NoNames Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New

[NoName]

Day 23 - Continued……





The sun had really started to go down now and being across the canyon, this is where the park really came to life. I will let the pictures do the talking but this was unbelievable!

Big Doug!

We wandered around for quite a while taking it all in. Made sure to walk down all the different paths to see the entire display. Loved the whole thing! Eventually though it came time to make our way back over the bridge to the exit.



Made it and then out to the carpark to await the shuttle bus. So obviously we thought this attraction what amazing and it was obvious to see why it is so popular. I would put it as a must do, particularly if you are in Vancouver at this time of year when the Canyon Lights are on display. Would definitely return.

Bus took off and we were back in our hotel room for the final night of our stay. Shovelled down some leftovers from the room fridge, packed the backs and called it a night. Whistler was up next and we were all excited to get there and experience it again.

 

[NoName]

Day 24






We’d booked a 7:45am bus to Whistler so not too bad in terms of wake up time. Pretty leisurely actually. Just got up at 7, showered, changed and went to check out. Grabbed a couple of items from the Starbucks and went to wait for the bus. NoName Jnr still not 100%. Hopped on board and took our seats for the 2ish hour ride. Pretty uneventful really, smooth sailing until about half an hour out when traffic became pretty jammed. All good, these things happen on the Sea To Sky Highway and reality was it can and does get much worse.

Got out of the bus at the Gateway Loop around 10:15am and prepared to make our way to the hotel. I had originally booked Crystal Lodge again as we had enjoyed it last time and the location in the heart of Whistler Village about 100m from the Whistler Gondola had suited us perfectly. Around July something had popped up on my Instagram from a Snow travel agent and I investigated other options. With Mrs NoName not skiing I wanted to make sure she was comfortable in a place where she could enjoy plenty of time without having to go anywhere if she didn’t want to. And so I ended up settling on the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Cancelled my existing booking for a small fee and we were set. 6 nights (Saturday to Friday) in the 2nd week of January in Deluxe Slopeside View Room (2 queen beds) was $5,623.35 through MySnow Holidays. Price booking directly with the hotel was close to $2k more. Also booked ski hire and transfers to YVR at the end through MySnow as they were cheaper than I could find elsewhere as well.

I had only informed Mrs NoName of the accommodation change a few days earlier. I’d wanted to keep it a surprise until we arrived but after she sarcastically asked if we could stay somewhere else, I couldn’t keep it in any longer. She was thrilled and still was as we looked for the shuttle bus pickup point. Easily found and shortly after we were in the bus being driven around to the hotel. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is located at the base of Blackcomb mountain in the Upper Village area. I’d had slight reservations of the location as it is about a 10 minute walk to Whistler Village but with shuttle busses running all day that proved to be a non-issue. Being 50m from the Blackcomb Gondola was also perfect!

Went to the front desk and checked in, nice prompt service. Reasonably efficient process. Room not ready which was expected but we were given keys to access the hotel facilities if we wanted. Took the opportunity to go for a walk around the hotel to get our bearings. Pool area is great! Multiple different swim options, several hot tubs and a couple of saunas. Fantastic!

Went downstairs to Portobello for lunch. We loved the pork rolls previously so it was a no brainer to come back. These things are great!

 

[NoName]

Day 24 - Continued……





Time had come for our first planned activity and that was tubing at the Bubly Tube Park. The park is located just above the Excalibur Gondola mid-station on Blackcomb Mountain. If coming from Whistler Village you can ride the gondola for free to the mid station before crossing the adjacent ski trail and them climbing up a bunch of steps through some trees. If coming from Blackcomb it would likely require a more roundabout route. Not ideal. So we did the only logical thing and took one of the house cars. One of the staff kindly drove us up and 5 minutes later we were there. Gave him a small tip as appreciation.

A couple of months prior to our trip NoName Jnr randomly found out that one of his good school friends was also going to be in Whistler with his family at the same time. This was a nice surprise and would be good for the boys to catch up somewhere like this. First up they were joining us for tubing. They soon appeared walking up the stairs and at 2pm we all went in to have some fun. Tickets options are 1hr or 2hrs. We just went for the 1hr which was C$32.50 per adult + C$25.50 for children 7-12.

