Come evening, I’ll savor mixology that incorporates house-infused spirits at The Mallard Lounge bar, where BC craft spirits and wines, many of which are hard to find beyond their respective distilleries and wineries, can be found just across from the Fairmont at Blackcomb Liquor Store (1-4573 Chateau Blvd. Tel: (604) 932-9795. www.blackcombliquorstore.com), which hosts tastings on Fridays and Saturdays.
I also swing by the warm and woody, all-suite, lakeside Nita Lake Lodge (2131 Lake Placid Rd. Tel: (604) 966-5700. www.nitalakelodge.com) for a treatment at its organic spa. A sign in the lobby announces that a juvenile black bear has been spotted around the area and offers “tips on being bear smart: “If the bear does not flee, make yourself appear very large.” Fortunately, I enjoy my spa and tasty lunch at the Cure Lounge & Patio without ursine intervention, and if you happen to be a resident of Washington state or BC, you’re entitled to a 20% PNW resident discount stays at Nita Lodge.
Although I had no interest in staying at the Japanese capsule style Pangea Pod Hotel (4333 Sunrise Alley. Tel: (844) 726-4329. www.pangeapod.com), which opened in 2018 and is budget-friendly ($44-$127 per night), I did enjoy a near perfect Eggs Benedict breakfast with village view there en route to my favorite non-sports related Whistler attraction, the Audain Art Museum (4350 Blackcomb Way, Whistler. Tel: (604) 962-0413. www.audainartmuseum.com).
Whistler Pride Parade
Founded by philanthropist Michael Audain and opened in 2016, its permanent collection represents a world-class survey of BC art, from the 18th Century to present, including LGBTQ and cutting edge First Nations’ work. Take in more First Nations perspective, knowledge, and creativity at First Nations Museum at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler. Tel: (604) 964-0990. www.slcc.ca.
When it comes to dining, BC’s outstanding Toptable Group of restaurants has two Whistler venues I adored and gained weight in. Bar Oso (150-4222 Village Square. Tel: (604) 962-4540. www.baroso.ca), is where handsome Madrid-born chef Jorge Munoz Santos prepares inventive, crazily yummy tapas alongside craft cocktails in cozily slick retro-modern surroundings.
The more formal, spacious Italian venue, Il Caminetto (4242 Village Stroll. Tel: (604) 932-4442. www.ilcaminetto.ca) features a fresh, contemporary style of dining where Executive Chef James Walt’s regionally focused menu melds Italian and local flavors with artisanal flair.
Returning to Vancouver (by bus), I checked into the brand new 281-room and 48-suite JW Marriott (39 Smithe St. Tel: (604) 676-0888. www.marriott.com) located in the gleaming Parq Vancouver (39 Smithe St. Tel: (604) 683-7277. www.parqvancouver.com) casino complex, which opened in late 2017.
Honey Salt Room at Parq Vancouver
Parq is also home to a second hotel, The Douglas (45 Smithe St. Tel: (604) 676-0889. www.thedouglasvancouver.com), an Autograph Collection Hotel, which at 188 rooms is more boutiquey with a blend of industrial (lots of bare cement in the rooms) and natural wood accents. The hotel’s name is taken from a giant Douglas tree that serves as the front desk, while local Yaletown Distilling Co. provides an exclusive Douglas Fir-infused gin for the room’s minibars and the lobby’s D/6 Bar cocktails.
I loved the Parq’s Honey Salt (Tel: (778) 370-8200. www.parqvancouver.com/restaurants/honey-salt) restaurant, a sole Las Vegas carry-over, and the Lotus Whiskey/Tea Lounge, serving Singapore’s TWG teas and tea-based original cocktails.
