Whistler Update (Feb 2009 weekends)

Hello white gold surfers,

Sorry for the long long delay with regards to my Whistler updates but I’m going to give you a quick update on the Whistler conditions and what I have been up to there.

The last couple of weekend in February the conditions have been off and on. One day during the weekend you’ll get a shitty icy day of riding but sunshine which is always good, but I would take pow over sun. While on the Sunday if you are lucky, like I have been you get a pow day. For some reason the last 3 week Sunday have been power days with about 10 to 15 cms.



The weekend of February 7th has been the best of the year so far and there has not been that many good days this season so compared to other years it was as best good. During that weekend we got about 30 plus cms of snow over 3 days so we decided to hike out and build a kicker. We first tried in Bagel Bowl on the Saturday but the snow coverage wasn’t that great, to wind blow. On Sunday I suggested hiking into Flute to find a spot to build. It was the best decision because we found a hidden spot that had the best features to build an amazing kicker.



A couple of us sessioned the kicker all day on Sunday, hiking up and jumping down. We had suck an awesome session that we lost track of time that mountain patrol found us to say that the mountain was closing and we had to get the hell out…..it was 3pm and we starting sessioning at 10am. It was such a fun but exhausting day.




The last two weekends have been shit to ok. Not much snowfall so the runs where pretty icy especially for the Valentines day weekend. But don’t worry thing will get better in Whistler if history is on our side. March and April should start dumping snow and it has already started this past week. So be patience and watch the forecast closely for the next little while….winter is not over.

Winter 2008 / 2009 Prediction

Whistler Snow Forecast

Well hope you get out and enjoy some powder lines this weekend and I’ll be back up in Whistler to shed and give you an update on the Showcase Showdown competition happening on Sunday.

Showcase Showdown

Showcase Showdown 2009

On February 28th, 2009 Showcase Snowboards is holding their annual competition called the Showcase Showdown. The Showdown is a combined pipe/park comp that features the best pro riders in Canada. This is a really good event to attend because the level of riding is so good.

Showcase Showdown website

Usually this comp is held on Blackcomb mountain at the superpipe location but this year because of the shitty snow conditions it is being held at the base of Whistler mountain, next to the GLC. This will be even better because you don’t have to take the gondola then walk up to the Blackcomb superpipe.

So if you are in Whistler during the weekend of Feb 28th stop by the base of Whistler and watch the comp. Every year the park/pipe gets better and better. Here is a detailed schedule if you are interested.

http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/showdown/09_ShowcaseShowdownSchedule.pdf

Out of Bounds: Tales from the Backcountry

Hello again, sorry for the long delay between posts but I have been so busy with work that my blog has been suffering.

I just wanted to let you know about one my favourite events in Whistler that is happening….it’s called Out of Bounds: Tales from the Backcountry photo exhibition. This is an amazing photo exhibition that feature some of the best photographers work within the BC mountains. Some of the photographers featured in this years exhibit are as follows:

Alex Wigley
Andrew Bradley
Andy Anissimoff
Blake Jorgenson
Bradley Slack
Brian Baker
Brian Hockenstein
Bruce Rowles
Cam Unger
Dagan Beach
Dave Henkel
Greg Eymundson
Jonathan Kirby
Larry Jung
Nicolas Teichrob
Pete Cussrin
Rich Glass
Todd Hellinga
Joel Sweet

Out of Bounds is being held from Feb 1st to 28th at the Millennium Place in Whistler and I’m pretty sure it’s free to drop in and view these great pieces of work. If you’re in Whistler and enjoy photography and the mountains don’t miss this feature.

Whistler Blackcomb Update (Dec 20 & 21, 2008)

Hello all,

Sorry for the lack of postings or updates but I have been really busy at work and have no time to posted up any new blogs.

This passed weekend I decided to get away from my busy schedule and head of to Whistler to get some snowboarding in before I go on holidays. Now in past weeks the conditional have been less than desirable but I really want to snowboard so I just went for it.

On Saturday I went up to Whistler mountain for the day because the Whistler side has better snow coverage than Blackcomb, Blackcomb was way too icy. It was still pretty cold as the temperatures were about -20 degrees Celsius but very little winds so that was good. I tried to good off and find some better terrain but the lack of snow coverage in those area made me stay close to Emerald and Red chairs. Staying within these areas sucked because there was too many people and the snow was so packed down that it was ice….I couldn’t get my edge in which started to really frustrate me. So I did a hand full or runs and decided to call it a day….that is the beauty of a seasons pass.


When I got back to the cabin I check the snow forecast because if it was going to be shit again I was going to pack my bags and head back to Vancouver. But the forecast surprised me when it said that about 15cm was going to fall in the alpine overnight. Yes, finally a somewhat powder day.


So on Sunday I woke up really early and headed to the lifts to make it there for 8:00am. When I got up on Whistler mountain there was powder to surf though…this is what I have been waiting for the last couple of weeks. Now areas close to Emerald and Red chair were good enough but I could have ventured out a bit more but was too lazy to. I surfed all the pow until it was all tracked out then headed to Blackcomb mountain via Peak 2 Peak. I was told that not that many people were on Blackcomb and there still some untracked run left. But I when on Blackcomb and the conditions were still not the best. It’s weird because Blackcomb usually gets better snow coverage in more areas than Whistler. By 2:00pm I was done and decided to call it a day since I’ve been up from about 6:30am.


