A Luxury Trip to Whistler: How to Go All Out

Going all out in Whistler is pretty easy to do. With so many luxury Whistler options, the world is your oyster. Whistler is a great place to come to for a special event like a bachelor or bachelorette party, a guys-only ski weekend, girl’s snowboarding trip or a perfect romantic getaway.

Whistler luxury hotels will fall over themselves to help you to create memorable experiences. That’s kind of the beauty of a more luxurious stay in Whistler. You get treated like royalty. If money isn’t an object, and you need some inspiration for your upcoming luxury getaway – we’ve got a few suggestions up our sleeves.

A Whistler Luxury Transportation Option

Why drive when you can fly? Take a helicopter shuttle directly from Vancouver

If you’re flying into Vancouver and have opted to not drive the winding mountain highway, why not splurge and take a helicopter from Vancouver to Whistler? It takes very little time, and you won’t be held up by snowstorms in highway accidents.

A Whistler helicopter shuttle costs about $4,000 CDN and seats up to five of your favorite people. It picks you up at the Landmark South Terminal Vancouver Airport. There’s a free shuttle over to the South Terminal airport from the main International airport. You will arrive in Whistler at the Whistler heliport and be transferred to your hotel.

Staying at a Luxury Whistler Resort

There are quite a few decadent places to stay in Whistler, but there are some that shine a little brighter than others as well. It depends on what you’re looking for and how many people you have with you.

For larger groups, the best bet is to Airbnb a mountainside chalet. Nothing says ski weekend more than a stunning, luxurious 5,000 square foot log cabin with a hot tub on the balcony.

There is not other hotel like it in Whistler, the Fairmont Chateau

If you’re interested in a higher level of service, that’s where the Fairmont Chateau Whistler comes in. A beacon of Whistler luxury, located centrally with easy access to Village or the mountain. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a lot of amenities that allow you to spoil yourself during your stay.

Just because your hotel doesn’t have a pool, doesn’t mean you can experience one.

There’s an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, plus a steam room. On top of this, there is also an extravagant spa within the hotel. Feeling hungry but prefer to stay in? Check out one of their many on-site restaurants, ranging in price and decadence.

• The Wildflower Restaurant
• The Grill Room
• Portobello Market, Fresh Bakery & Smokehouse
• The Mallard Lounge & Terrace, Private Spirit Room
• The Chalet
• The Clubhouse

Have you ever heard of Fairmont Gold? It refers to the higher, and subsequently fancier, accommodation levels within the hotel. In their own words:

Fairmont Gold – our exclusive lifestyle hotel experience. In the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge, our dedicated team ensures that your every need is met. This includes arranging dinner reservations, limousines or any special touches desired.  Among a small selection of like-minded guests, you can unwind after a day on the mountain and relax in our alpine-designed lounge while enjoying privileges such as access to various newspapers and magazines or even catch up on email with our complimentary Fairmont Gold Lounge laptop computer

There are other hotels that offer similar standards of service such as the Four Seasons, the Westin Resort and Spa, and the Sundial Boutique Hotel.

Luxury Whistler Cuisine Options

There is no shortage of incredible restaurants in Whistler. There is a lot of diversity that makes up luxury Whistler cuisine options. From Italian to Japanese to West Coast favourites. The standard of service is world class in Whistler. Chefs have come from around the world to hone their craft at some of the most prestigious restaurants British Columbia has on offer.

If a budget isn’t on your mind tonight, check out some of the following restaurants. You’ll probably want to get your concierge to make a reservation for any of these restaurants to ensure you’re treated right, and a special table is saved for you and your party.

Araxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Fine dining at its best, Araxi has a little luxury for everyone

When a restaurant has been around in Whistler for many years, you know it’s maintained an amazing dining experience. Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar’s seasonally focused menus celebrate the excellence of locally sourced ingredients.

James Walt, who oversees the food program is widely acclaimed and known throughout the world. He’s been behind the stoves at Araxi Restaurant for over 20 years and led the farm-to-table ethos from this spectacular mountain resort. Executive Chef Quang Dang takes over the reins as Chef Walt transitions to the newest Whistler restaurant, Il Caminetto under the Toptable Group brand. If you’re a foodie, you know how impressive this is. Chef Walt has been locally voted as the best chef in Whistler and was inducted into the BC Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. This is pretty big stuff.

