Back to Winter Paradise

Growing up in Vancouver, I’ve had my fair share of skiing adventures, particularly in Whistler. As you can imagine, I’ve stayed in nearly every neighbourhood, from Spring Creek to Upper Village to Nicklaus North – and every neighbourhood in between. In rental cabins (back before AirBnb and VRBO even existed), townhouses, condos and of course, hotels.

And what they say is so true: location, location, location. Especially when it comes to Whistler in the winter. And even more so if you’re a skier (or snowboarder), like I am. You ideally want immediate access to the hill, the closer the better. In other words, ski in/ski out. 

For those who are not familiar with that vernacular, it literally means the property is located directly on the slopes. Therefore, your accommodations can be high up the mountain. In other words, when you walk out of your property, the run is right in front of you. You strap on skis and ski down to the lift which will take you back up. Or the property could be located right next to the lifts. The net is, a ski-in, ski-out location allows you to ski directly back into the property right off the run. There’s no need to remove your gear and haul it back to the car or shuttle bus. As you can imagine, this convenience is a dream for skiers like me. When you’re on vacation, you want to eliminate all the hassle that can come with trudging your skis around town.

And one property in particular, Blackcomb Springs Suites, offers a stellar location with affordable accommodations that are especially suitable for families or groups. Think slope-side condos with full kitchens, fireplaces, balconies, and a fabulous outdoor pool and two hot tubs. It’s also dog friendly!

Having a full kitchen is a god send. Eating out in Whistler can be expensive and if you plan to be there for multiple days, costs can quickly add up. There are certainly ways to save and cooking your own meals – especially breakfasts and dinners – can really help. 

I’ve stayed at Blackcomb Springs Suites before, with my kids – they had a blast, by the way. In fact, it was the last place in Whistler I stayed at before the pandemic shut down. So, it made so much sense that it would be the first place I would return to now that things are (somewhat) back to normal after missing two seasons of skiing. 

This trip was just Keith and I, and we were staying once again in a 2-bedroom slope side suite. Without our kids, we were spoiled with space. And although we didn’t cook every meal – we were in Whistler for Cornucopia, the famed food and wine festival – we did make breakfast and late-night snacks. The kitchen was well appointed, with coffee and tea provided. The master bedroom had a King Size Bed, while the second bedroom had two twins. The couch in the living room also can fold out into a queen size sofa bed, so the unit can sleep six. The 2-bedroom suite featured not just one, but two balconies. One off the living room and another off the second bedroom. Both balconies overlook the outdoor pool area and boasts amazing views of Lower Merlin’s run, with the Blackcomb Gondola right at your doorstep. We lucked out with a gorgeous snowfall that weekend that took my breath away. Whistler doesn’t get any more magical than this. 

Full Disclosure: While accommodations were provided as part of a press stay, opinions are true to my personal experience.