Overall this weekend was saved by the Saturday night snowfall and the fact no one was up on the mountain on Sunday, so I was happy with it. But looking ahead…it’s going to start dumping in Whistler have a look…..just in time for Christmas and for me not to be there since I’m head to Toronto to visit my family.

Whistler Peak 2 Peak Opens Today

Hello all,

Just wanted to remind you that Whistler's Peak 2 Peak opens today. If you don't know the Peak 2 Peak is a cable car or gondola that runs from Whistler to Blackcomb mountain. More specifically from the Roundhouse lodge on whistler to the Rendezvous lodge on Blackcomb, right over Fitzsimmons Creek.


I be riding it this weekend so I will take many pictures and videos to show you all the Peak 2 Peak experience.

Take care and look for my Peak 2 Peak post next week.

Whistler Blackcomb Update (Weekend of Dec 6, 2008)

I headed up to Whistler on this weekend, as per my usual winter weekend routine. I knew going into it that it did snow much or at all the week before, so the condition where going to be less than desirable. Got up there Friday night, via the Greyhound and headed straight for the cabin, as I was really tired from working long hours all week. My plan was to wake up early and hit the mountain to ride all day, but Saturday morning came around and I needed more sleep. So I got up to the hill at 11:30am.


On Saturday I boarded on Blackcomb…still no new snow. The conditions actually were worse than the weekend before….kind of icy. Also Blackcomb only had a couple of lifts open, Jersey Cream, Solar Coaster and Catskinner, so everyone was all in a confidante area. If you know Blackcomb the run are tight even on the best of days, that what Blackcomb so good. But on Saturday with the number of people and narrow runs I basically took a hand full of runs and called it a day…good thing I have a seasons pass.

Sunday, I headed to Whistler and this time I managed to get up earlier that the day before. The extra motivation came from the 10cm of snow that fell overnight. So in the morning the condition where ok, a layer of powder over hard packed….nothing to ride home about. As the day when on the conditions got worse and the fresh powder was all packed out.


Since all the run were pack out I decided to go off and make my own line….what a mistake that was. Knowing that there were rocks, or land mines I like to call them, under the powder, I tried to get some powder riding done. After taking my so called powder line I look at the base of my board and it was full of rock shots. One word of advice just stay on the runs until it dumps unless you are will to hike the higher alpine just like some people I saw. But all in all Sunday was a better day because the Whistler they had open area more wide open therefore accommodating more riders.


It is suppose to snow a bit over the rest of this week so hopefully the weekend will be better. Also Peak 2 Peak is opening on Friday so if I can get on it this weekend I’ll show you all in my next post.

Weather Prediction for Winter 2008 / 2009

Hello loyal readers, you know from previous posts that I have been really concerned about the 08-09 winter and the amount of snowfall we might and might not be getting. Well I just came across so information that doesn’t paint a very good picture for this years winter season in the coastal mountains of Canada, which includes Whistler.

I search the net franticly in find information that would give me an idea of what to expect this winter. A good reference that I have used for the last couple of years is the Farmer’s Almanac, which is pretty accurate from year to year.

Below are a couple links that predict the next couple of months:

http://www.almanac.com/weather/

http://wx-man.com/blog/?cat=200

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather/a/2008-09-weather-outlook-for-canada

As you can see from the information above the temperature for the pacific Canada will be seasonal but the big kicker is that there will be less precipitation….meaning possibility less snow.

Well thinking positively I hope we these predictions do not come to fruition and we here in Whistler have a season full of powder days.

Take care and happy trails on the slopes.

Opening Weekend at Whistler Blackcomb

I have officially started my snowboarding season for 08/09 this past weekend, Nov 28^th and 29^th, in Whistler. Whistler mountain actually opened on Nov 26^th with Blackcomb mountain opening one day later, on Nov 27^th. Now since I’m now working full-time in Vancouver I can really only get up to Whistler on the weekends…I hate being a weekend warrior.

I was a bit worried with regards to the conditions as I have been checking the snow report for the last two months and never really saw any significant snowfall…even up to opening day. As a matter a fact the freezing level and overall air temperature was well above seasonal….now you can see why I was so concerned.

On Saturday I hit the slopes pretty late, at about 10am, to avoid the huge lineup for the Whistler gondola that was expected. Since it was the US Thanksgiving and opening Whistler mountain on Saturday was packed with people….it’s a good thing that I did wait until later in the morning. Also the snow conditions were what I thought they would be shit. The alpine temperature was about + 4 degrees celsius and there were times were it drizzled rain because the freezing level was above the peak of the mountain....I felt sorry for people who paid $83 plus to ride in those shitty conditions. Sunday we decided to hit up Blackcomb. The conditions actually got even worse over night because it didn’t snow and the alpine temperature was almost 8 degrees celsius…..spring like conditions. The good thing is that it wasn’t too busy but even with that said we only took a couple of run and packed it in for the day. Overall opening weekend was disappointing with regards to snow conditions as I was hoping for a lot better. I just hope we don’t see another 04/05 season in Whistler as I really want to do more powder riding this year and get into the backcountry.

