Having a little Canadian blood in me, my family and I would always make the trek up from Vancouver to Whistler every winter. I have extremely fond memories of learning how to ski as a kid and eating some truly amazing meals (this was even in my super-picky food eating phase).
Whistler is the perfect combination of homey and elegance. While it may be less modern, the skiing is second to none and the family-friendly atmosphere will put both you and the kids in a great mood.
11:00 am- Check into The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The hotel is full of classical beauty, whether you are staying there in the winter or summer, the hotel accommodates for each season in an elegant way. But, there is no place like The Fairmont during Christmas, the great hall is decked with wreaths and christmas lights everywhere.
If you‘d rather stay in a private accommodation, Big Horn Whistler is the best chalet around. The impressive timber-framed building was designed with indulgence in mind. The triple height great room, with its roaring log fire, is the perfect setting for canapés, or just for winding down after a day of skiing.
2:00 pm- Grab your ski gear and head to the slopes! Remember you’re only here for 72 hours, you can’t miss one minute of that new fluffy powdered snow.
5:00 pm- Stop at Merlin’s Bar & Grill for an après-ski drink, located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Merlin’s home-away-from-home vibe is just one small part of the reason that après sessions here can be so off-the-hook. Opt for the nachos and a beer on tap.
7:30 pm- Head to Bearfoot Bistro for the best oysters + champagne pairing in town. This is also great for après -ski where the oysters are $9.95 for the dozen. Or, if you’re in the mood for some chilled vodka and caviar, The Bearfoot Bistro has an amazing Ketel One Ice Bar, located right in the restaurant!
11:00 pm- Go to FireRock Lounge, where you can sip on a dirty martini and listen to a live jazz band. This lounge is cozy and intimate and a great place to spend a chill night.
9:00 am- Breakfast at The Wildflower Cafe in The Fairmont, be sure to order the Alpine Frittata and their fresh-brewed tea.
11:00 am- Hit the slopes! To see what Posh Voyage’s favorite ski trends are, check out our Travel Tip.
4:30 pm- For après-ski drinks with the family, Black’s Pub is the perfect place. With an open sunny terrace, more than 100 different beers from around the world, and Whistler’s finest selection of scotches.
8:30 pm- Dinner at the best Sushi restaurant in Whistler, Sushi Village. Their Uni is as fresh as it gets and spoil yourself with their daily specials. If you have a larger party, call ahead and reserve one of their private tatami rooms.
Or, if you’re in the mood for cooked fish, eat at Araxi, resh seafood is a star here, including the multi-tiered seafood towers. Alongside the urban shine, Araxi offers a little ski town warmth, like the après-ski bar special fondue. Pair it with their bourbon on the rocks.
11:00 pm- Brandy’s at the Keg is the place to be on a Friday night. During the summer and winter, a DJ spins on Friday and Saturday nights. Try the Billy Miner Pie, an exquisite combination of mocha ice cream, hot fudge, caramel and sliced almonds, to satisfy the late night munchies. It’s a Brandy’s tradition.
10:00 am- Have breakfast at Pure Bread. Even those from Vancouver will make the trek all the way up to Whistler to have some of their freshly baked goods. Pair a cup-of-joe with one of their fluffy scones and you’ll be happy as a clam.
1:00 pm- Take a break from all that skiing try one of their fabulous snow-shoeing trails or if you’re a bit of a daredevil, head to their Whistler Sliding Center and try out bobsledding!
4:30pm- Saturday is perfect for Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC). Après-ski drinks is their bread-and-butter, and boy do they make an event out of it. World-renowned as “the” place to après, the GLC lounge bar relishes its location above the Whistler Gondola building. Every day should end with beers, tall tales, and the potential of watching an amazing wipeout from the riders and skiers charging down their final run.
8:00pm- Since it’s your last night in Whistler, have dinner at Alta Bistro, lit is one of the best high-end and modern restaurants in Whistler, with food you’d expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Order: Alberta elk tartar and duck liver parfait arrives in a little jar, with cocoa nibs and molasses rye bread crumbs spilling onto the wood board below
10:00pm- Garfinkel’s is always jam packed on Saturday nights. Full of A-list celebs if you’re going to go, do it the right way with VIP bottle service.
12:00 pm- Ciao Thyme Bistro is a cozy brunch place, perfect for your last meal in Whistler. Order the eggs Benedict with crab cakes.
2:00pm- Time to head back to Vancouver to catch your flight out. But you’ll be back, Whistler is hard to beat for it’s fun lively atmosphere and classic beauty.