Lady’s 5 Things to Do in Whistler in Winter

Today I want to bring you my guide to the best things to do in Whistler in winter. This part of British Columbia, Canada is famous for skiing, but there’s more to get excited about than just the slopes. I’ll show you why.

Whistler in Winter

I come from a long line of unemotional women. Both sides of my family feature females with less emotional capacity than bricks (and that’s being mean to the bricks).

As such, I tend to avoid things that are overtly feminine or super girly. Which is why I’m a bit nervous when Destination British Columbia invites me to participate in a women’s ski camp in Whistler in winter.

What exactly does a women’s ski camp entail? Are they going to make me wear pink and force feed me chocolate laced with estrogen before drawing me into emotional group hugs? I’m worried.

But not so worried that I say no. I fly from London to Vancouver on a severely delayed flight that lands at almost 1:00am, and am thankful that VIP Whistler is waiting to take me on the two-and-a-half hour drive to Whistler.

1. Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Once there, I check into the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, a luxury hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler Mountain’s twin.

The hotel is a great place for skiers to stay in Whistler in winter, as its location is hard to beat.

2. Go to Ski Camp in Whistler in Winter

Two hours of sleep later, I pick up my rental skis next door at Blackcomb Day Lodge and head over to the women’s ski camp.

The camp lasts all weekend, with small-group instruction based on our skill levels.

I’m impressed at how many women turn out for the camp (clearly not everyone is as nervous about all-female environments as I am), and also at how much individual attention I get.

And I need it. From the moment I ski down the first slope, I can tell my instructor has a few things to say about my technique.

She uses a mixture of humor, patience, and dedication to turn me from an out-of-practice skier with shaky technique into a confident one with much better form.

By the end of the second day, I’m surprised at how much I’ve improved, and grateful to her for all her help. I’m not the only one, either. My whole group looks much better at the end of the camp.

3. Try Snowshoeing in Whistler in Winter

But the end of the camp doesn’t signal the end of my time on the mountain. There’s a lot more to do in Whistler in winter than ski, and Destination British Columbia makes sure I get to experience a broad range of activities while I’m in town.

Back on the mountain, I spend an afternoon snowshoeing through the forest.

Crossing the ski slopes on Whistler Mountain, we reach old and new growth forest that looks like it must have appeared back when the area was primarily known for timber.

The woods are snowy and Narnia-like, and the silence makes it feel magical as we snowshoe up and down the mountain trails.

4. Go to the Spa in Whistler in Winter

Off the mountain, I spend time at the spas in Whistler in winter. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a busy one with indoor and outdoor pools and a sauna and steam room.

I also spend an afternoon at the famous Scandinave Spa in Whistler. Set deep in the woods, it has a mix of areas with pools, saunas, steam rooms, and solariums, all of which help me relax after a weekend of skiing.

The only downside is that there’s snow on the walkway, and despite my best efforts I fall on the way out.

5. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Whistler

But the pain is numbed by several evenings at the best restaurants in Whistler. I start with the Bearfoot Bistro, a famous establishment that’s not only known for its food, but also for its champagne sabering and vodka ice bar.

Throughout dinner, I get a chance to put a sword to a bottle of champagne in the amazing wine cellar and take a turn in the frozen blue bar to sample vodkas from around the world.

It’s a great meal and a fun way to spend an evening in Whistler in winter. The Bearfoot Bistro gives the phrase ‘dinner party’ a whole new meaning.

The next night I have an equally good meal in a slightly calmer atmosphere at Araxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Whistler. The five-course tasting menu ranges from butternut squash soup to roasted venison.

Wine director Samantha Rahn has been named the Vancouver International Wine Festival’s Sommelier of the Year, and she pours me a great variety of BC wines to go with my food.

My final dinner is an equally memorable evening in Whistler in winter, if for no other reason than that I arrive by snowcat.

The ride up the mountain with Canadian Wilderness Adventures takes around an hour, and the views grow increasingly majestic as we climb.

At the top, we pile into the Crystal Hut restaurant for a cozy fondue dinner. It’s late by the time we eat, but it makes the food taste all the better.

I arrive back at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler at midnight, marveling at how quickly my time in Whistler in winter has gone.

Things to Do in Whistler in Winter

In the morning it’s time to leave, but I don’t want to go. I’ve become a much better skier here, and I can’t wait to get more time on the slopes in Whistler in winter in the future.

I’ve also enjoyed some of Whistler’s best restaurants, spas, and winter activities, all of which I’m sad to leave behind.

By the time I say good-bye, I’m as much of an emotional wreck as women in my family get, which is to say I want to gather all the mountains and people I’ve met here together for a big group hug.

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