Alright y’all. It’s reading break for college and university students in these parts and that means two things: getting caught up on dry textbook readings and BEER-FUELED OUT-OF-TOWN TRIPS — the latter of which excites me a lot more than the former, in case that wasn’t clear.
An obvious choice for Vancouver-based students who couldn’t quite justify the Contiki Mexico tour their roommates all went on is the nearby number one ski resort in North America, Whistler.
“But lift tickets cost $96!” says you. “Do you have any idea how much tasteless touristy kitsch that could buy?”
You’re right. Weekend trips to Whistler typically involve racing to the lifts, racing down the hills and racing to the GLC for a burger and beer before the Red Bull apres party starts (all to the tune of Liza Minelli’s Money, Money), but they don’t have to. You can do Whistler on the cheap, and it all starts with trading in your skis for snowshoes.
An all-ages snowshoe day pass in the Callaghan Valley costs just $8 and it is fun. Maybe not the same brand of fun as a black diamond run on Blackcomb, but fun nonetheless. If you’ve got a bit more money to throw around, head down the road to the Whistler Olympic Park and get a 2-hour biathlon lesson for $45 (ammo included).
After all that outdoor activity, you’ve no doubt worked up an appetite. While cooking for yourself might seem like the most economical option, filling your cart at the creatively named Whistler Grocery Store is not advised. Nesters Market is better value, but you’ll still pay more for a loaf of bread here than you would in town.
Instead, follow the locals to Pasta Lupino, tucked between the 7/11 and Domino’s Pizza at the edge of town. Generous servings of take-out al fredo are just $6.95. Samurai Sushi in the village is another good option, which offers up bento boxes for $8.25.
At the end of the day, you’ll need somewhere to warm your toes and rest your bones. Dating someone whose family owns a condo in Whistler is something I cannot recommend strongly enough, but if you’re not so lucky, there are (precious few) other options.
UBC’s Whistler Lodge has 40 dorm beds that cost $29/bed for UBC students and $35/bed for everybody else. I can’t vouch for its cleanliness or civility, but apart from one bed bugs complaint, Trip Advisor reviewers rate it pretty favourably. However, the HI-Whistler does even better and costs only a buck more for HI members.
If you’re coming up with a group, renting a condo for the weekend might not be as out of reach as you think. Intrawest-owned The Woods has 2-bedroom condos from $193.00/night. If there’s 4 or 5 of you, it can work out to around $40/person, and you’ll benefit from having your own kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, television and shared hot tub. Not bad.
When it’s all over, you can offer to pick your friends up from the airport and take solace in the fact that while they have a hangover and oversized sombrero, you have fresh air in your lungs, a new appreciation for Canadian winter sports and a wad of cash to put towards your next adventure.
Weekending 