For us, Whistler is about a 5-hour drive from Seattle so it’s a must-do destination for a lot of Washingtonians. But no matter where you live this spectacular location should be on your bucket list. Whistler is really perfect for year-round visits but if you are a skier or snowboarder then winter is a must! This year we decided to go during our Mid-Winter break for a family vacation.
STAY
The most important part of the trip is really location, location, location. We’ve done this a few different ways and I can’t speak highly enough to how important this is for a family. This trip, we stayed at the Adara Hotel and loved it. They are conveniently located in the Whistler Village and a short walk to all the shops, restaurants and most importantly the ski slopes!
They are more reasonably priced than a lot of the other hotels but still have lots of wonderful perks like an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a firepit with lounge chairs and stunning views of the mountains.
Additional perks are they are pet-friendly and they also offer complimentary storage for all your ski or snowboard gear right inside the front entrance. Their newly remodeled lobby is so cozy you just want to sit down and stay awhile. They also offer yummy cookies and delicious vegan gourmet treats crafted by the lovely Kristi of Solfeggio in the afternoon.
Play
We personally rent our ski’s. Here is where we rented from. It was so easy to just walk to the slopes and grab the equipment right next to the mountain. It can be hard enough when traveling as a family and then lugging around heavy gear isn’t ideal either. We also purchased lift tickets ahead of time. Here is where to do that. If you are a Canadian or Washington State residents you also have the option of purchasing an exclusive EDGE Card that provides additional savings. Do you sense a theme? Easy and budget friendly! There are ways to make it easier so everyone can enjoy the experience.
While you are on the slopes make sure you head to the top and experience the Peak 2 Peak. This is the world’s highest lift of it’s kind and has incomparable views of snow-covered peaks. It connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountaintops and is definitely worth your time. If you wait for a glass bottoms lift you can get an even better view of these epic mountains. If you want to experience this but aren’t skiing or snowboarding you can still purchase a ticket to ride. Here is more info about this.
Eat
During this busy time of year make sure to make dinner reservations. You definitely don’t want to wait with your kiddos for hours to get dinner, especially after a long day on the slopes. Can we say hangry! We discovered a great restaurant that was conveniently located right inside our hotel. The Stonesedge Kitchen is also family friendly and open daily from 9am to 1am! They offer brunch, dinner, or drinks. Seating is available in the dining area, outside when the weather permits or in the bar area (and a game may be on too!). The decor, food, and service was outstanding!
See
Family Après at Whistler Olympic Plaza (Olympic Plaza) – Family Après is all about experiencing Canadian winter fun with your kiddos. This free activity happens on select Mondays/Wednesdays during the months of December to March from 3-6PM. It’s a fun way to get to know other families and keep the kiddos entertained!
Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Show – Every Sunday night during the winter you can head out to Skier’s Plaza to see a jaw-dropping display of ski and snowboard skills. The performance is done by some of Whistler’s best skiers and riders. They are literally jumping and flipping through a ring of fire. This free entertainment has a fireworks finale!
WEAR
I hope this helps you as you plan your visit to Whistler! Leave any questions or comments below.
You may also want to check out some of my other TRAVEL Blogs here.
If you plan to Stay at the Adara Hotel be sure and call and tell them you saw my promo code ADARADIRECT for extra special savings in 2019!
Xx,
Christina
Disclosure: This Post was created in Partnership with Adara Hotel and Stonesedge Kitchen. All opinions expressed herein are my very own!
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