Well all you Whistler riders prey to the snow gods for a huge dump of snow to come really soon because it is much needed for Whistler and Blackcomb mountain.

I’ll keep you post on the conditions this coming weekend.

Opening Day in Whistler is Coming…Where is the Snow?

Hello all, you may have noticed via the Whistler snow forecast and website that the conditions are not good at all. It’s very similar to the shitty snow year back in 2004 / 2005 where Whistler only saw about 80cm of total snowfall for November. So far this November, as of 20th, the total snowfall is only a dismal 70cm. Considering opening day is only a week away, November 27th, this is not good.

I guess this can be looked as a good thing because if the snow is not falling in November there should be a huge dump of snow for December. But by looking that the weather trends in the last couple of weeks that temperatures have been about 5 degrees above seasonal and the very little precipitation.

So lets all prey to the snow gods that it starts to snow heavy in the Whistler for the next week and beyond. Or else we can possibility see another season like 04 / 05….that would suck.

Shop Review – Showcase Snowboards (Whistler)

Showcase Snowboards is a board shop located in Whistler in the Sundial Hotel complex that is owned by Intrawest. It’s one of Whistler most busiest and infamous snowboard shops and the reason for that is obvious….because it’s located right near the main gondolas for Whistler and Blackcomb mountain. Showcase has a couple of other locations within other Intrawest resorts like Colorado's Copper Mountain. Also you can go online to their site, Showcase Snowboards, to get all your snowboard needs.

Showcase even put on a yearly competition on in Whistler called “The Showcase Showdown”, which feature some of Canada’s best riders. This competition is usually nest the end of February and is really good because is kinda like a pipe and park comp mix into one. If you are in Whistler during definitely check it out but go early to get a spot to watch.

I usually stroll into Showcase Whistler once in awhile to check out what’s new and just browse around. I have purchase a couple of items from them and thought it would be good to post a review about the shop to let other know what they can expect.



1) Shop setup / Visual Merch

Showcase Snowboards Whistler is a pretty big shop for Whistler, actually the biggest, with a pretty clean modern setup to it. The shop is well organized with a section for soft goods, gear and even a separate shop for women stuff that right next door. The shop that’s just for woman’s stuff it the Burton woman’s store and I think that it looks better than the main shop does….pretty well designed.

Showcase also features a live DJ Fridays thru Sunday during the evening to give the shop a nightclub type of feel. This is a unique touch. So go get your dance and shop on!!!

2) Product Variety

The shop carries many of the big name snowboarding brands such as Burton, Option and also locally produced Prior snowboards. They also have a large inventory of clothing from Volcom, Burton and Bonfire. But aside from snowboarding related gear Showcase doesn’t have much more. Their main focus is snowboarding. In the summer the shop does sell surfboards but only a handful. But if you’re looking for Burton gear this shop is the one in Whistler.

3) Pricing

As you would expect, the pricing is not much different from other board shops in Whistler. Sales rarely are put up by Showcase even in the summer. The big sales occur at Thanksgiving and in the summer but the price drop are not that significant. Also I find it’s hard to haggle a deal because it’s really a large corporately owned shop and they probably have strict rules about product pricing.

4) Customer Service

Customer service at Showcase is hit and miss. Sometimes you get really good service and other times the shop employees are too cool to help you out.

A couple times I have been in the store wondering around and never was approached by an employee asking if they can help me out. I think that a shop in a tourist local like Whistler should always approach the customer asking if they need help but I guess sometimes they don’t really care but ton of people go in that shop daily. Other times I got really good service and which led me in the right direction as to what to purchase.

I think if Showcase stepped it up on the customer service side and not just on the Turkey Sale weekend, the shop would be the best in Whistler.

5) Overall

Overall Showcase is a good shop with some unique flare, like the DJ thing on the weekends and organization of the yearly competition. But they could improve on their product variety abit, customer service and the shop should be a Burton Collation shop….I can’t believe it’s not.

Whistler Daily Snow Report

I know we all have been patiently waiting for the beginning of the snowboarding session up in Whistler and have been wondering about the conditions up there. Is the season going to start early? Is there going to be enough snow for opening day, Nov 27?

Well you can stop wondering now and start checking up on it daily because Whistler Blackcomb is starting up its daily snow report. Each and everyday at about 6:00am you can read what the conditions are for that morning and the forecast for the next couple of days. The Whistler Blackcomb daily snow report is taken on Whistler from just above mid-station at about 1400 meters and the weather forecast is from Environment Canada.

Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report site

The Whistler Blackcomb snow report is good but I have found a better report that I have been using for the past 4 years in Whistler. It’s called the Snow-Forecast website. This site gives you the opportunity to see conditions and forecasts at various elevations (village, 675m, mid 1400m and peak 2284m). The Snow-Forecast site is pretty accurate too because we I compare their forecast to Environment Canada’s it bang on. But the add bonus it know what the forecast is going to be at the peak for the next 6 days.

Whistler Snow Forecast site

So go and check it out….it’s just another tool for you to chase the elusive powder experience.

Shop Review – The Circle (Whistler)

The first board shop that I visited when I first came to live in Whistler was The Circle because it was right across the street from where I was living. The Circle in Whistler is located on Main Street in the Village North, Marketplace area. It’s pretty much in the plaza right across from the 7-11 and beside the Alpenglow condo entrance. The Circle is a locate shop that has its roots in Whistler and now also have a shop in downtown Vancouver, Gastown more specifically.

