Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
The Whistler Blackcomb has been beckoning me for quite some time now and with Jake's 30th birthday in October, we decided to celebrate by visiting for the first time. There is something unique about visiting a highly touristed place in the off-season. The locals are relaxed, the lineups are shorter, the crowds are smaller. It feels as if you are touring 'behind the scenes' of a huge movie set.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
The mountains, the adventures, and the activities that Whistler has to offer have been a big draw for me, and choosing what to include on our first-time itinerary was not an easy decision. Here is how to have an incredible weekend in Whistler during the off-season.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Stay: I like to be in the middle of the action! Choose a hotel that is near the village so that you can park your car and leave it behind for the weekend. We stayed at the Delta Whistler, a Marriot Bonvoy hotel, where they could accommodate our family the best with adjoining rooms for the boys, amazing views, a great indoor-outdoor pool, and a central location right in the village. We were able to walk to all the restaurants and shops and almost all our activities.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
The boys were excited to share a room adjacent to ours and we were excited to put them to bed so we could enjoy some alone time by the fire, watching the rain come down in the evening.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Explore: Grab a coffee to start your day from the independently owned Mount Currie Coffee Company, consistently rated Whistler's best cup of coffee! Now you're ready to head out on your first adventure with Canadian Wilderness Tours.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
We climbed aboard two jeeps and headed for the peak of the towering Blackcomb. Our knowledgeable guides toured us around the Blackcomb to tour the slopes, look for wildlife and get some amazing photos in the great mountains.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
We were told that a tour in May will almost guarantee bear sightings! I was amazed at what terrain the Jeeps could take us over. At one point, Ben asked me if I could lean the opposite way so that we wouldn't roll down the mountain!
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Relax: Time alone, when you have two crazy kids, is sometimes the most valuable, and rare, experience. I was welcomed to return to my Scandinavian roots by visiting the Scandinave Spa.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
This unique experience is a cleanse of the body, mind, and soul. With no talking or technology allowed, I entered the relaxing pool area. Here, guests enter a hot pool and soak away their troubles for about fifteen minutes before proceeding to a cold pool to shock the body and release toxins.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Following this, guests rest in a solarium with a book, a thought, or even to take a nap, in a signature bathrobe. I struggled with the 'no talking' rules, it was difficult to be left with only my thoughts. I metacognitively examined how quickly my thoughts were pinging around in my head, and fidgeted uncomfortably at first. I let the calming waters soak away my restlessness and started to feel a change in me. I entered one of the saunas next, and the strong smell of cedar unearthed a thousand happy childhood memories. I found peace in the quiet and let it overtake me.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Play: Zipline through the vast expanse of open air above incredible streams and take in the majestic mountains from high speed with Ziptrek.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
This is the only company open during offseason and a worth-while, adrenaline inducing activity. Ziptrek is passionate about spreading awareness about keeping a pristine ecosystem.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
Eat: Snow and cold make me crave carbs! We enjoyed a well-priced, Italian-style, dinner at Pasta Lupino. It’s a small, easy to miss restaurant, in the village and the coziest place to share a bottle of wine. Many Instagram followers suggested this restaurant to us, and we were not disappointed!
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline PhotographyIf meat and seafood are more your style, head to 21 Steps, also located in the village. The scallops here are unforgettable and the drinks are hand-crafted works of art. It's a second story restaurant, so enjoy a beautiful view of the bustling village while you sip and savor.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline PhotographyShop: Covid-19 may have disrupted our plans to traverse the globe this year, but as I walked through the village, I felt transported to a European square. I love bringing the kids to toy stores around the world. Whistler is home to the unique Whoola Toys. We picked up some puzzles, transformers, bouncy balls and more for family time back at the hotel.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline PhotographyDiscover: For the outdoorsy traveler, there are many free activities and rare places to unearth. Over a picturesque suspension bridge, we found the infamous, 1956 train wreck at the end of Train Wreck Trail.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
With parking and an easy trail, and such a unique spectacle of juxtaposed steel and nature, it's no wonder why this is a popular attraction. The train wreck site serves as a living, ever changing art gallery. It gave me memories of the Lennon Wall in Prague.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline PhotographyThe forest remains unscathed, as the towering trees observe the visitors and wreckage below with great stature. This is a sight I will not soon forget.
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline Photography
With many activities to do in each season, we will definitely return to Whistler to continue to explore everything there is to offer. Follow us on Instagram @loewenlifestyle to see more of what we experienced on this incredible getaway, or to ask questions for planning your trip, we love interacting with this awesome community!
A special thanks to Abigail Kent @abigaileveline_ for our spectacular photos and for putting up with all of our shenanigans, you're a great travel buddy and an amazing photographer!
Photo Credit:Abigail Eveline PhotographyRemember to follow the guidelines of the Health Ministry of B.C., respect the rules and regulations put in place to keep you and others safe during this time. Wear a mask in public spaces as much as possible and do not travel if you feel unwell.