We paid, grabbed our tubes and jumped straight in. I will say straight up this was a little disappointing. There were 6 different lanes open so a few different options to try, we were able to go separately or together including all 3 kids being able to go at once, everyone had fun doing the actual sliding. However things moved very slowly. The magic carpet to get to the top seemed to move at a snails pace, took a long time. There were also limited staff monitoring the lanes which meant that waiting time at the top was also excessive. In the end I got 6 runs in over the course of the hour and that was only because I really hustled. Everyone else in the group only got 5 or in a couple of cases 4 runs. It was a bit of fun but I wouldn’t do it again.

Made our way down the steps and then down the gondola to the village for a quick look before walking back over to our hotel.

Apres just getting going in Whistler Village

 

[NoName]

Day 24 - Continued……





Quick detour to the bottom level and Fairmont Rentals to sort our gear for the week. The experience getting fitted out was pretty good. The shop was pretty quiet so that may have helped but in any event we had two staff come over to help us and 10 minutes later we were done. Gear stored at the other end of the shop ready for us to pick up in the morning. I had got some kids rent for free deal through the agent so performance skis, poles & boots for the two of us came to $533.95 for 6 days. Another $60.99 for helmets.

By now the room was ready. Keys had now been automatically programmed so we were able to go straight up to get settled in. Luggage had been brought up as well as a package I had had delivered the previous week so nice service there. The room was exactly what we like. They have been renovated in the last couple of years so have a modern feel to them. Spacious, clean, nice décor. The view was slopeside and looked out over the pool and beyond that out to the ski trails. Loved it.

Kids robe for NoName Jnr



Blackcomb Gondola right next to the hotel!



We got settled, went for a quick dip in the pool before coming back up to get ready for dinner. Another of our friends from Brisbane were also here and we had organised to dine with them tonight. Downstairs and out to the front of the hotel to wait for the shuttle bus. Didn’t have to wait long. On and then off again about 2 minutes later right in Whistler Village and walking to the venue.



Apres still going strong!

Teppan Village tonight for Teppanyaki which is probably not surprising given the name. We all went for one of their signature teppanyaki set menus with the kids going for the kids teppanyaki. Pretty good mix around the group between The Village (mix of seafood, steak & chicken), The Ocean (seafood) and The Land (steak & chicken). Haven’t had teppanyaki for a while but C$68 for my choice of The Land seemed reasonable. Washed down with a couple of beers for good measure.

Lots of fun with the chef doing the usual teppanyaki show of fire, throwing things around and having the customers catch the food. Always entertaining. Seems socialising took preference over getting photos so just the below video of the chef’s performance.

We were now done for the evening. First day of skiing tomorrow so would need the rest. Grabbed a few breakfast items from the supermarket and then back on the shuttlebus to the Fairmont. Up to the room, freshen up and then bed. Looking forward to going up the mountain with NoName Jnr tomorrow.

 

[NoName]

Day 25





First day of skiing today and I was very excited. I had bought an Epic Pass several months prior to our trip as I had thought that this was probably the cheapest way to do it. Subsequently I’ve realised that buying as part of a package could likely be cheaper so will look into that next time. In any event, 1x Adult Epic 5-day pass + 1x Child Epic 5-Day pass bought in April 2024 came to US$492 + US$256 respectively.

Woke up to NoName Jnr still not feeling well to the point where we were unsure whether he was going to be able to ski today. Got sick of his complaints so in the end I went out myself with Mrs NoName to let me know shortly whether he was going to come up. A few minutes later of course I got that confirmation. He would be a while so I said I’d go up and come back down to meet them in an hour. Up to top of the gondola and back down pretty easily and in good time. Seems the 2 years off skis hadn’t made any difference at all. Waited around for a bit at the base for NoName Jnr to come out so that we could see where his skills lay.

