Dogsledding

If this isn’t a true Canadian experience, I don’t know what is. Just south of Whistler lies the stunning Callaghan Valley where I experienced the Canadian wilderness in timeless style – from inside my sled cocoon with Blackcomb Dogsled. I was able to both ride in the cocoon and command the sled/dogs. What.A.Dream. I’ll be adding “Musher” to my resume, NBD.

Mixed breeds allow the dogs to have much shorter fur, such as a husky-greyhound or husky-pointer mix. A pure Siberian husky would overheat with its long coat, but this working breed has great characteristics for dogsledding. Greyhounds love to run, and run fast. Put these two together for a match made in dogsled heaven. Rescue dogs are also taken in here, and those who don’t love the sled lifestyle are put into early retirement to live happily ever after. Ahh, the good life.

Skiing Whistler Blackcomb

This was my second time to ski Blackcomb, and thus my second time to fall in love with it all over again. It’s tough to find a better mountain – it’s challenging, beautiful, and has some of the best restaurant options available. You can’t do better than Christine’s located inside Rendezvous Lodge on the top of Solar Coaster Express.

After skiing in a whiteout all morning, nothing warmed by body like my first taste of a Caesar (Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary) and the above burger. Be sure to make a res. Crystal Hut is also worth checking out, but go early because when you serve Belgian waffles on top of a mountain, people come in crowds. Don’t forget to ride the Peak 2 Peak glass bottom gondola that takes you to Whistler Mountain!

Photo by Paul Morrison

Après Ski

This is probably my favorite thing about skiing culture. When the lifts stop running and your appetite returns from a full afternoon of skiing, the real fun can begin off-mountain. Après ski, the famous french term for “after skiing,” refers to any form of entertainment, nightlife or social events that occur specifically at ski resorts. Beer, burgers, s’mores, spa, dancing – you name it.

Snowmobile

The Adventure Group really outdid themselves during my time in Whistler. For my first ever snowmobile ride, we broke away from the group and went to a secluded area overlooking Cougar Mountain. Too bad it was a complete whiteout at the time thus blocking any chance of a view, but we got the drone out, froze our fingers off, and made some cool videos.

Zipline

Ziplining in winter? Yeah, it’s a thing with The Adventure Group. Soar across mountain valleys and over thick forests on Whistler’s (and all of Canada’s) longest ziplines as you reach speeds up to 65 m/hr as you fly through the BC backcountry. Life in the fast lane woo!

Blackcomb Aviation Heli Ride

My first activity in Whistler was scheduled to be a scenic heli ride through Whistler, but alas, mother nature had different plans for me. Helicopter rides haven’t exactly been on my side since my last THREE have been canceled (all due to weather)… oooor have they been on my side? Safety first! I’ve heard amazing things about Blackcomb Aviation, so whether you’re looking for some adventurous heli-skiing or in need of that aerial Instagram shot, give them a call.

Scandinave Spa

Welcome to a dream world of magic. Pure, sweet, sensual magic. This outdoor eco, silent (shh!) Scandinave Spa is set on 20,000 sq ft. of a peaceful spruce and cedar forest. Mix that with snow and BOOM, before you is the most perfect winter wonderland. Alternating between hot and cold baths have various health benefits such as eliminating of toxins, decreasing inflammation and stimulating circulation. Hydrotherapy at its finest y’all. If you’d like to get me a gift for any occasion, I’m accepting gift cards here.

Dinner at Bearfoot Bistro

Bear with me while I try and recreate the most fun dining experience ever. It all started with a walk down to the wine cellar. At most, I thought I was going to be able to pick out what wine Wade and I would be drinking that fine evening. Oh no. I would be putting more muscle into it than simply raising a glass. Instead, I’d be sabering our bottle of bubbly! Allow me to explain. Sabering is a technique used for opening a champagne bottle, typically done during a ceremonious occasion. The wielder, me, slides the saber along the body of the bottle to break the top of the neck, leaving the bottle ready to pour. Watch and learn from the pro.

We drank, we ate, and we drank some more. The final course came in the form of the Kettle One Vodka Room where a tasting took place in -25 degrees, the world’s coldest vodka tasting room. I don’t know what warmed me up more – the four shots of vodka or my Canada Goose, Arctic-ready parka (provided by Bearfoot Bistro). We went (read: stumbled) back to our table to enjoy some nitro (liquid nitrogen) ice cream before heading home. Oh, what a night!

How to Get There

For those of you on the West Coast of the U.S.A., this place is easy to get to. Fly into Vancouver and hop on a shuttle (Whistler Connection) or dare I say, hire a limo, for the scenic two hour drive to Whistler.