Birthday Weekend in Whistler!
To celebrate my birthday, I drove up north and had a ski weekend in Whistler! I’ve visited Whistler in the past, but it was my first time skiing there and the sites were incredible!
Where We Stayed
We spent 2 nights at Nita Lake Lodge, which is a 5-10 minute drive to Whistler Village and across the street from Creekside, the base of Whistler. One of the perks is that it is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend with you and take a stroll around the lake, which is on the back side of the lodge. If you’re feeling daring, you can also take a plunge into the frozen lake. Overall, I loved my stay here; it was cozy and convenient to get to the slopes!
Where We Skied
The views in Whistler were breathtaking and it was the most incredible ski experience I’ve ever had! Whistler has 2 mountains, Whistler & Whistler Blackcomb, which are connected by a gondola. We started on the Whistler side and moved our way to Blackcomb. Then, we were able to ski down to the village to take a break and grab a quick bite. We ended the day skiing down the length of the mountain, the Peak Lookout of Whistler to the bottom of Creekside. It was the best way to spend my birthday and I hope to make an annual Whistler trip!
Where We Ate
For my birthday dinner, we went to Araxi, a Pacific Northwest inspired restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients. The fresh ingredients really shined through and everything on the menu was delicious. Though, one of my favorites were the oysters, which are all sourced from the Atlantic waters of Canada. Other things we ordered included: Angus Beef Tartare, Local Dungeness Crab & Potato Cake, Quebec Foie Gras Parfait, Grilled Octopus, House Made Bucatini Pasta ‘Mentaiko’, and their classic lemon tart for dessert. If you’re looking for a nice night out in Whistler, I would highly recommend this place! You’ll find good food & drinks as well as a nice atmosphere.
For something more casual, we went to Black’s Pub our first night. I loved how they had outdoor fire pits, which is great for chilly nights in Whistler. We got a Canadian staple, poutine, as well as their bison chili bowl, squid rings, buffalo chicken wings, bruschetta, and margaritas. Black’s will satisfy all your pub cravings! If you’re looking for a place more lively with music, Longhorn Saloon is another popular destination that’s right across. The next day, while we were skiing, we took a break at the outdoor patio of RMU, a ski shop/bar concept at the base of Blackcomb. We got drinks, stoked chicken sammie, and my favorite - their “I Can’t Believe They’re Not Fries, which is made from beets, carrots, and parsnips.
I had such a blast and would not have wanted to spend my birthday any other way! I’ll definitely be back in Whistler and if you have any recommendations, would love to hear them in the comments!
xo Kerstin