So.... Ive wanted to Ski in Canada for a while, and it looks like this will be the year. Im looking to go to Whistler, and would appreciate the help/advice of those of you that know this resort. Im looking for a ski week 6-7 days for dates approx. 2nd week of January. I would love to be able to call/contact those of you that can give me a hand directly, so please post here or email me and I will get in touch.

Some additional info. I want to stay at Whistler village, dont feel like driving in the mornings to get to the lifts. I see there are various options, Whistler Creek, Whistler Upper Village, and Whistler Village North. Which one should I choose? I would rather have the apres-ski & nightlife close by, so in principle Im discarding slopeside properties.

Also, Ive seen the following lodges/hotels in the vicinity of where I think I want to stay:

- Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
- Listel Whistler Hotel
- Crystal Lodge
- Tantalus Lodge
- The Coast Whistler Hotel

Any comments/tips on the above would be greatly appreciated. Gracias !!

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Gaucho100K

[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-26-2001).]

Also... is the Chateau Whistler worth it? I also afraid it will be a much older crowd, and Im looking for something more of a party atmosphere, so Im thinking that the Fairmont is not a good option, or...?

Why not Westin Whistler? You may want to read these threads, people are raving about it:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002696.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002224.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/000580.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002551.html

Don't forget Rudi--he has been there more often than me (zero for me).

I stayed at the Coast Whistler in July (company business) and was dissapointed with the room and amenities even though I had been upgraded to a room with vaulted ceiling. I went back in August and stayed at the Delta Whistler and was very pleased with the room. It had a fireplace and supply of Duraflame logs, hardwood entry, huge jacuzzi tub and a stunning view.

Whistler is very much a party town and I am certain you will have no problem finding a group to enjoy.

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there is a Pan Pacific hotel right in the centre of the village and steps from the major lift, very convenient

that is where I would stay next time hubby and I are in Whistler

Gaucho, if you like French crepes, there is a creperie (sp?) around the corner from the KFC, yummm....

Your first mistake is going to Whistler and not Banff!

Whistler is over-rated and over-priced on poor snow and terrible weather. For a truly great skiing experience fly to Calgary (YYC), rent a car, or take an airporter bus. There are great deals and great accommodation at reasonable prices.

Sunshine Village website
http://www.skibanff.com/Sun99/index.asp

LakeLouise
http://www.skilouise.com/

Stay in downtown Banff for good restaurants and nightlife. Stay in the Chateau Lake Louise or Banff Springs for the HighLife.

I should add that you don't need to drive to the ski-hill. There are dedicated ski buses from every hotel to the slopes.

[This message has been edited by exAC (edited 11-26-2001).]

Thanks very much to all for your feedback. Ive also heard great things about Banff and will certainly go there sometime soon. Im a little disturbed about the 'terrible' weather in Whistler... is this really the case? Perhaps January is a bad month for weather?

Thanks!!

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Gaucho100K

I've stayed at the Chateau. It's quite nice, great location, and I loved the heated indoor/outdoor slopeside pool. But you're also right, we didn't party at all in the hotel.

When the weather's good, Whistler/Blackcomb is unbeatable. The problem is, you never know in advance what the weather will be.

The mountains are big enough to have multiple weather systems. The first time I went, it rained at the base 2 days out of 4. But only the bottom 2500 feet of the mountain rained. Once you got above that, you were a little wet, but skiing in fresh powder under partly sunny skies.

My second time there, we gave up one day because the fog was so thick. Later we found out that the other mountain was clear and fog free.

I live in YVR. I have been on the slopes both skiing and boarding all over the planet.

Trust me, there is no winter outdoor experience greater than W-B. I was so disppointed skiing many places that are so famous as they don't come remotely close to W-B.

I figure I have been on the mountain 40+ times in the past 5 years...and still I have not been on every run. Here is what I mean. Choose "Interactive Stats" on that page for a true wakeup call.

I LOVE the Chateau (I am 32 SWM). You must stay in Whister Village, where does not matter.

Best bet IMO for out of country visitors is to stay 7 days. Why? Weather is highly variable and with 7 days you are bound to get a minimum of 2 that are breathtaking. Being coastal mountains means you get great snow...but also a lot of cloud and sometimes rain in the village. I can remember a number of times skiing the top 1/2 of the mountain (still bigger than most on the planet) and coming down in the gondola to rain. I can also remember some sunburns!

Here are the live cams.

Dorian




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flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel tips - acquired by nFT
The Star Alliance RTW Price Chart - by Dorian
The Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart - by Blondebomber

Funny...I forgot to add that I love the Chateau and it is really only a short walk to Whistler Village. That being said though I prefer the Village.

Dorian

Whistler is fairly low in altitude at the base and too near the coast so you can get warm wet fronts coming in that can melt the snow (water is very good for doing that) or at least soften it.

If you want powder/drier snow, you might want to consider the interior ski resorts (Apex Alpine, Big White & Silver Star - accessible from Kelowna (YLW)) which are higher in altitude, drier and cooler. Night life may be a little bit slow there, though (ain't no San Carlos de Bariloche - more like San Martin de los Andes unless you go to Kelowna).

As for air fare, you can get from MEX-SEA (UA/MX)for $374 exc. tax/fees. About $120-160 for SEA-YVR/YLW on AS.

Click here for B.C. snow reports.

Thanks very much to Dorian and Terenz for the great information. I am definetely going to do 7 days, to hedge myself for the weather. If Dorian likes the Village and he's a 32SWM, I think this 33SWM and his buddies will also like it...

Also, I will investigate airfares through Seattle. I am definetely looking forward to Whistler. Thanks!!

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Gaucho100K

[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-27-2001).]

Dorian-- taking the que from your previous post on your many skiing experiences, I would like to ask you a little follow-up question. Ive been to some great resorts in regions like the 3 Valleys in France, the Austrian Arlberg region, and Vail/Aspen in the States. Ive also skied smaller resorts in both Europe and South America (Las Lenias, Bariloche, SM de los Andes, etc.). What makes Whistler Blackcomb so much better than these other destinations?

From my experience, European type resorts are more rich in tradition, have better albeit more expensive/fancy hotels/dining options, but tend to have older lifts and longer lines than -say- the US resorts in Colorado. The Ski runs in Colorado are usually much longer/wider, greater out of piste areas that what you find in Europe. The woods in Europe are usually more interesting that what Ive found in the US. How does WB fit into my comparison? The smaller resorts in Argentina are IMO a blend of Europe & the US, and what makes them special is the NightLife with a great mixture of different peoples (locals, Brazilians, some Europeans, etc.).

While Im sure I will see a lot of what Whistler has to offer myself, if you have some time I would really like to hear your views on that makes WB the best winter experience. Thanks.

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Gaucho100K

[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-27-2001).]

For me skiing is 50% about the mountain, 25% the ambiance and 25% the night life. When I want 25% ambiance and 75% nightlife I go to a sunny destination.

WB is massive without feeling completely massive. The views are spectacular, heli-skiing is at your fingertips, the glacer and back bowl make you feel like you are on the other side of the planet. When it is sunny there is nothing like it.

I have skiied every place you listed. I would ski them all again. All I am saying is I haven't found a skiing experience like WB for my % split above.

For WB:

Skiing experience a 90/100.
Ambiance a 60/100.
Nightlife a 70/100.

This gives it a rating of 77.5%.

For St. Anton, Austria:

Sking experience a 30/100.
Ambiance an 80/100
Nightlife an 80/100.

This gives it a rating of 55%.


See what I mean? Everyone is different...and this is just how I look at things.

Dorian