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 #1 Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 14:08 |
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Hi People,
Just booked 10 nights self catering in Whistler Village in mid Jan. Anyone been in the last couple of seasons and got any top tips/recomendations on and/or off the mountains? Or even things to avoid?!
Cheers  |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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Kent |
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| #2 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:59 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Have a shufty at the Reviews on here, loads of info in there. Whereabouts are you staying? |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #3 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 21:19 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Hi danmorgan, we're staying at Crystal Lodge. |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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Kent |
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| #4 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 21:47 |
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| In reply to post #3
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nice one, that's dead in the middle of the village so you'll have your pick of places. For food & drink definitely check out Citta's and Amsterdam for a quick pitcher after riding, Brewhouse for good microbrews, Tapleys for local beers, Zogs for the best chillidogs ever, Splitz for great burgers, The Keg for Prime Rib, Merlins for phenomenal nachos and the pulled pork sandwich at Glacier Creek on the mountain. |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #5 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 22:11 |
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| In reply to post #4
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Cheers for the info danmorgan, I'll check these places out. |
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| #6 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 22:24 |
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I'm heading back for my 3rd season there.
What sort of stuff do you want to now?
One thing for I really really dont like the Amsterdam as there are a lot better places to go and Citta's is one, but the GLC is where most people stop off on the way down as its at the bottom mountain. |
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| #7 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 22:34 |
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| In reply to post #4
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Hmmm Zogs!..... Poutine with Sausage.... hmmmm.....  |
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"If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction..... you may be living in Canada!" |
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| #8 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 24/08/2010 @ 23:04 |
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| In reply to post #6
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Thanks lez s, we're just trying to find out as much as poss from people who've been there in recent seasons. A bit of 1st hand experience is usually the best info. On the mountain - any (intermediate friendly) spots that others have ridden that are not to be missed and also things like what places to look out for to eat at and then go for a few beers at reasonable prices - nothing too mental! (with the Mrs) |
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| #9 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 15:27 |
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is there an affordable way to hit whistler? I did a bit of looking a few months back and packages looked expensive. Don't mind doing DIY but they always work out expensive too. Would like to go 10-14 days at the start of Feb if poss. If its more than 850 for flights/transfer and accomo, then it's too expensive. Any tips yo? |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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Kent |
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| #10 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 16:55 |
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| In reply to post #9
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Hi Chorlton, your biggest problem is flights, since Zoom went bust a few years back it's tricky to get flights for under £500rtn, whereas there were a couple of years where I'd typically pay £350rtn. Cheapest place tends to be Canadian Affair at the mo although it's worth keeping an eye on BA
Bus transfers are normally £70pp return with Perimeter, no need to hire a car at Whistler.
Accommodation depends on how many of you are going, hotels in the village aren't that cheap but if you hire a place you can do it relatively cheaply e.g. if there's 6 of you, my place works out to £300pp for 10 nights, or you could get a studio for 4 people for £130pp (although that would be a bit cramped).
Depending on the flights, £850pp for flights, transfer and 10 nights' accommodation should be do-able... |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #11 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 19:14 |
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| In reply to post #8
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Every run I can think of an intermediate person can get down but when you start hitting the bowls you might want take your time a little.
Places like the Mongolie Grill, Brandys and the bars are also good to eat such as GLC, Dustys.
If you head out and want a guide for the day I cost a couple of beer at the end of the day haha |
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| #12 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 19:19 |
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There are cheaper place to stay such as the Holiday Inn and a few others.
Having a place where you can cook for your self makes it cheaper and drinking before you head out helps.
Looking how much you want to spend you might want to look for a last min deal. |
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| #13 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 19:20 |
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This a post from my mate from a couple of years ago on SCUK so costs might have changed.
Useful Things To Know.
• Take a laptop, internet cafes are hell expensive.
• Buy “Whistler and Blackcomb Advanced/Expert Guide book” small palm sized book available in most outdoor shops and the grocery store. Incredibly useful for those secret runs and lots of advise
• Before you go up check the webcams and call snowphone 604.932.4211 (if it’s the same number) weather could be totally different on the mountain. It could be raining in the village and bluebird above
• If its cloudy don’t let it put you off, just head for the trees. Trees are infact magic and disperse the cloud, plus you are not travelling as fast. Many powder turn people miss out on because of overcast days.
• If the village gondola queue is big, upload on Fitz and Garbo chair, which manage to miss all the tourist queues.
• On a big pow day there is nothing wrong with waiting at Peak chair for 2 hours, to be on the first few chairs up. It could well be the best run of your season.
• From personal experience only ride Lower Peak to Creek if it is a pow day or has been recently groomed. 5km is one hell of a long mogul run, and you will be crying at the bottom.
• Tie a whistle onto your jacket, and ride the trees with others, tree wells can be deep and near impossible to get out of.
• Wax your board often, every few hardcore days riding, or about every week as a rule. It makes such a difference and looks after your base.
• Carry ID and insurance papers at all times on the mountain.
• Ride a good bit with people better than you, it improves your riding immensely. Get out of your comfort zone be it on the steepest thing you have done, fastest speed, or biggest kicker.
• Slap hands and say hi to everyone you meet, its all about knowing. Get to know bartenders and bouncers, you can get all kinds of privileges from no queue, no cover charge, to free drinks. Make sure you tip!! At least 10% on drinks and a bit more for food if the service was good. If you don’t tip you wont get anywhere, bartenders might even ignore you and serve everyone else first.
• Don’t forget the tax on all goods. Its about 15% you need to add on to everything you buy, ie something in the shop marked at $5 will actually be nearly $6.50 when you get to the till. Only the liquor stores have the tax included in the price.
