General Information on Whistler
For those of you who don't know to much about Whistler it's a ski resort located about 2 hours north of Vancouver. There are two mountains that make up Whistler – the first is called Whistler and the second is called Blackcomb. Whistler Mountain is 1520 meters high and Blackcomb is 1609 meters. On Whistler there is 4757 acres of skiable terrain and on Blackcomb 3414 meters, there are 8 restaurants on Whistler and 9 on Blackcomb, there are approx 100 trails on each mountain and to top that off its going to be the official Alpine Skiing Venue for the 2010 Olympics – pretty impressive hey!
The beauty about Whistler is that its not just a place to live and work in during winter. Summer time is pretty bloody fantastic. You can go paintballing, hiking, fishing, sailing, horseback riding, rafting, bungy jumping and so much more. Jobs are galore in the summer time and you can try something that you have never done before.
Claire says (Season 05/06 and 06/07):
'In the summer I used to mountain bike quite a bit and I would also hike with my friends. After work we would head down to the either the Lost Lake or Green lake and fire up a bbq with our mates. We would swim and laze around by the lakes on the hot days and if we were feeling adventurous we would take a hike somewhere – there are so many places to hike and its just so amazingly beautiful'
Climate
Fantastic ski resort with brilliant ski conditions = bloody cold!! The temperatures can get down anywhere from minus 20 to minus 30. Every year around Canadian Thanksgiving Whistler Blackcomb has an annual 'Turkey Sale' which sells of last years items at discounted prices. You can pick up some fantastic bargains and mostly importantly some very warm jackets.
Spring and Summers are quite moderate but can be hot and temperatures do get up to the mid thirties on some days. Its common to see people swimming in the Lakes surrounding the village and it can be very easy to get sun burnt so don't be mistaken by thinking the sun isn't that strong. It's also a time to see lots of Black Bears – anywhere, anytime. Check out some of the bear tours that run during this time – get up close and personal.
Fall can be a little wet and miserable but it's a sign of good things to come and hey you are in whistler so who cares!! This is the time of the year when the Aussies and Canadians for that matter start getting very excited as it's when the snow starts appearing on the mountain tops and creeping its way down the mountains.
Arriving in Vancouver
So are you heading straight up to Whistler or are you going to sample a bit of Vancouver?
Whistlerforaussies.com can help you with your arrangements. We can book you into a number of hostels with fantastic rates in Vancouver and also help you get from the airport to your destination. Just ask us!
We can point you in the right direction and/or help you book the following arrangements:
- Vancouver Hotels/Hostels
- Arrival Transfers in Vancouver
- Whistler Hotels/Hostels
- Greyhound bus tickets from Vancouver to Whistler
- Organised coach tours from Vancouver to Whistler (generally for the 18-35 age group)
Snowboarding/Skiing/Mountain Biking?
Whistler is a sports lovers heaven on earth - So much to do.
Sadly for the fanatical mountain bikers the mountain bike season is now over it usually starts in May and ends in October (stay tuned for updates next year) but the great news is that right now Whistler is heading towards the opening of the Ski Season which officially opens on the November the 22nd 2007.
Passes/Lift Tickets
There are a number of pass options that you can get and as we mentioned before some places of employment such as the Mountain will include a ski pass as part of your job. If you don't get a pass included a hot tip is to ask your boss about a 'Spirit Pass'. This is a discounted pass available to people working in Whistler.
For all pass options go and visit Guest Relations in the village or the Whistler Blackcomb website – they can tell you all about the passes available to you.
Lessons
Never skied or snowboarded before – no worries. There are lessons available for beginner's right up to the advanced. Generally the lessons are cheaper in what the mountain calls 'Discover Whistler Days' – this is when lessons are 40% off. Ask the mountain about these days.
Equipment
We mentioned before the Turkey Sale well this is a great place to invest in your ski or snowboard gear and get everything you need to get started. The Turkey sale isn't just limited to the Whistler Blackcomb venue (Merlins) but you will see that most of the village has specials on at this time.
Missed the Turkey Sales – no worries. There are plenty of places to pick up some gear in the village but for those on a tight budget have a wonder out to Function Junction (local bus network runs out there) there is a small second hand goods shop there were a lot of 'past aussies' drop off their gear before heading home. You might find some boots in the perfect size!
For the mad skiers and boarders who want to buy some top gear keep an eye out for demo days – these are days when the manufacture/ski/snowboard shops let you have a go using their gear. You simply need to leave a credit card with them and then off you go. If you like them then you buy them.
Lisa Season 05/06 – 06/07
'Before I had left for whistler I had never boarded or skied before. When I got to whistler I decided to go with snowboarding and set myself up with some second hand gear and got going from there. I found that a lot of my Canadian mates knew how to do it so they gave me lessons and before I knew it I was boarding'
Where to go out in Whistler and what's the go with what you wear ?
You can find a great night out any night of the week in Whistler and you tend to find that some places have a particular night that is the most popular. You will find that weekends are often the busiest time as a lot of 'tourists' come up on the weekends so sometimes going out during the week is the best option.
Here are some of recommendations given to us by past Aussie Whistlers:
- Merlins – Cheapest beer in town and great nachos (Sandy 04/05)
- Longhorn - Go on a Sunday – great location, great music and great perving! (Nick 06/07)
- Tommy Africas – Go on a Monday night – 80's night bloody unreal (andrea 05/06)
- Garfs – awesome place for spotting a hotty (tom 06/07)
- Dublin Gate – expensive but great beer and great entertainment (Maurice 05/06)
What do I wear? (question for the girls)
Yes the all important question that we are happy to answer.
Whistler is a pretty laid back village and you can easily go out in comfort particular during the winter months. People are often seen still in their snow gear at 10pm at night. The clubs you will find are the places where the girls tend to get a little more dressed up but the bars are pretty casual so anything goes.
There are some shops in Whistler where you can by an outfit – there is Guess, Billabong and a few more little ones that you will discover. Sometimes its best to save your money for the bargains in Vancouver!
How to get around Whistler
'Wave' is the local bus network. Can't miss them – big blue buses! If you cant walk into the village you will be using the buses quite a bit. get yourself a Wave Card – this are discounted bus passes that you bulk buy (7Eleven, Nesters Market, Alpine Sports Centre all sell them).
Buying Groceries / Buying 'stuff' for your new pad
There are several Super markets in Whistler so you will have no dramas buying grocery goods.
IF you have moved into your own place and need a few necessaties sometimes it can be a little hard to buy something affordable in whistler. Eg blankets, pillows etc. There is a small hardware store in Function Junction that does stock some houseware goods but for super cheap go to Squamish – there is a huge Wal Mart down there and you can stop up on all you need for your new pad. Greyhound can get you down there daily.
Ice Skating/ Swimming / Keep Fit
Whistler has a gym called Alpine Meadows in Alpine Meadows! It's a 5 minute bus ride from the Village. They have a gym, regular keep fit classes, a ice rink and a indoor swimming pool. Ask the staff about their discounted passes.
Internet
The library is free just busy. You need to sign your name in.
There are also several cafes in the Village – most of them have discounted cards that you can pre-purchase.
Doctors / Hospitals
There is a hospital in the heart of Whistler – you can't miss it as helicopters are flying in and out quite regularly. Near the library there is a doctor's surgery which you can book into. They charge about $65 for a visit – you may be able to claim this back on your Travel Insurance.
Be safe and have fun
Whistler is a party place and you are going to meet a lot of new people. It's an exciting place and everyone is there for a good time. Be safe and responsible – if its not on its not on.
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