Whistler is situated in British Columbia 1.5 hours from Vancouver, in the western part of Canada. What's the scene off-piste and is it worth the journey? Here's the downlow on what to expect. On the slopes, skiing conditions in early February were fantastic thanks to a significant snowfall mere days before our arrival, although it was a bit chilly for this Atlanta and Italy girl!
Sky high dining
If you are looking for a sit-down mountain-top dining experience, there are two excellent choices both with a wide variety of choices to suit everyone from vegans to beef-arians, although the main emphasis is on fresh Pacific Northwest seafood washed down with British Columbia wine, of course! Reaching the top isn't inexpensive (gondola day passes for non-skiers are $150CAD per person), but the breathtaking views and overall experience of being on the slopes justifies the expense.
Christine's at the top of Blackcomb Mountain wins the view award. At lunchtime plan well in advance to snag a reservation or be prepared to wait. They do leave tables open for walk-ins.
Steeps Grill & Wine Bar at the top of the Whistler Village Gondola had nice views on one side, but not the sweeping views at Christine's. That being said, the views from the round glass-walled Umbrella Bar and surrounding balcony (right) were captivating. Sadly, it was closed during our visit, probably too cold even by Canadian standards.
Dining about town
Many restaurants are only open at breakfast and dinner, making lunch options a bit sparse.
WILDFLOWER BY DAY AND BY NIGHT
For lunch we tried:
Earl's is a Canadian chain but had great fresh fish choices and a nice wine list.
Caramba is this sister restaurant to the more upscale Quattro. They had a wood-burning that turned out perfectly blistered crusts. There were also salads, meat and fish items grilled in that same wood-fueled oven and, of course, BC wine.
Dinner:
Table 19 Restaurant located on the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. More great Pacific Northwest seafood!
We enjoyed Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (our hotel) so much we dined there twice.
Après
The scene in downtown Whistler was hoppin' with loud music and hordes of 20 & 30-somethings. I personally opted for the bar at our hotel (Fairmont) located just steps from the bottom of Blackcomb Gondola, a more subdued yet lively hum.
If spa and swim are your thing, the outdoor heated pool at the Fairmont was a warm welcome in contrast to the -20°C (-4°F) air above the surface.
Of course, like most ski resort towns, there are plenty of shops to get a girl (or boy) into trouble. I did manage to find the perfect pair of alpine boots made in Italy, so they are going back to their homeland.
Stay
We stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler right at the bottom of Blackcomb Mountain and a short walk to Whistler Village.
OUR ROOM-THE SUITE UPGRADE WAS A NICE PERK
This is a wrap for our Canadian adventures. Next week, we'll be back to savoring our favorite Italian delicacies!
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