INVICTUS GAMES COME TO TOWN BUSTING WHISTLER MYTHS FUELLING UP FOR FUN
FACES OF WHISTLER: Living the Dream, 17 BY ALISON TAYLOR
WHISTLER STORIES: Busting Whistler Myths, 22 BY MEGAN LALONDE
INVICTUS GAMES: Whistler Unconquered, 33 BY DAVID SONG
WHISTLER HOMES: Luxury Living, 38 BY LISE BOULLARD
FINE DINING: Immersive Dining, 56 BY BRANDON BARRETT
CASUAL DINING: Fuelling Up for Fun, 67 BY WILL JOHNSON WILL JOHNSON is a journalist, whitewater rafting guide and actor from Vancouver Island—where he lives with his wife Kristina and his children Celista, Kris and Aza on the slope of Mount Tzouhalem. Born at the base of Whistlers Mountain in Jasper, AB, JON PARRIS was inevitably drawn to Whistler in 2002. He's been shedding his redneck roots and earning his hippie stripes ever since!
BRANDON BARRETT is the former features editor for Pique Newsmagazine. He is the 2018 recipient of the John Collison Investigative Journalism Award. In his free time, he is a theatre producer, performer and playwright.
BOULLARD is a journalist with bylines in Reader’s Digest, The Vancouver Sun and The North Shore News. When not glued to her laptop, Lise can be found cooking, travelling and volunteering with service dogs.
SONG is a news and sports journalist for Pique Newsmagazine who moved to Whistler in 2022 after nearly two decades in Calgary, Alberta. He has covered everything from March Madness basketball to PGA Tour Champions.
COVER PHOTO OF SABERING CHAMPAGNE AT THE BEARFOOT BISTRO BY JUSTA JESKOVA
DAVID
WINTER/SPRING 2025
What is your best advice to give a visitor?
GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERTISING/OPERATIONS
Catherine Power-Chartrand
EDITOR
Alison Taylor
ART DIRECTOR
Shelley Ackerman
“As a Great Indoorsman, I'll encourage you to check out some of my favourite spots to escape to when the weather gets funky: The newly renovated Alpine Café, where the locals eat, drink and cavort; the Point ArtistRun Centre, a lakeside hidden gem that offers an eclectic selection of artsy events; and Laugh Out LIVE!, the smash hit comedy variety show now in its fourth season”
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brandon Barrett
Lise Boullard
Will Johnson
David Song
Megan Lalonde
PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Jeremy Allen
Robyn Ardagh
David Buzzard
Chad Chomlack
Mike Crane
Getty Images
Justa Jeskova
Jon Parris
Jeff Vinnick
Tourism Whistler
PRESIDENT, WHISTLER PUBLISHING LP
Sarah Strother
ACCOUNTING
Heidi Rode
CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION
Denise Conway
“Get up on the mountains whether on skis or sightseeing–there is no view like it! And while you are there you might want to check out the Umbrella Bar.”
“Head into the backcountry, via skis, snowmobile, snowshoes, or helicopter. It gives you a whole new perspective of the beauty of Whistler!”
“Whistler knows how to put on a festival; the 2010 Olympics was just one example. Don’t miss the inspiration and excitement of the Invictus Games!”
Whistler Magazine (ISSN-0835-5460) is published twice annually by PACIFIC COASTAL PUBLICATIONS LP, a division of Glacier Media Group
Unlike most other parts of canada, where people begin to lament the shorter days, the first nip in the air, the long months ahead, Whistler starts to buzz at the first sign of winter.
It begins with the smell: that fresh, crisp, sharp inhale of the first frost, tickling the nose with promises of what’s to come.
Whistler swiftly falls into prep mode. We hit the annual Thanksgiving sales and start to think about whether we’re due new skis, or a new jacket, or some touring gear to keep things exciting.
Then the talk around town begins: rumour has it it’ll be a good snow year this year. Perhaps our prayers to Ullr will be answered (read our feature story Busting Whistler’s Myths on page 22 to learn how to pay homage to the god of snow).
You’d be hard pressed to find someone bemoaning winter’s arrival in Whistler. The fact is: winter is when we come alive. Waking up to the sound of avalanche bombs is a privilege we do not take for granted (read the profile on WB Avalanche Forecaster Darlene Douglas who tells the crews where to bomb on page 17).
We don’t think about shovelling snow when we see it falling in fresh flakes from the sky. We
ALISON TAYLOR Editor
think powder, and more importantly, how to get our share of it. Powder, after all, is time sensitive.
We don’t think about the cold in Whistler (although admittedly we obsess over temperatures and freezing levels). We think layers, and more importantly, how to best dress to make the most of the day. As a friend oft reminds me: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices.” Indeed.
We don’t think about long nights and shorter days. Instead, we think of adventure and making the most of the daylight.
Winter is not a season to be endured, rather one to be embraced.
There are so many ways to do that in Whistler. Go for a forest walk in snowshoes, taking in the world at a different pace. Then again, you could amp up the pace to a whole new level on one of the fastest sliding tracks in the world by trying the Whistler Sliding Centre
via guided bobsleigh or on a luge. That should be enough to warm your chilly blood and get your circulation flowing. Discover your inner child at the tube park on Whistler Blackcomb. Go for something completely different with a snowmobile ride to dinner at a picture-perfect mountain chalet on Blackcomb Mountain (read our Fine Dining feature on page 56). Or, have you ever thought of a dogsled ride through the snowy backcountry? It doesn’t get much more Canadian winter than that.
Whistler winters are a thing of beauty with snowy mountains and frozen vodka rooms (read about this in Fresh Tracks on page 10), mouth-watering fondue dinners and fireside mugs of steaming cocoa (see our fine dining story on page 56).
Only after we’ve had our fill of the snow and cold, do we turn our minds to the sweet summer moments in the mountains. But…we’ll save that thought for the next issue. So let’s not get ahead of ourselves; there’s just too much winter to enjoy!
Alison
BY ALISON TAYLOR
FRESH TRACKS THINGS TO DO & SEE
[ IN & AROUND WHISTLER ]
TOP OF THE RANKINGS
Whistler Blackcomb has done it again. According to the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards from Condé Nast Traveller, Whistler Blackcomb is the No. 1 ski resort in North America. With a score of 94 per cent, WB edged out its competition (14 others, including Aspen, Park City and Heavenly) to place No. 1. It’s a familiar place for Whistler Blackcomb. There are so many reasons why Whistler Blackcomb consistently takes the top spot in ski rankings: there’s the sheer size of the skiable terrain, the variety of trails, the West Coast champagne powder, the legendary après scene, the impeccable customer service. The list goes on… And so do the accolades.
WARM UP
Scandinave Spa, nestled into the snowy forest on the outskirts of the Village, is no typical day spa. Think instead of a “thermal journey.” To truly make the most of your time at the Scandinave, you must embrace the hot/cold cycle. First the dry sauna, Scandinave’s most extreme heat. Turn the hourglass over to mark 15 minutes and accept the challenge to remain in place, fully opening up to the warmth. Next, move to the cold plunge. Try moving your head under a chilly waterfall, submerge from head to toe. Breath. Accept. Still the mind. How long can you last here? End this cycle with a relaxation rest. And repeat the journey. Scandinave is a digital detox facility and silence is part of the experience. Begin your journey at scandinave.com.
COOL DOWN
The Grey Goose Ice Room is the coldest room in town. This is where you can try a flight of four vodkas of your choice in sub-zero conditions. The cold temperatures enhance the flavour of the vodka while toning down the burn of the alcohol. The experience is made all the better by the cozy down parkas that guests wear during their time in the Ice Room. This is an experience that takes any dinner party to the next level. Located in the Bearfoor Bistro. Go to bearfootbistro.com for reservations. For more on experiential fine dining read our feature on page 56.
FROZEN LAKES
When the weather and conditions are just right, usually in the height of winter, Whistler’s local lakes turn into another outdoor playground. You’ll see figure skaters and hockey games, cross country skiers gliding from one end of the lake to the other, as well as dog walkers making the most of this doggy haven. Whistler has five local lakes in the valley—Alta, Alpha, Green, Nita and Lost Lake. Be sure to check weather conditions before venturing on the ice. You can also head to the outdoor rink at Whistler Olympic Plaza, close to the Olympic Rings where you can rent skates. Helmets and skate aids are free.
LIFTY LAGER
SKINNY SKIING
Whistler is home to three main facilities for cross country skiing, offering some of the most spectacular experiences around. Best of all, there’s something for all levels from beginners to Olympic hopefuls. Lost Lake Park is close to the Village with ski rentals on site. There are two facilities in the Callaghan Valley—Whistler Olympic Park and Callaghan Country—also with rentals on site. This is one of the best ways to get a taste of the beauty surrounding Whistler.
QUENCH YOUR THIRST WITH LOCAL BREWS
The lightest beer at the Brewhouse (High Mountain Brewing Company) located by the Olympic Rings in the Village. A tasty golden lager with Canadian pale malt and Czech hops.
CRYSTAL CHAIR LAGER
A crisp golden lager from Coast Mountain Brewing. Check out the brewery in Function Junction. Find beers on tap throughout Sea to Sky.
BLACK TUSK ALE
A deliciously deceiving dark ale from the always popular Whistler Brewing Co. Located in Function Junction. >>
FRESH TRACKS
FACE YOUR FEARS
Thousands of people have jumped, backflipped, gone tandem, and more, off the 50-metre (160 ft) high bridge over the icy waters of the Cheakamus River. Whistler Bungee guarantees to get your heart pumping. Check out whistlerbungee.com.
UPHILL UPGRADES
Skiers and riders will notice faster flow at the Jersey Cream Express lift on Blackcomb Mountain this season. The popular chairlift is going from a fourseater to a six-seater lift, ultimately ferrying more people onto the slopes in less time. This will increase uphill capacity in the always-popular Glacier Creek zone. The Jersey Cream project is the latest in a series of lift upgrades at Whistler Blackcomb since 2022, including Big Red Express, the Creekside Gondola and the Fitzsimmons Express.