He eventually appeared and was ready to go. Decided to take him up the Magic Chair which is basically the beginners area next to the main gondola. We went up and came down. Quite a few wobbles from him so it was obvious that a few more times down this trail would be needed.

A few more times up and down here and I was satisfied that he’d be good to go up the gondola. And he more or less was. We went up to the top station and came down the easiest trail before veering off towards Whistler Village where we were meeting Mrs NoName and yet another family for lunch.

Managed to find the magic castle this time. Nice little kids area part way down.

When we decided to come back to Whistler we thought we should again invite Mrs NoName’s old school friend who now lives in Seattle. They’d come last time and we were thrilled when they jumped at the chance to come again. We met up for lunch at the Longhorn Saloon for a nice catch up. It had been 2 years since everyone had seen each other so was great to get reacquainted. The social aspect of lunch (and indeed the rest of the day) seems to have resulted in very minimal photos unfortunately. That said, lunch was enjoyable. Typical pub-type food where burgers, chips, nachos etc were the go-to. Following this we all (minus Mrs NoName) took off up Whistler mountain for an afternoon skiing together.

The two kids in the gondola ready to go!



Snow angels of course!

 

[NoName]

Day 25 - Continued……





Skied around with the kids for a couple of hours and it was good to see NoName Jnr slowly build some more confidence. We got close to lift close time so decided to head down to the base where we went our separate ways. We were meeting up again for dinner in a couple of hours but first back to the hotel pool for a dip. I had wondered how we would get back to Blackcomb base after ending the day on Whistler so it was a nice surprise to find out that the Excalibur gondola remains open to transport people to the mid-station which is next to some of the car parking. We took this option and just skied down from there. A nice way to get an extra run in.

Complimentary hot chocolate at the ski valet outside the hotel. A nice touch!



Back up to the room getting changed, down to the pool, 20 minute soak in the hot tub and then back up. Short and sharp. It was still very early but with our friend’s daughter being 5, dinner had been planned accordingly. Around 5:15pm we went back out and found the venue for the evening. Nice and close to us this time – Nagomi Sushi. This is located in a building across the path from the Fairmont so extremely convenient for us. Pretty obvious what sort of food they do so all that needs to be added here is that it was good and reasonably priced. Would definitely return. We ordered a bunch of plates (more than I could possibly photograph it seems)for everyone to enjoy and got stuck in.




NoName Jnr insisted on a post-dinner swim so we repeated the routine of earlier. Another 20 minutes and we were done.




Back upstairs, shower and then bed for all. A great first day on the slopes and excited for more!

 

[NoName]

Day 26






Woke up ready to get back on the mountain again and after a quick breakfast of yoghurt and fruit salad we were ready. First day of lessons for NoName Jnr so we all climbed on the hotel shuttle and made our way over with our gear. There are also lessons run out of Blackcomb however the learning area is at the base and a much lower elevation to Whistler where it is located several hundred metres higher at mid-mountain. 3 days of lessons came to C$954.45 after 20% Epic Pass discount. Truly outrageous! However having only skied once before there was really no choice for him. That said, after skiing with him yesterday I was confident that these lessons would improve him significantly.

Got him sorted and palmed off to the instructors, had one of the worst hot chocolates of my life in a nearby café and then I was ready to go. Our friends had also dropped their daughter at her lesson so we were all ready to go ski together today. No need to bore the forum with the intricate details but we basically skied around Whistler Mountain all day. Weather was amazing again today.

Stopped at the Roundhouse Lodge for lunch along with hundreds of other people and got my fix of over-priced bacon cheeseburger. In fairness this actually came in ever so slightly cheaper than last time so I was able to overlook it being put together upside down.



Skied around a bit more after lunch until the others decided they’d head back down to the base. Decided to carry on for a little longer and ticked off Peak To Creek from the week’s to do list.

 

[NoName]

Day 26 - Continued……





From there it was back to the top for one more run down to the village. Picked up NoName Jnr, then repeated the routine from yesterday: Excalibur Gondola to mid-station, one last run down to Blackcomb base, hot chocolate at the ski valet. Quick swim to freshen up then we got ready to head out. Tonight we were going with the same friends to see the Vallea Lumina. This is a 1.5km multimedia night walk through a forest and is a pretty popular attraction.

