Ski Resorts
10 Things I Love About Whistler
So while doing my morning reading on snowboarding today, I came across a Denver Post article titled, “10 Things We Love About Vail.” Given I have several favourties of my own, I thought: why not document my faves? So I’m going to start with Whistler Blackcomb.
How much is Whistler loved as a ski resort around these parts at Highly Obsessed? Consider that we have maintained a Guide to Whistler since 2006. More than 10 percent of articles here contain the word Whistler. And despite vowing to visit places like Colorado and Alberta to shred, we keep ending up going back — over and over again.
Here’s the top 10 things I love about Whistler:
10. The accessibility from Vancouver. You can get to Whistler in two hours from Vancouver, and only a few more from Seattle. Not all resorts are easily accessible from international airports. The Whistler Guide lists several options for getting to Whistler from Vancouver.
9. The 2010 Olympics. It’s going to be so cool to watch the downhill events on television and say, “holy shit — I just rode that.”
8. The locals. Pique Magazine, the Whistler Question, local delicacies like Splitz Grill, the folks who staff the stores and hills – the friendly, party-like atmosphere of Whistler makes it a really enjoyable place to stay.
7. The Peak to Peak Gondola: I haven’t been on the thing, obviously, but holy crap — now you don’t have to travel all the way down one mountain and up another (usually at lunch). Now you can do both mountains easily.
6. Seventh Heaven, Harmony Ridge, Peak to Creek: Phenomenal, beautiful areas and runs. Click here for some more of our favourites.
5. Fresh Tracks Breakfast: Powder Day or not, getting up on the mountain before anyone else is amazing.
4. Summit Sports: They’ve saved my day many a time.
3. Arrival Day: I find one of the most exciting times during a trip to Whistler to be the day I get there. Generally, its too late by the time I arrive to shred: I spend the evening in the village, maybe at a bar, just looking at the base of Whistler Mountain, giddy with anticipation. Much to the dismay of the people I go with, I’m usually awake at 6am the next morning, yelling at the bastards to wake up.
2. Apres. From the giant heated patio at Longhorn’s to Seppo’s on top of Whistler Mountain to testosterone-filled locals’ nights at Buffalo Bills, there’s always something to do. The Whistler Guide lists the good and the bad, check it out.
1. The sheer amount of terrain. 8100+ acres and more than 200 marked trails means no two days are alike, ever.
Discussion
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If I wrote this posting, it would have to be titled, “Ten Reasons I Have Yet to Go Whistler”. This would have a follow up article, “Five Reasons I Hate Myself.”
I absolutely love Whistler but I do have some quibbles/comments on your list.
10. It is 4.5 hours from Seattle which isn’t that close and it is a lot longer when you factor in the border crossing and taking a break during the trip. Salt Lake City and Denver offer more resorts that are closer to air transport.
9. No quibble here…I just want to mention that I am so looking forward to seeing the guys fly down the Dave Murray and remembering the great time I had on that run.
7. While the Peak2Peak will be awesome (and scary) I am not sure it will be that useful to the average joe. If you can get up to top half of each mountain and resist not coming down to the bottom until the end of the day then you should be fine. There is so much terrain that I don’t see need to switch mountains mid-day.
6. Big Word here…that stuff and more are just too awesome to describe and I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the terrain I’ve skied there.
4. Based on your rec, I tried Summit and you are very right. Those guys are great and provide excellent service.
2. Longhorn’s patio mere feet (or meters if you will) from the slopes is great way to end the day with friends.
1. Absolutely.
Hey Mark, thanks for the comments. I’m glad you enjoyed Summit, I think those folks really know their stuff.
The border crossing is an excellent point. Also, I too don’t really need to switch — I always pick one mountain for the day — the only time I could see the need, personally, is if one hill gets absolutely packed.
Cheers
adam
Hey Adam, where are you from? Seattle? Vancouver?
This is a great post on Whistler.
I also had to come out of lurking enough to post that one of the best things about Whistler is Elements for breakfast. You absolutely cannot miss it next time you’re up there.
I myself head to Whistler quite a bit during the year. Hopefully I’ll see you there!
I’m planning on going Opening Day… for a little rock action
You?
Thanks Allie,
I’m in Toronto. Far, far away. Poor me!
I won’t be there for opening day as much as I would love to. Hopefully soon after though.
Going to have to check out Elements. Where is it?
–adam