Whistler Blackcomb – You’ll Never Leave

“Once at Whistler Blackcomb, you’ll never leave.” These were the reoccurring words I heard from friends who had visited Whistler Blackcomb in the past and never left the village once they got there. When I finally arrived, I also heard these words from the bellboy, waitress and young kid scooping my hot fudge sundae at Cows ice cream parlor. These folks literally never left, making Whistler Blackcomb their home. Some stayed for the thrill of skiing; some stayed for the overwhelming physical beauty. I, too, was captivated by this fairy tale land called Whistler Blackcomb, and after a one-week stay with my husband and 8-year old son, I had to be reluctantly torn away from it all.

Voted #1 Terrain in North America (October 2005, SKI Magazine)

It’s no surprise that the resort attracts skiers and riders from around the world who either come to visit or stay to live. It also beckons to the many locals from nearby Vancouver. Local families mix with visitors and the diversity is welcomed. Everyone is united under the common love of the sport, and everyone is drawn to the beauty of the surrounding mountains, coastal forests and enchanting village.

All Roads Lead to the Village

The village is the heart of the resort. It has a quaint, old-world feeling and offers everything you need. You simply have no reason to leave (so right my friends were). Lodging, dining, shopping, spas (and the base for both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains) are all conveniently within walking distance. It’s true that our rented car sat in the hotel parking lot the entire week---not once did we use it!

Fun on the Mountains

And although you may never want to leave the comforts of the village, the massive mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb will lure you to them each and every morning for an unforgettable day of skiing or riding. Quoting the stats, Whistler Blackcomb has over 8,100 skiable acres; more than 200 trails; 3 glaciers; 33 lifts; 12 alpine bowls and 17 mountain restaurants. The longest run is 7 miles! Whistler and Blackcomb offer something for everyone. We met a family from the UK with kids just learning to ski, as well as an expert father and son pair from Colorado who came to ski the glaciers. Although our trip was focused on skiing and riding, we sprinkled just the right mix of activities to keep an 8-year-old entertained and a 40-year-old from burning up her thighs. These activities included zip-trekking, tubing and snowshoeing.

Zip-trekking—an “E” Ride on Steel Cables

Suspended nearly 200’ above ground on steel cables (using a pulley and climbing harness), the entire family took turns soaring across the multiple ziplines on the Ziptrek Ecotour. My son, the most daring among the group of adults, was eagerly raising his hand to be first. The guide jokingly reminded him that he wasn’t at school, but my son could not contain his excitement with the hand raising and was thrilled to be first to zip. And first he was…even across the longest zipline that covered 1,100’ just above Fitzsimmons Creek (For younger or less daring kids, there is also tandem zip-trekking available in which the child is paired with a Ziptrek guide.) The tour was $98 for adults and $78 for children/seniors. Definitely worth the adrenaline rush!

Tubing

Just opened on Dec. 16, 2005, the Tube Park is conveniently located right on the mountain. With a carpet-style lift (no rope tows!), the park rushes tubers up the mountain. There are multiple lanes, so there is no fear of crashing (a true relief) and no skill required. However, you must love speed. We went at night, and with the lanes iced over, we estimated speeds at 40-50 miles per hour. We loved it and so did all the kids at the park! For the adults not so brave, there is a huge bonfire to help stay warm. Tickets for one hour: adults, $15; children, $10.

Snowshoeing

My husband and I were expecting snowshoeing to be similar to cross country skiing (and wondered whether we had the aerobic fitness required). Instead, it was just like walking…just in the snow. In fact, our guide had informed us that he just entered a race (actually a run, with snowshoes). When you grow up in California, I guess it’s no surprise that this was a completely new experience for the entire family. After a ride up the gondola, you simply strap on snowshoes over your boots and take a walk through the trees. Given the scenic views, I found the tour very relaxing. Tickets through Outdoor Adventures start at $69 for adults; $39 for children.

More Tours and More Fun

Zip-trekking, tubing and snowshoeing are just a few of the activities available. Other activity choices include: snowbiking, ice climbing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, heli-skiing/riding, heli-glacier tours, spa visits or a day trip to Vancouver. If only we had more time!

Lodging

There is also a wide choice of lodging to choose from. For the first four nights we stayed at the Adara Hotel, a newly-renovated, designer boutique hotel that had just opened 21 of their 41 rooms in January 2006. The hotel describes itself as “a blend of modern sophistication and urban flair within a notoriously woodsy setting.” The “floating” fireplace, spa bathrooms (with the rainforest-style showerhead) and iPod docking stations definitely provide the contemporary design elements that the younger, chic travel would appreciate. The hotel will even loan guests an iPod, complete with a broad selection of downloaded music. The hotel is fun, and a bit funky amongst the more traditional hotels surrounding Whistler Blackcomb. With such a focus on style and modern sophistication, I am delighted to report that the pretension quotient was zero. In fact, I found the most appealing aspect of the Adara to be its service and charming staff. The staff greets their guests by name and goes out of their way to ensure a comfortable and unforgettable visit. Upon check out, my son sorrowfully cried, “I’ll miss my friends at Adara.” I will too. (Hello Piere!)

The last two nights were spent at the Crystal Lodge. Although the Crystal Lodge describes itself as a boutique hotel, it is much larger than the Adara. It also has three restaurants inside the hotel, along with the wide range of restaurants offered just steps away in the village. The hotel is modern, yet more traditional than the Adara. Both the Adara and Crystal Lodge are convenient locations inside the village and just steps from the mountain base.

Nearby Vancouver

Since Whistler was awarded as the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, even more renovations are under way. Construction for new Olympic venues has begun including the Whistler Sliding Center (which will host the 2010 bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events) and the Whistler Nordic Center (cross-country skiing, biathon and ski jumping). Also scheduled for construction is a new train station, library and cultural center, which will feature local arts. The upcoming publicity prior and during the Olympics will be sure to draw even more people to Whistler Blackcomb. While the resort today is not a “secret,” you may want to visit before everyone moves there!

Since I’m not a Canadian citizen, I guess I can’t move to Whistler. However, I did ask if my husband wanted to move to Seattle. After just a few hours, we could be at Whistler Blackcomb every weekend! I guess it’s true what they say about Whistler Blackcomb… “You’ll never want to leave.”

For more information call 800-944-7857 or visit tourismwhistler.com.

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