We all had a quick ramen dinner at Ohaya Ramen which we had been to last time as well. Standard ramen, not too bad but not spectacular either. Jumped in their car and made the 10-ish minute drive to Cougar Mountain. Redeemed our tickets and headed off. Its completely self-guided and you just walk around the trail at your own pace following the fictional story of a couple of lost hikers. There are lights throughout the path with the occasional hologram/projected displays all set to music. Cost looks to have been C$49.49 per adult + C$43.99 per child plus C$11 charge for driving our own car there plus GST & fees (whatever they were). Anyway, the 3 of us was C$170.90. I recall it being slightly more expensive if you chose to go by shuttle bus. The attraction was quite impressive and I would likely do it again.

And with that we were done and heading back to the resort. Our friends were nice enough to drop us at our door so very quickly up to our room and in to bed, looking forward to tomorrow (again).

 

[NoName]

Day 27





Repeated the morning routine from yesterday – yoghurt & fruit salad breakfast then shuttle bus to Whistler base to drop off NoName Jnr for his lesson. Substituted the lukewarm hot chocolate for an energy drink and then we were all ready go up. Blackcomb today so we climbed on the Excalibur gondola to get back over there. Skied around all morning on what was once again a fantastic day.

Lunch came so we skied down to Blackcomb base and met Mrs NoName at Portobello for roast pork rolls (what else) and a couple of beers. Could have continued on with the beers all afternoon but we eventually got going again and back up the mountain. Took the Peak to Peak across to Whistler for the afternoon.






The view down to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

 

[NoName]

Day 27 - Continued……





Came down in time to collect NoName Jnr again before meeting both our groups of friends at GLC for a few apres drinks while the kids played in the snow.





The ski shots came out and that was our cue to leave. Made our way back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. A freshen up and a change later and we were down waiting for the shuttle bus. Around to the village again and a short walk to Bearfoot Bistro.



The restaurant is fine dining where they describe the experience as a culinary journey. We’d been looking forward to this meal since we booked a couple of months prior and excited that it was here. Located in the same building as the Listel Hotel, it also includes a seriously impressive wine cellar and a vodka room. First up though we took our seats and got things underway. Ordered some chicken strips for NoName Jnr while we went for the tasting menu. Grabbed a bottle of British Columbia Pinot to go with it.



Tonight’s menu:



Duck Consommé



Foie gras lollipop, beef tartare & Alaskan king crab



Tuna sashimi



Ravioli



Elk Wellington. Interesting.



Grapefruit palate cleanser



Cheese course. Always enjoyable.



Neapolitan for dessert. Yum!



Chocolates to finish. Pretty sure NoName Jnr attacked these as well.



Overall, I would say that we really enjoyed the meal. Dishes were flavoursome and filling. However, I feel like it was pretty overpriced. I would likely return but probably go for a la carte options instead.

 

[NoName]

Day 27 - Continued……




The restaurant:




We had been talking to the sommelier throughout the evening and when were done eating he offered to show us around the cellar. Wow! This was amazing! Supposedly 15,000 bottles here and a very wide variety.

We were then invited into the vodka ice room which was a fun experience. Dressed up in heavy duty coats and into the -20c cold room. Usually C$52 per PAX but the young guy manning it allowed us in and to sample a few vodkas for nothing. Must have been a slow evening for him. Not really a vodka drinker but with them being served ice cold and with different flavours they were enjoyable. Kind of made me wish I had have answered differently four weeks ago when the FA on SQ asked me if I wanted ice vodka with my caviar. Next time.



With that done so were we. It was getting pretty late now so it was back to the shuttlebus and then back to the room for bed. Three days of skiing down and two more to go. Couldn’t wait!

 

[NoName]

Day 28





Last day of lessons for NoName Jnr today before he skied with me again tomorrow. As predicted, his first two lessons had brought him on in leaps and bounds with the instructor taking him down several blue trails without any problem. Once again, shuttle bus to Whistler to drop him off before the three of us went up together. Whistler again today and once again we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Brilliant!





