A Winter Wonderland in Whistler

Whistler, Canada

Stay

The Fairmont

Resting at the base of Blackcomb Mountain sits The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, a AAA/CAA Four Diamond Award ski-in-ski-out luxury resort. From its 550 rooms to its six dining venues, the hotel is bathed in modern elegance and classic alpine décor. Just a 15 minute walk from the town center, or a few minutes away via the free shuttle bus, the resort provides guests with the perfect location between the adjacent slopes and the nearby heart of Whistler Village. With a rooftop chapel, six dining venues, and a host of child-friendly activities, you’ll find this resort ideal for weddings, family vacations, and romantic evenings!

Expect impeccable service upon arrival, including a convenient online check-in system that allows guests to receive their keycard from the bell staff upon arrival and head directly to their prepared accommodations. After a day skiing on the mountain slopes, warm yourself with a cup of hot chocolate from the Fairmont Snow Host.

For a taste of nightlife, sip on a martini in the Mallard Lounge, the resort’s club lounge with live entertainment. Discover the romantic ambiance of a steakhouse dinner at The Grill, elegantly featuring a stone fireplace and cherry wood wine cabinets. Beyond the delicious British Colombia cuisine at each dining venue, the resort offers a variety of activities. With a tranquil indoor/outdoor wading pool, and an enchanted Tree Fort within the gardens, there is plenty for couples and families to enjoy. A blend of class, comfort, and après-ski entertainment, this resort is a Canadian gem great for a winter retreat!

Bring on the fun!

Ziptrek

Ready for an exhilarating adventure? Whether you’re a novice or an expert when it comes to gliding on ziplines, you’ll love the incredible views above Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Soar through the sky at Ziptrek Ecotours flagship location in Canada. Combining three distinct guided zipline tours—Bear, Eagle (Our personal favorite), and Mammoth—Ziptrek provides an eco-adventure beginning in the old growth rainforest and ending in Whistler Village.

The tallest point stands 180 feet above ground, and zipliners speed up to 50 mph. Ziptrek operates in every season no matter the weather, ensuring year-round fun! You’re in safe hands with the knowledgeable staff who also teach you about the surrounding eco habitat and sustainability programs. Tours include walking on ground-based trails and amidst treetop bridges, riding between five to ten ziplines, and enjoying a mid-day meal if you embark on the Mammoth Tour.

Voted “Best Adventure Tour,” Ziptrek provides the ultimate avenue of fun through the Canadian treetops. View Whistler’s pristine slopes and forest from a unique vantage point. Breathe in the fresh alpine air, and prepare yourself for an adrenaline rush. The mountains are calling, let the ziplining adventure begin!

Skiing

The two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb sit side-by-side and together offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers. Don’t stress if your skills on the snow are not up to par, take a lesson with a pro. Whistler Blackcomb Snow School is regarded as one of the best ski and snowboard schools in North America.  We learned firsthand that the instructors know the best way to get you from back of the pack to front of the line.  Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s always room to build confidence, improve skills, or get to know the mountains better with a guide.  Take your lesson to the next level and ski or snowboard with an Olympian, a program that is also offered by the ski school!

Eat

Araxi

Within the luxurious Canadian resort town of Whistler lies its best restaurant, Araxi Restaurant + Bar. Executive Chef James Walt and his team maintain close relationships with nearby top producers to create the freshest farm-to-table experience with locally-sourced ingredients. Housing a contemporary dining room and warm décor, Araxi exudes an elegant ambiance. Between its Oyster Bar, knowledgeable sommelier, and delicious Pacific Northwest menu, it’s no wonder why locals and visitors alike are raving about this hotspot.

Araxi features an in-house bakery which crafts fresh bread every day, a wine cellar of over 11,000 bottles, and a heated outdoor bar perfect for observing the surrounding village life of Whistler. For dinner we suggest starting off with the Assorted Pemberton Beet Salad, created with granny smith apple and grapeseed oil dressing with local hot house lettuces, Okanagan goat’s cheese and candied pecans. Seafood lovers should taste the main course of Seared Wild Alaskan Scallops, crafted with cauliflower puree, crisp cauliflower with pistachio and raisin vinaigrette, housemade fresh bacon, and radish and watercress garnish. To complete the night, order the Hazelnut Doughnuts made of sugar coated hazelnut beignet and served with dulce de leche dipping sauce, spiced hot chocolate and poached Okanagan pear.

Combining food from local fisheries and farms with its own creative recipes, Araxi promises a mesmerizing palette experience. This upscale restaurant is not one to miss if you’re looking for the best in the village!