VIEW FROM ABOVE
Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can still experience the thrill of Whistler Blackcomb on the PEAK 2 PEAK GONDOLA. Winter sightseers can ride this recordbreaking gondola, spanning Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The gondola sits 436 metres above the valley and it’s the world’s highest lift of its kind. Wait for the glass-bottom gondola for an added boost to your adventure. Check out whistlerblackcomb.com for tickets and hours.
BACKCOUNTRY BECKONS
If you think Whistler Blackcomb is big with more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, just think about what’s beyond the ski area boundaries. Whistler’s backcountry is a massive winter playground. There are several ways to experience it. There’s heli-skiing (the pinnacle of backcountry travel), or snowcats. Or go via snowmobile and carve your own adventure. There are snowmobile tours for all abilities. And of course, the self-propelled way is always a big hit too. Whistler offers guided backcountry skiing and splitboarding tours. Check out whistler.com. Always be aware of the avalanche risk before setting out on adventures.
ART ACQUISITION
The Audain Art Museum (AAM) has acquired a historical watercolour painting by Canadian artist Emily Carr, adding to its impressive collection of her works. The piece, held in private collections for many years, is called War Canoes, Alert Bay, circa 1908. It was unveiled in October alongside the oil on canvas of the same name from the AAM’s Permanent Collection.
“Having these two works in AAM’s collection is a tremendous privilege,” says Dr. Curtis Collins, director and chief curator for the AAM. “Visitors will be treated to a compelling viewing opportunity of the two works together, which is a valuable resource for understanding and analyzing Carr’s fundamental development as an artist.” The paintings feature three dugout canoes on the shore. Carr reworked the watercolour into a larger scale oil on canvas painting after a “new way of seeing” that she had cultivated from a trip to France in 1911.
Museum founder Michael Audain, who built the museum in Whistler alongside wife Toshiko Karasawa, says: “This early watercolour is particularly significant as it directly informed the later oil painting, War Canoes, Alert Bay of 1912. Yoshiko and I spent many years enjoying the vibrant oil on canvas before donating it to the museum nearly a decade ago. To now have both pictures housed together permanently contributes to the unparalleled quality of the museum’s Emily Carr collection.” The oil on canvas became the first work by a Canadian female painter to sell for more than $1 million in 2000. Visit the Audain Art Museum in the heart of Whistler Village.
FIRE & ICE
Watch skiers and snowboarders defy the odds and fly through burning rings of fire in Whistler’s long-running weekly Fire & Ice show. The night ends with fireworks. This is a family-friendly experience, free for all, at Skier’s Plaza. Follow the crowd to the base of the mountains at 7:30 p.m. every Sunday. >>
FRESH TRACKS
WHISTLER TURNS 50
In less than a year, Whistler will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
On Sept. 6, 1975, the Resort Municipality of Whistler officially incorporated as the first resort municipality in British Columbia. The last five decades have been a whirlwind of development and growth; hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games; consistently ranking No. 1 in North America for ski resorts; and so much more.
Long before its incorporation, however, this was home to the local First Nations—Squamish Nation to the south and Lil’wat Nation to the north. Learn more about this history at the beautiful Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Then, at the turn of the 20th century, fishermen and tourists started arriving, exploring Whistler in the summer. The Rainbow Lodge operated on the shores of Alta Lake from 1914 onwards. For decades, however, Whistler remained just a small summer outpost.
That all started to change when Whistler Mountain opened for skiing in 1966. Less than 10 years later, the resort municipality was created, a new resort with a population of less than 1,000 people made up of ski bums and hippies, developers and adventurers.
As of the last census in 2021, Whistler has a permanent population of almost 14,000 people, with 2,500 more seasonal workers. More than 3 million visitors come every year. And consider this: Whistler can accommodate about 30,000 guests overnight at one time! There’s lots to celebrate as the resort municipality marks its milestone anniversary.
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LIVING THE DREAM
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH WHISTLER BLACKCOMB EXPERTS
There is little doubt that whistler blackcomb is the beating heart of this town. Everyone in Whistler has a vested interest in its success, whether that’s because we want to ski at the No. 1 resort in North America or because our own livelihoods depend on it. With more than 200 marked runs, 32 lifts, and more than 3,300 hectares (8,100 acres) of skiable terrain, it’s a massive operation. It takes thousands of people to keep it running, from the snowmakers to the lifties, the groomers to the mechanics, not to forget all the work that goes on behind the scenes too. Read on to get an inside look at a few of the people who play an integral role in Whistler Blackcomb’s success.
STORY BY ALISON TAYLOR
PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZZARD
DARLENE DOUGLAS
DARLENE DOUGLAS AVALANCHE FORECASTER, BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN
Predicting and managing avalanche risk, especially in one of the largest ski areas in North America, is no mean feat.
Just ask Darlene Douglas, avalanche forecaster on Blackcomb Mountain, who took the job in the winter of 2022 after more than two decades as a pro patroller.
Whistler Blackcomb boasts more than 3,300 hectares (8,100 acres) of terrain, hosting thousands of skiers and riders on a daily basis, all of them looking to make the most of their mountain adventures.
“You don’t want anything to happen on your watch,” says Douglas. “But there are things that are out of your control.”
Her job is to get control of an ever-changing landscape.
Work begins before the sun comes up, when the snowmobiles leave from the Village base to midmountain at 6 a.m.
Douglas studies the reports, reads the weather, looks at the patterns and comes up with a plan —one that can change as soon as patrollers get onto the snow and see what’s really going on underneath their skis.
It’s a fine balance, bombing snow and gauging avalanche risk, while thousands of powder-hungry skiers and riders are wrapped around the Village in line ups, waiting for the all-clear before the mountain is deemed safe and the lifts are ready for upload.
“We’re not opening if we don’t think it’s safe,” says Douglas simply. “We work methodically, purposefully, and we always weigh the risk.”
In many ways, Douglas knew she was going to end up here, doing a job like this.
Her first inkling was at 16 years old, at a Warren Miller film, premiering in downtown Toronto. This was before she had ever skied a day in her life as she focused on competitive figure skating.
There was something about that movie—carefree skiers living
large, a world of ultimate freedom and joy. Douglas was hooked. After university and fashion design school, the stars aligned and she heeded the call west.
And then she had to learn how to ski as she worked in the restaurant and construction industries to fuel her newfound passion.
Remember: in the mid nineties there was very little turnover in patrol, a male bastion, with just a handful of women on the team.
She interviewed for a job as a volunteer patroller but was offered a job as a full-time pro patroller, joining the motley crew on Blackcomb. Ski patrolling, she adds, tends to call people drawn to a life less ordinary, people who don’t mind living on the fringe. And therein lies its beauty, says Douglas. Despite any differences, pro patrollers cannot work in silos.
“It’s a true team where we go through the good times, and there are many bad times, but everybody supports each other through it.”
On top of that, it’s a job where you get to live in the present moment: its beauty, its rawness, its challenges, its absolute joy.
“You get true connection with people and with nature on a daily basis,” muses Douglas. “And, you get the opportunity to live in service and that sure fills you up.”
As for this year’s snow predictions, Douglas says there is only the present moment, and what you do in it, that counts.
She adds: “I hope for the best. Always.”
BEST ADVICE FOR TOURISTS?
You have to get up early to go skiing one day and you have to stay late one day. These are the most spectacular times of the day. Forget the party.
BEST RUN AT WHISTLER
BLACKCOMB?
Ridgerunner (on Blackcomb): The views are absolutely stunning. It’s well groomed. You can open it up there and it’s good for all levels.
PIERRE RINGUETTE
WB’S SENIOR MANAGER, SNOW
SURFACES
At 20 years old, Pierre Ringuette was a Level 4 ski instructor in Ontario, working winters while studying for his university degree. By ski teaching standards, he was already at the top of his game; Level 4 is the highest certification for instructors, allowing you to teach any level of skiing and train future instructors.
But Ringuette didn’t come to Whistler for the skiing. Rather, he arrived in the summer of 1992 and worked in construction until he had to return to school in Ontario in the fall, followed by ski instructing in the winter. He would do this over the course of his university education—summers in Whistler, winters in Ontario. Five years later, degree in hand, he found himself in the unlikely position as a top-level ski instructor who had spent a lot of time here, and yet had never skied Whistler Blackcomb.
He remembers what it was like to finally ski west coast powder. “The biggest thing I remember was not being able to hear your skis!” As any east coast skier can attest, it’s a noisy affair, skiing those icy slopes.
After discovering the soft snow, skiing fresh powder, and exploring the endless terrain, he was hooked. “I’m still finding pockets to this day,” he adds.
He has been a Whistler Blackcomb employee ever since, working ski camps and teaching instructors in the early years; then managing staff housing, in charge of more than 1,200 beds; next running the tube park in the winter while overseeing the bike park expansion in Creekside in the summertime.
Now, his role is multifaceted as senior manager of snow and dirt surfaces. Think of the sheer scale of winter grooming alone. Whistler wakes up to acres of freshly-groomed corduroy every morning, eager skiers ready to shred it up. But to get there, it’s a long night of rebuilding runs, dragging snow back uphill, shaping it, and laying it out again.
“The grooming team is just so passionate about making this place the best for our guests,” says Ringuette.
“THE
GROOMING
TEAM IS JUST SO PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING THIS
PLACE THE BEST FOR OUR GUESTS.”
The summer brings new challenges, such as running the largest bike park in the world. Last summer, for example, WB installed the new Fitzsimmons Chair (the main bike lift) while the park remained operational... all without a hitch.
Over the years in Whistler, Ringuette raised a family, passing down his love for skiing and biking to his children, and found new ways to explore the mountains, on snowboards and telemark skis.
“Just experiencing the mountains in a different way was a way to keep this place fresh.”
Teaching skiing, however, remains a particular passion. There’s so much more to it than the mechanics, he says.
“At a young age, I had a knack for (it),” he says. When he was teaching ski instructors early in his career, he would train them to think of the what ifs, with the ultimate goal “to make sure the guest is going to enjoy and love the sport and want to do it again.” He recommends all guests take a lesson to really get a feel for all the resort can offer.
