Winter Wonderland at Whistler Canada Feb 2008

Do you love snow, boarding, skiing, winter??  If you do, Whistler is a must destination for you.  I just came back from Whistler last week and I can honestly say, I am in love with Whistler, Canada.  I had been counting down days and hours before I left for this trip and I was not disappointed.    I have never seen bigger snowflakes falling as I saw there and the crepes... oh the crepes!!!  Well, I guess I should start at the beginning.....

New Years came around and my sister and I were surfing the net on each of our laptops.   I had just replaced my laptop recently and I'm quite inseparable from it.  But I digress... Anyway, she stumbles upon great rates for airfare to Whistler (we're talking less than $ 400, our two friends joined us in the end due to obtaining fares for less than$ 300).

  So begins a sweet journey for me because my sister has been there before and knows her way around.  In fact half of the crew that joined have been there before and it's their stories that got me to say "I am in!"  Mind you, I hate flying but for good snow, I'll fly anywhere.... I'll even ask my client, boss and lender to rearrange their schedules so I can disappear for a few days just to board at a place that has become so legendary in my circle of friends that I had to go.  Props for my sister for organizing and booking everything from the flights, to the lodging (Alpenglow Lodge), and the SUV rentals.... we got a white Expedition.... it can fit five board bags, two luggages for each five persons, two hand carries for each five persons, and four people. ...  Yeah Expeditions rock if you need to go to the mountains!

I began packing for this trip the moment I knew I was going.  I went to the different sports stores to get new boarding socks (yes, socks), winter boots that zipped up (rather than take my lace ups cause the stupid laces get wet and because I dress too fast, the shuffle of laces end up wetting the inside of the boot.... translation... gross), and the infamous padded, wheeled board bag.  I researched the board bag to the point that I was pretty surprised I had it in me to take so much time for one item.

The day we left for Whistler, I didn't sleep, I was afraid to oversleep and miss my flight.... But I didn't so the trip starts without a hitch.  In fact everything was going A-okay until we get to Seattle, Washington.

  If you have a lay over, chances are you're getting on a smaller plane to get to Vancouver.  Did I mention I don't like to fly?  So I find out at Seattle I'm getting on a smaller plane, slight oversight to mention to me that the plane gets smaller here.  Yeah, I can see the propellers.... Yes!  Propellers!  One of my friends thought it was cool.... Hmmmm.... did I also mention I kinda walked a little slower?  The plane was so small that the backpack roller (you know the kind you can put a laptop) had to get stowed under the plane.  So I spent an hour in fear, but hey, I had a goal, and the goal was Whistler!

We get to Vancouver, hang out in the airport waiting for two others to arrive.  I travelled with two friends, my sister and other friend was set to arrive later.

  The rest of the party was scheduled to arrive later in the evening and another two the following evening.  Since we were hanging out, we had lunch at Burger King and the famous Tim Hortons (which is a staple in Canada, their coffee is like our Starbucks or something cause they are everywhere in Toronto and Vancouver, besides a tour guide in Collingwood, Canada told me so).  We get our rental car and set our sight to Whistler.  I slept through most of the ride because I lacked sleep.  My sister drove and she also had not slept, therefore, I did periodically wake up to ask if she was okay.  Then, it started to snow and visibility became difficult.  Let me put it this way, there was so much snow that our friend who arrived later that evening on a shuttle thought that he went through a tunnel.   He's been to Whistler and was surprised that they built a tunnel.  Well, the tunnel was the rock formations and snow.  However, it's the snow the makes Whistler phenomenal!

Our place was small but it slept seven people (eight came to stay).  We had our own jacuzzi in our back porch which was put to use on our third night.  The beauty of the place was that it was located in Whister Village.  I step outside and I am in the center of the hub hub.  It is walking distance to anywhere we pleased.  In fact, it was this location that aided me in pretty much "buying Whistler".  I shopped till I dropped.  Not that Whistler is cheap but because it was my first trip, I had to get the souvenirs for loved ones and of course all my Whistler wear.

  I spent every spare time trying to find a golf ball that had Whistler on the ball but was unsuccessful.  I found one that had their mascot on it.  Our place had a great creperie located right across from our lodging.  Crepe Montagne is one of the best creperies I've ever been too and that's saying a lot.  My posse has an obsession with crepes and we spend a lot of time trying out new places when we find a new place.  I'll elaborate more on Crepe Montagne on my review.  I also tried this great place called Opa!  They use lemons and oregano on their gyros and fries and it's really good.  I vowed to try it back home.  Opa's service was great too.  They give you tips on what to order.  On another occasion I tried their souvlaki plate and I love the marinade they used.   One of my favorite desserts is baklava and Opas has a really tasty baklava.  On our way back to the Village, my friend and I tried an ice creamery called Cows.  If you are ever at Whistler, please do not miss this place because they have amazing ice cream.  Try their Messy Bessie and you'll be singing an ode to Cows.  I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the shopping and food but not as much as when I got to board.

The morning I got up to go snowboarding, I was so excited that I did not need help carrying my gear, my board felt light as a feather.  I  was so gung ho about boarding that I was getting impatient to go.  So I went with one of my buddies down to the local coffee shop to wait for the rest of the gang.

  I made one of my first mistakes that morning.  I had half a latte and half a scone.  Okay, if you're planning to board, you should eat good fuel, one that will sustain you through your runs and just in case you don't have time to stop and eat. 

Anyway, off we go to Blackcomb and the mountain did not disappoint.  It is long and beautiful and there were areas I freaked out on because they blocked an area for people to train and if you're going fast, good luck changing your plan of direction.  When we decided to go to Whistler mountain, we discovered we were on the other side of the mountain and needed to take a lift to get to the other side.  Hmmmpph, I'm tired and hungry.... but I want to go Whistler mountain, so off we go.

Whistler mountain was beautiful, on our ride up we met a dude from Dublin on a sabbatical from his job and working for the mountain.  We chatted with him for a spell because the ride up took 25 minutes.  Nice chap, he learned how to ski and board but preferred skiing.  The visibility started to get pretty bad and I have a fear of heights.  Yes, I have a fear of heights and I snowboard.... I love snow!  However to board I must get up facing the mountain and quickly turn my board 180 degrees so I can ride down.  So on my last run, I had to be careful because I was really tired but still excited.... until all of a sudden I was riding (balance was fine) and I fell flat on my face..... I was totally unprepared for it because it seemed like one moment I was fine and the next moment I found myself in a Hans Solo position facing downward.

  Yeah, the fall knocked the wind out of me.  Did I mention that a radio was hooked to my jacket and I fell on that too?  Man it hurt!  I could hear Racquel calling me and I was busy checking my hands and legs.  It was a good thing I wore a helmet and goggles otherwise I'm pretty sure I would have a dent on my face.  Needless to say, the rest of the trip down was painful.  But still, I have fond memories of the two mountains.  I know what to do the next time.....  Come for five days, ride on the 2nd and 4th day.  3rd day play on a snowmobile.... 

So if you like snow and winter sports, I'm telling you, you need to go!