The advantage of living in Vancouver, a beautifully vibrant city on its own, is that it’s so close to so many fantastic getaway options. A weekend in the Fraser Valley, on Vancouver Island, across the border, or up the Sea to Sky is rarely out of the question in any season. For that reason, I thought it was time I planned a weekend away with my friend Keira-Anne since we realized recently that we hadn’t been away together since we went to New York in 2010.
Good times together. Photo credits Keira-Anne.
Between delightfully crafted meals and sipping wine by the fireplace, we went on an adventure through the treetops and crisp alpine air and had a bubbly night time hot tub soak hugged by snow banks.
Four Seasons Whistler
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Before this weekend, Keira had a less than favourable impression Whistler based on a previous experience. However, upon arriving in the Four Seasons’ lodge-inspired lobby with roaring fireplace and West Coast art, her perception immediately change. A smile lit up her face as she pointed out design elements like a child spotting stars in the sky on a clear summer night — and we still hadn’t left the lobby.
Our west-facing room was very specious, so much so that I walked in and jokingly quoted the bunk bed scene from the Will Ferrel movie Step Brothers: “Look at all this floor space! We can do aerobics in here, step class, so many activities!”
The main activity in our room was turning on the fireplace, popping a bottle of Prosecco, and catching up on girl talk. The two bathrooms, soaker tub, two showers, and dual vanity also provided us plenty of space to get ready in the morning and before meals as we hit Whistler Village.
Sidecut at Four Seasons Whistler
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On our first night at the Four Seasons we dined in the resort at Sidecut, a grand steakhouse inspired restaurant on the ground floor. We didn’t make a reservation so we waited at the bar (as could be expected) with cocktails in hand for about 10 minutes before being shown to a table. The space was massive, which seemed to be a trend at the Four Seasons, offering warm lighting, friendly service, and delicious menu items starting with the complimentary popovers that arrived at each table.
We definitely indulged. Selecting a few classic sides, we enjoyed roasted mushrooms and creamy whipped yukon potato alongside our 6oz tenderloins. A bottle of red wine was next and Keira reminded me that we could cork it and take it back up to our room, which was a nice option as we did end up enjoying it again the following evening.
Ziptrek Eagle Zipline Tour
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Whistler had just opened a few runs, Blackcomb was stilled closed when we arrived and Keira had sold her snowboard last season so I knew hitting the slopes was out as an activity option. There wasn’t enough snow in the valley for snowmobiling so in a brilliant light-bulb moment I knew exactly who to call: Ziptrek! At first I was thinking we would do the TreeTrek Tour, then I figured we might as well actually zipline. Prepared to do the shortest series, I was (thankfully) upsold to Ziptrek’s Eagle Tour.
Keira on her way to the first line.
After meeting up in Whistler Village we took the gondola up to the mid-point on the mountain and walked to our first line of five, the first and latest being a 2400ft zipline with a 30-storey descent.
When you’re on the starting platform, secured on the line and ready to walk down a set of stairs that lead nowhere to set sail across a sea of snowy trees, your heart races. Why am I doing this again? How did I get up here? All of a sudden you let yourself fly over Fitzsimmons Creek and epic views appear as you soar between Whistler and Blackcomb. You arrive on the other side and find yourself giddy for the next line where you’ll again feel fear and doubt followed by high-speed moments thinking that this is the best thing ever! It really helps to have fun and friendly guides with you as well (like Martin and Bobby). Their warm and helpful demeanour adds a level of trust that is crucial — there’s a reason that Ziptrek is ranked #1 of all 55 activities in Whistler on Trip Advisor.
The best part about Ziptrek is that you’re not just riding a zipline, you’re getting a history lesson about the area, information about the environment and its biodiversity, and learning about what the company is doing to be sustainable by following the Natural Step. From natural and unpainted wood platforms, to solar power, it’s a thorough education about the coastal temperate rainforest in which you’re playing for the morning.
Spa at the Four Seasons Whistler
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Following our three-hour Ziptrek tour and our walk back to the Four Seasons (on Blackcomb) from Whistler Village, we were ready to warm up and the spa was the ideal place to do so. We walked down in our robes from our room and were welcomed with a delicate tray of tea and bite-size morsels of dried fruit before we headed in. The dressing room was fully stocked with amenities (from robes and towels to hair dryers, lotions, hair spray, and anything else you would need to get ready after a spa visit) and we waited in a tranquil lounge before our appointments.
