Whistler, British Columbia

No matter how breathtaking the panoramic views from Whistler Peak or how thrilling the descent down the powdery slopes, half the fun of any vacation is when it's finally time to eat.

If you can't tear yourself from the mountains for even a moment, you will have no trouble finding a spot to dine. Casual-dining restaurants pepper the mountainside, starting at the top of 7th Heaven Express with Horstman Hut , which offers an array of snacks, drinks, and an outdoor BBQ at 7494 feet above sea level. At mid-station on Whistler Mountain, tucked into the pines, is Raven's Nest Mountain Deli , where you can enjoy soups, salads, and sandwiches while you admire the sweeping valley below. At the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Monk's Grill Steak House & Bar lures the weary skier with its outdoor patio, spicy chicken wings, fresh seafood, and an exceptional selection of draught beer.

If you're looking for white linen table cloths to complement the snowy peaks, try Christine's , where at 6000 feet up, you can taste savory gourmet soups as part of a multi-course lunch, and top it off with fondue. Or indulge in the culinary expertise of Aubergine Grille with a menu that changes seasonally and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the majestic Rainbow and Sproat Mountains.

For those who can venture a little ways from the slopes (though surely not very far) to explore the restaurants nestled in the village below, Whistler offers fare of all varieties. To satisfy that sushi craving, try Zen Sushi , Teppan Village , or Sushi Village , with its unique Sake Margaritas to warm up your hands and feet in a flash. For Italian-style cuisine, Trattoria di Umberto offers hearty pasta and mouth-watering meat dishes. To complement its award-winning wine list, Quattro at Whistler has roaring fireplaces, silk chandeliers overhead and contemporary Italian cuisine.

For great Mediterranean, Kypriaki Norte delivers a warm atmosphere and a sizable menu full of seafood, steak, and traditional paellas. French cuisine finds its way into this pine paradise at Crêpe Montagne , where patrons choose between a variety of scrumptious crepe delicacies served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a warm bowl of ramen, Amani , located on the second floor of The Sundial Boutique Hotel , specializes in rice, soup, and noodle dishes, offering a 10% discount on take-out orders for those looking to cozy up in their hotel rooms for the evening.

Vegetarians, please be advised: Gone Bakery 's extensive soup selection always includes 3 savory, meatless options. And be sure to check out The Beetroot Cafe , where organic ingredients are fashioned into healthy snacks, from breakfast burritos to black bean burgers.

A mecca of eclectic tastes, Whistler nourishes its vacationers and adventurers with cuisine from all corners of the globe. With decor that is never lacking, whether casual or candlelit, Whistler restaurants dazzle the palate and stun the sightseer with windows that look out onto spectacular mountain views.

Winter Wonderland

With the arrival of the first snow at Whistler, this small town gears up for its world-class winter season. But the typical slopes are not the only options for profiting from this abundance of snow. More advanced skiers will enjoy Powder Mountain Catskiing Ltd. , a company that takes a groups of 12 high up into the Coastal Range to find the best powder skiing runs virtually untouched by other skiers. No lines, no waiting, and a long, exciting ski down the face await you! Definitely not novice skiers. Not much of a skier at all? Hop on a Sno-Limo and glide down the slopes in luxury. The Sno-Limo Mountain Ecotouring Inc. offers you the ride of a lifetime! Their custom-built chairs are designed with skis on the bottom and handles for the instructor, so all you have to do is sit back and relax and get whisked down the slopes in comfort. Snowmobiles are a fun way to explore the mountain with speed and comfort with Canadian Snowmobile Adventures . Equally fantastic is the opportunity to ski or snowboard the obscure slopes with your own helicopter chauffeur. Whistler Heli-Skiing and Coast Range Heliskiing Ltd. offers intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders a prestigious and private experience in the Coastal Range. Journey back in time to the time before motorized snow vehicles and glide along the snow behind a team of huskies. The winter landscape shall be at your fingertips with Whistler Dogsledding in their various tours of the mountains around Whistler. The early winter months are also the time when Bald Eagles are most easy to spot near Brackendale. Take a bus out to Bald Eagle Viewing and witness the majesty of these great birds as they nest and hunt for salmon in the river. Need to get away from the kids? Want to rekindle your romance? Take an old-fashioned sleigh ride with Blackcomb Horsedrawn Sleigh Rides and get the fire started. A lovely activity in itself, the sleigh ride can also include a delicious fondue dinner, hot cocoa, and a bonfire to top off a perfect evening.

Family Fun Tour

Though known mainly for its world-class skiing, Whistler is also a great place to bring the whole family for some outdoor bonding time. Winter or summer, an incredible variety of activities await you! Start the day at beautiful Rainbow Park located on the shore of Lake Alta. A perfect place for a family picnic, the park has a long bike trail, large grassy areas, mature trees, and panoramic natural beauty. Sandy beaches and shallow waters make this a great place to stay for the day, or simply for a quick and fun outing! If your family is feeling adventurous, head to Peak Adventure or Wedge Rafting , both will be the trip of a lifetime! The Peak Adventure includes a gondola ride to the Lodge, a chairlift to the base of the mountain, and a ride to the top! From there hiking and truly stunning 360 degree views of Whistler await you. Wedge Rafting is also a great option, from full day journeys to two-and-a-half hour trips. Everything is included, and you only need to bring your family and some sun block. Wetsuits, boots, rafting equipment, and transportation to and from the base is provided. Another great place for families (especially kids) is Whistler Blackcomb's Whistler Kids , where children of all ages participate in a variety of nature based activities, summer and winter. Kids will be ecstatic at the prospect of horseback riding, snowboarding, or archery. It's no wonder that Whistler draws so many nature lovers season after season!

Summer Getaway

While Whistler's fame derives primarily from its snowy slopes, the spring melt washes in a host of topnotch fair weather fun. Pass an unforgettable vacation in this mountain resort exploring the region's infinite possibilities. Start out with a trip crashing through the rapids in the magnificent scenery with Whistler River Adventures . Continue your exploration by land on horseback at Horseback Riding and survey the land from the peaks. Although the ocean is out of reach, the Beaches at Alta Lake are a lovely spot to take a dip and bask in the sun. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Or enjoy your open-air Saturday lunch in the fields, sampling the local flavors at Feast of Fields . For lessons on all the ins and outs of fishing, Valley Fishing Guides Ltd. will teach you where and how to find that big catch.