Whistler is one of my favorite ski resorts that i've been to in the world, after Snowmass in Colorado. It's absolutely my favorite in the Pacific Northwest, at least for the EPIC pass mountains. When you're there you feel as if you're in a snowglobe; the whole village turns into a winter wonderland when it snows and it's so magical!
Getting There
Most US-based people will fly into Vancouver airport or will drive up from Seattle. The drive from Seattle is about 4 hours, but it's a breeze and scenic. I love stopping in Vancouver city (stanley park is shown below) each time for the day or a night to break up the drive. From Vancouver it's only an hour and a half, and it's such a beautiful scenic drive on the sea to sky highway. You get expansive views of the water and mountains as you drive up and through Squamish. You can stop and see the waterfall on your drive like we did at Shannon Falls.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in the ski village (I haven't stayed in the whistler creek side); it is absolutely worth it for the convenience as parking isn't as easy compared to the resorts where I lived near in Colorado. The village has lots of really amazing restaurants and cute shops as well, so it's just easier, especially if you're bringing your dog with you! I love checking on my pup halfway through the ski day and taking her for a walk in the village. The convenience is unmatched. If you have a large group you can opt for a vrbo like this one. You can also get views like below right in the village!
If you are not in a group and it's just around 2-3 people, then I would recommend a hotel. One of the more fancier resorts is the Westin Resort and Spa; it's ski-in/ski-out of course and very high quality. Some classic options are the Delta Marriott if you're using points and the Whistler village inn and suites.
Before you Go
You should either have your EPIC ski pass or get a day pass if you're only there for a short time. Dont forget your passport either since you'll be skiing in Canada! Be prepared with warm gear. I will say the mountains in the pacific northwest have much more fog than what I was used to while living in Colorado. No elevation sickness though is pretty nice; it's good to be prepared for the different climate though! I found the surrounding roads way flatter and easier to drive in which was great, and less traffic.
Exploring Whistler Ski Village
There's a small grocery store in the village which you can stop by for necessities. My friends and I usually stop by Costco in Vancouver on the way (p.s. get the french fries there!). I am not a crepes lover at all really, but you have to try the crepes at Crepe Montagne. For breakfast I recommend checking out Purebread for some delicious pastries. There's also plenty of shopping to do with your dog if you're taking a break from skiing for the day; top Canadian brands like Lululemon and Aritizia are right in the village! We also love to save money and cook meals in, especially when we have a large group, so if you're staying at a vrbo you can just plan to cook dinners in!
Things to Do
Downhill Skiing
Skiing is the main activity here, but there's still plenty to do if you're joining friends but aren't interested in skiing. Skiing is one of my favorite activities; it's great exercise and such a fun way to explore the mountains. I love having that time with friends to be in nature and also getting some adrenaline going. A glass of warm, mulled wine at the end of the ski day is also just amazing! The resort is huge, so you should plan at least 3-4 days to thoroughly explore and enjoy the mountain.
Scandanavian Spa Resort
Scandanave spa is truly one of a kind in terms of relaxation and trainquility; the value is really great. I don't have photos from here since there's a strict no phone policy (for good reasons!) but this resort truly understands relaxation. It's so strict that they have workers in shirts with the words "silent police" on them and they periodically walk around to make sure people aren't being loud. I like to reserve tickets in advance since it can fill up on busier days. Once you enter you can stay as long as you'd like, I usually spend around 4-6 hours. I've had luck with walk-in massages in the past as well. When there's a snowstorm, you're in for an incredible treat. This place is a winter wonderland when there's snow falling. The pools feel very serene and tucked into nature seamlessly; it's one of my favorite spas i've been to. There are also lots of dry and steam saunas, so they dont seem overcrowded. It is co-ed, clothing required, and adults only.
Snowmobiling
We did a snowmobiling tour and it was so amazing! We booked a group tour, but ended up being the only ones on it, so it became a private tour. We loved finding a new way to explore the mountain and they took us to an adorable cozy cabin in the mountains for some hot chocolate to warm up from the snow coming down!
Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
This is super neat, you can do this on your way back to Seattle (if you're driving up from the US) or you can make a day trip down. We did not make reservations ahead of time, you can simply drive up and go up the same day. Dogs are only allowed on the download gondola (so you would need to hike up with them and then take the gondola down, but I don't recommend that since the snow can be deep/heavy). The suspension bridge at the top is so scenic; it wasn't very crowded either when we went.
