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Service has always been the Four Seasons forte, and Whistler is no exception. With a concierge that caters to teenagers and a base camp activity consultant to help schedule all activities, you can rest assured that when you reach the resort, you can begin to play. The Ski Elite Program offers guests the opportunity of a private ski and snowboard instructor to shake off the rust and build confidence on that first day. A Ski Concierge is available to simplify your day on the mountain, providing rentals and helping you get to trails that best fit your ability. The regular concierge is also excellent, recommending and making reservations at restaurants for the week, giving us directions to various activities, even offering us a car service to reach our float plane flight to Victoria.
The two-hour drive from Vancouver to Whistler is on Highway 99, otherwise known as the Sea to Sky Highway. Construction crews are already busy widening the road, as per their agreement with the Olympic Committee, yet don't expect delays since the crews usually don't work during the busy winter months of December through February. Instead, take your time and savor the exquisite scenery as you ride along the quiet shores of Howe Sound and then up into the high peaks. A good rest stop is Shannon Falls, where you can watch ice climbers pick their way up the iced-over falls with ax and crampons.
The Art of Smart Timing
The world will descend on Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympics. So head there in 2009, when the prices will be cheaper and you can experience many of the resort updates, like the new Peak to Peak gondola that connects Blackcomb to Whistler Mountain. Set to make its debut in December 2008, the gondola will span 2.7 miles and bridge the higher altitudes of these mountains.
As I noted above, summer is also a wonderful time to visit Whistler. Prices at hotels are significantly reduced and you can spot bear, paddle down lonely rivers with eagles, hike in the snow, even go skiing.
For Mom and Dad
That happy-to-help concierge can also find you a babysitter, more than likely someone that teaches kids how to ski in the day time. For a romantic dinner for two, it's hard to top Araxi. The restaurant house more than 12,000 bottles of wine, including rare British Columbia selections, and features the best of Pacific Northwest cuisine. Start with the locally farmed beets and mozzarella salad or oysters on the half shell, and then move on to the miso-glazed sablefish, a BC specialty.
Or simply throw a DVD into the entertainment center of your room and go downstairs to the spa for an 80 minute Couples Massage. They'll perform any massage you like, including the sea-to-sky treatment, in a specially designed room for two. That's my kind of date!
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