It was an affordable love affair -- those powder-filled Whistler getaways in spring that guaranteed peak conditions and affordable luxury via currency arbitrage.
But for the first time in a generation, the U.S. dollar equals a few coins less than its Canadian equivalent, meaning that the British Columbia resort, home to the Alpine events of the
2010 Winter Olympics, is no longer a refuge for cheap and budget-conscious Americans.
With a new helping of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and on-mountain improvements by
Intrawest -- including a peak-to-peak gondola -- we examine whether the Whistler getaway is worth its new top-dollar prices.
Getting There
Flying is a cinch with affordable nonstop flights on
Air Canada,
American and
United from almost all major U.S. cities.
For those with ski-in/ski-out accommodations, private sedan service is available with
Whistler Limo from $320 Canadian dollars. Others will want to invest in their own rental car at one of the in-terminal agencies like
Avis or
Thrifty. Prices feel a bit hefty, especially after adding the airport tax and various surcharges.
The
Sea-to-Sky Highway is in disarray amid
heavy construction prior to the 2010 games, so the drive from Vancouver to Whistler can vary between a speedy 90 minutes and a tedious two-and-a-half hour journey in bad weather and traffic. Luckily, the views of
Howe Sound, between Vancouver and Squamish, are spectacular.
For those with a fear of snow and ice, spring is typically a warmer time and road conditions are usually at their best.
Checking In
Back when the
Four Seasons Whistler opened in 2004, a pricey C$460 room was less than US$400 and
seemed like a good value.
Its location near the base of Interwest's Blackcomb Mountain isn't ski-in/ski-out, but a shuttle runs between the hotel and sleek ski concierge located at the lifts. Rooms are well designed with dark-wood paneling and gas fireplaces arranged within Alpine-style buildings around a center courtyard offering a crackling firepit and a steaming outdoor pool.
The in-house spa is spectacular, with glossy gym area and marble-encrusted steam room and sauna free for guest use.
Younger, style-minded travelers will want to check into the
Adara Hotel located in the main village. The lobby area features crimson-colored loungers surrounded by tumbled stonewalls and minimalist fireplace. Rooms are a stylish spin on Ikea with built-in desks attached to floating fireplaces that seem to erupt from the wall.
While there's no in-house eatery, the Adara's convenient village location means you can schlep to the gondola by day and walk home from the local bars by night. Shop for cheaper weekend rates via the hotel's Web site, or expect to pay top-dollar.
If you're looking for the newest in Whistler hotels, checkout the
Nita Lake Lodge, located near the newer Creekside development, complete with its own
Starbucks(SBUX Quote - Cramer on SBUX - Stock Picks) outpost.
The Creekside base requires a bit of planning for accessing the main village, whether by car or on skis, but offers some of the area's newest neighborhoods and amenities. The hotel is located on Nita Lake, with 77 all-suite rooms equipped with kitchenettes, plasma-screen TVs and concierge service. The in-house restaurant and lounge are located lakeside with outdoor patio heated throughout the year.
Rates start at $199, and it's worth combing the Web site for them.
Dining Out
Start off the day with a breakfast of fresh powder. Lifts start running at 8:30 a.m. Pack a high-protein sugar free bar to hold you over until noon, where you'll settle in at
Christine's for a long lunch. Spectacular homemade soups, sandwiches and sweet-potato fries are paired with Canadian Pinot Blanc wine enjoyed while overlooking Blackcomb Mountain. Be sure to pace your alcohol consumption -- a combination of altitude and cold feet makes for a tricky afternoon on skis as it is.
Michael Martin
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