The Circle website



1) Shop setup / Visual merch

The Circle is a cool setup just from the outside because the physical building is actually shaped in a circle. Once inside you’ll see that the shop has a cool flow to it because of its design. The shop is mostly dominated by clothing and outerwear these days, with more of the street clothing the right and the snowboard gear (outerwear and hard good) to the left. It’s a clean modern look to its layout that’s simple yet effective for savvy shopper.

Most often the have some cool new snowboarding or skateboarding videos playing on their flat screen TV and also awesome tunes pumping from their sound system.

2) Variety

In terms of variety The Circle carries clothing brands like Nomis, DC, Matrix, WESC with snowboarding gear from Stepchild, Forum, DC, Union, Endeavor and more. In the summer this shop caters to the skateboards with brands like DVS, Emerica, C1RCA, Lakai and Chocolate.

If you are looking for brands off the beaten path and not your big name brands go by The Circle because here is where you will find them.

3) Product Pricing

The price of the merch in the shop is relatively the same as any other shop you might find and The Circle rarely has sales. Their sales only occur during the thanksgiving weekend (10% off) and at season end (20% to 25% off). But The Circle employees are cool and you might be able to get a deal from them if you chat them up a bit.

4) Customer Service

The Circle customer service is pretty good and as I mentioned above everyone who works there is cool and knowledgeable. As soon as you walk in the shop you are greeted with a hello or what’s up and the employees are always willing to help you out. But since there is usually one person working the shop, if the shop is busy you might not get the full Circle customer experience.

5) Overall

Overall I really like The Circle because it’s quite different from other shops in Whistler and Vancouver, much like Evolution. They have unique products that you might not find elsewhere and their employees are always willing to help. I usually head into The Circle once a week just to see if there is any new gear especially from Nomis.

Snow Forecast for Whistler

Hello fellow snowboarders,

It finally looks like we are getting snow in Whistler over the next couple of days. I have been checking the forecasts for weeks now and wasn't too optimistic that there would be enough snow for opening day like in the past year. I was worried, even though it's early, that it would be a repeat of 2003/2004. But it does look like the snow is on it's way due to the freezing level dropping.

Detailed Whistler Snow Forecast website

Transportation to Whistler

There are not many options when it comes to modes of transportation from Vancouver to Whistler. Really there is only one way which proves that the BC government is shortsighted in planning for the 2010 Olympics because it is by automobile, bus or car. That is another topic I can go on about but this is about how to get to Whistler in the most cost effective way.

You could rent a car but with the cost of fuel and fact that once in Whistler you will not need your car because almost everything is accessible by foot. Whistler is a pedestrian friendly town since the main village is pedestrian only traffic.

The second way to get to Whistler from Vancouver is by bus. There are a couple buses companies that pick up passengers at various locations. So depending on where your origin in Vancouver is the following is a breakdown of what bus to take based on the lowest cost round trip for one adult. Note that prices are subject so please refer to the company’s website for more details and schedules.

From Vancouver Airport

Greyhound - $85.60 plus taxi to downtown bus station and back to airport $100 (8 departures daily to Whistler)

Perimeter - $126 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport with 11 daily departures to Whistler)

Pacific Coach Lines – $102.90 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport with 12 daily departures to Whistler)

SnowBus - $74.95 (has a pick location at Vancouver Airport but only 2 to 3 daily departures)

From Downtown Vancouver

Greyhound - $85.60 (8 departures daily to Whistler)

Perimeter - $126 (has several hotel pick up locations with 11 departures daily to Whistler)

Pacific Coach Lines – $102.90 (has several hotel pick up locations with 12 departures daily to Whistler)

SnowBus – $42.92 (has a couple downtown pick up locations but 2 to 3 daily departures)

Alot of information, I know, but here is a summary.

If you are coming from Vancouver Airport with 4 to 5 friends then taxi it to the downtown bus terminal and take the Greyhound. Else if you are alone just take the Pacific Coach Lines bus. Just to note that the Pacific Coach Lines and Perimeter bus are more luxurious, so if you want to ride in comfort either of those will do.

If you are already downtown Vancouver just take the Greyhound. I can see that SnowBus is cheaper but they only run a couple of runs up to Whistler, the Greyhound has a better schedule with more choices even when coming back to the city. Also when taking the greyhound make sure that you are at the terminal at least 45 mins to 1 hour before the scheduled departure time because these bus get packed in the winter.

Hope this helps.

Whistler Restaurant Listing

Here's a quick listing of most of the restaurants in Whistler. I will be posting reviews of my favourite restaurants in Whistler in the near future so check back to see what I have to say.

