Rachael Hopwood Jarvis is a writer passionate about luxury travel, snow and timber sports, and equestrianism. Rachael writes frequently about the Canadian ski resort of Whistler.
The Canadian resort of Whistler is renowned for world-class skiing and snowboarding, offering no shortage of high-end experiences for the connoisseur to enjoy. Top-quality powder, luxurious accommodation and a winter wonderland packed with exhilarating activities complement a vibrant dining and nightlife scene; the foundations of a 5-star trip. Direct flights to Vancouver operate daily from London Heathrow, with Whistler located just a two-hour drive from the west coast city. Before you go, check out our guide to 24 hours in the mountains of British Columbia…
Arrive in Style…
Extra keen to get on the slopes? Take the heli jet to Whistler from Vancouver and arrive in just 30 minutes. While the journey may be short, you’ll enjoy views of Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Coast Mountain Ranges along the way.
World-Class Skiing (or Snowboarding)
Fancy an exclusive powder field all to yourself? With no lift lines or resort boundaries, heli-skiing is the best way to enjoy Whistler’s most exclusive ski runs. Jump on board, fire up the rotors and fly to an exclusive snowboard or ski experience like no other.
Why not hire a private ski instructor while in town? Firstly, you’ll get to brush up on your technique or perhaps try skiing or snowboarding for the first time. Secondly, you’ll have the knowledge of a local guide to show you the very best spots in the area – oh, and you’ll skip the queues at the ski lifts.
Slide like an Olympian
As one of the host venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Whistler Sliding Centre is offering bobsleigh and skeleton experiences between December 14th, 2018 and March 31st, 2019. Experience the thrill of one of the fastest ice tracks in the world, reaching speeds of over 80 km/hr. There are no gold medals up for grabs, but this is surely one for the bucket list?
Après-ski like a Canadian
As your day of icy adventure draws to a close, take your fun indoors at Forged Axe Throwing. Quintessentially Canadian, axe throwing is this country’s alternative to darts with leagues and tournaments taking place regularly. You and your friends will take it in turns hurling axes (or hatchets) at a target with the hope of sinking a bullseye. This raucous group activity is great fun and also an awesome workout for your arms.
Relax and unwind…
After all that fun, soothe those aching muscles with a massage, treatment or jacuzzi at one of the highly regarded spas in Whistler. The Scandinave Spa remains one of the leading choices or alternatively, you could check out the Whistler hot springs.
Experience fine dining in a Canadian ice cave…
New for 2018/19, the Blue Room takes fine dining to a whole new level – in an ice cave! You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the ice cave upon arrival, before sitting down to a gastronomic feast.
Sleep Soundly…
When it comes to a place to stay, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Whistler. Choose from luxury chalets with ski-in ski-out access or opt for one of the globally renowned hotels with spas, ski valet and rental services, and concierges.
For sumptuous luxury, the Fairmont Chateau is a grand choice and the Four Seasons Resort is another internationally-recognised selection.
Immerse yourself in culture…
Round off your trip to Whistler by checking out the many Whistler museums and galleries and learning more about this region’s colourful history. Stop by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Whistler Museum and the Audain Art Museum and be sure to check out the impressive calendar of events, speaker series’ and live performances to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
For more information see www.whistler.com.
