I recently returned from my annual pre-Christmas trip to Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia. I’ve been going up there like this for probably 20 years now, the goal being to come home as everyone else is driving up for the holiday vacation period.
Going in early December has many merits: pre-season pricing, no crowds, lower lodging costs and more availability, terrific holiday lighting and lots of Christmas spirit. The only real possible downside can be the snow conditions, as the season is still fairly new and there might not be much white stuff on the ground.
Last year was an example of this: there was no snow at all on the lower slopes, so all skiing and riding had to be done on the upper mountain, then you could download back to the village. But this year? What a difference. It snowed the whole time we were there. You can ski right to the bottom and the snow quality was really good, as the temperatures have generally stayed consistently low.
In fact, the highest snow total for the entire 2014 year (measured at mid-mountain) was 81.5 inches, and they have that much right now. Can you believe it? It is shaping up to be an epic snow season.
If you haven’t been to this mega resort lately, there are some changes that enhance the experience. Probably the one I like best is lift tickets are now RFID enabled, which means you don’t have to show your lift pass for each run. Rather, you just leave it in your pocket and the turnstile opens and lets you on the lift automatically. When you are fumbling around with kids, this alone can brighten your day.
On Blackcomb, the mountain-top Rendezvous Lodge has been extensively remodeled and expanded. It still retains the great vistas, but there is more seating and a much bigger food court. They even put a new entrance on the side so you can ride almost right into the bathrooms on the lower level. All in all, a pretty slick place to hang out.
Going to Ski Magazine’s no. 1-rated overall resort is not going to be inexpensive. A single day lift ticket runs $125, but you are either too wealthy or stupid if you pay this amount. There are multiple ways to save, including just booking a ticket in advance. Check the Whistler/Blackcomb website for more information, as there are many options for you to consider.
This is probably a good time to mention that the U.S. dollar goes a long way up north. For every $100 I charged to my credit card, my bank charged me about $72, roughly a 28 percent discount. It is apparently the most advantageous currency spread for at least 10 years, and takes some of the sting out of the 12 percent Canadian sales taxes.
Driving up was a snap. The highway reader boards are extremely helpful in telling you the wait times at four different border crossings, and we had less than five-minutes wait going up through the Peace Arch and returning through Aldergrove. If you use the new Port Mann bridge rather than drive through Vancouver itself, the toll is $3.15 each way. The toll can be paid afterwards online, as there is no toll booth and therefore no slowing of traffic.
By the time you read this, it will be too late to enjoy this Christmas in Whistler. But I highly recommend you consider putting it on your calendar, as the village around the holidays is magical. And if you do, then I look forward to seeing you there, as it is the best value proposition I know for getting one’s attitude adjusted, just like Santa wants it.
