THE PERFECT WINTER WEEKEND IN WHISTLER, BC
One of the things we were most looking forward to with our new home in Seattle was the access to all of the amazing travel destinations. Whistler has always been high on my list of places I wanted to go to, and I knew it would be the perfect first stop. One of my best friends from NC had also always wanted to go to Seattle and decided to fly out to join us. It was SO fun to be able to experience this with her and I was so thrilled she came.
One of my favorite parts about our whole trip was the drive up the mountain from Vancouver to Seattle. You drive along the famous sea to sky highway and for about an hour experience some breathtaking views. It was pretty overcast for both the drive up and down the mountain, so I cannot wait to go back in the Summer and experience it on a clear and sunny day. I can only imagine how beautiful it will be.
We stayed at a cute little AIRBNB with easy access to the base of Blackcomb. Whistler and Blackcomb are two huge ski resorts located adjacent to each other and if you purchase a lift ticket, you have access to both. To be honest, before this trip I hadn't been skiing in over 8 years and I was pretty nervous. The ski resorts in NC are nothing like Whistler (in terms of size and difficulty) and it was a bit intimidating. Once I got over my initial fear and got used to my skis, I really did have a blast. If you are new to skiing or haven't skied in years like me, I would suggest sticking to the green slopes. The green slopes are definitely not easy and still provide great runs down the mountain.
We spent our first day on the mountain enjoying the slopes and the beautiful views. Around 3:30 the slopes close and everyone heads back down the mountain for Apres Ski. Things get wild at Apres Ski and everyone definitely enjoys themselves. I warmed up with a delicious hot chocolate at Merlins (read below for all of my food recommendations) and took it all in. I will say, I could get used to the ski culture.
We woke up early the next morning to squeeze in a few hours on the slopes before our next exciting activity, snowmobiling with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. It was seriously an absolute blast and definitely a highlight of our trip. We met our guide at the base of Whistler Village and were bused to the Canadian Wilderness Adventure lodge in the Callaghan Valley. We learned some safety precautions and did a little training before we set off on our tour.
If you have ever driven a jet ski, it is very similar to driving a snowmobile just on snow instead of water. We wound our way through the remote forest and took in all of the natural beauty. We were incredibly lucky and had snow falling the entire time and it literally felt like we were in a snow globe . We even stopped halfway to take pictures and throw a few snowballs.
The whole experience was SO fun and I couldn't have been more pleased with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. We are already planning our next trip to Whistler and I am dying to go dog sledding and snow shoeing is also high on the list.
We had heard amazing things about Brandywine Falls and squeezed in a quick peak before we headed out of town. It is definitely worth a visit and is just a short hike off the highway.
JACKET: THE NORTH FACE | SKI PANTS: COLUMBIA | HIKING BOOTS: KEEN | BEANIE: URBAN OUTFITTERS (SIMILAR + ON SALE FOR $10)
I wanted to make sure I recommended at least a few places to eat in Whistler. While it was definitely a short trip, we did have some pretty amazing meals that I thought you would want to know about!
CREEKBREAD PIZZA- Order the Pemberton Potato Pie and thank me later! Also, call ahead and get your name on the waiting list. It will definitely save you some time since this place is always packed.
21 STEPS KITCHEN + BAR: This is a great option for dinner in Whistler Village. I had the boneless short rib and it was delicious.
MERLIN'S BAR AND GRILL- A great option for a yummy lunch at the bottom of the mountain. Try the poutine for a true Canadian experience. I also was a HUGE fan of their hot chocolate. They also seemed to be THE spot for Apres Ski.
OLLIES GRILLED CHEESE SHACK: Located at Olympic Station (halfway up Whistler Gondola) on Whistler Mountain. Ski in for the best grilled cheese you have ever had, I went for the classic, but my friend Rachel had the French Melt and it was INCREDIBLE. This was maybe one of my favorite meals from the whole trip!
CRYSTAL HUT: A friend of mine recommended this place to me and sadly we never got to try it out. They are known for having the best waffles in the whole wide world. I will be back to try one of these babies out in the near future!
SHOP MY LOOK:
