Most locals not happy about the new Pay Parking in Whistler
Money grab or sound business? A lot of locals are upset over the overall parking increases and new pay parking enforcements that has taken place in Whistler last month. Known pay parking has doubled and new Pay Parking is going to be in effect in Parking Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 before the end of October. You guessed it, right before the Winter Olympics, 2010. But for us locals, what does this mean? It means that just stopping to get a slice of pizza or just picking up something quick is going to be more inconvenient. It means having to think ahead before stopping, having to have change on you at all times, or a credit card. I know a few locals have already signed petitions to fight the new parking implementations, I also know that the mayor is tickled pink that people are participating in their community because they are complaining about parking.
All I can tell you is that Whistler’s bread and butter is tourism, so more parking means more cash, and in these hard times more cash means survival for such small community such as Whistler.
Get your Edge Card for Whistler before November 21 and Save!
For all Vancouver Region and Washington State, the Whistler Edge Card provides cheap ski days for the season, without having to buy a season’s pass. The Edge Card gives you the convenience of getting:
1 day for $64
5 day for $319 (works out to $64 a day)
10 day for $584 (works out to $59 a day) – The 10 day Edge Card Deal not available after November 21st.
none of these deals include the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride.
The benefits of getting the Edge Card Early, as announced by Whistler Blackcomb:
Get up to $30 a day savings off the regular costs
Get Exclusive low lodging rates, starting at $99 a day
Get up to $150 off gear with coupons for equipment and outerwear
Get $100 certificate for select ski and snowboard lessons
If you live in the Vancouver or Washington State areas, what’s nice about getting the Edge Card, is that it’s actually cheaper than the 7-Evelen tickets, and the Edge Card is connected to your Credit Card, so you can use it conveniently on the Mountains.
The only caveat is that the card doesn’t include the Peak 2 Peak ride, which the 7-Eleven ski tickets at $78 per person includes.
I haven’t written in a while. Took some time off to spend with family. Non-ending parade of parents, siblings, nephews and best friends, all coming to check out Whistler in Vancouver. Non-stop fun, what can I say, I love my family and friends.
It started getting cold in Whistler, which only means that snow is just around the corner. The rain has set in, and it smells like snow any day now.
I’m going to post a whole lot of Whistler Winter Updates in the next couple of days, because it’s still a decent time to come up to Whistler, you’ll get great deals on accommodation, this is by far the best time to haggle a good price and stay right in the heart of the village. There’s not a lot of active things to do, but it’s an awesome time to relax, kick back, enjoy some yummy food, and remember what fresh air smells like.
Stay tuned for some great juicy information in the weeks to come.
Crews worked day and night to clear the Rock Slide
The Hwy to Whistler opened late Saturday night, a full day ahead of schedule. The weather is nice and sunny, and there’s still 2 days left of the long weekend. Visit for the night, or just come for the day.
For those of you that have travel plans to Whistler this weekend, you may want to reconsider.
There has been a major rock slide just shy of Squamish, and all traffic both ways is shut down
for the next 5 days.
However, if you’re still keen to go to Whistler, consider a couple of different routes, modes
of transportation. You can always slurge and get a helicopter ride, or you can take your time,
take the scenic route around Hope, Lytton, Lilloet and Pemberton.
This will take you significantly longer to get to Whistler, but it is a gorgeous drive, you are going to want to stop, take in the sites and take some pictures. This will take significantly longer, add 4-6 hours, but it will be an adventure.
For updates on the rock slide, follow the Whistler News Link…
Get your skis and snowboards shined up and head up to Whistler, there’s lots of snow and it keeps on coming. If you’re from BC or WA you still have time to grab your Edge Card and start saving on your ski days…
A lot of you have been asking me to recommend some reading material before you arrive in Whistler. Here are some great reads that have some really varied information, from being a tourist and enjoying nature and the clean air, to advanced skiers and snowboarders. A little information for everyone that wants to make Whistler a memorable getaway or the spot of choice for a regular vacation.
A few lucky lucky people already had a chance to ski on Blackcomb Mountain this past weekend. There sure was enough snow, the video even shows snow face shots.
A lot of people are baffled by the mention of Whistler and Blackcomb in the same sentence. It’s actually pretty simple to remember. Whistler is the name of the Village, but Whistler is also the name of one of the Mountains in Whistler. There are 2 ski ready Mountains in Whistler BC, one called Whistler, the other is called Blackcomb. If you face the two Mountains, Whistler is the one on the right and Blackcomb is the one of the left. It’s that simple.
Here is the confusing part. You can take a gondola from the bottom of Whistler Mountain that will take you to the top of Whistler Mountain. You can take another gondola from Whistler that will take you to Blackcomb Mountain. Or you can walk to Blackcomb side and go up Blackcomb Mountain.
There are several access points from Whistler Village up the two Mountains, and there are people that prefer one Mountain over the other. I myself like Blackcomb better, but that’s just a personal preference, not a recommendation.
As always, if you are curious about something and want to ask any questions pertaining to Whistler Blackcomb, please leave a comment and I promise to respond in a timely fashion.