Asian

Amami
4274 Mountain Square 604-932-6431


Chinese

Joey Chan's
2059 Lake Placid Road 604-966-0966


European

Après Restaurant
4338 Main Street 604-935-0200

Bavaria Restaurant
4369 Main Street 604-932-7518


French

Bear Foot Bistro
4121 Whistler Way 604-932-3433


Greek

Zeuski's Taverna
4314 Main Street 604-932-6009


Indian

Tandoori Grill
4368 Main Street 604-905-4900


Italian

Il Caminetto di Umberto
4242 Village Stroll 604-932-4442

Trattoria di Umberto
4417 Sundial Place 604-932-5858

Old Spaghetti Factory
4154 Village Green 604-938-1081

Quattro 4319
Main Street 604-905-4844


Japanese

Sushi Village
4272 Mountain Square 604-932-3330

Teppan Village
4293 Mountain Square 604-932-2223

Sachi Sushi
4359 Main Street 604-935-5649

Sushi Ya
4370 Lorimer Road 604-905-0155

Zen's Sushi
2202 Gondola Way 604-932-3667


Mediterranean

Caramba
4312 Main Street 604-938-1879


Mexican

Tex Corleone's
4005 Whistler Way 604-905-0839

Il Tipo's Mexican Grill
Creekside 604-932-4424

Steak & SeafoodKeg Steakhouse
4429 Sundial Place 604-932-5151

Monk's Grill Steak House
4555 Blackcomb Way 604-932-9677

Hy's Steakhouse
4308 Main Street 604-905-5555

Rim Rock
2117 Whistler Road 604-932-5565

Morgan's
Creekside 604-932-3010


Pub/Bistro/Grill

Cinnamon Bear
4050 Whistler Way 604-932-1982

Citta's Bistro
4271 Village Stroll 604-932-4177

Earl's Bistro
4295 Blackcomb Way 604-935-3222

Fifty Two
80 Bistro Inside the Four Seasons 604-966-5280

Garibaldi Lift Co.
2320 London Lane 604-905-2220

The Brewhouse
4355 Blackcomb Way 604-905-2739

Palmer's Gallery & Grill
4010 Whistler Way 604-932-3282

Mongolie Grill
4295 Blackcomb Way 604-938-9416

Ric's Grill
4154 Village Green 604-932-7427

Dusty's Bar & Grill
2320 London Lane 604-905-2171

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
Inside the Pan Pacific 604-905-4047

Lakeside Lounge
2131 Lake Placid Road 605-966-5705


West Coast

Araxi Restaurant & Bar
4222 Village Square 604-932-4540

Aubergine Grille
4090 Whistler Way 604-935-4338

Crab Shack
Beside the Coast Hotel 604-932-4451

Evergreens Restaurant
4050 Whsitler Way 604-932-7346

La Bocca
4232 Village Stroll 604-932-2112

Milestones
4308 Main Street 604-938-4648

La Rua
4557 Whistler Way 604-932-5011

Wildflower Restaurant
4599 Chateau Blvd 604-938-2033

Christine's
4545 Blackcomb Way 604-938-7473

Earl's Restaurant
605-935-3222

Jordan's Crossing
2131 Lake Placid Road 605-966-5705

JC's Cafe & Deli
2131 Lake Placid Road 605-966-5705

Whistler Night Clubs and Pubs

Below is a listing of all the Clubs and Pubs in Whistler for your partying needs after a day on the slopes.

Maxx Fish

Maxx Fish draws a hipster crowd of visitors and locals with its mix of house, R&B, funk and hip hop music. In addition to the DJs spinning for the crowd there are air hockey and foosball tables to keep patrons busy. Wednesday's get packed as it is local’s night so it's a good idea to get there early.

Address: Whistler Village Square Whistler BC Canada V0N 1B0
Telephone 1 604 932-1904
http://www.maxxfish.moonfruit.com/


Cinnamon Bear Bar

The Cinnamon Bear Bar is an upscale bar conveniently located in Whistler Village. Patrons can enjoy a drink, some tasty food and a game of pool in a sophisticated environment.

Address: 4050 Whistler Way Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-1982


Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC)

Located at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola, the Garibaldi Lift Co. (or GLC) brings in Whistler's hippest visitors for apres-ski. A unique tapas menu is available and specialty martinis are served alongside imported beers. Later in the evening, reggae and ambient house music acts as the soundtrack to the snowboard and ski videos playing in the background.

Address: Box 67, 2320 London Lane Whistler BC Canada V0N 1B0
Telephone 1 604 905-2220


Tommy Africa's

Tommy Africa's features a wide array of music, with hip hop, r & b, top 40, house and more getting the dance floor jumping. Tommy Africa's often brings in DJ's from around the world.

Address: #101 - 4216 Gateway Drive Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-6090
http://www.tommyafricas.com/


Garfinkel’s Night Club

Garfinkel’s Night Club is one of the premeire nightclubs in Whistler. Open seven days a week, Garfinkel's offers different theme nights, live concerts and more.

Address: #1 - 4308 Main Street Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-2323
http://www.garfswhistler.com/


Savage Beagle Bar

The Savage Beagle Bar is one of Whistler's hottest nightspots, located in the heart of Whistler Village. Popular with tourists and locals, the Savage Beagle is known for their fresh-squeezed juice martinis.

Address: 4222 Village Square Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 938-3337


Moe Joe’s

This locally-owned nightclub features a mix of live music and DJ's. The casual atmosphere makes it a popular place for parties and stags.

Address: 4115 Golfers Approach Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 935-1152
http://www.moejoes.com/


Crystal Lounge

More of a laid-back pub than a lounge, this bar offers specials most nights of the week along with a regular menu of traditional pub snacks and reasonably priced drinks. Crystal Lounge is one of a number of establishments in Whistler to watch sports on big screen TVs.

