I am still wanting more and more of Whislter, it's hard to believe this wonderful escape is only hours from Seattle and the trip to Whistler is almost as intriguing as the visit to Whistler. Let me give you the details:
Two nights - three days in the Village is perfect! We left Seattle, myself and 40 wonderful clients of our agency via the Amtrak Cascade Train -- what a ride! This coastal train ride is relaxing and splendid in every way, Amtrak was very gracious as we had an entire train car next to the Bistro car, this was handy as my friends shall I say are considered "the best generation alive" having experienced life and changes as no other generation has! Breakfast along the Pacific Coast as we traveled across the Canadian Boarder was just amazing along with a the special Blueberry muffins I brought for the trip from a local bakery, yum!
Our next adventure was to transfer to a private bus for the "Sea to Sky" highway trip to Whistler from Vancouver with a brief city tour. En route to Whislter we stopped at a road side restaurant and had a spectacular lunch with views of waterfalls and the energy couldn't of been higher. The stop was in Squamish, B.C. and the restaurant is Copperhouse Restaurant, be sure to stop in and enjoy their great service and food, patio dining is also available.
The balance of the bus ride, about 45 minutes was breath taking, cameras were clicking like crazy as the bus driver narrated the entire trip. Road side rock climbing walls, deep water views and island views, wonderful old growth forests and of course anticipation.
Upon our arrival in Whistler our lodging was in the Village area allowing us access to "Village Stroll", the main pedestrian only walk around the village lined with unbelievable restaurants, gifts shops and of course several different coffee and tea houses. It was being in Switzerland or most European resort towns only hours from home! How can you go wrong, no vehicles to deal with walks from the hotel in the village or even the trails that extend 18 miles in a loop. In the winter these walks are of course snow show trails, but in the summer they are taking in the natural wonders of the area.
Food in Whistler is nothing to not take very seriously! As a foodie myself I tend to find resort towns lacking in any type of decent cuisine, boy was I wrong and pleasantly surprised. Our first nights dinner was at the Bearfood Bistro, it knocked my socks off! That doesn't happen often, service, food, presentation, staff attitudes and most of all the live music was to die for! My dinner experience the second night again was amazing, I missed an opportunity to enjoy dinner at Araxi (Top Table Group Restaurant), sister restaurant to the hottest spots in Vancouver such as West, CinCin, Blue Water and Thierry; in my opinion the best in B.C.! We did however eat at Ric's Grill & Steak House another meal that not only pleased the palette but also the senses! Lunch was a little less formal but none the less exceptional we ate at Earls (great salmon) one day then at Ric's Tapas the next, again great Salmon dishes!
What did we do? We all relaxed, many took the Whislter Gondola up the mountain then rode the Peak to Peak Gondola, some back and forth others come down on the chair lifts, I suggest you do the back and forth then come back on the large Whistler Gondola, because you might of missed a photo opportunity and why not take in that spectacular view mother nature is so kind to share. Others enjoyed the Euro feel of the area, people watching as all the restaurants and cafes offered outside seating even a movie house on the village stroll was open.
Our return to Seattle was another trip from heaven as we rolled along the highway back to Vancouver to board our coastal train to Seattle, is this worth a visit, you bet! Is this a trip that everyone can enjoy from youngsters to great grand parents, you bet! Is this a trip that has to be repeated every few years, without a doubt!
Oh Canada - we do love you!
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