I get a lot of questions about Whistler so I put together a travel guide with my dining, spa, and shopping recommendations. For those who are not familiar, Whistler is a town about 2 hours away from Vancouver and a popular destination for locals and visitors from all the world year round but especially in the winter. It’s a famous ski resort (voted #1 in the world and a venue for the 2010 winter olympics) and in addition to the best ski slopes it has the cutest village, amazing dining, and great spas.
I love that we live so close to Whistler and I love going there year round. My family spent Christmas and our winter holidays in Whistler several years in a row because we love to ski and it’s such a magical time in the winter. I mentioned in the previous post that Damon and I went there for a weekend getaway. Scroll down for a list of my favorite places to eat, shop, and relax.
Whistler Recommendations
Dining //
Bar Oso – A very cool Spanish tapas restaurant that we tried for the first time. We sat at the bar and had drinks, octopus, and fresh ensaladas. Great ambiance. The meat and cheese boards looked incredible and we’ll definitely order it next time. They even had jamon iberico.
Araxi – This is a Whistler classic and frequently voted Whistler’s best restaurant. It’s a great example of West Coast fine dining and it never disappoints. Great seafood, wine list, and a fantastic seasonal menu. I’ve eaten there with my family on Christmas Eve and with friends for fancy meals out. Reservations are recommended but you can also put your name down and go for a stroll in the village until they call you.
Crepe Montagne – Cute crepe house with French farmhouse decor. Great for both breakfast/brunch and dessert and drinks after dinner. We had their apple cinnamon flambee last time and it was delicious.
Nita Lake Lodge – I love taking photos at Nita Lake (where we shot the photos for this blog post) and I love Nita Lake Lodge. We loved their breakfast so much that we ate there two mornings in a row. I like to describe it as Fairmont quality and ambiance without Fairmont prices. Great view, quality, and value.
Rimrock Cafe – Not many of my friends have tried Rim Rock Cafe and my guess is that it’s because it’s tucked away on its own and not in the main village. But take my recommendation and make the drive out. The food is amazing. On our last visit we had rib eye steak, blue cheese wedge salad, foie gras, and lobster laksa. Try to get a reservation if you can or you can get there when they open at 5:30pm like we did!
Red Door Bistro – Red Door is another Whistler Creekside restaurant and it’s booked two weeks ahead of time in the winter. It’s a great little restaurant with great specials, drinks, and main courses.
Crystal Hut – Crystal Hut is a cozy little log cabin on top of Blackcomb Mountain. If you’re out for a day of skiing on Blackcomb you must plan a stop at Crystal Hut. Their belgian waffles are the BEST. My brother, friends and I love stopping there for warm waffles and hot chocolate after a few hours of skiing.
Beaver Tails – I can’t write a visitor guide for Whistler without mentioning Beaver Tails! It’s the ultimate Canadian treat and you have to have one when you’re in Whistler! Who doesn’t love deep fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar…YUM!
Spa //
Scandinave Spa – The Scandinave Spa is a must if you’re going to Whistler. It offers a traditional Scandinavian baths experience in a beautiful outdoor environment. It’s a completely silent experience (no talking allowed), and you go through a series of hot and cold installations followed by a blissful rest in one of their relaxation areas. You can also book a massage to go along with your bath experience, but there’s no appointment required to visit the baths. Damon and I love it there.
The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge – We had treatments at the Spa at Nita Lake Lodge on our last visit and could see why it was named Top 20 Spas in the World by Conde Nast Traveler. Great treatments, excellent service, and a relaxing environment. We’ll definitely go back.
Vida Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler – I’ve never been to the Vida Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler but I’ve been to other Vida Spas and they were great. I also don’t think you can go wrong with the Fairmont Chateau Whistler – it’s a beautiful hotel.
Shopping //
I don’t usually like in-store shopping and I can’t stand malls, but I love shopping when I’m in Whistler and I make the same rounds every time. I love going to Roots (where I bought the henley that I’m wearing in this post), Lululemon, The Body Shop, and Lush. On our last trip I discovered Lole Women and bought an incredibly comfortable and flattering pair of yoga jeans, the softest sweater, and the parka that I’m wearing in this photo.
Have you been to Whistler, and if so, what are your favorite spots?
Outfit details
Halogen waffle knit cashmere wrap (50% off) – I also like this cashmere cardigan / Roots henley / Alo Airbrush leggings (other colors available here) | Adidas Tubular sneakers (also available here)