And, true to his own early Whistler experience, Ringuette adds this final thought: “If you thought winter was awesome here, you should come back in summer.”
BEST RUN AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Upper Peak to Creek to Lower Franz’s to Dave Murray. With nice connections, the sheer length of that run, it’s like a never-ending ski trail.
BEST ADVICE FOR TOURISTS
ROBBIE DIXON SKI
RACER/OLYMPIAN
There’s something to be said about a sport that never gets old, even after more than 35 years at it. Robbie Dixon, for example, has skied in the best places in Europe; he raced down its most legendary courses; and, he continues to show off Whistler Blackcomb to tourists every winter in the Ski With an Olympian program.
He never tires of it. All the same reasons he fell in love with skiing as a boy still apply today: the freedom, the joy, the adventure, the endless mountain playground.
tradition is still alive and well in Whistler).
It wasn’t long ’til he was getting noticed, making the provincial team and setting the wheels in motion for a ski racing career, complete with all its high and lows, injuries and moments of glory.
Take the World Cup in Kitzbuhel, Austria when he was 22 years old. On one of the hardest courses in the circuit, Dixon was starting at the back of the pack. He recalls the feeling that day, the insane energy, the crowd rowdy and ready to see the best in the world compete. He did not disappoint, crossing the finish line in sixth place, “making a statement right out of the gate,” he says.
Dixon’s racing story could have been written many ways. He was dogged by injuries in the years following. Such, he says, is the nature of the sport.
“You learn about yourself, pushing yourself, risking it,” he adds.
Join a lesson to build a relationship with a guide. Anybody visiting without somebody’s inside knowledge… isn’t really going to experience this place. >> >>
“I still ski with friends I skied with when I was six years old,” he muses. Dixon has been skiing since he could walk, travelling from North Vancouver to Whistler on weekends and holidays to visit his grandparents. It was no surprise then, when at 13 he asked if he could live with them in Whistler full time so he could pursue his passion. Whistler Secondary School was, and still is, set up to accommodate student athletes. Every Thursday and Friday, Dixon would miss class to ski with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, making up for school through correspondence courses. And, of course, skipping class on every powder day, “which still happens nowadays, I hope!” he says with a grin. (Editor’s Note: the
He’ll never forget representing Canada in his hometown at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, knowing that the whole town, the whole country, was cheering for him. It was, he adds, a surreal experience. Though his races didn’t go to plan, he remains in a unique club with the word “Olympian” forever beside his name.
“SO FEW PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY REPRESENTED THEIR COUNTRY
IN THE OLYMPICS
, ESPECIALLY IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD,”
“So few people can say they represented their country in the Olympics, especially in their own backyard,” he says.
Dixon is one of a dozen or so local Olympians who make up Whistler Blackcomb’s exclusive Ski with an Olympian program, arguably one of the best ways to experience the slopes here in either a private or a group setting. Dixon calls it more of “a guided experience.” He’s happy
UNWIND
to provide lessons, tips to improve your game, but his passion is showing off these mountains, which he knows like the back of his hand.
Married now, and building a life here, Dixon knows that all the reasons why he asked to move here as a young boy, remain the same today.
“I’m very thankful to my grandparents for making the move here,” he adds. “Hopefully I’ll
continue to build a beautiful life here… even if some of the old salty dogs say it has changed!”
BEST ADVICE FOR TOURISTS?
There’s a lot of skiable terrain at Whistler Blackcomb and having the right knowledge and the right people to get you around is super beneficial. So book a day with me!
BEST RUN AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB?
That depends on the conditions. If it’s a big pow day… well, I can’t tell you. My Gramps, who was a longtime local, his favourite run was Honeycomb for a nice cruisey groomer. It’s still one of my favourites for a hot lap.
Come Back Soon
BUSTING WHISTLER MYTHS
DIGGING INTO THE TALL TALES AND TRUE STORIES PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS OF SKI BUMS
Myth (/miTH/) noun
–a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite or phenomenon of nature. –a widely held but false belief or idea. >>
STORY BY MEGAN LALONDE ILLUSTRATION BY JON PARRIS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY DESIGNER JON
PARRIS IMAGINE
DUSTY THE HORSE GONE BUCK WILD; THE MYTHICAL DUAL MOUNTAIN IN PEMBERTON; GHOSTS IN THE RAFTERS OF CREEKBREAD; AND SACRIFICES TO THE GOD OF SNOW.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TOURISTS
Let’s get this out of the way: Whistler’s economy runs exclusively on tourism. We need visitors; we love visitors; but it doesn’t mean we can’t mess with them a little while they’re here—especially those few vacationers who leave their critical thinking skills at home.
It’s a common enough practice that the local paper, Pique Newsmagazine, included a “Best Lie to Tell Tourists” category in its annual Best of Whistler survey for several years.
The responses are chock-full of wildly unbelievable myths perpetuated by mischievous locals: that Whistler’s black bears are domesticated creatures released from their enclosures each morning; that those bears only attack a couple of tourists each year; that Green Lake is drained annually so crews can repaint the bottom a bright shade of turquoise. (That colour comes from sediment in glacier runoff rather than a can of Benjamin Moore, believe it or not.)
It’s tough to imagine the kinds of questions that prompted those inside jokes in the first place, but the origin of the mythical “Dual Mountain” is easier to trace. Back when Whistler and Blackcomb mountains were operated by two different companies, long before the Peak 2 Peak gondola, skiers could buy a “Dual Mountain” ticket to access both Whistler and Blackcomb in one day. You can’t blame visitors
“THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF DUSTY’S OVERNIGHT ANY MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN RIDE THAT HORSE … YEARS LATER
THEY’RE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT!”
for flocking to guest services windows and concierge desks to ask, “Where’s Dual Mountain?”
Just as you can’t blame those employees for replying “It’s in Pemberton,” directing tourists to the small farming village 25 minutes north of Whistler.
DUSTY’S DESCENT
Sometimes the true story is even better than the myth.
That’s the case with Dusty’s, the Whistler Blackcomb-owned Creekside institution that claims to be “full of legend and lore.”
It’s named after a taxidermied horse “that rode into Whistler in 1979 in the back of a pick-up,” according to the resort’s website, where it found a home in the Western-themed bar.
Dusty watched over partying locals for nearly a decade. One fateful full moon Friday, “legend has it a female partier stripped totally naked and jumped on Dusty’s back. Dusty bucked into life, burst through the bar doors, shook the shocked nude woman into a snowbank and galloped off into the night, never to be seen again.”
Dusty the dead horse is one topic local author Stephen Vogler covers in-depth in his book Only in Whistler—and the truth is closer to the mythicized version than you might think.
“From its inception, Dusty’s became the backdrop for many bizarre and humorous local stories,” Vogler writes, beginning with its grand opening. Shelley Phelan was less than a month into her new job, but to the crowd’s delight, that didn’t stop her from hopping on the horse and ditching her top during the festivities.
Phelan later clarified another (fully clothed) female employee had ridden Dusty during a staff party the night before. “I had recently been hired as Whistler Mountain’s marketing manager, a single, 20-something female on an otherwise all-male
management team, most of whom were about twice my age,” she explains in a letter to Pique, published in Vogler’s book.
“Unable to attend the staff party the night before, I heard all about the horse-mounting incident many times over at the grand opening, and was encouraged by many to follow suit, which I eventually did. Some of my fellow management team then persuaded me to ride the horse bareback. In the spirit of fun, and in a naive burst of what-the-heck exuberance, I obliged them. And the rest is (some-what-distorted) history, which continues to amaze and amuse me to this day.”
Despite a harsh warning from Whistler’s then-president, she maintains the move was “a stroke of marketing genius, however unintentional it may have been at the time.” As Phelan tells Vogler, “There is nothing I could have done to raise the profile of Dusty’s overnight any more effectively than ride that horse… years later they’re still talking about it!”
Dusty was put out to pasture when the bar was due for another refresh. He had a few more adventures until his final journey brought him to Blackcomb’s Base II, where he fittingly “left this world in a final blaze of glory that involved a can of gasoline and a match.”
In the years since Only in Whistler’s release, “people have been filling in more little sub-chapters along the way, which is the sign of a good story,” says Vogler.
NEIGHBOURHOOD GHOSTS
When it comes to the paranormal, the restaurant that houses Creekbread—just across the highway from Dusty’s—was known as one of the most haunted buildings in town for decades. So much so that longtime reporter Brandon Barrett joined a pair of mediums at the site in October 2012, on assignment for the local newspaper, the now defunct Whistler Question
Their goal? To help a pair of spirits pass on.
Reports about two ghosts, a mother and a child around 12 years old, had been circulating for years, documented as far back as a 1994 Question article: “The pale apparitions are blamed for strange occurrences late at night, especially in the loft,” it read.
A server recounted being pulled aside by guests who saw a woman and a child in the restaurant’s rafters, when the building housed an Italian spot called Settebello. Staff had heard rumours the spirits were a mother and child who died in a fire, even though there is no record of any blazes in the Karen Crescent building since it was constructed in 1979. >>
Creekbread’s owners told Barrett about their own encounters while working on the restaurant ahead of its grand opening in 2009. “It was dark, I was looking out into the room and I saw a woman in white … go from the middle of the room and out the doors that lead to the patio. She was high up, maybe 10 feet in the air,” said co-owner Jay Gould at the time. Gould didn’t say anything to oven-builder Mark Jowett, who was also in the room at the time, “because who would believe it?” he remembered. But a few minutes later, Gould revealed that Jowett said: “I think I just saw a ghost.”
As Barrett wrote, another of the restaurant’s owners, Josh Stone, and his wife Amy were working alone late one night around the same time as Gould’s brush with the paranormal. “I came around the last bend in the flight of stairs and the hair on my body just shocked up. It was like getting a blast of freezing air, but it wasn’t cold at all. Something was around the corner, I just knew it, and when I peeked around the last flight of stairs … I saw a figure whisk into the men’s bathroom,” Stone recalls in the article. “When Amy asked me to explain what I saw, I could only say that it was an adult woman, but I had no specific description.”