Address: 4154 Village Green Whistler BC Canada V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 938-1081


Longhorn Saloon & Grill

The Longhorn Saloon & Grill is located in between the Blackcomb and Whistler gondolas, making it a great place for people watching. They serve standard pub fare and often have live DJ's spinning the latest party music.

Address: 4280 Mountain Square Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-5999
http://www.longhornsaloon.ca/


Buffalo Bills

Mainstream music gelled perfectly with the classics, a huge dance floor that begs you to let your hair down, and an energy that hits you the second you walk in the door!

Telephone: 1 604 932-6613
http://www.buffalobills.ca/


Merlin's

Boasting that it has the most famous patio in Whistler, Merlin's is busy throughout the day as it is family-friendly until 7pm and offers a number of apres-ski food and drink specials. Things get wild after dark with a range of fun activities such as karaoke, big-screen sports, theme parties and table-top dancing.

Address: Blackcomb Daylodge at the Base of the Wizard Chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain
Telephone: 1 604 938-7700


Black's Pub

Black's Pub is located in Whistler Village, within the Sundial Boutique Hotel. The pub is a popular spot for apres-ski drinkers and after a day of adventure the large outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy one of the 90 different beers available.

Address: 4270 Mountain Square Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-6945
http://www.whistlerpubrestaurant.com/


Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub

Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub was founded in 1981 and is one of Whistler's original watering holes. Tapley's hosts a variety of sports nights, showcasing North American and international sports.

Address: 4119 Golfers Approach Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-4011


Amsterdam Cafe Pub

Amsterdam Cafe Pub is one of Whistler's top spots to see and be seen. The bar's interior is decorated in a Euro-pop style, music is always pumping from the sound system and the there is an often-busy patio overlooking the Village Square. This pub is a great place to check out with friends after a day on the hill.

Address: 4232 Village Stroll Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-8334
http://www.amsterdampub.moonfruit.com/


Whistler Brewhouse

The High Mountain BrewHouse serves food with a northwestern flavour. All lagers and ales are brewed on the premises, with tours being offered Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3pm. The pub boasts two pool tables, 14 TVs, a big screen, two fireplaces and a sunny patio.

Address: 4355 Blackcomb Way (beside Municipal Hall) Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 905-2739
http://www.drinkfreshbeer.com/whistler.html


Brandy's at the Keg

Feel like a serious meal? Try Brandy's for a hearty meal of steak and potatoes. With space for 160 people, HDTVs and a long list of cocktails, Brandy's is a great place to relax after hitting the slopes.

Address: 4429 Sundial Place Whistler BC CAN V0N 1B0
Telephone 1 604 932-5151


Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub

An Authentic Irish-style pub, the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub features nightly Celtic music, 30 draft beers and over 20 single malt scotches. Located in the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Hotel, the pub is popular with an apres-ski crowd looking for good beer, good food and good craic.

Address: #170 - 4320 Sundial Cresent Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 905-4047
http://www.dubhlinngate.com/


Dusty's Bar and BBQ

Popular among locals, skiers and snowboarders alike, Dusty's Bar and BBQ has both meaty and vegetarian options on the menu. The folks at the pub travelled the southern US finding tips and recipes on how to create the perfect BBQ, and a range of drinks are available to compliment each meal. Visitors can enjoy watching hockey on the big screen, listening to classic rock tunes and playing interactive trivia. The bar also features a large, sunny patio.

Address: 2320 London Lane Whistler BC Canada V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 905-2146


Citta's Bistro

Citta's (pronounced Cheetah's) Bistro is one of the original establishments within Whitsler Village. It has evolved into a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, attracting them with good food and a large outdoor patio.

Address: 4271 Village Stroll Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Telephone 1 604 932-4177

Whistler 2008 / 2009 Seasons Pass Math

Now that the 2008 / 2009 Whistler season passes on up for sale and the early bird special price is valid until October 13, 2008, I just wanted to share some insight on which pass to buy. I know this is a bit much but it might help in trying to decide which pass to get for the season.

Whistler Seasons Pass Link

This year seasons pass at Whistler has gone up again by about $100 or so. Also with the addition of the Peak to Peak there are two type of passes and tickets, with Peak to Peak include and without, so here goes. Below is a matrix of the the different types of pass available and the number days you will need to pay off your pass. Note all costs are based on the early bird pass pricing and is compared to the Edge Card daily rate for calculation purposes.



So all in all if you are going to ski or snowboard at Whistler / Blackcomb over 26 times it is worth it to get seasons pass. I usually ride about 40 to 55 days a season at Whistler so my seasons pass is well worth the money. If you don't planning on riding more than 26 days here are some options:

- More than 20 days but less than 26 = Get two 10 day Edge Cards and pay for single day riding with the card discount

- 20 days = Get two 10 Edge Card or one 10 day and ay for single day riding with the card discount

- 15 days = Get one 10 Edge Card and one 5 Edge Card. The 15 day pass doesn't seem to be worth the price.

- Less than 15 days = Get one 10 Edge Card and pay for single day riding with the card discount

Remember all these calculations are based on the early bird pricing and is dependent on the Whistler / Blackcomb Edge Card discount schedule. So remember visit the Whistler site or contact their customer service for more information or guidance. Please note the suggestions above or just that, so I am not liable for any loss of money if you purchase any of the passes mentioned above or changes to the pricing.