We were booked for a West Coast Marine Scrub and an Apres Ski Massage, and I let Keira take her pick of treatments — she opted for the scrub. Just the right amount of pressure and a warm towel wrap on my chilled feet had me drifting away before the 50 minutes of Apres Zip were up and us girls were reunited in the lounge. We took our time then grabbed our suits and went outside for a dip in one of the resort’s many hot tubs. After spending hours on the mountain it was nice to spend an equal amount of time in our robes, reflecting on the day.
Four Seasons Whistler lobby
Throughout the weekend we also enjoyed dinner at Alta Bistro and breakfast at Elements Bistro, both were cozy, unique, and offered delicious health-conscious dishes with gluten free options. At Elements we sat at the bar for breakfast, mesmerized by the preparation of their infamous brie-stuffed French toast, and at Alta Bistro Keira remarked that it was so warm and welcoming it was as though we were all dining at someone’s home.
I find that the key to planning any weekend away is to have a few key building blocks in place (like where you’re staying and what your main activity will be) and then let the rest flow so you’re not stuck to a schedule.
For meals I consulted few a resources. The first was The Celiac Scene for Gluten-Free options for Keira, and the second was simply Yelp. Other than that, we played it by ear, like making the compulsory breakfast stop at the Southside Diner in Creekside on our way back to Vancouver.
The trip was the perfect way to start our holiday season, with our first steps in snow and our first glance at twinkling Christmas lights strung up on evergreens. My ultimate goal was to have an epic “girls getaway” and to also warm Keira up to Whistler. When she looked at me in the car and said “I can’t think of a reason to give any of the places we visited any less than 5 stars on Yelp,” I knew my mission was accomplished.
Ballet BC is proud to announce the return to Vancouver of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from December 28th until December 31st, 2013 with three evening performances and two matinees.
Photo courtesy of the Alberta Ballet. Credit: Darren Makowichuk
Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, with sets and costumes designed by Emmy Award-winning designer Zack Brown, The Nutcracker is set in turn of the 20th century Imperial Russia, an era of opulent grandeur. This production “…sparkles like a Fabergé egg…” says the Vancouver Sun and extravagantly displays more than a million dollars in stunning sets and costumes. With scores of children, mice in the battle scene dressed as Cossack soldiers, and snowflakes dressed as Russian princesses, this “sparking and spectacular achievement” (The Calgary Herald) offers a perfect complement to Tchaikovsky’s glorious musical score played live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Choreography: Edmund Stripe; Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Live Music: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; Set & Costumes: Zack Brown; Lighting Design: Pierre Lavoie
Performance times are 7:30pm on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, December 28th to December 30th and 2:00pm matinées on Sunday and Tuesday, December 29th and December 31st.
Tickets for The Nutcracker can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-2787 (855-985ARTS) or online, and range in price from $26.50-$85 (excluding service charges). Family packs and child prices available.
Nutcracker New Year’s Eve in Vancouver Contest
Thanks to Ballet BC, the St. Regis Hotel, and Gotham Steakhouse, I have a fantastic prize to offer. I wanted to make this an unforgettable night at the theatre inspired by a date night John and I had earlier this year and these three partners have definitely delivered! The following prize package will go to one lucky reader and a guest to enjoy on New Year’s Eve:
- Two matinée tickets to Alberta Ballet The Nutcracker Presented by Ballet BC on December 31, 2013.
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- A one night stay at the St. Regis Hotel on December 31, 2013. Perfectly located in the centre of downtown Vancouver, the St. Regis Hotel offers award-winning service and refined boutique hotel accommodations. The independent, Canadian-owned and operated St. Regis recently completed a total renovation that brought this beautiful heritage building up to the highest level of modern comfort and finish. You stay includes a complimentary full breakfast, high-speed internet, and more within steps of every downtown attraction.