Great views from the Roundhouse

Pulled up stumps slightly earlier today and were at the base easily in time for NoName Jnr pickup. He’d completed his three days of lessons and had been down several of the easier blue trails. This was exactly what I had hoped his improvement would look like and it meant there would be a lot more of the mountain available to ski when he joined us tomorrow. Back to the hotel, standard hot chocolate at the ski valet.



Up to the room to change and down for a swim. Really love these pool facilities!

 

[NoName]

Day 28 - Continued……





Same group for dinner tonight and we were off to High Mountain Brewing Co in village. Typical craft brew pub which I love. Looking forward to it. Shuttle bus around a couple more stops this time and after a very short walk we were there. Grabbed our table and got stuck in. Photos seem to be lacking here. Given that the only dish that appears to have been documented is mine I’m going to push blame to the other three adults who were present.

Pork ribs – very nice and extremely filling. Struggled to get through the whole thing.



Overall I found this an enjoyable dinner spot. As I mentioned, I like pub food and the general more relaxed vibe of a place like this so I’d be happy to return. In fact I might just put it on the list for next time.




Went for a walk through the village after dinner. A pleasant stroll through a beautiful setting.






Shuttle bus back to the Fairmont, took in the scenery before heading up to the room and into bed.

 

[NoName]

Day 29





The last day of skiing and NoName Jnr was joining our Seattle friend’s husband & I on the mountain. The two ladies were doing their own thing today so it was just the dads and kids. Usual pre-bought breakfast, got ready and then we both shot up the gondola. The other two were coming from Whistler so would take the lift over then ski down to meet us at the base. We got our run in back to the bottom and then a few minutes later they were there. Back up and skied around Blackcomb for the morning. Both kids were pretty confident and we had no problems taken them down both blue and green trails.

Popped in to Crystal Hut mid-morning for some waffles. So good!

The kids wanted to find the treehouse on Whistler so we took the Peak To Peak across. Managed to get one of the gondolas with a glass bottom.



Skied down and found the treehouse without too much trouble. This is pretty cool that they have done this. Kids played around for a bit going down the slide etc.





Skied around the rest of the afternoon with NoName Jnr gaining more confidence.




He loved the enchanted forest

Got to the end of the day and with just NoName Jnr and I left we decided to try an easier black. Nothing really hard about this other than it being steep but it gave NoName Jnr some bragging rights.

 

[NoName]

Day 29 - Continued……






Down to the base and back to the hotel. When I had picked up our ski gear on the first day the staff had told me that as the rental was for 6 days but we were only skiing 5, that we would be able to get a partial refund if we returned them early. So when we took everything to the rental shop I asked. A bit of fiddling around but ended up with a refund onto my card of A$201.32. So 6 days of skis, boots, poles & helmet had cost just under A$600 and I received 1/3 back for returning it 1 day early? Not sure how that works but not complaining!

Standard afternoon swim, rest and then ready for dinner. We were joining the family of the school friend tonight at a place that we had been to last time - Hy’s Steakhouse. We had really enjoyed the food here previously so when they had suggested it as an option we were happy to go for it. The restaurant is a reasonably high-end restaurant that specialises in steak (surprise surprise). Ordered a few dishes to have family style – steak tartare, what looks to have been the 24oz dry aged bone-in rib steak and sides of broccoli, asparagus, mash and chips. So good! A couple of bottles of red for good measure.




Steak tartare being prepared




Have a pretty high opinion of Hy’s so would obviously recommend. It’s a great spot for a group dinner IMO and we will be back.

Adults were very full but kids clearly weren’t as they requested desert. Decided to wander back through the village and find something there. Ended up at that fabulous Canadian chain Beavertails! Finally getting around to try this and it wasn’t bad. Looks like he went for something with Nutella and white chocolate or something. Anyway, it satisfied his desires.



With that we bid them farewell and found the shuttle bus for the ride home. Quickly out and upstairs and in to bed. No more skiing sadly as we were off the next afternoon.