Whistler Getaway

So worth it to escape to Whistler during their off season!!!

Whistler is only an hour + 40 minutes drive north of Vancouver.  I never really realized how close it is!  It’s like driving from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara – no biggie!  So why not make the trip?  Go during Whistler’s “shoulder season”.  I had no idea what that meant.  It means their off season before they open the ski hill.  Duh.  Let me tell you dear readers that it is a major bonus!!!

Jeff is not a big skier + I have never skied in my life + only snowboarded once, managing to crash into an 8 year old little girl.  Thus, we weren’t heading to Whistler for winter sports, but to stone cold chill to the maximum.  After moving houses + Jeff’s long hours at work, we needed a break.

I booked our stay at the Nita Lake Lodge.  It has great reviews + is outside of Whistler Village which was a plus for me because I liked being somewhere quiet + outside of the tourist bubble.

I WANT TO LIVE THERE!!!  The hotel has a woodsy, Arts + Crafts feel.

The lobby is ready for Christmas!  Nita Lake Lodge’s concierge + guest services is ACES, TOP NOTCH!!  Friendly, warm, helpful, thorough + super accommodating!!!!

Here is our bathroom – with heated floors!!!

We got a studio with a lake view on the top (fourth) floor.  It felt very spacious because of the high ceilings!

Lounge-y lounge area to watch the flat screen TV.

Our view of the lake from the balcony.  The hotel offers seasonal complimentary bike, fishing rod, canoe, stand up paddle board + kayak rentals!

Outside, a back view of the hotel from the lake.

Jeff on the dock.

Does this look like somebody’s relaxing or what?!

Literally what did we do the most on this trip?  SLEEP!!!!  Like the Dickens!!!!

The next morning we headed to the hotel’s cafe, Fix.  It is not your typical cafe – it is a step up!!!!  Gourmet sandwiches, fresh juices, coffee, pastries, etc.

We treated ourselves to massages at the hotel’s spa after the cafe.  As usual, I was running late (Jeff’s fault – he is a time optimist) + flustered when I arrived.  So they could tell this lady really needed a little help.  I specifically requested a Registered Massage Therapist because our backs are both f**ked up + it is covered under Jeff’s extended health care plan!  Woot!

Alright y’all, get this.  During the massage, the masseuse kept freaking out about how tight + messed up I was!  I said, “Wait till you get my husband!  His back is like a piece of overcooked steak!!!”.  WELL GUESS WHAT??!!!  After Jeff’s massage, she told him that I was WAY worse than he is!  It’s called uptight, folks.  Jeff is happy-go-lucky + sweet.  I stress out for two people.

The spa experience was amazing.  It was beautiful, serene + the masseuse kicked my butt.  It was one of the best massages I’ve ever gotten!  So what did I do after the massage?  Sleep.

That night we made reservations for Araxi, in Whistler Village – a recommendation from a friend at Jeff’s work.  Yet another plus about Nita Lake Lodge is they have complimentary shuttle service to the Village, so go + enjoy your wine!!!

Yummy, dense bread, olive oil + perfect scoop of butter.  I was so hungry, Jeff was like, “Hey, hey, hey, chill out on the bread, mon”!

A major reason to go during shoulder season in Whistler…we had the five course meal for $32!!!  A regular plate alone at the restaurant is $29, so this is a dealio!!!

Butternut squash soup + arancini ball.

Beet salad.

Jeff’s foie gras terrine.

Ricotta gnocchi.

My main entree.  Duck breast with polenta cake.  IT WAS COOKED PERFECTLY + SO TASTY!!!!

Jeff’s sinister gentleman’s pose with his moist Arctic Char.

Chocolate tart with caramel ice creammmmmmm + caramel drizzle.

Jeff’s pear trio + cappuccino.

Araxi is FIVE STARS!!!!  No snobbery, you don’t have to dress up all fancy + the service is warm + full of smiles!!!  Oh + Gordon Ramsey loves it there.  Take advantage of shoulder season!

After dinner we took the shuttle back to the hotel + waddled over to Roland’s Creekside Pub.  Although it’s right next to the Nita Lake Lodge, this pub is filled with the nicest local characters ever!  I happened to find the only white guy in the pub who lived in Japan for 15 years + was a field anthropologist stationed in Osaka.  Go figure.  We were there till closing + made lots of new friends!!!

Our last day we went to the Village for some tourist time.  Here’s Jeff trying to look manly while holding a shopping bag.

The Village is kind of boring + the shops are pretty typical of a ski town.  BUT I had my first Beaver Tail experience!!!  A Canadian fried dough pastry!  Mine was the classic dusted with cinnamon + sugar!  It tasted like a Mexican churro!!!  How I miss churros – so you know I’m going to be looking for beaver tails wherever I go now!!!

Obama eats Beaver Tails.

I wanted to take a picture in the snow, but it was getting too late to drive up the mountains.  So we took a picture in a parking lot on top of a lump of snow that was collected by the snowplows.

Good enough!  Our Whistler trip was a success!!!  Service was exceptional, relaxation was achieved!!!  We are already planning our next trip to Whistler during their next shoulder season in May!!!