Looking for
accommodation in Whistler?
A Friend of mine owns a Condo he rents out and is also an agent
for several others. If interested, click here.
.If want to book a Hotel or Resort click the Online Booking banner below, and select "Whistler". Also you
might want to check out Joern & Jackie Rhodes B&B Lodge
at www.whistlerbb.com . Prefer
a Boutique Hotel? Try the Sundial Hotel at the base of the chairlift. See links below for Hostels.
(Ski info can be found in my Skiing Section.)
A visitors perspective of whistler:
I encourage everyone to visit Lynn McKamey's web site. Lynn is also known as
"ScubaMom" and is mentioned in my Scuba Diving Section. Anyway she is from Texas
& has visited Whistler several times. The Whistler section of her web site will
give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. here is the link: ScubaMom's Whistler ski trip
report
My web site is primarily a Vancouver Tourism
site and this page is a poor substitute for the many excellent
sites devoted to Whistler itself. I offer this page as an
overview and a means to steer you to the information, you may be
seeking.
Apart from Vancouver City itself, the reason
many people visit here is Whistler, the premier ski resort in
North America. 30 years ago, the town of Whistler hardly existed.
There was a small ski area south of the present town, patronized
mainly by locals from nearby Squamish & Pemberton, and a few
Vancouverites willing to make the dangerous journey up Highway
99. Whistler & the adjacent Blackcomb have since mushroomed.
About 25 years ago, shortly after development , my wife at the
time tried to convince me to buy a condo at Whistler for about
$20,000. I told her the place would never catch on and convinced
her it would be a bad investment. I could probably make that in 2
seasons, renting it out now. The area is growing rapidly and now
you can't touch a condo in Whistler for much less than $200,000.
A modest house will run you half a million.
Part of my decision in not thinking Whistler
would ever go anywhere, was the highway that joins it to
Vancouver. This is one of the most spectacular drives in the
world. It is also one of the most dangerous, although big
improvements have been made over the years. The road is described
in more detail below, as are your transportation options.
Whistler, along with Vancouver, has been awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Whistler is a year round resort. Summer or
winter, it is crowded with tourists. The town has a very pleasant
Alpine atmosphere to it and consists of interesting squares &
plazas with open air restaurants (in summer). Its easy to get
lost as streets & alleys meander with no set pattern. The
town has posted several maps in public areas to assist you. You
can ski in Whistler year round, albeit in the summer there is
only glacier skiing. It is a strange sight to be sitting in an
open air restaurant in 30 degree Celsius heat in July watching
people walk by with skis & snowboards over their shoulders.
The town offers many other summer activities. There are several
pleasant lakes, good to swim, canoe or kayak in, along with many
Hiking & Mountain Biking opportunities. Mountain bikes are
easily rented in the town.
Whistler is expensive. There is plenty of
accommodation, but you will pay for it, especially in high season.
Even in summer, its hard to find a hotel under $150 Canadian a
night, and they run around 70-80% occupancy.. Most have pools,
but watch for parking surcharges. Whistler is a nightmare to park
and many hotels tend to take advantage of it. Restaurant meals
will run you 1 1/2 to twice what the equivalent would cost in
Vancouver, but there are always fast-food places like KFC &
McDonalds to give you a break. What cheap accommodation there is,
is quickly snapped up by people looking for work (especially
Australians) in the village and on the slopes. Its not unusual to
find several of these people crowded into a single condo to cut
costs. Having said that, there is plenty of work
available in Whistler, especially in ski season. You would have
no trouble finding employment, the problem is sleeping and eating
once you are there. There is nearly always a labour shortage. The
bulk of the transient work force in Whistler seems to consist of
Australians. If it wasn't for the snow capped mountain scenery,
you would think your in Oz. It is possible for the budget
traveller to stay in one of the nearby towns of Squamish or
Pemberton. Squamish has a Hostelling International Hostel for $15 Can a night and also the private Rainforest Hostel. with a Vegetarian Restaurant for around $20. You can get a bus to Whistler for $17 Return. This will
get you to the slopes at opening time and you have a choice of 3 buses back at
the end of the day. If you buy a book of 10 bus tickets the cost drops to about
$12. Because of the accommodation situation in high season, travellers from
abroad are advised to pre-book or use a local operator to arrange their trip. I
have some links below, and are adding more all the time.
Here are some Hostel listings:
Whistler HI Hostel
5678 Alta Lake Road V0N 1B5
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 932-5492 FAX: 932-4687
COMMENTS: directions walk north 4 km along valley trail then follow road to left
400 meters. Some transit access.