Still, Barrett was skeptical when he showed up to meet the two local mediums. That skepticism turned to surprise when he noticed both were “visibly nervous, breathing the kind of long, exhaustive breaths you take when you’re feeling incredibly anxious,” he wrote.
WHISTLER AUTHOR STEPHEN VOGLER WITH HIS BOOK ONLY IN WHISTLER, AT THE POINT ARTIST-RUN CENTRE.
Medicine Trail
Whistler
Snowshoe Tour
He describes taking a seat in the restaurant’s loft, watching as the mediums reacted to messages they were receiving from the spirits. They learned the daughter had been taken forcibly from her First Nations mother in the early nineteenth century. The daughter’s spirit had since passed over, but her mom was stuck, still holding onto the guilt and searching for her little girl, the medium said.
Then, one medium started to “sob hysterically,” as Barrett describes: “There was a fire,” the medium said. “Oh God, she was burned alive.”
Barrett hadn’t mentioned anything about a blaze.
The mediums were reportedly able to help the spirit pass on and reunite with her daughter. The word on the street is the ghosts haven’t been seen since that day in 2012.
SACRIFICES TO THE SNOW GOD
Praise Ullr, reap the rewards.
It’s that myth (and an insatiable thirst for powder) that keeps skiers and snowboarders praying to the Norse deity, Ullr the Scandinavian god of winter and snow-sports, year after year.
In Whistler, those prayers took the form of a ski-burn starting in the mid1970s, an idea organized by a young group of friends. The first ceremony reportedly took place on Nita Lake, with those in attendance dancing in circles around a bonfire in front of Jordan’s Lodge, complete with effigy and a flaming arrow shot into the night sky. The best part? It worked.
As Vogler writes, buckets of snow fell that winter, launching an annual tradition.
“It was a real sort of Pagan, free-for-all party, basically,” says Vogler, “but it had at its core, this sacrifice to the snow God, which is kind of [fitting] for a ski town.”
The group was emboldened when they skipped the ski-burn ahead of the 1976-77 season, only to spend the next several months scraping down ice-covered slopes. The event moved around to various venues over the next decade or so, until the Mountain climbed on board and started hosting its own Ullr Fests in the mid-’80s. (Minus the effigy…) The event’s original organizers remembered that winter as “a crap snow season,” longtime local Steve Anderson says in Only in Whistler “I remember we referred to them as unsanctioned burns.”
Whistler Mountain “kind of killed it,” Vogler admits. The sacrificial skiburn was “meant to be an underground, grassroots thing.”
It likely wouldn’t have lasted until today anyway, given society’s increased awareness about environmentally-responsible practices. “In those days, you didn’t even think about burning Ptex and plastic bases, but nowadays we realize that is not cool, not healthy,” says Vogler. “It’s just changing times. But yeah, [Ullr Fest] was very underground. Very wild and crazy—when something like a mountain corporation tries to co-opt it, the gods are not happy.”
But Whistler has had good snow years since then—could those underground Ullr rituals still be going down in backyards and basement suites around the resort? Perhaps, says Vogler. As much as Whistler has grown, he sees its irreverent spirit carrying on.
“I always like to think that all the crazy underground things and great stories, these are happening all the time,” Vogler says.
“There’s not any good old days. These are the good old days.”
Interested in reading more of Vogler’s recollections? Only in Whistler is available to purchase locally at Armchair Books, or online on Amazon.
—Busting Whistler Myths originally appeared in the October 6, 2023 issue of Pique Newsmagazine. It has been edited and republished for Whistler Magazine with permission of the publisher. W
ARTS & CULTURE
WHISTLER
IS MORE THAN STRONGER, HIGHER, FASTER ON THE TRAILS AND SLOPES—
IT’S A THRIVING COMMUNITY THAT ALSO CELEBRATES MOUNTAIN ART AND CULTURE
the hub of whistler’s artistic community is Arts Whistler, located in the MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE in the Village. A theatre/gift shop/ art gallery/youth centre and more, Arts Whistler is the glue that holds Whistler’s arts and cultural life together. Among other things, Arts Whistler organizes the annual Holiday Market at the Westin Resort & Spa, as well as the always popular People’s Film, a monthly movie screening in which the film is chosen by the community.
If you’re here for a visit and looking for a keepsake to take home, don’t miss the Arthentic Gift Shop, which showcases the work of local Sea to Sky artists. There’s art, pottery, jewelry, clothing, cards, apothecary goods and more.
Arthentic also features the largest selection of prints from the late Whistler artist Chili Thom. “Chili’s work, characterized by swirling skies, exaggerated lines, and brilliant hues, creates a dreamlike quality, inviting viewers to see the world through his eyes,” states an Arts Whistler press release. “The unique vision resonates deeply with locals and visitors alike, making him one of Whistler’s most iconic and influential artists.” Arthentic is open Wednesday to Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. artswhistler.com
WOMENS’ WORK
there is yet another reason to visit Whistler’s stunning AUDAIN ART MUSEUM (AAM). A new exhibit this winter will “shed a light on a lesser-explored facet of Northwest Coast art—women’s contributions to the rich tradition of carving wood and argillite.”
More than 125 works will be included in Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast. The exhibit will include poles, panels, bowls, masks and other sculptures, spanning more than seven decades of work. The works are on loan from private and public collections across Canada and the United States. It is a fitting temporary addition to the AAM with its unique collection of First Nations masks, Emily Carr paintings and other artists such as EJ Hughes, Jeff Wall and Rodney Graham, all from the private collection of philanthropist Michael Audain.
Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast runs from November 23 to May 5. audainartmuseum.com.
GRAB YOUR POPCORN
LOCAL GALLERIES
while the whistler museum, the audain Art Museum, and the Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre are the cornerstones of art and culture in Whistler, so are the many local private galleries. ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART, for example, located in the Westin Resort & Spa, has an eclectic mix of artists, often showcased at the gallery. Take Dana Cowie, who was the artist in residence for over a week in mid-October, where she showcased her work in Whistler. Cowie works in oil, moving across the canvas creating overlapping layers of colour which ultimately reveal landscapes that are both abstract and figurative.
From Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, Adele Campbell Fine Art will feature Art of Winter: A Group of Exhibition. Check out the featured artists at adelecampbell.com or pop by the gallery to see the bears, the mountains, the skiers and more, on the walls.
whistler has been home to the long-running whistler film festival (wff) for the past 24 years. This festival is a staple in Whistler’s event calendar and, like fine wine, the WFF gets better year after year, offering yet one more reason to come to Whistler and spend time in the mountains.
The five-day event includes epic film premieres as well as industry sessions, linking up insiders in the business. The movie screenings include Oscar contenders, feature films, shorts and, the always popular, mountain culture genre. Actors and directors come for the movies, the parties, the networking and the skiing.
Mark your calendar for December 4-8. Check out whistlerfilmfestival.com.
CHILI THOM LIVES ON
DANA COWIE, FITZSIMMONS CREEK, OIL ON GALLERY CANVAS, 36" X 36".
FAMOUS FIRST NATIONS
learn more about actor and activist Chief Dan George at the SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURAL CENTRE (SLCC) this season. Part of a touring exhibition created by MONOVA: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver, Chief Dan George: Actor and Activist runs until February 5. George began acting in the 1960s, appearing in movies, TV and stage productions, working to promote a better understanding of First Nations people.
“It gives us great pride to host this exhibit as he was a well-known man in many communities. He was always headstrong and tried his best to teach the people around him. We see that he reached out in many different ways to teach the world around him,” says Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee, Squamish Curator for the SLCC.
This latest exhibit is part of the larger SLCC collection, showcasing the art and culture of Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations and telling the stories of this area long before the first tourists arrived. Check out slcc.ca for times and tickets. Don’t miss the gift shop and the Thunderbird Café for a treat along the way. The centre is located in the Upper Village.
WHISTLER GALLERIES
AUDAIN ART MUSEUM
4350 Blackcomb Way 604-962-0413 audainartmuseum.com
ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART GALLERY
In the Westin Resort & Spa
604-938-0887 adelecampbell.com
ART JUNCTION GALLERY & FRAME STUDIO
1068 Millar Creek Road, Function Junction
604-938-9000 artjunction.ca
MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT In the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
604-935-1862 mountaingalleries.com
THE PLAZA GALLERIES
22-4314 Main Street
604-938-6233 plazagalleries.com
THE GALLERY AT MAURY YOUNG
ARTS CENTRE
4335 Blackcomb Way 604-935-8410 artswhistler.com
SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURAL CENTRE
4584 Blackcomb Way 1-866-441-SLCC (7522) slcc.ca
WHISTLER CONTEMPORARY GALLERY
In the Hilton Resort
604-938-3001 (main) In the Four Seasons Resort 604-935-3999 whistlerart.com
WHISTLER UNCONQUERED
STORY BY DAVID SONG
ABOVE: SIT SKIERS ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT AT WHISTLER.
BELOW: BIATHLON, AT WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK, IS ANOTHER NEW INVICTUS EVENT IN 2025.
THE SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR READIES ITSELF TO HOST THE 2025 INVICTUS GAMES
An unprecedented number of people tuned in to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris—1 million Canadians on CBC TV/Radio Canada's coverage, while Great Britain's Channel 4 drew in more than 18.5 million viewers: roughly 30.4 per cent of the British TV population.
Now, Whistler has a chance to ride that momentum as it partners with Vancouver and the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations from Feb. 8 to 16 to host the 2025 Invictus Games (the first of its kind to be held across two communities).
The Invictus Games Foundation helps injured or ailing military veterans around the world return to healthy physical, mental and emotional life. It was founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, whose 2012 deployment to Afghanistan with the United Kingdom's Army Air Corps helped inspire him to give back to his fellow servicemen and women.
The word "invictus" means "unconquered" in Latin.