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- Following the show, warm up with a complimentary round of cocktails for two at Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar. The cocktail bar at Gotham is a sexy, art deco-inspired space to savour a drink and some lively conversation with friends or clients. And nothing goes better with a stiff cocktail than a baby grand. Guests at the cocktail bar enjoy live music from Thursday to Sunday nights.
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Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
- Share this post on Pinterest (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 19, 2013. Prize is only valid for December 31, 2013 and can not be exchanged for any other date combinations. Should the winner drawn be unable to use the prize on December 31, 2013, a new winner will be selected at random from all entries.
Update The winner is Mike! (Comment December 12, 2013 at 1:12 PM)
Broadway Across Canada presents Blue Man Group at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre coming up in March, 2014. Known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment, the New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.”
Photo credit © Paul Kolnik
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton St, Vancouver
When: March 25th to March 30th, 2014
Pre-Sale Code: Use this purchase link and the code PONCHO between December 11th and December 15th, 2013 to take advantage of the pre-sale.
Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.
The general on-sale date for Blue Man Group in Vancouver is Monday, December 16, 2013. Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about the shows they will be bringing to Vancouver in 2014.
Throughout the year my pal Marc Smith chronicles his adventures one day at a time, in themes that last for 30 days. He’s featured food truck eating, random acts of kindness, ethnic eats, travel, and more in 30-day spans.
Along with his video series co-host Steven Schelling, Marc has come up with 30 items that would make great gifts for the holidays and has put together a calendar of gift-giving complete with giveaways for each category he features.
1. Gifts for Him (Contest Closed)
2. Gifts for Her (Contest Closed)
3. Gifts for Party Host (Contest Closed)
4. Gifts for Pets (Contest Prize: The “Good Dog” Gift Pail)
5. Gifts for Foodies (Contest Prize: The Missing Ingredient)
6. Gifts for Home (Contest Prize: Escents Aromatherapy Gift Basket)
7. Gifts for the Kitchen (Contest Prize: Cuisinart Countertop Steam Oven)
8. Charity Gifts to Buy (Upcoming)
9. Gifts to give the Traveller (Upcoming)
10. Marc & Steven’s Favourite things (Upcoming)
Each contest is open for a few days so be sure to jump in with your entries when the latest gift guide is posted. Follow Marc’s 30 Days of Holiday Gifts series for more information.
The holidays are upon us and that means it’s time for the 5th annual Jon and Roy’s Holiday Special!
This year’s lineup features CBC Radio 2 Drive’s Rich Terfry (aka Buck 65), Horse Feathers, Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemond with guests, and Scott Stanson and David Lang of Current Swell.
The event will be a revue, giving each artist a change to play an intimate “unplugged style” set. Come join in for a warm and festive evening, filled with some of the best music of the Pacific Northwest.
After four successful years of sold out shows at Victoria’s Alix Goolden Hall and Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre, the band will also bring the revue to Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre for the first time.
Jon and Roy Holiday Special
Friday, December 13th in Vancouver at The Vogue Theatre
Presented by the Vogue Theatre, The Georgia Straight and PEAK 102.7FM
Doors at 7:00pm; Tickets: $25 (all ages)
Tickets available at Zulu, Vogue Box Office and online
Saturday December 14th in Courtenay at the Sid Williams Theatre
Doors at 7:00pm; Tickets: $37 (all ages)
Tickets available at theatre box office (442 Cliffe Ave), 1-866-898-TIXX (8499) and online
Sunday, December 15th in Victoria at Alix Goolden Hall
Presented by Atomique Productions and The Zone FM
Doors at 7:00pm ; Tickets: $28 (all ages)
Tickets available at Lyle’s Place, Ditch Records and online
Victoria, BC folk-roots rockers Jon and Roy have been busy on the road since the June 2012 release of their fourth album Let It Go. The group toured with CBC’s Stuart McLean Vinyl Café and toured Western Canada with fellow Victorians Current Swell. They took home the 2013 Western Canadian Music Award for the Best Roots Group and wrapped up recording a new album this month, which is set for release in Winter 2014.
If you would like to attend the Jon and Roy Holiday Special at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver I have a pair of tickets up for grabs. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Since the concert event is this Friday I will draw a winner tomorrow evening. Contest ends at 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The winner will receive two tickets to the Vancouver show.
Update The winner is Vicki!