EMAIL: see web site for form
Southside Lodge
2102 Lake Placid Drive V0N 1B0
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 932-3644 WINTERPHONE: FAX: (604) 932-0551
HOSTS: Maxwell Buhler
COMMENTS: local pickups in Vancouver, Reservations (604)
943-3644, 300 m from Creekside Gondola
EMAIL: mailto:snowboard@whistlerwed.com
COST: $25.00 ea. (winter) summer $15.00
ShoeString Lodge, White Gold Subdivision
7124 Nancy Green Drive V0N 1B0
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 932-3338 WINTERPHONE: FAX: 932-8347
HOSTS: Geoff MacDonald
COMMENTS: directions just off Hwy. 99 north of town
EMAIL: mailto:shoestring@direct.ca
Fireside Lodge
2117 Nordic Drive, Nordic Estates V0N 1B2
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 932-4545 WINTERPHONE: FAX: 932-3994
HOSTS: Marj Currie
COST: $15.00-$25.00 (winter rates higher)
AMS/UBC Whistler Lodge
2124 Nordic Drive, Nordic Estates
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 822-5851 lodge: (604) 932-6604
HOSTS: Shannon Wiles
EMAIL: mailto:whistler@ams.ubc.ca
COST: $ $21.25-$30 (see web site for details http://www.ubcwhistlerlodge.com/)
BCIT Lodge
2113 Nordic Drive, Nordic Estates V0N 1B2
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
PHONE: (604) 932-4660 WINTERPHONE: FAX:
HOSTS: Arthur DeJong
COST: $15.00 nightly, $70.00 weekly, $250.00 monthly
Whistler River
Adventures do jet boat trips up to Nairn Falls for about $65.
This is a white water trip and quite rough, but suited to those
who don't want to white water raft. They also do rafting trips
and horseback riding as well. Phone (604) 932-3532 or
1-888-932-3532. See links in the table below.
If you are planning on trying to work the
ski-season in Whistler, you might try the E-Mail link at the
bottom of my ski section. This individual
can supposedly provide you with some info on how to go about it.
I'd like some feedback, from anyone who has contacted him. You
can also apply for a job through the Whistler Blackcomb web site
at Employment Opportunities at
Whistler Blackcomb Mountains.
The Whistler area also features many hiking
opportunities from moderate to difficult Alpine Treks. The
Whistler Resort Association has put together a few packages
ranging from a couple of hundred dollars up, including
accommodation that can include rafting, mountain biking, hiking,
etc. Call 1-800-944-7853 for details.
From Squamish, about 1/2 way between Vancouver
and Whistler, you can take a flight with Glacier Air and land on
a glacier in a ski plane, not to mention the scenery on the way.
You need a minimum of 4 passengers and it costs about $165 per
person (May-October). Phone 1-800-265-0088 for details.
Many people think of Whistler as a winter ski
resort, but the place is a year round tourist destination, with
plenty of recreational opportunities in the summertime. You will
find links to summertime activities, such as white water rafting
in the tables below.
Sea to Sky Highway: This is the primary access to Whistler. This is one of
the most scenic drives in North America, reminiscent of a
Norwegian fjord. (Pictures of both are under Whistler section
above)
View up
Howe Sound
Getting to and from
Whistler:
As far as getting to Whistler is concerned, you really only have the choice
of car or bus or small plane. The train service to Whistler was discontinued on
November 1st,2002. A company called Silver Fox Coach Lines at (604) 689-3122
also offer day trips. Perimeter Transport offers 8 buses daily from Vancouver
International Airport to Whistler, and vice versa, the price is $45, one way.
(Ph. 266-5386) . Also , at a slightly cheaper rate," Whistler Star Express"
offers service every 90 minutes from either the Airport or Downtown Vancouver
for $39 each way or $65 in a luxury limousine (See their link in the table
below). You can also catch a Greyhound Bus from the Main Street Bus station in
Vancouver. Its a little cheaper (about $20). There are also links to various
Limo services in the table below.
A young entrepreneur has just received approval to operate a new bus service
to Whistler which will be oriented to the young set & the young at heart,
featuring on board movies, sort of an on board party atmosphere. The cost will
be a bit more than half that charged by the more traditional bus lines. The cost
will be around $30 for a round trip. You need to join their club for $9 to get
the cheap rate, but it comes with discounts on lifts, etc as well., so it's
worth it. Obviously, companies like Greyhound are
opposed this. Service is due to start in November 2004. Support these guys. See
their link in the table below.
You can also rent a car and drive yourself, but
the highway to Whistler is one of the most dangerous in North
America in winter, especially if you are not used to snowy
mountain roads. It is especially dangerous during a heavy
rainfall. The road is subject to washouts. People have been
killed in the past, finding out the hard way that a bridge no
longer exists. Most traffic accidents on this highway, however,
are caused by failed overtaking attempts. People seem to get very
frustrated, driving this stretch of road and get tempted to
overtake where it is not safe. Unfortunately, the victim is often
the innocent party coming the other way. Use caution and try to
keep your speed down, especially on the Horseshoe Bay to Squamish
stretch. There is also a low powered radio station at Horseshoe
Bay that continually gives out the current condition of the
highway, if you have a radio in your car. A sign is posted with
the frequency on the highway just past the Horseshoe Bay turnoff.
You can also find the latest Highway conditions in the first
table below. The highway offers several attractions. If you like
mines, you can stop at Britannia Beach (link in table below) and
take a tour. (If you are an X-Files fan, you will recognise this
place). About 6 km before reaching Squamish, look for Shannon
Falls on the right (its marked). These are one of the highest in
North America. If you have 3 or more hours to spare, you can
continue up to Whistler, the premier ski resort in North America.