THE 2025 INVICTUS GAMES IN VANCOUVER AND WHISTLER WILL FEATURE SIX NEW WINTER SPORTS INCLUDING ALPINE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The invictus games will kick off in style at the official Opening Ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver on February 8. Among the headliners are Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Noah Kahan, Canadian star Nelly Furtado, and Quebec alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau. More acts will be announced in the lead-up to the Games.
The Closing Ceremony will take place on February 16, at Rogers Arena. For tickets to these events, head to invictusgames2025.ca/tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased for the sporting events. Spectators will need tickets for venues with limited capacity. However, the Whistler venues—Whistler Blackcomb (alpine skiing and alpine snowboarding), the Whistler Sliding Centre (skeleton), and Whistler Olympic Park (biathlon and Nordic cross country), will be outdoors and free to all spectators. Vancouver events such as wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair curling, will be ticketed through Ticketmaster.
All sports can be viewed on the big screens for free at the Invictus Villages in Vancouver and Whistler.
The Whistler Invictus Village will feature daily concerts as well as live coverage of the sports competitions. There will be five different activation zones throughout the Village offering family-friendly entertainment. Stay tuned to local paper Pique Newsmagazine on stands or online at piquenewsmagazine.com.
FROM TOP LEFT:
NOAH KAHAN, NELLY FURTADO AND ROXANE BRUNEAU ARE THE FIRST HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
ABOVE: WHISTLER ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SIAN BLYTH, LEFT, WITH WASP ACTING FACILITIES MANAGER DAVID KHOOB.
'A HUGE OPPORTUNITY'
London hosted the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, but Whistler is primed to facilitate the first winter sports program in Invictus history: alpine skiing and snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
Prince Harry and his delegation visited a few Sea to Sky locations last November, such as Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) and the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC). Up to 550 soldiers and veterans from 25 countries are expected to compete at these venues as well as others like the Vancouver Convention Centre and University of British Columbia Aquatic Centre.
In a joint statement, Games organizers said: "Whistler’s participation in the Invictus Games will see accessibility improvements so that even more people can enjoy the benefits of adaptive sport in the years to come.
Following a generous grant from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, many of these accessibility improvements across three Whistler venues are already underway.
"These include paving additional spectator areas at [WSC] and [WOP] and the installation of a ramp at the Sliding Centre, all of which enable
"WHAT THE INVICTUS GAMES ARE DOING WORKING WITH VETERANS IS REALLY RAISING A SPOTLIGHT ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER [PTSD], AND PTSD HAPPENS TO MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN VETERANS.”
DAVID
BUZZARD
greater winter adaptive sports participation. The grant also funds a legacy of new winter adaptive sport equipment, including eleven new sit-skis, mobi-mats to enable wheelchair users to access snow, and biathlon equipment that will remain with the sport organizations in Whistler after the Games."
The long-running Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) will also help facilitate proceedings.
"It's a huge opportunity for our organization to raise awareness of ways that people with disabilities can take part in recreation," says WASP executive director Sian Blyth. "Adapting the playground is a key component of what we do, and if somebody in another country is watching the Games on television and sees that people with disabilities can ski and snowboard, that's great."
Blyth founded WASP a quarter-century ago, and in that time the organization has mentored people from all walks of life in 18 adaptive sports. They offer summer disciplines like kayaking, swimming, and biking, alongside the aforementioned winter events.
SUPPORTING ALL PEOPLE
You can't always tell that someone is disabled just by looking at them. Both WASP and the Invictus Games Foundation understand this fact and endeavour to promote various kinds of accessibility.
"We want to help anyone who needs support," Blyth explains. "What the Invictus Games are doing working with veterans is really raising a spotlight on post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and PTSD happens to many more people than veterans. >>
INVICTUS FOUNDER PRINCE HARRY, THE DUKE OF SUSSEX, CHECKS OUT THE WHISTLER VENUES IN FEBRUARY 2024 AS ORGANIZERS BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR THE GAMES.
JEREMY ALLEN
“We offer year-round, all-season programming, and it's very important that people with both physical and neurodiversity-related disabilities can access them.
"I think we as a society can all continue to support all people. Through events like Invictus and WASP programs, through raising awareness with social media, we can educate society—whether it be right in our community or around the world—on being more inclusive of everybody."
Each of the upcoming Games competitions in Whistler will be free to attend, as is access to Whistler Invictus Village, featuring daily concerts, live sport viewing areas, cultural and family-friendly activities through five different activation zones along the Village Stroll. Cafés and restaurants throughout Whistler Village will operate as usual. Tickets are on sale for Vancouver venues with limited capacity.
"The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 is unique and there is no other event quite like it," states a release from organizers. "It offers the opportunity to honour and celebrate wounded, injured and sick service members and veterans on their courageous journey of recovery. Their sports achievements and the celebrations bookending the events will excite, entertain and inspire, all with a deep sense of pride and community, and all at a reasonable price or free in a family-oriented setting."
Learn more about the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games at invictusgames2025.ca
WHISTLER IS READY FOR THE EYES OF THE WORLD TO TUNE IN FOR THE 2025 INVICTUS GAMES. W
JEREMY ALLEN
LUXURY LIVING
INSIDE WHISTLER’S RECORD-BREAKING $9.3 MILLION CONDO SALE
A COZY FIREPLACE SETS THE STAGE FOR WINTER AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS IN WHISTLER
STORY BY LISE BOULLARD
PHOTOS COURTESY
JOHN RYAN | WHISTLER
REAL ESTATE CO.
Last year, an upscale 2,529 square foot corner unit at the Four Seasons Private Residences changed hands in the resort’s priciest condo sale in history. The seller’s realtor, John Ryan, facilitated the $9.3 million transaction between a Vancouver-based family and new Californian owners.
Ryan’s seen his fair share of high-ticket deals— “we sold a hotel back in the day for $36 million,” he says—but he’s still impressed. “It’s the biggest condo deal Whistler has ever seen … It’s Whistler’s best building.”
One of 37 Four Seasons private residences, the three-and-a-half bedroom, four-bathroom home offers breathtaking views of Whistler’s natural scenery and is flooded with light, thanks to windows on both sides. In 2022, the unit underwent a lavish $950,000 renovation as part of the Four Seasons Private Residence renovation program led by CHIL Interior Design.
“If you wanted to be in the rental program you had to do the Four Seasons renovation. The building was shut down for nine months,” Ryan explains.
The vision for the renovation was to bring the soothing white noise of the surrounding mountain forests indoors — think swaying trees and rustling leaves—creating a tranquil and sophisticated aesthetic aligned with the rest of the Four Seasons’ hotel décor. Designers opted for a natural palette of wood, stone, leather and natural textiles, creating a Swedish-meetsAmerican Arts and Crafts Movement look.
A large part of the update was the interior furnishing package, and no detail was overlooked in selecting the home’s modern accents, wall coverings, and artwork. Wood flooring and stone backsplashes create a sense of contemporary warmth and continuity, while integrated shelving, smart lighting and drapery, and a built-in music system make daily living easy and effortless.
LEFT: THE FORMAL DINING ROOM LOOKS OUT INTO THE SURROUNDING FOREST.
ABOVE: A STATE-OFTHE-ART KITCHEN SETS THE STAGE FOR ENTERTAINING. >>
ABOVE: THE LUXURIOUS MASTER BEDROOM, MASTER BATH AND READING AREA ARE TASTEFULLY DESIGNED IN EARTH TONES TO REFLECT THE SURROUNDINGS.
THE $950,000 RENOVATION WAS LED BY CHIL INTERIOR DESIGN.
Outside, the sprawling covered living area, adorned with lanterns and planters, is what Ryan calls “the best outdoor space in Whistler.” Residents can use the private residence building’s pool, dedicated family and adult hot tubs, and state-of-the-art fitness centre at their leisure. When they’re in the mood to venture out or entertain, they can call upon the hotel’s full suite of services including a ski concierge, 24-hour room service and more. “You can have chefs and staff come and cook dinner in your residence,” Ryan explains. “It’s kind of fun for dinner parties.”
LEFT: THE LOBBY OF THE FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES SETS THE TONE FOR UPSCALE LIVING. >>
The private residences are separate from the hotel, creating an oasis of security and exclusivity. Staff use a tunnel, akin to a cruise ship back-ofhouse, connecting the two entities.
CUSTOM HOMES & RENOVATIONS
604.907.2237
marc@balmoralconstruction.com
balmoralconstruction.com
While owners can live in the residences full-time, most rent out part-time, or simply keep them for their use when visiting Whistler. They can call upon the hotel’s staff to help run their unit—whether it’s managing rentals or stocking the fridge with groceries. By combining the comforts and familiarity of home with the elegance and services Four Seasons hotels are known for, residents enjoy an unparalleled and seamless living experience.
Initially attracting two strong offers, Ryan says this home sold at almost full asking price. Lifestyle changes were the driving factor behind the Vancouver family’s listing. “The kids were at a stage of life that they weren’t getting up to the home as much as they’d like... They’ll be getting back into the market once the kids are at an older age,” Ryan explains.
Hailing from Southern California, the buyers already owned a home in Whistler and wanted to downsize into condominium living. Ryan says “The Four Seasons brand was instrumental in their buying decision… The [brand] is right up there in the world for hospitality, so that really does add a lot to [the] value.”
Lately, Ryan has noticed an uptick in international buyers purchasing luxury Whistler real estate, with non-domestic transactions representing about 50 percent of sales. While Canadian buyers are mainly from B.C. or Ontario, U.S. investors are flocking from California and the Eastern Seaboard including Seattle, New York, Wisconsin and Connecticut. Mexico, Australia, the U.K. Bahamas and Malaysia are also represented among the real estate jet-set.
Currently, there is one unit listed for sale in the Four Seasons Private Residences, configured with the same floor plan as the $9.3 million home. Situated at the end of the building, Ryan says the unit offers coveted southwest exposure. “It's at $10.5 million right now. When that
Naturally spectacular, Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a special place to escape the everyday and experience Whistler in an elevated, yet authentic way.
Plan your next stay in the social heart of the mountain, where unparalleled comfort is at your fingertips and extraordinary adventure is on your doorstep.
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TREASURES & TRINKETS
IT’S ALWAYS NICE TO TAKE
PLEASURE
IN
THINGS
that make us feel better about ourselves. Have you had your eye on some jewelry? Do you need a new sweater or jacket to stay warm and cozy? Whistler is full of great boutique shops to find a little Whistler treasure to take home with you this season. Here’s just a taste of what you can find!
CHEVRON ROLL NECK SWEATER BY PERFECT MOMENT
This fitted sweater is the perfect addition to your ski wardrobe. Crafted from Woolmark-certified Merino wool, it features a bold, retro chevron print that exudes sophistication. The rib-knit hem, cuffs, and turtleneck provide both warmth and style. Elevate your ski look with this luxurious piece.
Available at Abigail Lifestyle Boutique $649
14K GOLD INUKSHUK MOUNTAIN RING WITH CANADIAN DIAMOND
14k yellow and white-gold natural Canadian round brilliant-cut diamond channel set in an Inukshuk, surrounded by a mountain. 0.10ct diamond, laser inscribed with certificate of origin and Canadian gold.
Available at Keir Fine Jewellery
$1,800
ST CHRISTOPHER NECKLACE
As the patron saint of travellers, St. Christopher will keep you and your loved ones safe wherever in the world that may be. This embossed talisman provides protection to the wearer on journeys near and far. Gold plated sterling silver pendant with 18-inch gold filled box chain and two-inch extender.
Available at Ruby Tuesday. $180
THYMES FRASIER FIR
PETITE GOLD REED DIFFUSER
A tradition that feels right at home. Reminiscent of days gone by and suggestive of wonderful times to come, the aromatic snap of crisp Siberian fir needles, heartening cedarwood and relaxing sandalwood fills the air with a welcome feeling of warmth and joy. Perfectly sized to fill cozy spaces with the crisp fragrance of Frasier Fir, this diffuser is a stunning accent piece for any home.
Available at Whistler Kitchen Works. $48
GRETA SHOULDER BAG BY THE TREND
The Trend Bags: where Italian craftsmanship meets timeless design. Experience unmatched quality with unique, durable, and versatile leather products that highlight earth tones. This shoulder bag in genuine leather is soft and roomy, has an adjustable handle and inside pocket with zip. The Trend Bags available at KABN. PRICES VARY
SHOPPING AREAS
Whistler Village is the hub of activity at the base of the mountains. A pedestrian-only paradise, it offers over 200 stores, galleries, restaurants and bars.
Village North is centred around Whistler Marketplace, which offers a supermarket, liquor store and many fine shops and amenities.
Upper Village, situated at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, is another walking-only area with many wonderful stores, restaurants and galleries.
Nesters is just two minutes north of Whistler Village and offers a variety of shops and restaurants, with a liquor store, grocery store and restaurants.
Rainbow Plaza, a five-minute drive north of the Village, has a grocery store, liquor store, coffee shop, gas station and more.
Whistler Creekside, a five-minute drive south of the Village, is a shopping area near the base of Whistler Mountain.
Function Junction is just 10 minutes south of Whistler Village and offers hardware, organic groceries, breweries, bakeries and many more shops and services.
WHISTLER CREEKSIDE
FUNCTION JUNCTION
PIFFANY MR. WATTSON SNOWBOARD LAMP
The Mr. Wattson table lamp is a creative lamp with character that can easily be placed on the edge of a table, a windowsill, or on a shelf. Attach the snowboard to the base of your Mr. Wattson to add to its expression. Afterwards, you can place it on the floor, on the windowsill, or any spot around the house that needs functional lighting. It’s bound to put a smile on your face. Available at Get the Goods.
$180
MEN'S SMARTLOFT HYBRID JACKET
The ultimate cold-weather jacket, the men’s Smartloft™ jacket uses a recycled wool insulation to offer lightweight,
HELLY HANSEN ARCTIC PATROL WINTER BOOTS
The Arctic Patrol Boots keep your feet dry and warm no matter what nature throws at you. Minus temps are no match for the 400g of PrimaLoft® insulation, combined with a removable felt sock liner and a faux shearling top. Along with the insulation, an aluminum shield below the foot effectively blocks the cold. A waterproof rubber shell and a coated textile upper with sealed seams will keep moisture out. The boots are protective yet flexible for hours of comfortable wear. The serrated rubber sole features two of the toughest grip technologies to give you excellent traction on slippery surfaces.
Available at Helly Hansen.
$180
MANITOBAH SNOWY OWL MUKLUK
The stunning Snowy Owl soars through winter, never sacrificing grace for practicality. Like her namesake, the Waterproof Snowy Owl is ideally adapted to Canada's frigid winters, boasting a cozy sheepskin footbed and complete waterproofing to a height of four inches from the bottom. That's why you'll reach for this beauty—rated to -32C—all winter long. Manitobah was founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with Indigenous artists contributing to all core designs. Available at Snowflake.
$375
THUNDERBIRDS BY ED NOISECAT, LIMITED-EDITION FUSED GLASS
The Thunderbird is a creature of great power and prestige said to roost on top of Black Tusk Mountain in the Stitlimx territory now known as Whistler. It creates thunder and lightning by flapping its mighty wings. Fused or kiln-formed glass is assembled and heated in a kiln where the glass softens and fuses together. Fusing art glass almost always results in the formation of some air bubbles. These inconsistencies contribute to the character and beauty of finished glasswork and must not be considered flaws. 16.5 inches diameter. Available at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
$5,566
NORLENDER JOTUNHEIMEN MERINO SWEATER
The Spitzbergen from Norlender showcases a captivating blend of traditional Norwegian design elements. A quarter-zip with contemporary Nordic design on the body and sleeves, with its light-weight quality, this sweater is perfect to wear all year round. Designed and made in Norway, this sweater is perfect for outdoor adventures in Whistler.
Whistler's Favourite Pizza North of the Village
SIMPLY SÁMI BRACELET
Created for the modern man and woman, Simply Sámi jewelry fuses old Sámi traditions with contemporary design. Its wearer proudly celebrates Nordic Indigenous handcraft, sustainable fashion, and self-empowerment. Handcrafted in Pemberton with love and meticulous attention to detail, each bracelet combines premium, vegetable-tanned reindeer leather, spun pewter and sterling silver wire, and handmade buttons crafted from naturally shed reindeer antlers. Designed to be both timeless and unique, these bracelets celebrate quality, artistry, and nature.
Available at Arthentic Gift Shop in the Maury Young Arts Centre.
$105
These primitively fired Raku Ceramic pieces by Pemberton artist Kathleen Tennock are inspired by the beauty of river rock. Each piece embodies a delicate dance between fire and clay, resulting in unique smoke patterns that resemble stone.
Available at kathleentennock.com.
Prices range from $260-$650, including shipping to Canada and USA
NAKED RAKU CERAMIC PIECES
GOODNIGHT WORLD BOARD BOOK
A charming bedtime story to foster a serene sleeping environment for your child, featuring the artwork of 21 contributing artists. Printed with soy-based ink and water-based protective coating on paper sourced from sustainable forests. Available at Audain Art Museum. $14
Made of 20 per cent wool heavyweight flannel and 80 per cent recycled polyester with reinforced arm patches and handwarmer pockets, this shirt is the perfect cosywear for indoors and out! Available for men and women, and made in Canada. Available at Camp. $180
CANADIAN INSULATED SHIRT BY HOOKE
IMMERSIVE DINING
WHISTLER OFFERS UNFORGETTABLE DINING EXPERIENCES BEYOND WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE
STORY BY BRANDON BARRETT
These days, between the proliferation of foodtoks and our insatiable appetite for instantly Instagrammable culinary delights, so-called experiential dining is all the rage.
There are pop-up speakeasies and secret supper clubs, dining in the dark or suspended via crane 150 feet in the sky. There are outlandish themed restaurants and dead-serious historical recreations of medieval feasts.
Whistler, for what it’s worth, has been delivering life-affirming experiences, culinary and otherwise, for decades.
Whether the thrill of a pulse-pounding rip down a black-diamond ski run, the sensory pleasures of a hike through awe-inspiring coastal rainforest, or the raucous fun of a late-night tour through the resort’s hedonistic bars and clubs, Whistler knows how to have a good time you won’t soon forget.
The same is true for its award-winning culinary scene, which reaches far beyond the food on your plate and the wine in your glass. So, today, we won’t focus solely on the gustatory, but the entirety of the experience through which these delectable eats are delivered. Because, deep down, we all recognize on some primal level that the best meals are about so much more than what’s in our bellies.
So, without further ado, we present three of our favourite local dining experiences. >>
FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE DINING EXPERIENCE, TRY YOUR HAND AT SABERING YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF BUBBLY AND LEARN ABOUT THE SABERING TRADITION AT THE BEARFOOT BISTRO'S UNDERGROUND WINE CELLAR.
“WITH EVERY CLEAN BREAK, THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CORK REPRESENTS THE SELF, AND THE GLASS SURROUNDING IT REPRESENTS EVERYTHING AROUND YOU: HEALTH, WEALTH, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.”
FINE CHAMPAGNE TASTES EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU SABRE THE BOTTLE YOURSELF.
CHAMPAGNE SABERING AT BEARFOOT BISTRO
Bearfoot Bistro, regularly recognized as one of Canada’s top restaurants, has long been on the cutting edge of modern Canadian cuisine.
That’s why one of the Bearfoot’s most vaunted epicurean experiences, champagne sabering in its 15,000-bottle wine cellar, is laden with irony. In such a future-focused restaurant, it’s a tradition that owes its origins to Napoleon Bonaparte that has become one of its hallmarks.
Because of Napoleon's lifelong friendship with champagne impresario Jean-Remy Moët, the French Emperor had virtually unlimited access to the world’s finest bubbly. As the legend goes, just hours before a particularly daunting battle, Napoleon and his generals, evidently in need of liquid courage, were sloshed off the stuff. Decked out in full uniform, one of his officers drunkenly whipped his sabre from his belt and accidentally lopped off the neck of a bottle of Moët in a perfectly clean break. Champagne foam sprayed everywhere. Whoops were hollered. A party was at hand.
