Whistler Recap

Almost every year, my dad, brother and I make the 4 hour drive to Whistler, B.C. for an annual ski vacation. My parents put us on skis around age 3, and ever since we've been skiing every year! I was lucky to grow up in a state where the closest ski area is 1.5 hours away and Whistler is an easy drive through Canada. I've spent many new years here, gone through all the levels of Whistler Ski School, celebrated Valentines Days, met people from so many different countries, met up with our family ski friends, and even been mountain biking and horseback riding down the mountain in the summer. It holds a special place in my heart - right behind Lake Chelan, WA.

January 4

We started our drive at 11am on Sunday morning. The road was fine until we turned one corner on the Ski to Sea Highway - it went from brown dirt to a blizzard in 2 seconds. It was bizarre. From Squamish to Whistler (a drive that usually takes 45 minutes), it took us over 2 hours because snow was coming down so hard. We were excited because that meant the powder the next morning was going to be amazing!! 

We arrived at our room and went for a walk in the village. The snow was crazy - we were trudging through at least a foot of fresh snow. It was so hard to walk! We went to an Irish pub and celebrated with a few cold brews. 

January 5

We got up bright and early to start our amazing morning of fresh powder (or so we thought). We were in line as the lifts opened at 8:30am. We were wrong. The snow was heavy and thick, and the mountain (we usually ski Blackcomb, not Whistler) was sitting in a big cloud - making the temps at mid-mountain hotter (and rainier) than the temps at the base and the top. Visibility was next to nothing, we were super wet, and the powder that we thought we would be skiing in turned to slush :(. It was disappointing, but we still had fun. My legs were BURNING by the end of the day and so I for sure got a good workout in!  

Afterwards, we came back to our room and went hot-tubing - possibly the best thing to do after a day of skiing. We hung around, went to our favorite dinner place, the Mongolie Grill, and walked around the village. Peyton and I hit up the bars after my dad went to bed :). 

January 6

We decided to sleep in and decide if we were going to ski based on the weather. Unfortunately, the report was even worse than the day before, and we decided to skip the expensive ski ticket since it was just going to result in us being wet and not being able to see. Sad days :(. However, we made the last minute decision to go snowmobiling instead! My brother and I had never been before, and it was so much fun! We got them up to 50+mph, went on ungroomed tracks, and my brother even ended up falling off (don't worry, he's fine!). We also explored the village a bit more, went ice skating, and ate lunch at a restaurant where all food is $4.95. 

January 7

Today was our last day in Whistler. I decided to treat myself to a massage and Scandinavian bath experience. I told myself that after finals, I would get a massage (to clear those tension headaches) - and since I'm in Canada and the US-Canada Dollar exchange rate is pretty good right now - why not here!? I had a Swedish massage and then spent 2 hours at the baths. You sit in hot water, a sauna or a steam room for 10-15 minutes, dip into COLD water for 10 seconds (like 58-64 degrees) and then you go relax for 15 minutes either outside next to a fire pit or inside these wooden rooms. The entire time you must stay silent. It was so beautiful and worth the money. The baths are outdoors, in the trees and amongst the snow. My massage therapist told me that I had so much tension in my upper back/shoulders and I could feel multiple knots in my back. Thanks a lot, law school. I will for sure be coming back to this place.

Here's a gopro vid my brother made of the trip: