YOU DON'T HAVE TO SKI TO LOVE IT HERE!
Written: Nov 29 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The view... the shopping... the food
Cons: The crowds... and sometimes the prices
The Bottom Line: Get a heads-up on what the world will discover after the 2010 Winter Olympics... Whistler is an experience not to be missed.
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| pin-pin's Full Review: Whistler-Blackcomb |
One of the most beautiful places on earth, and one of the things that makes Canada a great place to visit (and live!)
I have to admit that my visit to Whistler was in the off-season with no skiing, but that certainly didn't affect the great time my better half and I had. One of the benefits of going off-season is the great prices you can get on accommodations. Our room... no wait... our SUITE was a 2 minute walk from "The Village" (more on this later), with a view from our front window like you wouldn't believe. Our suite had a separate bedroom, full kitchen, dining area, living room, laundry facilities, fireplace, and a private hot tub on our private deck. During peak season, this suite costs upwards of $400 per night. We got it for only $104 per night (Canadian dollars). You can't beat that!
If you don't ski, don't worry! There are so many things to do in Whistler that don't involve skiing. Besides the breath taking mountain scenery, you can spend days just wandering. Endless cobblestone walking paths take you through The Village... a beautiful area in the heart of the town filled with shops, restaurants, specialty stores, etc. And the food... WOW. Whatever your taste and budget, you can find great food in The Village... from high end fine dining to burger stands. One of the best bargains is The Olde Spaghetti Factory. Great atmosphere, great food, and great prices. Two of us had a fabulous dinner which included out-of-this-world sourdough bread, soup or salad, and dessert, plus I had wine, and the bill was only $27.00. Another great dining experience was The Mongolie Grill. A little more pricey, but worth it. Basically, it's a buffet with tons of different raw ingredients, different noodles and sauces... you load up your bowl with whatever suits your fancy, take it to the big grill, and they stir fry it up for you. Delicious, but not cheap. For lunch, which included a 20% discount, for two people, it came to around $40.00.
After you've had your fill of shopping, browsing, and eating... head to the mountains. You can rent mountain bikes or bring your own, and then buy a pass for the ski lifts and spend the day biking down the mountain. They have biking trails for the novice and expert bikers. Even if you haven't been on a bike since you were a kid, you'll still love meandering down the mountain on a gentle mountain trail. Plan on having lunch at the chalet at the top... it's a view to die for.
Don't want to bike? Then luge down the mountain. Packages are available for that too. Don't want to luge? Then just take one of the endless hiking trails and enjoy nature. Don't want to walk? Then take the gondola up to the very top and just enjoy the ride and view. When you're at the top, you can also choose to participate in the mountain top barbeque they have everyday.
Whistler is a very family friendly place as well... lots of activities for kids. What I really liked was that it's a very dog friendly place too. Many shops and stores had the owner's dog greeting customers at the front door. Most other shops had "hitching posts" for your dogs, and water bowls for the thirsty ones. And many of the accommodations are pet friendly.
Like most vacation places, shopping can be a little costly, but there are bargains to be found everywhere. You just have to take the time to shop around and you're bound to find what you're looking for at a price you can live with.
We spent 3 days in Whistler, and I wish we had more time. I certainly plan on a return visit. However if you're planning a trip, I'd do it sooner than later. With the 2010 Winter Olympics being held there, it's already starting to gear up for it. Get in before the construction and renovations start.
Of course it goes without saying... if you're a skier... you'll be hard pressed to find better skiing anywhere in North America. But if you don't ski - don't let that stop you from enjoying one of the most spectacular destinations in the world.
Recommended:
Yes
Level of Experience Needed: All
Best Suited For: Couples
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Epinions.com ID:
pin-pin
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Location: Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 2 members
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