“The next day, they took the field and were completely victorious in battle,” explains Bearfoot Bistro’s assistant wine director, Paul Brian. “This is how the superstition was born. Napoleon truly believed the victory was a direct result of the sabering the night before. A clean break meant victory, but if the bottle exploded, that surely meant defeat.”
It’s a tradition that Bearfoot has carried on more than two centuries later. Once guests have selected their preferred bottle of champ from the 1,500 or so on offer, they are
escorted down to the cellar where they receive instructions on this time-honoured technique.
Just like Napoleonic times, at Bearfoot, a correct swipe of the blade signifies good fortune (and more bubbly to drink after the fact).
“With every clean break, the symbolism of the cork represents the self, and the glass surrounding it represents everything around you: health, wealth, friends and family,” Brian says.
Of course, it’s not just the champagne that is integral to the sabering experience. After all, what would bubbly be without the perfect pairings?
“Champagne for us is a very special wine. We almost feel you could have ‘champ’ at every course all the way through dessert,” he says. “If I had to choose some dishes I would like, it’s things that are light and delicate. I love seafood, things from the ocean: shellfish, fresh scallops, crab, lobster, oysters, nice, cold, beautiful fresh fish that you can have with these gorgeous bubbles that every time you sip, it’s like a thousand kisses.”
Fortunately, seafood is something Bearfoot has in spades, and does extremely well. Its shellfish and caviar platter is the height of indulgence, while its Haida Gwaii sablefish with green papaya salad practically demands a bottle of bubbles along with it. Speaking to Napoleon's political ambitions, you also can't go wrong with the Tofino King salmon and Dungeness crab, finished with smoked crab oil. A dish fit for an emperor. >>
DIP IN TO THE MOUTH-WATERING
FONDUE AFTER SNOWMOBILING TO DINNER WITH CANADIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES.
MOUNTAIN-TOP FONDUE WITH CANADIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES
Picture yourself, still buzzing from the cold and the rush of snowmobiling up one of Whistler’s iconic twin peaks, before stepping off your machine and into the warmth and rustic charm of the mountain-top Crystal Hut, which is like something out of the Swiss Alps, a vat of bubbling fondue waiting for you like an old friend.
This isn’t just some alpine fantasy. At Canadian Wilderness Adventures (CWA), it’s a dream come true. CWA, already known for offering unparalleled outdoor adventures in both winter and summer, has crafted a distinctly Whistler experience for those who might want a side of thrill with their melted cheese.
“Essentially, guests have the opportunity to go up Blackcomb Mountain by snowmobile or snowcat, based on their comfort level and what they’re hoping to get out of it,” explains Jessica Prince, CWA’s in-resort sales and guest services manager. “The snowmobile portion is more the adrenaline-fuelled, exciting way to get up the mountain,
“A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UP HERE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING DURING THE DAY, SO I THINK IT’S REALLY SPECIAL TO RETRACE THEIR STEPS AND SEE THE MOUNTAIN AT NIGHT.”
while the snowcat is a great option for people who want to sit back and relax in a comfortable snowcat before a delicious dinner at the top.”
Both snowmobile and snowcat guests receive training before heading up Blackcomb, where the snowmobilers will follow CWA’s certified guides, and the snowcatters will be driven, taking in the natural surroundings along the way.
Near the top, under the Jersey Cream Express chairlift, guests will have the chance to take a break to snap photos of a twinkling Whistler Village from a breathtaking vantage point rarely seen at night.
“A lot of people are up here skiing and snowboarding during the day, so I think it’s really special to retrace their steps and see the mountain at night,” Prince says. “It’s really neat to have that backstage pass as well because … we’re really the only operator that has access to the mountain in the evening.”
Once inside the Crystal Hut, guests are greeted by a local musician playing tunes to help set the mood, before sitting down to enjoy a traditional Gruyère and Emmental fondue alongside fresh baked bread. The meal also includes a mouthwatering charcuterie platter featuring cured meats, sausages, jellies and jams, and other accompaniments, capped off with the Crystal Hut’s famous waffle topped with berries, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
You can’t get much more Whistler than that.
ESCAPE THE ORDINARY AND DISCOVER THE CULINARY HEART OF WHISTLER
Our award-winning dining venues are vibrant hubs of connection for those celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a memorable culinary experience.
From leisurely breakfasts, to romantic dinners, and unforgettable après, every moment at Fairmont Chateau Whistler is an opportunity to create lasting memories. Discover the true spirit of Whistler hospitality and book your table today.
“ONCE ONE IS PREPARED, IT’S GUARANTEED MORE WILL FOLLOW AS GUESTS NEARBY EXPERIENCE THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND SMELLS OF
THIS INCREDIBLE DISH.”
MARVIN GOLDBLOOM, A 22-YEAR VETERAN
HY'S SERVER, PREPARES THE BANANAS FOSTER
TABLESIDE AT THE WHISTLER HY’S STEAKHOUSE.
TABLESIDE DINING AT HY’S
What sets Hy’s Whistler a cut above your average steakhouse is its unwavering commitment to exemplary service.
“At Hy’s, our guests always come first,” says GM Michael Kyle. “Our team is trained to listen closely and ask the right questions so we can tailor each dining experience and make it memorable.”
One of those questions is, “How do you like your steak?,” and with a variety of specially selected prime-grade beef aged at least 28 days, the choosy carnivore might have to take some time to decide which cut and cooking time is correct for them.
But of course it’s not just Hy’s award-winning steak that makes this classic steakhouse experience so memorable. Toeing the line between contemporary and classic, Hy’s prides itself on its selection of dishes prepared tableside, right in front of your eyes, like something out of a boozy business lunch on Mad Men that still doesn’t feel out of place in the modern culinary environment of today.
“With nearly 70 years of experience, our Hy’s team has a unique perspective on balancing trends with what endures. We know exactly who we are as a restaurant, and also, who we are not,” Kyle says. “We deeply respect our history and the classic steakhouse concept, but we also want to stay relevant and attract new guests who might not be as familiar with that tradition. That’s why we introduce fresh ideas—like
modern cocktails, plant-based dishes, and contemporary music—without losing sight of our core values.”
Hy’s offers a variety of tableside preparations. There’s the signature Caesar salad with its from-scratch dressing that Kyle estimates its staff has made thousands of times over the years (diners can ask for extra garlic, cheese, or anchovy to suit their taste). For the crouton adverse, there’s also the spinach salad prepared tableside, with its warm dressing of sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bacon that Kyle describes as “truly unique and delicious.” Then there’s the steak tartare, another nostalgia-inducing starter, featuring a hand-chopped filet, Dijon mustard, shallots and cornichon alongside cooked egg and a toasted baguette. The steak Diane, another standout, features juicy Canadian prime filet, dramatically flambéed with brandy and Dijon mustard.
“It’s a beautiful way to enjoy the best beef available with a classic, homemade sauce,” Kyle adds.
For dessert there is a longtime crowd favourite: bananas foster. The rich caramel, orange and rum sauce is flambéed tableside, filling the room with a delectable aroma that is impossible to resist.
“Once one is prepared, it’s guaranteed more will follow as guests nearby experience the sights, sounds and smells of this incredible dish,” Kyle says “Served with warm bananas and cold vanilla ice cream, it’s a light yet decadent way to end your meal.”
That’s what we call a showstopper.
DAVID BUZZARD
MOUNTAIN ROOTS
BUY LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY
There’s always something new happening in Whistler whether it’s an event, a store opening, an online business. This is a place where the creative juices flow. Check out what’s new and in the news this season.
LOCAL CAFÉ GROWS
local hotspot alpine café took home
the award for Service Excellence: Small Business (up to 34 employees) at the 2024 Whistler Excellence Awards this fall. The award comes on the heels of a major expansion and renovation at the bustling neighbourhood café. It was founded more than 20 years ago by owners Kevin Wood (above left) and Martini Bart. This is the place for amazing live music, a chilled local vibe and great food. Not to forget the award-winning service! Alpine Café is fully licensed with six beers and ciders on tap. It’s worth the journey ten minutes north of the Village.
‘A DREAM COME TRUE’
there’s a new executive chef at the helm of one of whistler’s toniest restaurants. Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar welcomed Chef Ying Gao this fall. She comes by way of Vancouver hotspots CinCin Ristorante + Bar, Blue Water Café and helped open Elisa. One of the big draws for the move to Whistler was to work with Araxi’s renowned culinary director Chef James Walt: “My dream came true,” she told Pique Newsmagazine. “I work in the most beautiful place, and I work with Chef James. Araxi is also a really special restaurant in my heart, because we work with the farmer using local ingredients. That is a treasure. Not a lot of local restaurants can do that, but we have been doing that for over 40 years.” Check out Gao’s new menu at Araxi this season, inspired by French, Chinese and Japanese cuisine.
CELEBRATING THE NEWS
whistler’s award-winning newspaper, Pique Newsmagazine, is marking its 30th anniversary in November 2024. That’s three decades of telling the news in Whistler from search and rescue missions to municipal budgets, to Olympic events and so much more. The paper has dozens of accolades and awards to its name and continues to buck the trends of other community newspapers which have closed in recent years. Pick up a copy of the Pique at newsstands throughout town or check out piquenewsmagazine.com for the most up-to-date information in Whistler. Pique is a sister publication of Whistler Magazine
WEARABLE ART
Long-time local artist Rhiannon Csordas is putting her own unique stamp on hats with her business Top Sizzle Hats. Csordas hand burns and paints her artwork into each creation. Billed as “hand-burned rancher hats, made to play in the mountains,” they are the perfect addition to any festival, party or day spent outside. Top Sizzle Hats has been taking the area by storm since it began one year ago. You can find her work on Instagram at topsizzle.art or topsizzle. co or check out the Arthentic Gift Shop in the Maury Young Arts Centre
FUELLING UP FOR FUN
WHISTLER HOTSPOTS OFFER UP HEARTY FARE FOR WINTER ADVENTURES
STORY BY WILL JOHNSON
BY DAVID BUZZARD
Keeping yourself warm and well-fed in the icy chill of mountain life can be a tall order, but luckily there are multiple Whistler restaurants answering the call. From hearty pies to personally curated stir frys to the more exotic fare, there’s something to tempt every ravenous skier and snowboarder, to satisfy hunger and fuel up for more adventures to come.
