From swanky hotels to top-notch eats — here's how to have the ultimate weekend in Whistler, even if you don't ski
Just because Whistler is a destination for everything skiing and snowboarding, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time if you don’t partake in either sport. In fact, there’s quite a bit to do for folks looking for a quick weekend getaway from Vancouver, making it a perfect destination to relax and enjoy some tasty bites.
So, if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a quick day or two, look no further. Here’s everything we did on our last weekend trip to Whistler — no skiing required.
Leave the car — take an Epic Rides bus instead
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
Why bother with the stress of driving when you can take the bus instead? Use the time you would have spent driving to do something more relaxing, like enjoy a book, catch up on your favourite show, or (for the motion-sick prone like ourselves), simply enjoy the views on the Sea to Sky.
A roundtrip on Epic Rides comes in at just $44 per person, which we’d happily pay to avoid the hassle of driving.
Check into a swanky hotel
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There’s nothing better than enjoying a slice of luxury, like checking in at a fancy hotel such as the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, for instance. It was a quick and easy trip from the bus stop to the hotel, thanks to the convenient shuttle. We could have also called one of the house cars to come and pick us up as well if we were feeling extra luxurious.
They go the full mile (or should we say kilometre) here, from check-in to check-out. Upon arrival, we were presented with some hot apple cider before making our way to our lovely suite, which included a fireplace. Talk about a perfect way to start your Whistler weekend.
This is one of those hotels that makes it hard to leave your room, given how lovely it is, but there’s plenty to do just around the hotel in general. From the heated outdoor pool to the cedar sauna, maple taffy, and daily wine tastings, you will surely not run out of things to enjoy here.
Lunch and drinks at the Braidwood Tavern — including a new, standout cocktail program
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to grab some grub. We’d recommend hitting up the in-hotel restaurant Braidwood Tavern for some grub and — perhaps more importantly — cocktails.
The team has recently launched a new cocktail program called The Memoir, where you’ll find a menu inspired by the chapters of a well-lived life, from childhood all the way to old age.
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The cocktail program was developed by acclaimed beverage consultant Nils Schabert and the bar team at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler. Here, each drink is specially crafted (right down to custom glassware) to reflect on a specific moment from life.
Highlights include the Cake for Breakfast, a playful tribute to the morning after a birthday, where you wake up and eat cake for breakfast, done through a drink blending strawberry and cheesecake notes with a yuzu foam.
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
And as the menu progresses, the drink moves from sweet to more sophisticated notes, as seen by offerings like the Under the Old Tree, a bourbon-forward creation with hay-smoked honey and stone flower, inspired by forest mornings and grounding stillness.
“Cocktails have the power to unlock memories in an instant. With The Memoir, we wanted to create a menu that feels like reading a favourite book, familiar yet full of rediscovery, where each sip invites guests to reflect on moments they have lived and moments still to come,” said Schabert in a press release.
Pair these delightful sips with the cozy, nostalgic fare served at Braidwood Tavern (think Heirloom Tomato Soup with Brie and Gruyere Brioche Melts, Duck Confit Poutine, and Prime Beef Sliders, for example), and you’re set for one cozy (and delicious) lunch experience.
Dinner out on the town
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
As we mentioned, it would be very easy to spend your whole Whistler weekend just at the Four Seasons, but why go to Whistler and not go exploring the town? Specifically, spend some time enjoying the local food scene.
For dinner, we’d recommend the modern French restaurant Lorette Brasserie. Depending on how full you are from lunch, this spot offers plenty to enjoy. However, the best way to dine here is by letting the team take the wheel and present you with whatever they’re excited by that evening.
We were dazzled with a stunning array of appetizers like Beef Tartare and Bone Marrow, alongside other notable hors d’oeuvres like Ahi Tuna Tartare and Œuf Mimosa.
From there, highlights included the Salmon Rillettes (which consists of cured salmon served on crostini with gribiche), a decadent Beef Cheek Bourgingnon, and Tarte au Sucre served with hay and brandy ice cream.
Salmon Rillettes (Marco Ovies/Daily Hive)
If you were anything like us and got a little too excited about The Memoir cocktail program for lunch, you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of tasty non-alcoholic cocktails here on the menu, too. Leave it in the hands of Lorette’s talented bartender to whip you up something fantastic.
Get caffeinated and hit the shops
After such a lovely Whistler weekend getaway, it may be hard to check out of your hotel the following day. But, there’s still plenty of fun to be had before the Epic Rides bus takes you home at your designated time slot. While you can definitely opt for one of the earlier rides home, we’d recommend spending some extra time exploring Whistler, enjoying a leisurely breakfast (the Braidwood Tavern also serves one heck of a breakfast sandwich) and doing some window shopping. We always make a point to stop by the Rock and Gem store to pick up a new piece of jewellery.
While exploring, it’s essential that you stop at one of the many lovely cafes. There’s no shortage of great spots, and while both Provisions and % Arabica have officially made their way out to Vancouver, they are still great choices to enjoy a morning pick-me-up.
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Provisions is great for those looking for a standard cafe experience and is a great place to grab a sandwich or baked good for the bus ride home (or if you’re hoping to demolish a rotisserie chicken ahead of the ride, we don’t judge). If matcha is your choice of caffeine, then % Arabica is the way to go. Plus, its cave-like interior makes it one of the coolest cafes in Whistler.
After spending the day shopping until you drop, enjoy the opportunity to sit down and relax as Epic Rides takes you back to the city.
The author of this article was hosted by Four Seasons Resort Whistler