ski area here covers Blackcombe mountain and Whistler mountain and since my last visit in 2006 they have built a brand new gondola that links both mountains in readiness for the Winter Olympic games being hosted here in 2010.

I have to admit that getting and staying here is certainly not cheap however, it’s a simple rule in life that you pay for what you get once you’ve been here you will be glad that you did pay a that little extra to stay in a premium resort. It’s the little things that count really from an organized lift system where you don’t have anyone pushing in (unlike European resorts) and with friendly and chatty lift attendants to having an outdoor hot tub to come home to which is a real treat after a hard day’s skiing. Just about all hotels and apartments can offer either both indoor and/or outdoor

You won’t be going home feeling disappointed and you will leave here wanting more of it. Even the journey during the day from and to Vancouver is an awe inspiring sight with spectacular views across the bay leading out to the Pacific Ocean and more so during a sunset. 

There is plenty of off piste skiing here too especially amongst the trees where you can venture off into little forests. You will be amazed to learn that the famous Whistler bears hibernate deep down under the snow in some of these forests so if you fall over in one just remember what could possibly be lying underneath.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Whistler. The Keg Steakhouse is the perfect place to go and have a nice big fat juicy steak. Longthorne’s at the bottom of the slopes does a delicious burger and this is also a good place to eat at lunchtime instead of eating in one of the many mountain restaurants. Garfinkles nightclub is the popular place to go in town for a boogie woogie.

Date Visited: February 2002 & March 2006.

Rating: 10/10.

Top tip: If you can and the Cannucks are at home, try booking a trip to Vancouver one evening to watch an NHL Ice Hockey match at the Cannucks stadium.