Whistler Travel Forum

hi, i've decided to treat myself to a nice birthday present and go to whistler or some nice ski resort to pick up skiing and other activities. i will be staying on my own so the nicer the better i figure.

i would like to stay in a nice (four star and up) hotel, and was thinking about the pan pacific, but its prices are a bit steep. i am looking for something about 300 or below (usd) per night. are there any websites you would know of that have good fares?
also, i would like a hotel close to shopping/ entertainment and walking distance to the lifts.
i was considering aspen or banff as well. any thoughts?
thanks!
dana.

banff - the banff springs hotel or the rimrock

Hello Dana,

Whistler is definitely a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard. Whistler is one of the best North American ski resorts and there is a big choice on accommodations. Whistler has lots of shopping and entertainment right in the village, so a great place for that too. And if you really want you can travel to Vancouver (2 hours south of Whistler) to do some more shopping. There are shuttle buses that go back and forth to Whistler everyday.

For some good accommodations visit the Whistler-Blackcomb website:
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/accommodation/index.htm

I hope this can help you,
Have fun!
Ann

While I'm not familiar with Aspen, I do know that Whistler will give you lots of shopping, restaurants, clubs, pubs, all within walking distance to the ski lifts. Whistler is completely pedestrian, so it maintains the village atmosphere. Banff is an actual town, with traffic and whatnot flowing through, and as far as I'm aware, there's nowhere in Banff where you can simply walk to the ski lifts - you have to drive or take a shuttle.

wow, great advice thanks!!!
do you have any ideas as to where to look for good ski deals on accomodation? i'm looking for something slightly upscale, or a very cute b+b in the village. i'll be on my own so nowhere far from the center.

any ideas?
thanks! d.

Make sure you stay in the "Whistler Village" Area if you want to be close to restaurants and shops. Generally speaking all areas are within walking distance as Whistler is "padestrian only" village but if stay in the "Whistler Village" area if you want to be close to restaurants and shops. The Pan Pacific is a good choice, but make sure you check out the prices for both of them as there are two in the village area. The others in the are the Westin Whistler and Hilton. They all have studio or hotel rooms which should be less expensive but if those are too expensive and if you don't mind a 10-15 minute walk to the lifts, the Delta Whistler Village Suites, Summit Lodge or Pinnacle hotel are nice. Most of the rooms have kitchen facilities. The rooms at the Pinnacle have a jaccuzi so that's always a plus. These are located in Whistler Village North. Very very close to shopping/dinging and a 10-15 minute walk to the lifts. These should be well under $300 USD. For one stop shop, you can go through www.whistlerblackcomb.com and follow the link for accomodations > whistler hotels. Avoid condos, because they're all run by property management companies so don't run as full service hotels.

FYI there are no actual B&B's close to the village - approx. 15 minutes drive away.

With regards to Banff - accommodations are not close to skiing - you have to take a shuttle bus. The Rimrock Resort is the only boutique hotel there. All others are tourist class. Of the other ones Banff Park Lodge and Brewsters Mountain Lodge are the better ones. The shopping/dining/night life is better in Whistler.

And because you're travelling in/out of Vancouver Airport you might as well make the best of it and spend a few days in Vancouver