Aside from the incredible food and the prestigious staff, it has a wonderful ambiance and an impressive wine cellar. It’s a good place for all tastes, but maybe this is the night to leave the kids at home.

A fantastic place for a romantic dinner or an intimate group of friends. This is a must-do for anyone visiting this mountaintop resort for a taste of British Columbia.

Bearfoot Bistro

Looking for gourmet opulence, look no further than the Bearfoot Bistro

When you go to the Bearfoot Bistro, you can’t help but be influenced by the passion of the people who work there. Again, this restaurant has been established in Whistler for many years and will come highly recommended by locals.

If you have a big group, you can sit at the chef’s table. Executive chef Melissa Craig will create a five-course tasting menu and give you personal individual attention. Excitingly, you’ll get to see the kitchen staff working their magic. A pretty cool experience if money isn’t an object.

Get chilly and a little tipsy inside the Ketel One Vodka Tasting room

Bearfoot also has the Ketel One Ice Room next door, a special aperitif after you enjoy a perfect meal. It’s the coldest vodka tasting room in the world. You and your group will have over 50 vodkas to choose from. They gear you up in Canada Goose Arctic parkas while a vodka expert goes through the distillation and filtration process. You can try four vodkas, and you’ll be surprised what icy cold conditions does to the taste profile of quality vodka.

Not impressed yet? You can also throw a party in the wine cellar. This is one of the best private dining experiences you’ll find in Whistler. You can host an event in this intimate space with over 20,000 wine bottles as your backdrop. The Bearfoot Bistro has the biggest collection of wine in Western Canada.

Rim Rock Café and Oyster Bar

The Rimrock Café and Oyster Bar has been around since the 1980’s and has won many awards for outstanding food and service. Space is limited, so they offer two seatings per night. Try to get in for the second seating at 7:45 as you’ll have a little more time to have a leisurely dinner.
You will definitely need to make a reservation to experience this legendary restaurant. People can book two months in advance, so it’s not always easy to get in. The Rim Rock is the premier restaurant in Whistler to have surf and turf.

The average main course plate is about $50 with appetizers running at about $15. They also have oysters on offer, from local sources around the province. Despite the high-quality, the Rimrock focuses on food with no distracting bells and whistles. It’s a quaint and rustic staple luxury Whistler dining experience.

Whistler Luxury Activities

One of the premier luxury Whistler options is to go heli-skiing for a day. It’s an adrenaline filled day as you ski untouched terrain with snow up to your knees. It’s not enough to be in a helicopter but to be dropped off with a few people at the top of the most pristine skiing you’ll ever do. This experience is world class and something very sacred to BC.

Heli-Skiing is a once in a life time opportunity to experience in Whistler

Heli-skiing is one of the best ways to drop big money in Whistler, and you’ll be glad you did. There are no line-ups for lifts, and you’re up in the alpine all day. It’s an all-day event, and they even serve you slopeside lunch. For three long runs, you’ll pay about $1,000 for the day. If you want to go hard, you can go do five runs for $1,500.

Chances are you’ve never got in touch with your inner lumberjack. Why not try it in Whistler? Be a part of

An axe throwing experience just for you and your friends

the West Coast lifestyle and give axe throwing a try. Forged Axe Throwing is a unique concept and a great way to spend the evening with your friends. Their luxury option is to bring axe throwing directly to your party, for an exclusive experience. It’s $1,500, and they actually deliver a custom built mobile trailer with everything you need to experience this exhilarating activity.

Scandinave Spa Whistler in winter, a luxury spa experience.

If you’re into something a little more relaxing, you might want to try the unique European experience at the Scandinave Spa in Whistler. It costs $70 to get bath access, and you can also take in a massage treatment. Massages start at $175. Its our all-time favourite place to relax!

Let a truely Canadian company show you what ice-fishing is all about

Let a truely Canadian company show you what ice-fishing is all aboutNot ready to call it a day? Ice fishing really does make you appreciate the allure of the Canadian wilderness.Take a snowmobile tour to a secluded lake where you cut a hole into the ice and learn how to ice fish. Take in the peaceful snowy backdrop and maybe even catch a fish. While many lakes are catch-and-release, if you do the day tour, you’ll be taken to a stocked lake. Catch some fish, and your guide will cook you up a wilderness feast over a campfire. This intimate experience costs about $300 per person for all day tours and about $179 for a half day.