Places you must go – Food and Drink
• Wildwood for breakfast, before riding or when hungover. The classic breakfast is awesome, but for the more hungry try the Olympic with banana bread French toast. Found at the racket club at the far end of the village. Price: $9 classic and coffee ($11 Olympic + coffee)
• Splitz Grill, best burgers ever! You pick what goes in like subway. Order a Splitz combo 1 first, burger fries and drink. Try some splitz sauce. Found on Main street opposite 7/11. Price: $10 Combo 1 with cheese
• Merlins at Blackcomb base just to order nachos. Bring about 6 people to help eat them all. Price: $17 for a small mountain of nachos, $12 jugs.
• 21 Steps – in the loft, up the 21 steps to the restaurant then up the next flight to a chilled out lounge. Never too busy and cool for a couple quiet drinks. Located on the village stroll. Price: $5.50 pint
• Cinnamon Bear – found downstairs in the Hilton. Actually a super chilled out bar with a good few Yo-boys and then poshies from the hotel. Also has a kick ass entertainment system, like games and things, pool and TVs and free nibbles. Price: $6 beer
• Brandys, woot woot!! Go for a Beef dip (big garlic baguette with shaved prime rib steak sautéed mushrooms and onions and swiss cheese with a dipping au jus) and ice cold pint of Keiths (don’t order Canadian) Awesome deal. Some of the cheapest quality pints in town. Price: $12 Beef dip and beer, $4.50 pints
• Garfs to dance the night away, and drink jager till you cant remember.
• The Pie Shop properly called “4 and 20 Pies” has some awesome pies for that 2am snack. Found by the conference centre beside subway. Price: $3.80 for a pie
• Cittas patio (pronounced chee-tas) Best people watching and drinking spot full stop. You cant miss it. Price: $6 pint
• Moguls café – great smoothies for when the alcohol starts getting all too much. Kick ass breakfast bagels and wraps. Good to site outside and watch the world go by. Found opposite Cittas. Price: $5 smoothie, $4.50 bagels
Places you must go – On the Mountain
• Flute bowl – Absolute must. Any pow day get some awesome well earned turns in a quiet area. Can hold powder patches for 3 or so days after a big dump.
• Spankys ladder – Again another pow day must, climb the bottle neck of the ladder (steps in the snow and rock, don’t fall or drop your board) to be rewarded with several massive bowls of perfect riding. Double black is the easiest way down from the ladder.
• Couloir – On Whistler mountain, a classic couloir, get it on a pow day and its epic. Daunting to look at but not too bad to ride, good initiation into double blacks.
• 7th Heaven – Perfect open glades, gentle slopes and such a wide area fresh tracks can be found everywhere. Nice into to tree riding on the lower half, not too dense. Awesome riding
• Peak to Creek – get this when it has been freshly groom and it is the most awesome fun long run, 7km of pure ripping straight from Whistler Peak right down to the pub in Creekside in one run.
• Straightline the Saddle – no fresh snow? Time to mess about, a straightline race down the Saddle is called for. Get to the top of the Saddle, find a clear line straight down, point and shoot. No turning or speed checking until you reach Peak chair. Guaranteed to make your eyes water.
• The parks – Start of small and get bigger. Generally the bigger the park the better it is kept and often ridden less. Just don’t be a tit in the park, have some sense, don’t cut people up, stop beneath an obstacle etc
• Backcountry – the proper stuff, fully out of bounds in the middle of nowhere. Make sure you are going with someone who knows the area, best bet is to go on the Avalanche Awareness Course. Teaches you a lot about snowpack, avalanches, and general safety in the mountains. Will learn how to use transceivers and probes etc, do some snowshoe hiking and ride some perfect untouched terrain.
• Harmony – everything from easy cruising to sick ridges, just a massive play area.
• Trees – on a cloudy day head for the trees, also intense on a pow day or just for a bit of fun. Look in the W/B guide for some runs or just make them up yourself, find a hole in the trees and dive in (make sure you know where it comes out and you’re not heading to oblivion)
• Chic Pea on Whistler mountain. Kick ass pizza in a funky cabin. Escapes the crowds of the big Roundhouse lodge |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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| #14 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 20:05 |
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| In reply to post #13
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QUOTE (lez_s - 25/08/2010 @ 19:20) • From personal experience only ride Lower Peak to Creek if it is a pow day or has been recently groomed. 5km is one hell of a long mogul run, and you will be crying at the bottom.
Peak to Creek has been the best run of my life (when it was deserted and covered in 12-18" of powder from top to bottom) and the worst run of my life (when it was covered in icy moguls)
QUOTE (lez_s - 25/08/2010 @ 19:20) • Tie a whistle onto your jacket, and ride the trees with others, tree wells can be deep and near impossible to get out of.
When in trees, always make sure you can see the person in front of you and feel free to shout for them to slow down if not. Worst thing in the world is trudging back up through thigh deep powder to try and track someone down!
QUOTE (lez_s - 25/08/2010 @ 19:20) Places you must go – Food and Drink • Splitz Grill, best burgers ever! You pick what goes in like subway. Order a Splitz combo 1 first, burger fries and drink. Try some splitz sauce. Found on Main street opposite 7/11. Price: $10 Combo 1 with cheese
What he said, they are the most amazing burgers!
QUOTE (lez_s - 25/08/2010 @ 19:20) • Merlins at Blackcomb base just to order nachos. Bring about 6 people to help eat them all. Price: $17 for a small mountain of nachos, $12 jugs.
Only downside is once you've had these nachos you can't have them anywhere else in the world, cos you'll always say, "but, they're not as good as Merlins!"
Roll on March, when I'm next there! |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #15 Re: Whistler in Jan Posted 25/08/2010 @ 20:55 |
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Myself and 3 friends are staying in the Listel lodge for 12 days from the 27th of Jan |
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