Whistler - where should I start?

[roll - gybe]

Planning a vacay with the gf. Want to stay somewhere nice near nightlife. Want to get a heli lift. Anyone have ideas? We haven't taken a vacation in a year. Neither one of us has been to Whister, and we need to go.

I get the feeling that the place can be kinda overwhelming in terms of options. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[tetsuma]

Planning a vacay with the gf. Want to stay somewhere nice near nightlife. Want to get a heli lift. Anyone have ideas? We haven't taken a vacation in a year. Neither one of us has been to Whister, and we need to go.

I get the feeling that the place can be kinda overwhelming in terms of options. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Couple of questions to help folks answer your question: (i) how much do you want to spend per night; (ii) do you want to be able to cook in (kitchen) or always want to eat out; (iii) do you want to fireplace/quiet romance kind of place or the rocking/noisy party bopping kind of place; (iv) how important are the hot tub, gym, and other ammenities?

[postman22]

every place in whistler is nice

depends on how much money you want to spend. you really want to impress the girl and get laid every night take her to the Westin or the Chateau. I have no idea but I'm guessing its somewhere in the $500/night range. Ski in ski out ultimate luxury right near all the bars and clubs.

There is Whistler Heli, and a few others. I suggest something near Pemberton. Thats where the real Coast Mountains start.

[roll - gybe]

not looking for a 4-season experience, but would like the ammenities. pool, hot tub. the ability to cook in would be pretty nice - we actually brought that up. at a minimum, the bedspread should be jizz free. we stayed at the cliff lodge once at snowbird. that type of place would be sweet if we could swing a good deal on something like that.

when you say rocking party place, are we talking vegas style? don't know if we need to stay at the bellagio. we are there to ski, but it would be nice to easily go drink beers, play pool, and see music. perhaps w/in a walk or short bus ride. 300/night would probably top us out, but if we can do better maybe we get two heli days.

are there different villages/ neighborhoods? what is transportation like?

[postman22]

heres a good place to start

http://www.ownerdirect.com/search/br...t.asp?resort=4

http://www.whistlervillagecondos.com/

find a place in the Whistler Village. Creekside is nice but too damn quite. Whistler Village is not Vegas. There are about 15 bars and clubs but you cant hear them from any hotel room. Blackcomb village is nice too but ends up being about a 10 minute walk to the Village depending on where you are. Basically any hotel will have hot tub and pool. I think most offer cooking as well

[Big E]

In Whistler, everywhere is a short walk/bus ride. That's one of the beauties of the place (at least for visitors).

[flatNshallow]

try www.vrbo.com you should be able to find just about any level of accomodations you want...

[3eyedsmiley]

If you get a car rental, or can figure out how to navigate the bus system, or if you can walk up and down very small distances down easy blue ski trails, try anything on the left side (going up the lift) all the way on the left side of blackcomb.

My family stayed at Aspen Condos and was an easy drive to everything, and it has hot tub, ski valet, rentals. Only thing lacking is a restauraunt/bar at the bottom of the hotel. Has full fledged kitchen, nice tvs, and good experience overall.

[LeeLau]

There are three main centres

Whistler Creekside

Whistler Village (main village and Village North)

Blackcomb Village

There's also other neighbourhoods but don't worry too much about that.

Here's a map to get you started http://www.tourismwhistler.com/www/p...ions.asp?map=1

and a website

http://www.tourismwhistler.com/

Stay in either Whistler Village or Village North. Blackcomb Village is a little too far IMO.

http://www.whistlervacations.com/ima.../townhome8.asp Unit #8 is a buddy of mine - kitchen - private hot - tub on 2nd deck (clothing optional :>) 2 bdrooms. PM me if you're interested and I'll put you in touch with the guy direct and he can figure out some sort of deal

As for heli hookups - I dont' have any but a heli drop which involves bc touring and some experience so maybe not your cake but I do have a bud who can hook up cat tours at a discount. Again just drop the pm details if you'd like

[The AD]

I'd recommend something that says it's in "Village North." This basically means across the road from the main village. You'll be a couple minutes more walk to the lifts, but still close, not to mention you'll get slightly more for your money and be away from most of the drunks screaming below your window at 3 a.m.

[powder11]

Residence Inn on Blackcomb, 2 min bus ride from the village(no drunks). nice little suites w/kitchenette. outdoor pool under the wizard express. you can walk out the front door, slap your skis down and go.

[Bodhi]

I'd recommend something that says it's in "Village North." This basically means across the road from the main village. You'll be a couple minutes more walk to the lifts, but still close, not to mention you'll get slightly more for your money and be away from most of the drunks screaming below your window at 3 a.m.

Most Excellent advice...totally concur with this little bit.



