Whistler Travel Forum

Does anyone have any tips on getting discount lift passes? I am leading a group of 11 people from the UK, and staying for 11 nights in March 2006, which should give us 10 days of skiing. We've found www.alluradirect.com and wonder if their prices are the best.
Also, someone has mentioned that we may get altitude sickness. Seems unlikely to me, having skied in the big Euro resorts and felt nothing. Maybe it has to do with doing a long haul flight the day before. Can anyone confirm/refute this?
Any other resort tips also appreciated :-)
Many thanks.

The base of Whistler is 2215 ft ; top 7496 ft : vertical 5281 ft.
compared to

Tignes base at 6250 ft ; top 11343 ft ; Vertical 5089 ft

or

Vail base at 8100 ft; top 11480 ft ; vertical 3361 ft

You will not get altitude sickness. This morning the Whistler web cams showed snow on the ground. Good Luck.

What is the rate at alluradirect?

10 day pass is 508 Canadian Dollars (plus tax) if bought by 31 Oct.

Thanks! Good to know, as this means we will get lift passes for the first day.

Hello,
I think the only hazard to Air travel to destination ski Resorts is the stress the actual flight puts on the system before your hit the slopes. Re circulated dry air, long periods of complete inactivity. Drinking more coffee and alchohol than usual. Bye the time your at the resort, if precautions are not taken, the body is already on a downhill slide. And although you will not get altitude sickness, they body will have a hard time kicking a bug you might pick up. When I fly to ski, such as From BC, to Switzerland, I preload the system with Vitamin c for a few days, then drip copius amounts of bottled water (Planes water comes from tanks as old as plane). Move around as much as possible and wash hands often. And lay off the coffee.

Once at the resort, same thing, as with the alititude, you will be continually drying out, so drink, drink, drink, water of course. And lay off the coffee. For every cup of copy you have to drink another cup of water to make up what you will lose. Altitude sickness is in the realm of Mountaneers above 10,000ft. Pretty hard to get there in Canadian Resorts. But the dry altitude combine with the dehydrating effects of wind and cold can create great enviroments for colds and flu. Again the simplest solution, drink, drink, drink, Water, and wash the hands as much. Beer is also a great dehydrator, but then hey, we can't be good all the time, heh heh.

If you will be skiing whistler or Blackcomb, check out Safeway or Saveonfoods Grocery stores. Its been awhile since I have lived in Vancouver, but then we could by the tickets for $5 or $7 days off lift passes.

I would also recommend before heading to the large Mountains, you can have a warm up day or two at Cypress or Grouse Mountain (Cypress was always my favorite). I find them better Value, as your ski day goes from 8am to 10pm. Night time skiing under lights is an experience everyone should try, its just about majical. Since these resorts are on the North Shore, just over the Bridge from Vancouver, you have time to ski, head back to town for supper then back up to ski in the evening, then back to the pub, oh ya!!. And since you have drank so much water all day, Beers on!!. Whistler and Blackcomb are fantastic resorts but skiing is limited to daytime skiing only. Again, though they are the worlds best in most catagories. I think the only record Whistler and Blackcomb do not hold is the Largest half pipe for boarders, but then that was last year, I am sure they probably hold that record as well. Massive amounts of lift capacity, runs, restaurants, and great resort atmosphere. The nightlife is alive, and with your UK accents, the opposite sex will be putty in your hands.

Discount lift passes available at 7 Eleven Convenience Stores in Squamish...1 beside Mcdonalds on highway.

no altitude sickness here. best skiing is at top of hill 4000 ft of vertical...

enjoy!

Are you sure you'll need to ski all 10 days? If you haven't bought bought your lift passes yet contact their group sales department at email: wbsales@intrawest.com You can get a discount for group rates. Generally you need to have a min. 25 people to qualify as a group, but since you're looking to ski all 10 days, I'm sure they won't have a problem giving you a discount.

Also consider other activities while you're in Whistler - dog sledding, zip trek, luge ride. My personal favorite is night time snowmobiling. You can snowmobile to a place called Crystal Hut for a fondue dinner and back again in the evenings.