Whistler/Blackcomb, Canada

Resort life

Whistler is a paradoxical paradise with extreme being the word, attracting anything from the likes of Timberlake and Diaz to hoards of Kokanee-swigging Aussies living the dream and 'doing a season'. On the surface, it appears hellishly expensive, and can be so, but dig deeper and the friendly locals will point you to the good spots to ride, eat, party and purchase. There are dozens of high-profile shops and some cool local establishments: Showcase, Evolution and the Circle are thriving snowboard shops with knowledgable, easygoing staff. Whistler is also home to dozens of bars and restaurants, 2 movie theatres, ice skating and swimming at Meadow Park, and an indoor climbing wall and tennis courts. All amentiies are within easy walking distance including the lifts accessing both mountains.

Eating

Locals frequent cafes such as Ingrid's, Gone Bakery and Behind the Grind for hearty, homemade soups and snacks. Java and Samaurai Sushi at Nesters Mall are great local hangouts if you have wheels (or are staying at the Shoestring Lodge). On the cheap but nasty side, Whistler hides McDonald's and KFC in it's Marketplace, alternatively, meat eaters should pop around the corner to Splitz Grill for the best burger in town.

Higher on the price ladder, do not leave Whistler without a visit to Sushi Village, eternal local favourite and as famous for its strawberry sake margs as its scrumptious menu. La Bocca is funky and fresh with a great patio and expensive but amazing extremes are Araxi and Bearfoot Bistro.

When riding, avoid the ludicrously-overpriced junk on-mountain. Ride to the village for lower cost and way better quality.

Nightlife

Nightlife begins at Apres. Worth checking out in the village are GLC featuring chilled live DJs, vaulted windows overlooking the slopes and a huge logfire. Amsterdam Cafe caters for a funky young crowd and Citta and Crystal Lounge are cool places to chill  with some nachos and the odd hockey game.

The Longhorn and Merlins can be a laugh, often housing fur-clad skiers in ridiculous headgear playing party games under instruction of local character and musician 'Guitar Doug'. In the Creek, Dusty's is the place to go.

After dark, the options are varied: again GLC rates highly, with local and international DJs spinning music such as hip hop and drum 'n' bass. Local hip hop legend Mat the Alien (from Bury no less!) plays weekly at Moe Joe's, a locals favourite night. Try Thursday's at Garfinkels for an evening of cheesy drunken debauchery or Tommy's for a young, clubby dance crowd or hideous 80's night on a Monday. Buffalo Bills is where the over-30s head. It's a notorious cougar hangout, watch out boys!

Accomodation

Accommodation in general is expensive but top quality, with outdoor pools and hot tubs the norm even at mid-price places. Whistler has the most ski-in-ski-out accommodation of any resort in North America, ranging from the royally expensive Chateau Whistler and recently opened 5-star Four Seasons, to Hostelling International on Alta Lake and the Shoestring Lodge at Nesters.

With over 2 million annual visitors, rooms in all areas fill quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment. Decent mid-price hotels include the Coast Whistler and Blackcomb Lodge. Most places offer deals late and early season - take advantage of this to experience the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in April, with often surprisingly good snow conditions.

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Resort News

• The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Join To Create Whistler Alpine Welcome Figure
  
  On June 24th at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre(SLCC) in Whistler, master carver Xwalacktun (Rick Harry) will commence the carving of a Salish Welcome Figure to be placed in near PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Station as a continuation of Cultural ... Wed 23 Jun 10
• Summer Season Ramps Up This Weekend at Whistler Blackcomb
  
  Alpine Tubing, Glacier Skiing/Riding, Alpine Sightseeing, Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone and Whistler Mountain Bike Park Extended Play Launch June 19. Whistler Blackcomb may be renowned as a world class ski resort, but with an endless array of ... Fri 18 Jun 10
• Glacier Skiing and Riding on Blackcomb Mountain Kicks off June 19
  
  Biggest snowpack in years awaits summer skiers and riders. After a record breaking year of snowfall, glacier skiing and riding returns on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier this Saturday June 19th with some of the best summer skiing and riding conditions ... Tue 15 Jun 10
• Whistler Blackcomb Reflects After An Epic Season
  
  Highlights Include: Record Breaking Snowfall, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Golden Eagle Award. The 2009.10 winter season at Whistler Blackcomb was one for the record books. History was made this year in more ways than one ... Tue 25 May 10
• Blackcomb 2009.10 Ski/Ride Season Wraps Up With The Exciting Return Of The Crud 2 Mud Race
  
  Competitors tackle snow and dirt crowning the dual sport champions. After a four year hiatus, the classic season-transition event mixing the end of the ski and snowboard season with the start of the bike season returned with rave reviews from ... Sun 23 May 10
• Whistler Mountain Bike Park Opens Saturday May 15 With 16 Trails
  
  Phenomenal Lineup of Trails, All in Excellent Condition. Area riders are tuning their bikes and getting out their gear as the Whistler Mountain Bike Park opens for daily operations Saturday, May 15 with 16 trails and two skills centres to feed ... Mon 10 May 10

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