What to do in Whistler (Besides Skiing)!
I’ve been going on a bit about
. I love learning new things, and enjoyed it so much more than expected. I felt like I finally got – and actually understood – the whole skiing bug.
But there’s actually a lot more to do in Whistler than snowsports. If you’re a beginner skier like I am, you’re unlikely to spend all of your time on the slopes (I’m pretty sure my legs would have dropped off). Whistler is a fantastic place to explore and has so much to off both on and off the mountain. Here are a couple of my favourite things to do.
The Scandinave Spa
I love a good spa, and you seriously can’t come to Whistler without visiting this one. It’s a very different experience to spas I’ve visited before, and well worth the experience.
It’s about a ten minute drive out of town, the route taking you deep into a cedar and spruce forest. You park your car at the bottom of the hill, before entering a winding path heralded with the sign “welcome to our haven of peace and quiet”. If that doesn’t put you in the mood for some serious relaxation, I don’t know what will.
These traditional Scandinavian Baths are based upon the ancient Nordic practice of hydrotherapy and its three stages. To you and me, that basically means being very hot and then very cold, before letting your temperature return to normal. You stay hot for 10-15 minutes, take a cold dip for 30 seconds, then chill for another 15 minutes. This apparently increases blood circulation, cleanses the body and releases endorphins. Intrigued, I was more than game to give it a try.
The spa itself is a dense, private little haven of turquoise baths, hidden away like rock pools. There’s also hammocks, saunas, steam rooms and solariums to chill out in. The spa is a strictly silent space, which makes it easier to completely zone out and concentrate on the experience. Some of the pools are hot – 38-40 degrees – while others are considerably less so – around 13 degrees. The first time I hopped into one of these, I let out a little yelp in the otherwise tranquil space. It literally look my breath away. But the more cycles I did (it’s recommended you do at least 3 or 4), the easier it got, and I definitely felt relaxed and refreshed afterwards. There’s delicious tea to enjoy as you unwind, and a café to fill up on after.
The baths cost
$60 (about £30) for full day access
, and massages start from
$152 (about £75).
It’s just the thing for ski-weary muscles.
Eat and drink. Then eat and drink some more.
Whistler has some amazing places to eat out, and some great bars for that all-important apres-ski. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
– tucked away in the peaceful Creekside (4k from Whistler Village) Creekbread has an intimate, local feeling despite its relatively large size. It’s always packed, and that might have something to do with the huge, delicious pizzas in really unique combinations. Try the Mopsy’s Kalua Pork (free-range pork, mango BBQ sauce, pineapple, goat’s cheese, mozzarella…) or the Pemberton Potato Pie (sliced potato, whole roasted garlic, and about ten types of cheese), Mouth watering yet?
– Located directly above the Whistler Village Gondola – is ideally placed to enjoy a drink or two and some snacks after skiing, or while you wait for people to come back from the mountain. It’s usually really busy so the service can be a bit slow, but if you’ve got a long afternoon to kill it really doesn’t matter. I’d recommend the flatbreads and waffle fries.
– again, this busy bar/restaurant is right in the middle of Skier’s Plaza. It’s a casual, lively place to grab a drink and some hearty food. Some of the tables even have a roaring fire in the middle – a bonus on chilly days! I’m recommending this place mainly for the Cobb Salad. Best. Salad. Ever.
at the Peak to Peak Gondola – Ride the
Gondola for some epic views out across Whistler and Blackcomb mountains (no skiing involved!) After all that, ahem, hard work, head to the Rendezvous for a spot of lunch. There’s all sorts to choose from, from burritos to big bowls of steaming ramen. Choose a table outside for amazing mountain views.
- a Creekside institution, right next to the gondola. Big burgers and sandwiches go down nicely after a long day, and they have great daily specials on local beers.
Soak up some culture at the Audain Art Museum and Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre
Few people look past Whistler’s ski obsession and party-town exterior to see the cultural rhythms pulsing just beneath. If you fancy spending the afternoon learning a bit more about art or the First Nations people of British Columbia, you’re spoilt for choice.
The Audain Art Museum is located just next to the Olympic Plaza and houses an impressive amount of British Columbian art, chronicling its history to the present day. They’ve also got a temporary exhibition on at the moment about Mexican Modernists. Now, I’m no art buff – but it was really interesting to see the history of BC played out through a number of really creative mediums. A tranquil walk around the modern museum is the perfect way to get away from the chaos of the village or to spend a rainy afternoon.
The Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre provides a great opportunity to learn about the indigenous people of the region. Our knowledgeable guide took us on an interactive tour through the culture, history and people of the Squamish and Lil’Wat nations.
WSSF
If you happen to be in Whistler in April, you can’t miss WSSF – the annual World Ski and Snowboard Festival. It’s a week-long party celebrating snowsports and mountain culture through film, photography and art.
Highlights include the 72 Hour Film Maker’s Showdown – teams are given just 72 hours to produce a film in Whistler to win $10k – the Pro Photographer Showdown, and Intersection, where snow sport adventure films go head to head. If you’re in the party mood, head to the Silent Disco, and if you just want to see some sick ski and snowboard tricks, check out the Gibbons Style Sessions. No skiing on your part required!
What are your favourite things to do in Whistler? Let me know!