Once you get situated...While on the mtns a couple of runs I would recommend:
1. Any of the "gem" bowls on Blackcomb (Garnet, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire)
2. Cirque on Whistler
3. "Toilet" Bowl (barely in the bc of Blackcomb on the east side of the Glacier)...

peace,
D.

[The AD]

I recommend eating at Rimrock. I just went there for the first time last month. It's just a little north of Creekside, so a little out of the way if you're staying in the village. They have an incredible prix fixe menu for $40 that's worth every penny.

[shirk]

Holly crap no mention of the BootPub?

It's the last year for the dancing ladies. Atleast thats what Ted told me while I was there in October. Newest owner plans to rip it and the String down in the summer.

[dogwonder]

if you are looking for a condo...http://www.alluradirect.com is how we always book.

For heli, I highly recommend Coast Range Heli. 4 per bird so you are almost guaranteed to be with people on your level. And they give a smokin' lunch!

For food, I've always like Carumba's in the Village, reasonably priced and good food.

And on mountain...I completely agree that Spanky's ladder gives the goods. On Whistler, I love Harmony Horseshoe...

Enjoy...I'll be there in 7 weeks...

[bigtrubs]

My parents have stayed at the Delta Whistler Village Suites (on main st.) before and it's nice with little kitchens or kitchenettes plus it's right in the village which is a bonus, you can park underground and not worry about using your car the entire time you're there. I've been in the Summit Lodge before (also on main st.) and it's nice, and Alpenglow comes with kitchenettes. Good luck!

[Snow Dog]

Best of Whistler as picked by the locals.

[LeeLau]

Best of Whistler as picked by the locals.

There's a lot of shite in there - Canski as best ski shop - wtf?

[Snow Dog]

There's a lot of shite in there - Canski as best ski shop - wtf?

I don't try to understand it; I just report it.

[bakers_dozen]

Residence Inn on Blackcomb, 2 min bus ride from the village(no drunks). nice little suites w/kitchenette. outdoor pool under the wizard express. you can walk out the front door, slap your skis down and go.

I've stayed here and loved it, they also have free cont. breakfasts, which were actually quite good. Nice pool and shit too. I agree one of my best stays in Whistler.

[bakers_dozen]

Holly crap no mention of the BootPub?

It's the last year for the dancing ladies. Atleast thats what Ted told me while I was there in October. Newest owner plans to rip it and the String down in the summer.

I've heard the same... I bet the land is worth more for something else than the bootpub is generating. Its a classic place though, gonna need something to replace it (someone wanna go into business?? $$$$ )

[Snow Dog]

I've heard the same... I bet the land is worth more for something else than the bootpub is generating. Its a classic place though, gonna need something to replace it (someone wanna go into business?? $$$$ )

It sits on a big piece of unused land (6 acres) and unused bed units. So it was just a matter of time. It'll be replaced with condos and maybe a hotel.

edit:
Shoestring Lodge/Boot Pub redevelopment

A little closer to home Cressey Development Limited is moving forward with a high-density residential development close to the heart of the village.

Though the development will see the demise of the Boot Pub and one of the cheapest hostels in town, the Shoestring Lodge, the new plans will bring new opportunities.

Along with 36 market townhomes, Cressey plans to build 36 resident restricted townhomes, ranging in size and number of bedrooms.

Employee housing will be arranged into three buildings with 12 units in each. Every unit will have access from the ground floor.

In total the redevelopment will deliver 168 bed units of restricted housing. Legally Cressey is required to build 126 units, part of its obligation for the development of the Westin Resort & Spa.

Cressey Development Manager David Evans explained that there was a delay in providing that housing because it's just so difficult to find suitable land in Whistler.

"We couldn't find an appropriate site," he said. "There's just not a lot of land available, to tell you the truth, for that kind of requirement."

Originally Cressey proposed building apartment-style employee housing, which would have been double their bed unit obligation. But at council's behest, they changed the plans for fewer units.

"They wanted quality over quantity," explained Evans.

The development will also see a new bridge at White Gold. It will be a two-lane bridge with a pedestrian pathway on the north side. Early estimates point to this being a $1 million upgrade.

Despite these amenities, council still has some concerns about the proposal, among them the impact to neighbours in Spruce Grove. They could be affected by the need to raise the dyke on the east side of Fitzsimmons Creek. There are also concerns about encroaching on the highway setback and the wetlands on Blackcomb Way.

[roll - gybe]

Hey great info everyone. A of reiteration from what a couple other people have told me. It'll take me a little time to digest all this... mucho thanks

[funkendrenchman]

Make sure you grab some Avalanche pizza.

[Dr.Evil]

If you do get a place right in the main village I would recommend bringing ear plugs so you don't get woken up by all the drunks after all the bars close (unless you plan to be one of the yelling and screaming drunks )