PHOTOS
IRISH EX-PAT
OSCAR DOWNIE ENJOYS A STEAK AND GUINNESS PIE AT THE DUBH LINN GATE PUB.
A MOUNTAINSIDE SOCIAL HUB
Located a short jaunt from the entrance to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Portobello is a go-to breakfast, lunch and dinner spot with a wide range of offerings from fresh coffee and sweet morning treats to “smokehouse inspired dinners” on the menu.
Take the Dino Egg. When thinking of hearty, stomach-warming fare, this is one to consider.
One of their most popular items, the Dino Egg consists of a jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in ham that is then stuffed inside a chicken breast and wrapped in bacon before slowsmoking it. “We put a barbecue glaze on top of the chicken skin, so you get this beautiful crunch,” says Ben Bravington-Sim, the assistant director of food and beverage at the Fairmont. “Then as you slice through, you get this moist, succulent chicken breast with that thin layer of ham, and that pop and ooziness of juice from the jalapeño and the cream cheese. That’s finished with a chimichurri aioli, a herbbased sauce with chives and oregano, blitzed into this wonderfully fresh bright green salsa and blended with mayonnaise and garlic.”
It’s just one more reason to visit the Upper Village.
“Portobello is a great social hub for the Upper Village,” he adds. “It’s on the way to the mountain, so you can stop here on the way to your ski adventure or maybe you swing by for lunch to catch up with friends. We’re renowned for being family-friendly and having hearty portions.”
FAIRMONT
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
If there’s one thing the Mongolie Grill is known for, it’s the theatrical cooking style used to create its culinary adventures. The hiss and sizzle is part of the experience, just as much as the food. But one aspect that gets overlooked, according to co-owner Chris Miron, is the fact that you have one-hundred-percent control over everything that ends up on that fiery surface.
“There’s no signature dish because the dish is your signature,” he explains. “You can’t go to a steakhouse if you’re vegetarian, you wouldn’t (want to) go to a salad bar if you’re paleo, but the Mongolie Grill caters to every sort of diet. It’s one of the few places that can cater to whatever diet you have.”
That makes Mongolie Grill a great spot for dining with a crowd, especially for a crew with mixed diets, given there are so many options.
If you’re in need of a meal to fill you up after a long day on the mountain, you can load up your plate with rice and meat, seafood and vegetables, and with your favourite stir-fry sauce. Your meal will be weighed and grilled before your eyes.
Mongolie Grill has become a Whistler fixture over the 28 years Miron’s owned it alongside Andrea Volker. They’ve cultivated a dedicated staff with a very particular skill set. While the customers gather in a semi-circle before them to
make their orders, the cooks fly into action—slicing and dicing and tossing their creations into the air.
“Our cooks are constantly practicing and honing their skills,” Miron says.
All of the ingredients are fresh, and of the highest possible quality—from the cilantro or jasmine rice to the chunks of chicken or spray of hot sauce. And it doesn’t hurt that this show is going on before one of the best views in Whistler, in the heart of the Village.
Miron adds: “(Our guests) have pretty much a bird’s eye view of Whistler Village and its surroundings, and you can enjoy these views while watching your meal be theatrically grilled right in front of you.”
CHEF RYAN MANNING PREPARES A CUSTOM STIR FRY AT THE MONGOLIE GRILL RESTAURANT IN WHISTLER VILLAGE.
OPEN LATE
MORE THAN JUST BEER
There are countless Irish pubs all over the world, but there aren’t many that can boast having an authentic bar built in the mother country like Whistler’s Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub.
Located in the Pan Pacific Hotel in a prime location at the base of the mountains, the Dubh Linn Gate is everything you’re looking for in an Irish Pub—an extensive beer selection, good vibes, toe-tapping tunes… and hearty food to stave off any winter chills. Its name, Dubh Linn Gate, harkens back to the mythic dark pool of water that lies under the heart of Dublin— the inspiration behind the creation of Guinness beer back in 1759. The Irish brew is by far the most popular pour at Whistler’s Dubh Linn Gate, and it has even been incorporated into one of its signature dishes: the savoury steak and Guinness pie.
“It really is hearty, which is certainly why people gravitate to it in the winter,” says Louise Oliver, assistant manager. “It is a stew, baked in a skillet, with puff pastry baked over top. It has beef and fresh veggies, plus mushrooms, as well as a Guinness gravy.”
While good Guinness on tap and in a pie may be two reasons to visit, the Dubh Linn offers much more. There’s the beer selection—24 taps behind the bar—as well as the cozy ambience, kilt-wearing servers, Irish decor and a variety of musical entertainment to get the crowd going.
“The demographic really depends on what time of day we’re talking about. Kids are welcome until 9 p.m., and the vibe really changes once the band comes on and makes it more of a lively party scene. We’ve got lots of people still in ski boots dancing until midnight,” says Oliver.
“Whistler has changed a lot since we first opened over 25 years ago but we’ve stood the test of time simply because everyone loves an Irish pub.” W
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
THROUGHOUT THE WINTER
FIRE & ICE SHOW
Head to Skier’s Plaza Sunday nights throughout the winter and check out the weekly show where skiers and snowboarders show off their skills, jumping through burning rings of fire. Free for all.
KOKANEE VALLEY RACE SERIES
Racers are quick out of the gates every Thursday throughout the season in this weekly amateur race event.
SNOW
PLAY ZONE AT WHISTLER OLYMPIC
PLAZA
The family-friendly fun zone, located beside the outdoor skating rink, is a hive of winter play activity. Open daily into March.
NOVEMBER
NOV. 22
Whistler Blackcomb
Opening Day
Everything is shaping up for another epic winter of skiing and riding. Opening Day is subject to change. Check whistlerblackcomb.com
NOV. 29
Whistler Winterlight
Celebrate the start of another winter season at Whistler Olympic Plaza. The plaza will be illuminated with beacons of light in this family-friendly event from 6-8 p.m. whistler.com
DECEMBER
NOV. 30-DEC. 1
Arts Whistler Holiday Market
Get all your holiday gifts and goodies at this annual artisan market taking place at the Westin Resort & Spa. Find everything from cards and art to food and jewelry and everything in between. artswhistler.com
NOV. 30-DEC. 1
Bratz Biz Youth Artisan Market
Celebrating Whistler’s youngest artists in conjunction with established artisans. Bratz Biz is the perfect complement to the Arts Whistler Holiday Market. Westin Resort & Spa. artswhistler.com
DEC. 1
Creekside Village-Shop
Local: The Mom Market
Another chance to find unique gifts as the holiday season approaches. Visit the Mom Market and explore the shops at Creekside from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. whistlercreeksidevillage.com
DEC. 4-8
Whistler Film Festival
“Canada’s coolest film festival” is back for its 24th year with film premieres, industry summits, special guest appearances, and of course, the parties. whistlerfilmfestival.com
DEC. 7
Shop Local, Give Local
When you eat or shop on December 7, participating stores in Whistler will give back 5 per cent of their gross sales between opening and closing of that day. The money will go into the Whistler Community Foundation’s Community Fund. It’s the best day of the year to shop! whistlerfoundation.com
DEC. 7-8
Whistler Bespoke Market
Entrepreneurs and designers showcase their talents at this socially-conscious market with items like ceramics, slow fashion and handcrafted jewelry at the Audain Art Museum. audainartmuseum.com
DEC. 12
JANUARY
JAN. 19-26
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
One of the biggest and boldest queer-focused ski weeks in North America, this Whistler festival is celebrating its 32nd year. Join in the fun both on and off the mountains. whistlerpride.com
JAN. 23
AI: Ethics, Empathy and Humanizing Technology
Speaker Kris Krüg tells the story of the rapid evolution of AI and its profound impacts on creativity and innovation. artswhistler.com
JAN. 26
Victoria Piano Quartet
A collaboration of some of Canada’s most talented musicians—Terrance Tam (violin), Yariv Aloni (violin), Pamela Highbaugh (cello) and Lorraine Min (piano). The quartet has been playing together for ten years. artswhistler.com
FEBRUARY
FEB. 6-8
FIL Luge World Champions
Head to one of the fastest tracks in the world and cheer on luge athletes from 25 different countries as they reach speeds of 130/km. fil-luge.org
FEB. 6-16
Invictus Games
Athletes from around the world come to Whistler to compete in adaptive sports. New winter sports have been added to the Invictus Games for the first time. Get ready to make some noise! Check out the story on page 33 for more information. invictusgames2025.ca
FEB. 21-22
Peak to Valley Race
One of the longest and most legendary ski races in the world, from the top of Whistler Mountain to the bottom. Anyone can enter a team of four… if they dare. whistlerblackcomb.com
MARCH
MAR. 29
Showcase Showdown
Check out Canada’s longest running snowboard competition. whistlerblackcomb.com
APRIL
APR. 6
Quartetto Gelato
An unusual but popular quartet featuring accordion, cello, violin, oboe and more. Check out artswhistler.com
APR. 7-13
Whistler Cup
Young skiers from around the world compete in the long-running ski race event. whistlerblackcomb.com
APR. 7-13
World Ski and Snowboard Festival
The annual party to say farewell to another epic winter season. Whistler comes alive with music, dancing, skiing/snowboarding events and so much more. There is something for everyone at the annual WSSF. wssf.com
APR. 17
Healthy Watersheds— from Glaciers to the Sea
A panel discussion in partnership with the Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation. whistlerinstitute.com
MAY
MAY 4
Wannabe: A Spice Girls Tribute
Spice Up Your Life! Take a trip down memory lane in this tribute event to the Spice Girls. Presented by Arts Whistler Live! At the Maury Young Arts Centre. artswhistler.com
