January 2005

Whistler

by Martina Priadka

Every year, just after the holidays, I inevitably think back to New Year’s Eves past to my moments under the stars in the mountains. There was a time when heading to the hills just after Christmas was a tradition for me and seeing the glow of the warm cottage lights and dark peaks of the mountains outlined against a deep blue sky was the last mark that Christmas had arrived.

Sitting in an outdoor hot tub with large snowflakes lightly landing on my nose and eyelashes while I soaked my tired, sport weary body only got better once the glass of champagne was put in my hand. Of course ski trips are not the cheapest of holidays but the best part was enjoying all that luxury without spending my life savings. It is still easy to get to an incredible ski destination, find amazing accommodations including lift packages, and spend less than $1000.

Less than 4 hours and $400 from the Twin Cities is one of the top ski vacation destinations in North America and the largest. Whistler, located in British Columbia, Canada, has so many options for every level of skier that all skiers and snowboarders can enjoy themselves.

The options cover over 7,000 acres and over 200 marked trails with almost a mile of vertical rise greeting the eyes if you can see through the bright sunshine. An abundance of gondolas, quad, triple and double chairs bring close to 30,000 people per hour to the peaks for a view almost above the sun itself. The longest run is seven miles which will seem like a lifetime to those of you who are used to thirty second, Minnesota slopes. The peak towers above you at over 7,000 feet making you feel like the only person in the universe.

If this is not enough to sell you on a winter get away to snowy slopes imagine yourself sipping a hot toddy next to the open fireplace or drinking champagne in your hot tub on the deck of your personal cottage. The twinkle lights and warm fireplaces of the homes nestled in the mountainside are your only distraction. Call room service, order dinner along with a full bodied local Cabernet (see wineline) and get cozy!

Accommodations range from luxury hotels with lift ticket packages allowing you to ski out your door and down the slope to the personal cottages offering a little more privacy but still close enough to get to the mountain in just few minutes. Most four day packages run about $500 with three days of lift tickets although if you have the cash you can buy as much luxury as you want. If you are not using a travel agent to find the best package deal, it is quick and easy to find deals on line and book yourself. You can even check out up to date snow reports and watch the slopes live.

So set aside a few days, get online and book your trip before the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games, hosted in Whistler, raise the rates and the crowds.

www.whistlerblackcomb.com
www.mywhistler.com
www.whistler.com
www.whistleraccomodation.com

...Now That's Theskini

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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