Whistler Ski Resort

Things We Learned

• Photos or videos will not prepare you for the views, which are stunning
• Do lots of research, the booking operators may assume you are not a complete beginner and newcomer to the resort (even if you tell them you are)
• On that note, you do not need Pro ski gear on your first ever ski/snowboard lesson
• If you snowboard you will fall down a lot, leaving your wrists and ass feeling sorry for themselves
• If you ski you are less likely to fall, but your legs will hurt until they go numb
• On the next morning everything will hurt. Muscles you didn't know you had will hurt.
• Snowboarding down the slope is an amazing feeling, but one you should build up to. If the instructor thinks you've done well in the morning lesson and upgrades you to a higher skill level for the afternoon session maybe reconsider going with it. (See the falling down a lot point)
• The slopes will close quite early in the afternoon and no one is allowed up after that. It does lead to...
• ...Apres, which is when everyone goes out early in the evening, eats, drinks and has the craic.
• Speaking of craic, there is an Irish bar, the Dubh Linn Gate, that allegedly was brought over piece by piece from Ireland.
• It is the most Irish bar we've been to. Though it also has a Black and Tan drink and servers wearing kilts who get annoyed if you don't order at the bar. Especially if you repeatedly order at the bar...
• The village of Whistler itself has an amazing holiday/community/positive vibe (maaan). Photos do not do it justice. It is like a European village, if purpose built for winter sports.