Hope you all have a great season and see you in Whistler.

Whistler Peak Hiking

Many people flock to Whistler, BC in the summer for a getaway. Mostly for mountain biking, summer glacier riding, general site seeing and parting it up. But alot travelers to the area don't really know the amazing hiking trails that are at the top of Whistler. Ya, sure they are aware of the Peak Adventure once they reach the top they just stay in that one area for the patented photo opt.



There are 14 trails of varies levels difficulty that all lead by to the the top of the Whistler gondola. The easy trails can be done by someone who really never hikes, while the moderate and most difficult are more reserved for the experienced hiker.

Whistler Hiking Trail Map

A couple of my favorite trails are the High Note, Harmony Lake, and Harmony Ridge trail. They all ofter some really good views of Garibaldi Park and a good physical challenge. If you want to really see all of Whistler hiking has to offer head out for the High Note via Musical Bumps & Singing Pass trail. This 6 plus hour hike showcases the best views of the park, but make sure your prepared and never go alone.



Hiking on the peaks trails is one of my favorite things in the summer to do while in Whistler. So next time your up in the area take a stroll through some of Whistler peaks' hiking trails.

Enjoy.

Whistler Bed and Breakfast - B&Bs

Below is a comprehensive list of Whistler Bed & Breakfast Accommodations

Rainbow Creek B&B (Whistler)
8243 Alpine Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-7001

Alpenhaus B&B Whistler (Whistler)
Located just a few minutes North of Whistler Village, which is at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Ski Resorts, we are ideally suited to offer the finest in holiday accommodation for both Winter and Summer activities. European hospitality. German, Japanese and English spoken.
8084 Parkwood Drive, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-3631 Toll-Free: (888)611-4037 Fax: (604)932-3681
Email: b&b@alpenhauswhistler.bc.ca

Lorimer Ridge Pension (Whistler)
Mountain views, twin & queen beds, duvets, private baths, fireplaces, balconies, guest lounge, large deck, billiards room, whirlpool & sauna. Complimentary breakfast included.
6231 Piccolo Dr., Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)290-5833 Toll-Free: (888)988-9002 Fax: (604)938-9155
Email: lorimerridge@telus.net

Chalet Bambi (Whistler)
Chalet Bambi is a Swiss Chalet nestled in the beautiful Whistler Valley, offering spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, where you are only a short walk to Whistler Village and Ski lifts.
6182 Eagle Dr, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-3292 Fax: (604)932-4493
Email: bambi@whooshnet.com

Snow Country Cottage B&B (Whistler)
Cottage-style antique furnishings, fireplace, hot tub, guest kitchen & lounge. Complimentary pick up and hearty breakfast.
2114 Castle Dr, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-1178
Email: snowcc@direct.ca

Idylwood Inn (Whistler)
The Idylwood Inn is a spacious (3,500 sq. ft.) chalet. Guests have option of booking our 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom or 5 bedroom chalets. With an open & spacious layout there is plenty of room for small groups & families wanting to spread out. The Inn is tastefully decorated with the best in comfort & quality. Ideal for family reunions & corporate retreats.
8725 Idylwood Pl, c/o Box 797, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-4582 Fax: (604)932-4556
Email: info@whistlerhome.com

Durlacher Hof Alpine Country Inn (Whistler)
1 km north of Whistler Village, traditional Austrian hospitality, european inn, private baths, jetted tubs, down duvets, balconies, spectacular mountain views, lounge, garden terrace, sauna, jacuzzi. Complimentary breakfast.
7055 Nesters Rd, c/o Box 1125, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-1924 Toll-Free: (877)932-1924 Fax: (604)938-1980
Email: info@durlacherhof.com

Renoir's Winter Garden B&B (Whistler)
Modern West Coast home with views of Whistler Mountain, queen/king beds, 3-4 piece baths, private entance, free guest internet access, hot tub. Gourmet breakfast included.
3137 Tyrol Cres., Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-0546 Fax: (604)938-0547
Email: renoir@dualmountain.com

Inn At Cliff Top Lane (Whistler)
1 km from Creekside gondola. West Coast style home in quiet area, antique furnishings, queen beds, duvets, homemade quilts, ensuites, jacuzzis, guest dining/living room with fireplace, hot tub. Complimentary full breakfast.
2828 Clifftop lane, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-1229 Toll-Free: (888)281-2929 Fax: (604)938-9880
Email: info@innatclifftop.com

Belle Neige B&B (Whistler)
Tranquil Mountain Setting - Magificent Mountain View, private self-contained suite, rooms, outdoor hot tub, delicious breakfasts, duvets, bathrobes, mulilingual hosts. Discounted ski passes.
8597 Drifter Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-9225 Toll-Free: (800)611-4869 Fax: (604)938-9762
Email: webmaster@triple1.com

Alpine Lodge Pension (Whistler)
Modern ski lodge, just 3km north of Whistler Village, single-queen beds, private & shared baths, complimentary breakfast, dining room, guest lounge, fire place, sauna, jacuzzis, guest kitchen, complimentary transportation to the village & lifts. Pet policy.
8135 Alpine Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-5966 Fax: (604)932-1104
Email: reservations@alpinelodge.com

