Whistler: Our Home Away From Home in the Mountains
Whistler: Our Home Away From Home in the Mountains
There’s a reason Whistler keeps pulling us back year after year. It’s the kind of place that feels like a second home — equal parts adventure, relaxation, and mountain magic. Just a short drive up from Seattle, it’s the perfect escape where powder days meet cozy nights, and even our dogs feel like VIP guests.
Photo by Michelle Perenchio
Where We Stay: Crystal Lodge
We always stay at Crystal Lodge, right in the heart of Whistler Village. It’s central to everything — steps from the gondola, restaurants, shops, and après spots. They make travel with dogs effortless (ours love it here), offer ski check so you don’t have to lug your gear around, and have one of the best hot tubs in the village for those post-ski soaks.
One of our favorite touches this trip was booking a dog walker to come to our room while we were out skiing — total peace of mind knowing the pups were happy and cared for while we got some turns in.
Adventure
Of course, skiing Whistler Blackcomb is always the main event — those long, glacial runs never get old and if your quads aren’t screaming by the time you hit the base please leave your training regimen in the comments below because you are superhuman.
Outside of the resort, one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in Whistler was learning to sled ski out of Brandywine. It’s where I had my first big sled-ski run, and where the whole concept of backcountry snowmobiling truly clicked.
RELAXATION
When we’re not chasing powder, we always make time for a few hours at Scandinave Spa Whistler. Set just outside the village and tucked into the forest, it’s one of those places that feels purpose-built for recovery after big mountain days. The experience follows a simple rhythm — hot pools and saunas to loosen tired legs, cold plunges to wake you back up, and quiet rest zones by the fire before looping through it all again.
What we love most is how intentionally quiet it is. No phones, no talking — just space to slow down, reset, and let your body catch up with everything you’ve asked of it on the mountain. It’s the perfect counterbalance to long ski days and early alarms. Book a few hours, commit to unplugging, and you’ll leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and ready for whatever Whistler throws at you next.
Because there are no phones the best I can offer is this birdseye map of the facility!
Food & Drink
Whistler has no shortage of incredible food, but here are our absolute favorites you CANNOT miss:
Bearfoot Bistro – Come for the nitro Vesper martinis (yes, the vodka is flash-frozen with liquid nitrogen) and stay for the Vodka Ice Room, where you sample chilled vodka flights inside Canada’s coldest tasting room. Be sure to make a reservation!
Araxi – Farm-to-table dining with a true Whistler flair.
Wild Blue – We had the most amazing Thanksgiving dinner here with friends and family — truly a standout dining experience.
Beacon Pub – Home to the best wings in town, and trust me, that’s saying something. We’ve been rating wings across North America for four years, and these reside at top the list.
Sushi Village – Get the seared salmon box. I could eat 1,000 of them.
Raven Room — The best ambiance in Whistler, hands down. Cozy, creative, and elevated — their happy hour bites and cocktails are unmatched. Plus, their holiday pop-up experience is something you cannot miss.
Quattro – The kind of homestyle Italian you crave after a long ski day. Great prices, big portions, and comfort in every bite.
Provisions – My new favorite go-to in the village for great coffee and fabulous breakfast sandwiches, perfect for fueling up before a big ski day or easing into a laid-back afternoon wander through Whistler. The line will be down the block because it is worth it!
Balam - This hot new Latin American restaurant is on my hit list and I’d love to hear your reviews! Rich textures, bright metallics and vibrant wallpaper, I want to live in this space without ever having eaten there.
Mountaintop Apres
And of course, no Whistler day is complete without a cocktail at the Umbrella Bar — but getting there is part of the experience.
Perched high on Whistler mountain, you’ll take a gondola up to reach it, and once you arrive, you’re rewarded with sweeping, jaw-dropping views that stretch for miles on a clear day. Step out onto the balcony or gather around the fire pits on the expansive patio, where the Inukshuk stands quietly in the distance and the entire valley unfolds below you.
It’s the kind of place that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and really soak it all in — just be sure to head down well before sunset, because missing the last gondola is not the kind of adventure you want to add to your trip.
Shop Local
If you’re visiting during the holidays, make sure you do not miss the Whistler Holiday Market. We spent an entire day wandering through booths filled with local vendors and artists, sipping hot cider, and discovering handmade treasures that truly capture the spirit of the mountains. From hand-thrown pottery and wool caps to small-batch candles and mountain-inspired prints, it’s one of the best ways to experience the creativity and community that make Whistler so special.
As an artist myself, I love seeing how this town celebrates its makers — there’s a strong sense of supporting local here, and it makes shopping feel meaningful.
Unique Experiences
Beyond the skiing and après scene, Vallea Lumina is one of Whistler’s most magical experiences. It’s an immersive multimedia night walk through the forest — lights, music, and storytelling come together to make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Whether you go midwinter or on a warm summer night, it’s pure wonder.
Be sure to dress warm (this experience is outside) wear good snow shoes, and show up early to enjoy the fire pits, s’mores and some hot cider that we definitely didn’t spike for our walk.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Whistler isn’t just a destination — it’s a feeling. A place that blends world-class adventure with cozy village charm, incredible food, and the kind of dog-friendly hospitality that makes traveling easy and joyful. Having a home base like Crystal Lodge (linking my favorite room, the King Suite that’s perfect for my husband and I + 2 dogs) right in the heart of the village only deepens that sense of ease — walkable mornings, effortless ski days, and a warm place to land at the end of it all.
Every trip gives us something new — a new run, a new restaurant, or just another memory shared with friends (and fur babies).
It’s not just a getaway. It’s our mountain home.
- Mo
