| If you've decided to come to Whistler, | | | | Whistler attracts a rowdy crowd and they like to |
| congratulations. You've just chosen the best resort in | | | | party until the early hours. |
| North America, and possibly the best in the world. | | | | The Upper Village is where you go for ski-in, ski-out |
| Nowhere else has the range of terrain, with a wealth | | | | accommodation and improved views. It is located on |
| of both easy groomed runs and spectacularly | | | | the lower slopes of Blackcomb Mountain, and if you |
| challenging off-piste that Whistler can offer. | | | | choose one of the developments at the edge of the |
| However, you've still got to decide where to stay. | | | | slopes you can have very easy access to the skiing: |
| Assuming you want to be within walking distance of | | | | walk out the door, put on your skis and away you |
| the lifts and avoid the use of your car or a shuttle | | | | go. There are also a few shops and restaurants in |
| bus to get to the lifts, you have three choices: the | | | | the Upper Village itself around the Blackcomb Base |
| Village, the Upper Village and Creekside. Each has | | | | and in the lower floor of the Fairmont Hotel. To |
| advantages and disadvantages, and appeals to | | | | reach the Village you have a 10-15 minute walk or |
| somewhat different tastes, so it would be as well to | | | | you can take the free Village shuttle in the winter. |
| understand the characteristics of each area before | | | | The Upper Village will suit those who want the great |
| you make your choice. | | | | convenience of ski-in, ski-out, like the views that |
| The Village is the largest commercial centre, with the | | | | come with being higher up the mountain and need a |
| main concentration of shops and restaurants. It also | | | | bit more peace and quiet than is available in the |
| has the advantage of sitting at the confluence of | | | | Village. |
| both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, so that you | | | | Creekside is the original location of Whistler. Located |
| can choose to ski either mountain from a single | | | | at the bottom of Whistler Mountain, it has its own |
| starting point: Skier's Plaza. If you want to be able to | | | | high-speed gondola up the mountain and a new |
| stagger back from one of Whistler's legendary | | | | commercial centre with a good range of shops and |
| nightclubs on foot and fall into your bed, the Village is | | | | restaurants. Creekside is unquestionably the locals' |
| the place to be. However, with a few exceptions, | | | | favourite: knowledgeable Vancouverites have their |
| the Village tends to offer smaller and rather | | | | chalets and condos there. They like seeing their |
| undistinguished accommodation: primarily one- and | | | | friends in the lift line (on the rare occasions when |
| two-bedroom apartments above the shops. They | | | | there is one), they like to après at Dusty's |
| were cheaply-built, and unless you find one which has | | | | and they know that access to Blackcomb is |
| been recently refurbished, you may find yourself in a | | | | extremely easy down Expressway from the top of |
| convenient but rather unattractive lodging. In addition, | | | | the Creekside gondola. Also, the true locals prefer |
| you may find that although you are in the Village you | | | | the ski-ing on Whistler Mountain, especially the |
| are quite a long walk from the lifts, since the Village | | | | off-piste accessible from Peak Chair. Finally |
| is quite long and narrow and the far end of it is a | | | | Accommodation is also significantly cheaper in |
| good 10 minutes walk from Skier's Plaza. Finally the | | | | Creekside. |
| Village is not for those looking for a peaceful time: | | | | |