Whistler in early July. Good idea?

Garp · 03-29-2009, 10:46 PM

I'm planning a 3 weeks family trip through the PNW. Whistler is one possible stopover. Any comments/suggestions to that? Any other tips on the greater area is well appreciated.

creaturecat · 03-30-2009, 06:13 AM

Well, the weather will be fine. Snow should be melted, igloos put away until next season.
Whistler is an outdoor paradise.
Vancouver Island is an ocean paradise.
Vancouver is a fantastic city. Restaurants and activities galore.
The Interior area - lakes, wineries, desert.

Dottore · 03-30-2009, 06:49 AM

Whistler should be perfect then. It's very pretty in the summer—there's more to do there in the summer than the winter.

I would echo the previous poster also, and encourage you to spend some time on Vancouver Island.

Please feel free to PM me with details of your trip for specific suggestions.

Laneco · 03-30-2009, 07:09 AM

Whistler in the summer is the BOMB! Hiking, zip-lines, and fabulous mountain biking. For the gravity set, you can take a chairlift UP the hill and then ride down. The down hill varies from suitable for about 8 and up to oh-my-gawd-I'm-going-to-die with everything in between.

Note: Everything is expensive...

angela

Garp · 03-30-2009, 10:33 AM

Tx all. Planning on spending a couple of days on Olympic Peninsula followed by 3 to 4 days on Vancouver Island (need to re-visit the Martin Mars). Looking for a good address on the island, resort style.
The Evolution in Whistler caught my attention. 5 stars, double bedroom for 200CDN, extremely low prices when converted from euro.

Dottore · 03-30-2009, 10:46 AM

Vancouver Island is very big.

Some great resorts: The Aerie Resort (outside of Victoria); Wickaninnish (Tofino); and the Sooke Harbour House (Sooke)—all known and loved for their superb kitchens among other things. Hastings House on Saltspring Island is also splendid but very pricey.

Never heard of The Evolution in Whistler—but $200 Canadian should get you a decent room just about anywhere in July.

Garp · 03-30-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Vancouver Island is very big.

Some great resorts: The Aerie Resort (outside of Victoria); Wickaninnish (Tofino); and the Sooke Harbour House (Sooke)—all known and loved for their superb kitchens among other things. Hastings House on Saltspring Island is also splendid but very pricey.

Never heard of The Evolution in Whistler—but $200 Canadian should get you a decent room just about anywhere in July.

Tx a lot, is there a big difference between the East and West coast of the island (temperature wise and things to do/surroundings). I'll look-up your suggestions.

Dottore · 03-30-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garp

Tx a lot, is there a big difference between the East and West coast of the island (temperature wise and things to do/surroundings). I'll look-up your suggestions.

East & West:

The west is very wild and thinly populated. Most people live in Victoria or elsewhere on the east coast.

Tofino/Uclulet on the west are worth a visit for the spectacularly wild beaches, and some good hotels etc. But apart from this (and Sooke) my guess is you'll be spending more time on the east side.

But there's a hell of a lot to see and do just around Victoria/Saltspring Island/Sooke. That could easily take up a week right there.

afterburn 549 · 03-30-2009, 11:25 AM

There might be a lot of road construction.....A LOT

MT930 · 03-30-2009, 11:41 AM

[QUOTE=Laneco;4576394]Whistler in the summer is the BOMB! Hiking, zip-lines, and fabulous mountain biking. For the gravity set, you can take a chairlift UP the hill and then ride down. The down hill varies from suitable for about 8 and up to oh-my-gawd-I'm-going-to-die with everything in between.

Agree

Great time to go We had a blast over the 4th of July a few years ago.

Perfect time for Whistler, Great weather
No fire works for the Kids, It's Canada eea

creaturecat · 03-30-2009, 12:29 PM

If you stay at the Whistler Four Seasons you can receive the third night for free. Probably the nicest place.
Stay downtown if you are staying in Vancouver. Lots to see and do. The Wedgewood Hotel is situated perfectly. Great city to rent a bicycle.
The Empress is a fine hotel situated in Victoria, on Vancouver Island.

Dottore · 03-30-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaturecat

If you stay at the Whistler Four Seasons you can receive the third night for free. Probably the nicest place.
Stay downtown if you are staying in Vancouver. Lots to see and do. The Wedgewood Hotel is situated perfectly. Great city to rent a bicycle.
The Empress is a fine hotel situated in Victoria, on Vancouver Island.

No, no, no...not the Empress in Victoria. You're much better off at the Magnolia for a fraction of the money. The Empress is for Microsofties with too much money.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

Ha, Ha! I was the construction project manager for the $10M interior finishing contract on the Whistler 4 Seasons!

I had 10 houses leased there for that time, was a great place to be, put working with PCL, ah, never again!

This thread has some good info about Vanc and the Island; good luck!

LINK to Thread Click Here

Skip Newsom · 03-30-2009, 03:50 PM

We went up to Whistler in July and had a great time, the rooms are reasonable and the lifts run mtn bikers or hikers up the hill.

We packed a lunch and hiked into a beautiful lake on top for an easy mountain picnic.

I would also recommend the Tofino area on Vancouver Island, it's a long curvy two lane for the most part and the beaches are incredible!

creaturecat · 03-30-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

No, no, no...not the Empress in Victoria. You're much better off at the Magnolia for a fraction of the money. The Empress is for Microsofties with too much money.

Well ........... I did say fine Hotel - not cheap hotel.
The Empress is a Victoria landmark.
Pre- "boutique".
With tradition.

Garp · 03-31-2009, 03:20 AM

Great info guys. Tx a lot.

Garp · 06-07-2009, 01:29 PM

After a week in Tofino we'll be heading for the Pan Pacific in Whistler and stay there for 5 days.

pwd72s · 06-07-2009, 07:02 PM

One of the PCA regions used to put on an annual "whistler weekend" event. Don't know if it still happens or not. Any PCAers here have a clue?

s_morrison57 · 06-07-2009, 07:03 PM

Whistler and for that matter anywhere in B.C. is beautiful in the summer, I'm biased cause I live here but you'll have to come back, there's too much to see in one trip. yes there may be some road construction as a build up to the 2010 winter olympic's at Whistler/Vancouver but I wouldn't think any more than usual as a lot of the projects are finished or close to it.
B.C. is a sure bet for a great holiday, come and enjoy, you'll be back for more.

mossguy · 06-07-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

One of the PCA regions used to put on an annual "whistler weekend" event. Don't know if it still happens or not. Any PCAers here have a clue?

Paul - Apparently Whistler got too expensive and difficult to do business with.
It is now held at Sun Peaks, just northeast of Kamloops. The event is now Canada West Weekend. Very enjoyable! Here is a link to last years activities:

http://www.pca-cwr.org/?q=content/cww-2008

Best, Tom