Expensive: check. Crowded: check. Often cloudy or rainy or freezing: check. Worth every minute and dollar spent: check check check.
Haters abound when it comes to Whistler. People like to think that this big, famous mountain can’t possibly be worth it. They are wrong. And while Whistler has its problems, there are just way too many things that make it so worthy.
Despite the price of skiing, despite the crowds and sometimes-awful weather, Whistler has terrain, a great Après skiing scene, amazing restaurants and dance clubs, a beautiful village, really good skiers, and almost always, lots of snow.
Now first you need to find a place to stay. If you can’t afford the million-dollar a night hotels, watch for deals. Plan ahead and it is possible to find some reasonably priced places or packages. And if you are a big skier, think long and hard. Don’t you know someone who works at Whistler? Don’t worry, they are used to couch surfers. They live in Whistler. But really, why not rent an RV or a van and spend the night parked near the ski hill. I know the rules have changed (booooo) and you can no longer park over night in the main parking lot but there are some places you can still park and hunker down for the night.
The earlier you start skiing in the morning, the better. The big crowds head out around 11:00. While you may have to spend some time in line, the lines move quickly, the lifties are efficient and once you get to the top, it’s a long way down.
Be competitive in the morning. Everyone else will be. You need to get to the best powder stashes fast and first if you want fresh tracks. Head to the Peak chair, ride her to the top of the mountain, take in the ridiculous vistas if you aren’t being pelted by snow as you drop in on some awesome bowls, Le Cirque is my favorite, and then enjoy the powder while it lasts. The tough thing about Whistler is that it hosts really great skiers. People love the powder and know where to find it. You may find yourself body-checking some dude in line or laughing as you furiously pole your way past someone at the bottom of a cat-track. Don’t feel ashamed. It’s in the name of powder.
Some of the bowls that you can drop into off the peak chair have little snow lips at the top and you may have to blindly jump in. Always good for the adrenaline. The trees down the backside to the far right are almost always harboring powder. Left off the lift and then a far traverse left brings you to some gentle sloping bowls. Harmony bowl is often full of powder and it is a good intermediate powder run. The soft rolling hills and gentle trees below are always a good time. Continue to the left and hike and you will find a nice powder pitch. The hike is not too long, but it’s steep. You’ll easily be able to sweat out last nights drink fast. You’ll see a steady stream of people heading up here, don’t worry, there should still be some powder left if it’s morning.
If steeps and powder aren’t your thing, Whistler has every kind of terrain imaginable. A good plan is to just head out exploring. There are lots of groomed trails and several beginner lifts and runs at the bottom. Beware of beginners as everyone is being funneled together in the ski out at the end of the day. It’s a bit like a roller derby on skis.
For lunch, most of the large lodges on the mountain have good food. Pricey, but good. You can take your pick of fresh soups and pastas or comfort foods like pizzas and burgers
While you may be stuck in some crowds in the lift lines, there are definitely places you can get to on the mountain that are more mellow and less congested. Whistler has all the safety precautions and then some, typical of a mountain in North America, terrified of our penchant for lawsuits. The good thing about this, it is very very hard to get lost, ski off a cliff or into a river. The signs really help you out and allow you to venture into tree patches and gullies without worrying that there is no way out.
The top of the mountain is often closed in the morning for blasting. You’ll hear the loud booms followed by swooches. Watch the light board to see when the lifts to the top open or be like the locals and line-up and wait.
After a day of skiing, Whistler has great Après ski bars. At the bottom of Whistler go to Garibaldi Lift Co. Get the weird fried cheese appetizer. It’s dreamy. You could also head down to Whistler Creekside and go to Dusty’s. Dusty’s is very woodsie and Western and is always filled with a happening Après vibe and a few drunks who started really early. Just make sure you meant to be in Creekside or you will have to thumb-it back to the village.
For nighttime fun, there are so many good restaurants and you can usually find a spot. German food, sushi, burgers, whatever you like, just wander around the pretty winter wonderland and follow your stomach.
Late night, Garf’s is the staple, go-to dance bar. I don’t know why, it just is. There are always lots of shots going round, lots of roving groups of guys and young girls in way too skimpy clothes for the -10 weather. It always seems to get messy. But messy in a good way. It’s pretty much impossible to not put your heart and soul into having a good time at this bar.
Moe Joe’s is also fun, in that weird crazy way, and they often have live bands that are really really good. When we moved away, it was our new favorite.
If you go to Buffalo Bills, be prepared to be cougared. Just like their namesake, they’ll spot you, stalk you, and when you aren’t looking, pounce. You may not make it out un-scathed or at least without teeth marks.
For Après Après Après, pick up some Misty Mountain Pizza. It’s some of the best pizza ever, or at least is always tastes so good after a night of dancing. (Be warned, they will not, I repeat, will not deliver to your van in the parking lot. No matter how much or how long you beg.)
It is impossible to come to Whistler and not have a good time. Even if the top of the mountain is closed to high winds, it is -40 and there are 220 people in front of you in line at the bottom lift. There are just too many things going on in the name of skiing and partying that make this mountain a legend for a reason. Hum buggers will be disproved.
For further information visit: Whistler Blackcomb Resorts