About 6 km before Whistler, also on the right are Brandywine
Falls, also worth a visit.
It is also possible to fly to Whistler. 2 or 3
companies offer Helicopter & Floatplane Connections. Check
out the link below to Whistler-Resort Homepage. They have a list
of them. Helijet offers twice daily
service.
Whistler Joke:
Everyone knows Whistler is swarming with
Aussies every winter, hence the following joke:
An American, a Canadian, and an Australian were
sitting in a bar in Whistler BC enjoying a few beers. The
American grabbed his beer, knocked it back in one gulp, then he
threw the glass into the air and shot it with his handgun. As he
set the handgun on the bar, he told the Canadian and the
Australian that in the great U.S. of A, they had so much money
they never drank out of the same glass twice.
Next the Australian drank his beer, threw the
glass into the air and shot the glass with the American's gun. As
he was setting the gun back on the bar he proclaimed that in
Australia they had so much sand that glass was cheap and he too
never drank out of the same glass twice.
Next the Canadian drank his beer, grabbed the
gun off the bar, and shot the Australian dead. As he was setting
the gun back on the bar, he told the American that in Whistler we
have so many Australians you never have to drink with the same
one twice.
Snow Club:
You can save some costs at Whistler by joining the Snow Club. This also entitles you to
cheaper transport to & from Vancouver. (As of Nov 2004)
Whistler Web Cams:
This web site has about a dozen Web Cams set up\o around
Whistler. Whistler Web Cams
Oktoberfest:
The annual Oktoberfest celebrations are held
annually in mid-October.
Online Booking:
Book Hotels online by clicking Hotel Booking
Links to Transportation
& Tours:
Other Whistler &
Blackcomb Web Sites:
Employment:
Summer Activities:
Rather than just repeat another web page, I
will direct you to Whistler Resort - Summer Activities
- Whistler Resort British Columbia Canada for a list of summer activities.
Gay Ski Week:
This is held annually in early February. See Gay Ski Week in
Whistler- February
News Release Dec 1999
WHISTLER
THE 'BEST' SAYS CONDE NAST TRAVELER
Readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine have selected
three Whistler hotels
as the best ski resort hotels in North America.
The Pan Pacific Lodge took first spot, followed by the
Chateau Whistler
Resort and the Delta Whistler Resort.
In its December issue, Conde Nast Traveler publishes the
results of a
poll of 4500 readers, listing the top 50 ski resort
hotels in North America.
The criteria used included terrain and conditions,
accommodations, town
ambience and amenities, lifts and lines, food, and
service.
"This is where God comes to go skiing," says
one reader, of his stay in
Whistler at the Pan Pacific Lodge. The Pan Pacific
received top marks
for excellent location and its intimate boutique hotel
service. Guests
loved the accessibility of Whistler's many international
cuisine restaurants.
The Chateau Whistler Resort was called a "modern
kingdom" by one reader,
with the cozy Mallard Lounge earning praise as "the
perfect apres-ski
perch". The Delta Whistler Resort was a favourite
for convenience, with
the proximity to gondolas giving "the freedom of
choice each morning."
"This latest endorsement from Conde Nast Traveler
solidifies Whistler's
position as the premier ski destination in North
America," says Barrett
Fisher, vice-president of marketing and sales at Tourism
Whistler. "We're
very pleased that more and more visitors are discovering
that a holiday
in Whistler is second to none for snow, facilities and
value."
Earlier this season, Whistler received the ski industry's
prestigious
ranking of Number One in North America by SKI Magazine
readers. Whistler
also captured top spot in Skiing magazine.
Whistler's winter season is well underway, with a solid
mid-mountain base
of 180 cm (71 in.) Another record year of heavy snowfall
is predicted
due to La Nina weather system. Last year, La Nina brought
Whistler its
largest snowfall in twenty-five years. The U.S. Weather
Service (NOAA),
and Environment Canada predict above average snowfall
again this season
for the Pacific Northwest region, which includes
Whistler.
And for U.S. guests, the Canadian dollar offers
incredible value and savings.
Currently, US$1.00 is equal to $1.43 CAD, which means the
U.S. guest's
dollar goes 43 per cent further.
A variety of winter packages are available, including
some excellent value
packages for last minute Millennium holiday plans.
Maximum Millennium
packages include five nights accommodation, a four-day
lift pass to Whistler
and Blackcomb mountains, $50 dining dollars for dinner in
a village restaurant,
tickets to First Night celebrations in Whistler Village,
and a decadent
welcome platter with chocolate and champagne. Prices
start at $209 CDN
($144 US) per person per night, based on double
occupancy.
Whistler is a four-season destination, offering the
greatest vertical
drop on the continent and more than 7000 acres of ski able
terrain. Information
on packages is available by calling 1-800-WHISTLER
(1-800-944-7853). Visit
our website at www.tourismwhistler.com.
Posted: ( 1999-Dec-13 ) Author: Laura Street
lstreet@tourismwhistler.com
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