Guest Post by Colleen Wysocki
Meet Colleen Wysocki
Colleen Wysocki currently lives in Capitola, CA with her husband Gerrit. She works as a full-time Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for a non-profit four days of the week and the rest of her nutrition work is dedicated to her own private practice ZEST Nutrition. She loves meeting with clients virtually and writing blogs about health, nutrition, and food.
On the side, Colleen runs Edible Edits, a small business supporting experts in the fields of food, health, and nutrition who want editing support for their writing projects.
Colleen is proud of her New Jersey roots, but more recently has lived in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Colorado, and now California. She’s gained a love for hiking, paddleboarding, Zumba, and writing throughout her travels. But she is foremost a foodie. The best food in the world can be found in Whistler, BC, but no one understands pizza, bagels, and subs like New Jersey (except maybe New York).
Colleen’s Favorite Places to Travel To
Colleen loves traveling to places she’s never been before. A first time place is the best adventure. Unless she’s visiting family, Colleen hasn’t returned to cities, as there are so many to see and so little time! She’s loved visiting Wailea in Maui, Sevilla in Spain, Samara in Costa Rica, and Portland, OR.
Collen’s Travel Tips
Book an upscale hotel your first night in a new place. Staying in a comfortable accommodation allows you to catch up on a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel, be mindless in a hotel that is full service, and make plans for the days ahead. Whether you’re roughing it the remainder of the trip or continuing at a luxurious resort, it’s worth kicking off the trip right in a clean, comfortable space with a hot shower and breakfast in the morning.
Q&A GUEST POST with Colleen Wysocki: Whistler, BC 🏔️
Q: Can you briefly describe Whistler, BC?
A: Whistler is remote enough to feel like the North Pole in winter, with a wonderland of ski slopes, dog sled rides, and cozy lodges. Its short, but magical summer brings out people from all over the world who enjoy swimming in the crisp clean lakes, biking the trails, and golfing some of the greenest courses on the West Coast.
Despite the transient nature of visitors from Europe, Australia, and the US, Whistler can also feel cliquey. Tourism is reliant on “exclusiveness,” to elevate it above other ski resorts, and this can trickle down to locals and visitors who are trying to fit in. However, by knowing some of the tricks and local spots, most people can find a comfort zone in the former Olympic host village.
Q: Tell me why it is so great to visit Whistler?
A: Whistler is a tourist village that offers the best food (possibly in the world!), recreation for all seasons, and shopping and spas for those who want to take it easy. It’s nestled between mountains that offer great skiing and snowboarding, as agreed on by the Olympians who competed there in 2010.
Q: What’s the best time of year to visit?
A: If you’re a snow bum, the best time to visit is likely March or April- what the locals call shoulder season. The crowds (and prices) have settled, but the snow continues as late as June. For sun-worshippers, however, August is beautiful. The temperatures are warm, the chill has been taken out of the lake water, and the days are still long enough to get many activities in before going for a late dinner in the village.
Q: How long should you plan to stay in Whistler?
A: One week is enough time to explore the village, recreate, soothe sore muscles at the spa, and snap photos of the wildlife. For those who are budget-conscious, five days would be sufficient to make the trek worth it while keeping the costs contained.
Q: What are some must-pack items when visiting Whistler?
A: Regardless of the season, bring your swimsuit. The Scandinave Spa is a must any time of year because it provides the ultimate relaxation with outdoor hot tubs, indoor saunas, relaxation rooms, a cold-plunge, and optional massages. Even if the spa doesn’t make it on the itinerary, many accommodations have hot tubs and the pristine lakes are fun in the summer.
I would also recommend packing a cozy sweatshirt for any season… and your credit card.
Q: What’s the best way to get to Whistler? Best airport to fly in/out of? Best to rent a car? How’s the public transportation?
A: The only way to get to Whistler is by flying into Vancouver Airport. It’s recommended to get a rental car at the Vancouver Airport to provide the quickest ride to Whistler (2 hours) and to offer the freedom to explore the furthest stretches of Whistler (or surrounding towns).
There is a shuttle bus that takes visitors from the airport to Whistler Village in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. From there, you may need to get a taxi or take the village bus around town. Uber and Lyft do not operate in the town.
Relying on the bus in the village bounds you to their schedule and city limits, but it is safe, clean, and operates regularly.
Q: Where do you recommend people stay in Whistler? Or best to rent a place through Airbnb?
A: Nita Lake Lodge can be pricey, but worth it. Rooms are a good size, clean, and staff can go out of their way to make you feel like a special guest. They also offer massages.
A mid-range hotel in both price and luxury is the Summit Lodge & Spa. I worked there one year alongside family members of the owners. The staff always tried to offer something “extra” for guests celebrating a special occasion, whether it was a room with a fireplace, wine and chocolates, or other complementary gifts. Massages, shuttle service to the mountain, and bike and ski lockers are available.
For more budget-conscious visitors who don’t want to descend into questionable motel territory, consider the Crystal Lodge, Whistler Cascade Lodge, Executive Inn, or Whistler Village Inn & Suites.
Airbnb’s are no longer legal in British Columbia, so beware of scams!
Q: Can you tell me about downhill skiing in Whistler?
