Whistler Tips?

[SnowtigerDaniel]

I've been to Whistler about 5 times.

How can you not know how many times? Usually people round up so about is once or twice not five! Which is it? Were the moguls the best the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th trip/

I just didn't feel like counting. 1. With a ski club 2.With my wife and we stayed in the Market Area by McDonald's. 3. With my wife and a friend when we stayed across the street from Mc Donalds, and three more times when I traded in with my timeshare. So I was wrong, I've been there 6 times. Any funny you should ask, they've gone the way of Mammoth. Many of the runs that used to be good mogul runs are groomed runs now, so I'm losing interest in making a seventh trek to Whistler. They do have some killer steeps there though, that's why I recommend the Ski Esprit class, so the instructor can show you all the goods you might not find by yourself.

[SnowtigerDaniel]

I forgot one. I've been to Whistler seven times.

[PerfectZero]

Cool, thanks again for the suggestions. I'll be there for 6 nights so definitely a chance to check out different areas of the mountains/restaurants. I'm actually pretty surprised how affordable it is to get up there, so I hope this will become a more regular thing for me.

[sideshowbob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnzw_i4YmKk

that's exactly what I was thinking of...beat me to it!

[noworkski]

Powder Mountain Heli-Skiing- very reasonably priced ($600 for three LONG runs, $800 for 5 runs). I was just there last week, did it and loved it. No upsell pressure (for more runs) or goods (hats, t-shirts, etc.) pushed on you. You just get the untouched stuff. Excellent pilot (Gary) and great guides (Mac and Steve). Good times. I picked them due to the smaller heli (4 people and a guide).

Also take at look at Coast Heli-Skiing as they have large area and small Helis too (IMHO stay away from the Whislter operation as they have a large Helis for large groups (8- 10 people) that slow you down and they take you to places that you could day hike).

Places to eat- Araxi, Rim Rock Cafe, La Rua and Quattro (don't go to these on a budget).

Best martini- Mix by Ricks and Fairmont.

Other suggestions- ski Spanky's Ladder.

[PerfectZero]

Cool, I'll look into those. Wasn't even aware there were several other heli operations. Right now we have 1 day booked with Whistler heli since its sort of a package deal. I do have an extra day though with no plans yet, so I'll have time for some catskiing perhaps.

[Eldo]

If you want to heli or cat ski, save your money for a real trip to the B.C. interior. The Whistler daily ops cater to people who are content to ski a few blue powder runs with a group of mostly gapers, just so they can say they went heli/cat skiing in Canada.

If this is your first trip to Whistler you will have more than enough at the resort to keep you busy for a week.

Have fun! Ski your as$ off during the day then party every night. That's not optional.

[Snowave]

Eldo!! where ya been!!?!

[noworkski]

If you want to heli or cat ski, save your money for a real trip to the B.C. interior. The Whistler daily ops cater to people who are content to ski a few blue powder runs with a group of mostly gapers, just so they can say they went heli/cat skiing in Canada.

If this is your first trip to Whistler you will have more than enough at the resort to keep you busy for a week.

Have fun! Ski your as$ off during the day then party every night. That's not optional.

The gaper I am still had a smile from ear to ear with Powder Mountain Heli, although our first run was a blue run to test our ability level, the others were more difficult (on the westside of the Squamish River, 25 minutes or so south of Whistler). The peaks we skied were really glaciers, no trees. I would say the pitches were similar to a very long Cornice and Dave's Run with a couple short steeper pitches and flater Broadway pitches near the bottom ). I have skied more difficult terrian inbounds to be sure.

However, I consider my Heli-trip to be the first of many backcountry adventures (whether by Heli, Cat or boot). Hopefully, someday the gaper I am will be gone and your distain for us gapers will change into an understanding that we all just want to have fun. Until then, I will try to adjust my helmet and goggles so that you can see my smile from ear to ear.

PS- The snow conditions were terrible in the resort while I was there (i.e., no fresh snow in over a week, inversion layer, daytime temps in the 40s, then rain at the base, then dust on crust everywhere else. Icy hardpack and slush.). The best snow was "outside" of the resort, which was the other factor in my decision to go Heli-skiing (the Cats were shut down most places too).

[Eldo]

Apologies, NWS, wasn't calling you in particular a gaper, but that is the market that they mostly cater to.

But I still say to save the $600 bucks towards a real cat or heli trip. It will blow your mind.

Hey Sno, how are you doing? I still follow this forum, but don't post much. I see that you have a kid now! All responsible and stuff.

I moved out of the city last summer and now live on the ski hill in Kimberley, B.C. and get to ski/ride everyday. Fun mid size hill, and never busy. Also lots to do in summer around here with biking, hiking etc.

Let me know if you're ever headed up this way with the family.

[Snowave]

Hey Eldo, yeah, I saw somewhere that you got out of Calgary. and went to Kimberly.. good for you! Kimberly looks like a cool place.. didn't make it there on our trip, as we hit Panorama then went down to Fernie and then into MT.

I have a kid? Maybe you are mistaken with the new dog we got. Either way, hope to make it back up there soon.

Enjoy yourself!



back to your regularly scheduled thread.....

[Eldo]

Oops! My mistake. But you really should get on that, we need more little grom boarders.

Well then, if you don't have a rug rat yet, you are very welcome to stay at my place if you and the missus ever want to visit. And I will for sure let you know if I get down to Mammoth this spring. All depends on the snow.

But back to the topic at hand, Whistler. My bro Eldereldo has a place down there and is probably going to live there full time in a few years. So another place to stay in the future when you're roadtripping.

[Snowave]

Very cool, thanks! You guys are living the life, good for both of you. I'd offer my place here in Wrightwood, but not too many people come from Canada (or anywhere else but LA) to ski Mt. High.

I'm really hoping to be much closer to your area in the near future...

[PerfectZero]

If you want to heli or cat ski, save your money for a real trip to the B.C. interior. The Whistler daily ops cater to people who are content to ski a few blue powder runs with a group of mostly gapers, just so they can say they went heli/cat skiing in Canada.

Haha I'm not too sure I'm not a gaper. Probably not going to cancel the heli day at this point, but I consider it sort of an introductory trip since we're just doing it one day out of the week. Definitely want to head to other locations or AK for a dedicated trip at some point. Where would you recommend in BC? Revelstoke?

[noworkski]

Apologies, NWS, wasn't calling you in particular a gaper, but that is the market that they mostly cater to.

No apology needed. Gaper I am, so wear it with pride I do. I am still having as much fun as other non-gapers and that is all that matters to me. See you in BC when my skills have improved.