Whistler is known as one of the world’s great ski resorts with the biggest ski area in North America, a huge skiable vertical and terrain to suit everyone from complete beginners to seasoned experts.
But many people are drawn to this vibrant resort on Canada’s Pacific Coast not just by the snowsports but also its wonderful array of lodging, fantastic ski school programmes, exciting night life options, great shopping, dozens and dozens of alternative activities.
Pic Credit – P-David McColm
Whistler’s foodie scene is particularly impressive and few other ski resorts in the world can match it.
There are now almost 200 different places to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner – or just a quick snack – with price ranges to suit every budget.
You’ll find everything from casual après-ski snacks to the very finest of fine dining, and you don’t have to be a millionaire to find establishments serving up organic, locally sourced ingredients in their cuisine …that’s more the norm than the exception in Whistler Blackcomb, right down to the take aways.
There are too many choices to list them all but some establishments have built particularly strong reputations.
To start the day Elements, located in The Summit Lodge, is popularly regarded as one of Whistler’s best breakfast spots. It’s small and it’ll get busy so set you alarm and be first in line!
You can also sign up for First Tracks. Again you need to be up early but you then join a select few riding the Whistler gondola up before it opens to everyone else. You’re served a hearty breakfast and then get to ride either the fresh powder or the pristine groomed slopes before everyone else too!
Otherwise, on the mountain the Crystal Hut is famed for its waffles whilst the more sophisticated Christine’s on Blackcomb on the Blackcomb side of the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola offers a full service dining experience with the freshest ingredients used and a very impressive wine list to boot.
At the end of the ski day The Beacon Pub at the end of The Crystal Lodge building is one of the most popular apres ski spots, famed for its selection of locally brewed beers as well as the great food.
For a special night out with as meal you’ll remember for all the right reasons months and perhaps years afterwards try casually elegant Rimrock Café, one of Whistler’s best restaurants, or the equally stunning Grill Room at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler (pictured below) with its relaxed but fine dining atmosphere.
It can be hard to think about skiing in the height of summer, but believe it or not this is exactly when some of the best deals to Whistler are on offer for the coming winter 2017-18.
It does make sense though of course when you think about it. Hotels, airlines and ski resorts all want to get the booings flowing and the extra good news is that as well as the best prices those who book early not only lock in the best prices in these changing times, they also have the best choice open to them rather than just having to take “what’s left” at a higher price if they leave it to later in the year to book.
Tailor-made ski specialists, Ski Independence, are one of the UK’s leading independent ski tour operators and part of a family owned and run travel firm established over 50 years ago.
The company pride themselves on the quality and knowledge of their Ski Specialists and their unrivalled standards of service creating tailor-made, bespoke packages to precisely meet the skier’s needs rather than trying to shoehorn you in to something that isn’t quite right for you.
Ski Independence are highlighting some spectacular deals on holidays to Whistler and Vancouver this coming ski season BUT these must be booked by 31st August to qualify for the best discounts.
And those early booking discounts are huge with price up to 50% …so long as bookings are made by the end of August.
Even BA and Air Canada are running flight sales to coincide with the 31 August booking deadline.
Ski Independence say that a second wave of special offers will run to November 15th when the summer offers come to an end. These will be broadly similar deals to the 31 August deadline, but smaller savings, so why wait?
Whistler, British Columbia has been a key destination for Ski Independence for many years. They have very close ties with the resort and its accommodation providers with whom they work in close collaboration.
To book your Whistler & Vancouver ski holiday, call Ski Independence for a tailor-made quotation on 0131 243 8097 or visit www.ski-i.com/whistler
