With half of the world in the northern hemisphere in the middle of winter right now, it is the perfect time for a ski weekend! I am so fortunate to live really close to the largest ski resort in North America, Whistler and Blackcomb, I get to take a quick trip over the weekend with a number of my friends to visit the mountains for some snowboarding. There is definitely something special with being in the mountains and in the middle of winter wonderland. It is definitely a great way to spend some time on the weekend away from the city, it has a calming effect. I visit frequently and the scenery still takes my breath away.
I am fortunate enough to do a winter weekend getaway at least once a year to Whistler with friends and family but with this recent trip, I have found that with climate change and rising costs, these trips are becoming more prohibitive. with the season starting late and unpredictable weather, it is difficult to have that amazing snow and powder day experience. I wanted to share a few tips that we have found to at least help us keep our costs down and still have a great experience, at least for Whistler!
Look for activities that don’t cost much or are free!
Whistler actually has a outdoor skating rink in the winter that is free! The only thing you would need to pay for are the skate rentals! Check when it is open and take a spin with your friends!
Book your tickets early!
If you have already locked in your dates for when you want to be on the mountain, then definitely try to buy your lift tickets well in advance. A few of us had put it off to the very last minute and ended up paying about $189+taxes per day. The others purchased well in advanced and paid about $110+tax per day. There can be substantial cost savings when planning a trip. I won’t tell you which group I am in! ?
Bring a snack with you onto the mountain for the day.
Eating on the mountain at peak hours during lunch is not only super busy but rather expensive if you want a full meal. Everyone else is trying to get some food as well so you’ll end up seeing a lot more queues and people waiting for food, waiting to pay, waiting to find space to sit. This time, we had a bit of snacks and did not head into one of the lodges until much later, around 2:30pm to grab a small lunch. Also, at this hour, lunch is on a discount as well, so, it is an even better way to save money.
Plan all of your meals!
From my experience at Whistler, and also other ski resorts that I’ve visited, careful planning is crucial, especially during peak travel season. Popular restaurants will get booked up or will be super busy and this may result in higher costs and/or a lot of waiting for the overall trip. At Whistler, a lot of the accommodations will actually have a kitchen and cooking a meal with your travel mates and staying in is a great way to save some money while spending quality time with them. On this trip, we actually even brought up some steaks with us and had a steak night. It does take some time to prepare, but it’s a great way to bond with friends and/or family!
But in between all of this, don’t forget to have fun with your friends and enjoy a gorgeous blue bird day as well while you’re sliding down the mountain!
I also took some footage on a 360 camera as well, I hope you enjoy!
We took took the Emerald Express chair and then went down Eco-Bowl into the Enchanted Forest. (If you would like to see a trail map, have a look here.) The Enchanted Forest was actually a lot of fun as there were trees on either side of you but the run was still wide enough and it felt like you were right in the middle of winter wonderland.
What about you?
What is one of your favourite weekend getaways and what kind of money saving tips can you share with other Local Guides?
That’s why I usually like to find a hut or a SPA hotel where I could enjoy the snow from the window. I know that 
.
They are so brave.