Dean Nelson, (he/him) CTC, LLD
- Jul 24, 2020
- 5 min read

Weekend in Whistler

Updated: Aug 19, 2020

Get ready to jet off for a weekend in Whistler

It is quite exciting to be back in Whistler as the resort starts to welcome people back as we sashay our way into a safer phase three of the BC reopen plan. Harbour Air just announced it will start limited flights from Vancouver to Whistler as well as sightseeing opportunities from Green Lake at Whistler.

Whistler is long been known as a great destination to escape and enjoy the great outdoors. Whistler continues to evolve and grow with new adventures to be had.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler

During our stay, the Four Seasons had just reopened as part of BC moving into Phase 3 of our re-opening plan. The valet was quick on the mark and eager to welcome us to the resort.

At check-in we needed to do a health declaration as well as get our temperature taken. We were then issued a resort "temperature check card" which we would need to hold on for the duration of our stay and show it at the various venues if asked.

Overall we had an OK stay but it was not to the five diamond attention to details we had experienced previously. The services are quite restricted during our new COVID reality. This includes, or should I say does NOT include daily housekeeping or turndown service.

Montis Distilling - Whistler's newest craft distillery

Whistler's craft distillery in Function Junction is a spirited venture creating some pretty amazing Gin, Vodka, and Whiskey. You can craft your own Gin as well as cask your own Whiskey.

The custom gin program allows you to create your own botanicals making your own unique flavour profile you can call your own. Once your secret recipe has been developed Montis Distilling Co will distill your Gin in a couple of days netting you 6-12 bottle batch just for you!

Love Whiskey? Now you can cask your own whiskey in your choice of 5 or 10 gallon cask. Filled with Montis' Single Malt Spirit, new American Oak Casks and flexible aging periods with annual tastings to determine if your Whiskey is ready.

Advanced reservations are required. Click here to reserve your tour. → 1062 Millar Creek Rd.

Scandinave Spa Whistler

One of my favourite places to relax and unwind. The Scandinave Spa is scheduled to reopen under their new enhanced health and safety protocols on Friday, July 3rd.

The beautiful 25,000 square foot spa facility has several large hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms, wood burned saunas, solariums for relaxing, yoga studio and of course massage pavilions. The mantra of Super Heat, Cold Plunge, Relax, repeat - is all you need to do to have all of your worries wash away. You are surrounded by lush temperate rainforest and is the perfect escape regardless of the weather. In fact, enjoying the hot pools in the rain is actually quite amazing. Click here to learn more. → 8010 Mons Rd.

Audain Art Museum

Whistler's newest crown jewel. Established in 2016, the Audain Art Museum is a leading arts foundation with one of the largest private collections of Emily Carr and boasts an impressive and comprehensive Permanent Collection of the province's most celebrated artists. Exemplifying the richness of cultural difference in Canada, the collection takes visitors on a transformative visual journey from the late 18th century to present.

Highlights include hereditary Haida Chief James Hart’s The Dance Screen (The Scream Too), an exceptional collection of historical First Nations masks, and key examples of the Vancouver photo conceptualism movement. In addition, the Museum hosts dynamic exhibitions from around the world.

Open Thursday to Sunday from 11AM - 6PM. click here to learn more → 4350 Blackcomb Way

Whistler Village Stroll + Olympic Plaza

Whistler village designed by urban landscape architect Eldon Beck, meanders like a river all designed to slow you down and take in the natural beauty Whistler has to offer. The village is vibrant with a huge assortment of food and beverage choices, great shopping, art galleries, as well as hotels right at the foot of the mountains and the village stroll. The pedestrian village makes it so enjoyable to walk around and people watch with ample places to sit back and relax.

On this stay I headed over to one of my favourite off the beaten path sushi places.

Nagomi Sushi in the Upper Village at Le Chamois → 4557 Blackcomb Way

Advance reservations are recommended as they have reduced seating capacity or do take away. Click here for more info.

Everything is amazing, but in my opinion the must haves are: the Box Sushi and the Chicken Karaage Roll 😋

If you have room for dessert try the green tea tiramisu or the green tea ice cream.

Alta Bistro

Another of my favourite places to go for happy hour and dinner is Alta Bistro. The intimate and industrial-chic restro-bar is known for its seasonal French west-coast inspired cuisine, innovative cocktails and wines by the glass.

Advanced reservations recommended, click here to learn more. → 104-4319 Main Street

Bearfoot Bistro

A visit to Whistler is never really complete without stopping in at the Bearfoot Bistro. Hands down, the BB is my absolute favourite place to have an incredible culinary and/or cocktail experience. If you are a wine lover, then this is the place for you. The wine list reads more like a novel boasting one of Canada's largest private wine cellars.

Award winning Executive Chef Melissa Craig leads her culinary team in creating incredible dishes. The Bearfoot Bistro founder, André Saint-Jacques, knows how to celebrate and with that has created a unique culture only found at the Bearfoot. Unique experiences include sabering a bottle of Champagne, visiting the Ketel One Ice room - the coldest vodka tasting room in the world, hanging out at the frozen Champagne bar being served up innovative cocktails like the Vesper Nitro Martini - think James Bond. One thing is for certain they do love their liquid nitrogen!

Advanced reservations recommended, click here to learn more. → 4121 Village Green

Lakes and Valley Trails

Whistler has a chain of lakes within the municipality starting from the south with Alpha Lake, Nita Lake, Alta Lake, Green Lake and Lost Lake. The lakes are connected with an extensive valley trail network as well as a river that connects Alta Lake to Green Lake via the River of Golden Dreams, popular for canoeing and kayaking. Between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is the Fitzsimmons Creek that empties into Green Lake with all of the glacier silt giving the river and lake the beautiful turquoises colour. There are many beautiful beaches and picnic areas for you to enjoy the outdoors. Lost Lake is the most popular and warmest of the lakes in the region. At the far end of Lost Lake is "Dick Dock" a clothing optional dock popular with the locals.

Go Beyond - Canadian Wilderness Adventures

Sometimes you just want to explore outside of the town site... so I recommend heading south of Whistler Village to the stunning Callaghan Valley. The Callaghan Valley is also home to Whistler's Olympic Park where the ski jumping, biathalon, and Nordic events took place at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Just a short drive from the Olympic park is the base camp for Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Here we took a three hour tour exploring the rugged mountain landscape in our own 4x4 buggy tour. The all-terrain off-road buggy is similar to an ATV except your passenger sits next to you and feels a bit more stable. It was so much fun. Loved charging through the water and taking in the landscapes. Highly recommend getting out and exploring. For more info click here.