Limoges Inn at Whistler (Whistler)
Enjoy warm Canadian hospitality with a "Touch of Provence" at Limoges Inn, one of Whistler's premiere bed and breakfasts. Centrally located just minutes from Whistler Village, the gondolas, the Valley Trail, Whistler Golf Course and Alta Lake.
3016 St. Anton Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)905-6777 Fax: (604)905-6788
Email: innkeeper@limogesinn.com

Haus Heidi Pension B&B Inn (Whistler)
European hospitality awaits you with balconied rooms, private baths, gourmet breakfast, sauna, whirlpool, guest lounge with fireplace. German speaking hosts.
7115 Nesters Rd.c/o Box 354, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-3113 Toll-Free: (800)909-7115 Fax: (604)932-4116
Email: frontdesk@hausheidi.com

Swiss Cottage (Whistler)
Swiss hospitality, traditional alpine B&B, quite, river setting, duvets, ensuites, whirlpool. Complimentary full breakfast included, homemade bread made on the premises. German & French speaking hosts.
7321 Fitzsimmons Dr. c/o Box 1209, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-4187 Toll-Free: (800)665-1998 Fax: (604)938-1531
Email: info@chaletluise.com

Chalet Beau Sejour (Whistler)
Modern alpine-style home, down duvets, ensuites, guest lounge, fireplace, hot tub, spectacular views from the deck. Complimentary hearty breakfast. Spanish, French & German speaking hosts. Adult oriented B&B
7414 Ambassador Cres., Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-4966 Fax: (604)938-6296
Email: sejour@direct.ca

Alpine B&B (Whistler)
8179 Alpine Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-6889 Fax: (604)932-4331

Brio Haus (Whistler)
Bavarian-style home, down duvets, ensuite & private bath, guest kitchen, tv lounge, fire place, family room, coin-laundry, complimentary full breakfast, sauna, jacuzzi, on bus route.
3005 Brio Entrance, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-3313 Toll-Free: (800)331-2746 Fax: (604)932-4945
Email: info@briohauswhistler.com

The Meadows Inn B&B (Whistler)
PO Box 806, 1334 Collins Rd, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)894-6009 Fax: (604)894-6786Haus Stephanie B&B (Whistler)
Alpine chalet in quite location, private entrance, kitchen facilities, private bath, balcony, whirlpool. Complimentary bus/train pick up & hearty breakfast
7473 Ambassador Cres.c/o Box 1460, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-5547 Toll-Free: (877)932-5547 Fax: (604)932-5547
Email: dorisvw@telus.net

The AnneRose Inn (Whistler)
Japanese themed B&B within walking distance to village. Evening wine & cheese, gourmet breakfasts, and romantically lit garden hot tub await you!
3016 St. Anton Way, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-9868 Fax: (604)938-9897

Stancliff House (Whistler)
3333 Panorama Ridge c/o Box 995, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-2393 Fax: (604)932-7577

Cedar Springs B&B Lodge (Whistler)
Quiet Canadian lodge, gardens, beside park/valley trail, duvets, views, fireplace, balconies, 3 course gourmet breakfasts, afternoon teas, home baking, hot tub, sauna, bike rentals, vieos, free parking, shuttle
8106 Cedar Springs Rd., Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)938-8007 Toll-Free: (800)727-7547 Fax: (604)938-8023
Email: cedarsprings@whistlerinns.com

Golden Dreams B&B (Whistler)
Unique theme rooms, duvets, robes, private/shared baths, fireside lounge, kitchen, mountain views from outdoor hot tub, quaint garden, trailside. Legendary vegetarian breakfast. Discount ski packages. Children welcome.
6412 Easy St, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-2667 Toll-Free: (800)668-7055 Fax: (604)932-7055
Email: Ann@goldendreamswhistler.com

Haus Landsberg B&B (Whistler)
Quiet house with views, private baths with jacuzzi tubs. Complimentary bus/train pick up & breakfast. German speaking hosts.
3413 Panorama Ridge, Whistler, BC
Phone: (604)932-5233 Fax: (604)932-5233
Email: haus@uniserve.com

Crankworx Slopestyle 2008 Whistler

What do you get when you mix the worlds best two wheeled warriors, a massive mountain playground on Whistler mountain and 10,000 passionate spectators….2008 Whistler Crankworx Slopestyle.



For those who are not familiar with the Crankworx festival, it’s a week long gathering of the worlds best mountain bike athletes competing is varies competitions for big prize money. And it so happens that the Slopestyple competition is the main attraction of the festival.




The competition was fierce and in the end Spains Andreu Lacondeguy took home top prize of $15,000. Andreu’s winning run consisted of a long list of impressive tricks, starting with a Double Back Flip of the first table (never seen in competition before), a Foot Plant off the Monster Snake, a Back Flip X-Up, Flat Spin 360, Topside Nac-Nac, Can-Can Step-Down, Superman, and finished off with a Back Flip onto the final Kokanee feature and Superman off into the village.



Second place went to Lance Mcdermott of the UK with a score of 91.5 and third place went to Whistler’s own Brendan Semenuk, with a score of 89.8.

Overall it was an amazing competition and I’ll mark my calendar for Crankworx 2009….you should too!!!