A: Whistler’s reputation for excellent skiing conditions, diverse terrain, and vibrant village life makes it a top choice for skiers and snowboarders worldwide. Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains that make up Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America. Featuring over 8,000 acres, more than 200 marked trails, 37 chairlifts, an iconic gondola that connects both mountains, and a great après-ski scene, Whistler Blackcomb is is one of the premier destinations for downhill skiing in North America and the world.
Q: What are some other activities to do in the Winter in Whistler besides downhill skiing?
A: Scandinave Spa is a special retreat in the winter. The hot tubs, saunas, and sunroom take the chill out of the air and offer sore muscles or an overworked brain an opportunity to relax.
Foodies will enjoy dining on unique game, fish, and homemade pastas.
Shopping is one of the main attractions in the village.
Q: Tell me about some must-do activities to do in Whistler in the summertime?
A: In the summer, visitors must swim in Alta Lake or Lost Lake. Canadian lakes are chilly, but immaculate.
Canoeing the River of Golden Dreams is also fun for beginners to experienced canoers.
Walking or biking the trail from one end of town to the other end will provide crisp, fresh air among the trees, the ability to watch a float plane land on Green Lake, and maybe even an encounter with a black bear!
Whistler also has zip lining for the adventurous! It’s a great way to see the forests and rivers from the treetops.
Q: I know Whistler is also known for its beautiful golf courses. What are some of the top courses in the area?
A: Nicklaus North Golf Course is a top golfing destination for many in BC. It’s a resort-style course designed by Jack Nicklaus that is player-friendly. Set on the valley floor with views of all of the surrounding peaks, Nicklaus North has several holes along Green Lake where the float planes land. Players will share the fairways with bears, beavers, and deer.
Whistler Golf Course was designed by Arnold Palmer. It was the first golf course in Whistler. A municipal course, it’s the most affordable and very walkable for golfers. However, that’s not to say it’s an easy course. The tree-lined course is challenging for even the avid golfer.
Fairmont Chateau is a mountain golf course with sweeping views of the valley. The first four holes will test your game, as they are four of the most difficult starting holes in golf. After that, golfers are rewarded with views of Whistler Valley and Blackcomb Peak. This is a cart-only course due to the significant elevation change.
Q: What are your favorite hikes in the area? Any hidden gems?
A: Unless you pay for a gondola pass in the summer to hike along the wildflowers, the best hikes are actually just to the south and north of Whistler.
Just north of Whistler is Nairn Falls. It’s a provincial park with a moderate 1.7-mile hike to the waterfall. It’s a cool, shady hike for a hot day.
Just south of Whistler in Squamish is the famous Chief mountain face. The Chief offers a stair-climbing start that will challenge most people. After 20 minutes of stairs, hikers can choose one of three routes to the top. The top of the Chief overlooks Howe Sound and is the site of rock climbers and base jumpers.
Q: Where are the best places to go shopping in Whistler for local, artisan goods and more?
A: Pure Bread is one of the best bakeries in town. It has a couple of locations. The one in the village is busy, while the one found in Function Junction on the south side is a little lighter on traffic.
For local artisan goods, try the Sunday Farmers’ Market. They happen weekly May through October in the Upper VIllage.
Q: Let’s talk food! What are your favorite restaurants in Whistler? Is it necessary to make reservations in advance or can you walk-in to most restaurants?
A: One of those places that are so good, you don’t want to tell tourists about, exists in Whistler. Rim Rock Cafe is located outside of the village itself in an unassuming building on Highway 1. Most drive past it without noticing its gray exterior, but might catch the glowing red sign. Despite flying under the radar, it’s highly recommended you make reservations. For those who do know about RIm Rock, it’s the best restaurant in town, probably BC. and maybe even North America. The service is impeccable. Every employee from the person pouring your water to the bus boy knows the menu inside and out. Every dish, from the venison to the octopus to the homemade bread, is mouthwatering. The best time to enjoy Rim Rock is in the Spring and Fall, when 3-course local specials take over the menu and guests can sample more of what RIm Rock has to offer.
Most restaurants in Whistler Village offer good food and service, but reservations are recommended in winter and summer.
Araxi is another high-end restaurant worth visiting when they offer 5-course specials. Service and food are a step above the rest.
For something more low-key, consider homemade pasta at a hidden locals’ spot called Pasta Lupino or Splitz for a mouth-watering burger with extra Splitz sauce!
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop in Whistler? Favorite spot for breakfast?
A: Just up the road from Whistler Village is a simple breakfast joint called Alpine Cafe. I worked there for a short time baking fresh bread, pastries, and muffins. The cafe serves breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, and energy bars. It’s a great spot to stop before or after a hike without crowds or resort prices.
Q: What’s the best store to go grocery shopping in Whistler?
A: Nestor’s is the locals’ grocery store. It sits just outside the village and offers a full range of groceries, treats, health foods and supplements, as well as good quality meats.
Q: Any easy day trips from Whistler that you recommend?
A: Squamish is 45 minutes north of Whistler. Visitors will pass through on their way to and from the airport. Squamish, once a blue-collar logging town, exploded in popularity after the 2010 Olympics. Today, it hosts a visitor center; golfing; gondola ride up to alpine hiking trails; world class rock-climbing; lakes; a small, but growing downtown; and a migration stop for bald eagles in the winter.
