To Whistler, BC or not to Whistler ? Cypress/Seymour/Grouse...

[canadien99]

I'm a skier but my buddy (from down south where there is never any snow) who has never ever skiied is coming up to Vancouver with me and wants to try skiing.

Is it worth the drive to (3 hr drive?) Whistler for a beginner to experience Skiing or are we better off climbing the mountain at Cypress, Mt Seymour and Grouse Mountain. Any other good ski places that is closer to Vancouver than Whistler ?

Just my opinion: I've been to Cypress, Mt Seymour and Grouse, but to me, going up to Whistler for the purpose of ski for a beginner would be a waste of the hill given the beginner's abilities. For me, I would think going to whistler would be just to see a world-class resort and maybe get a sneak peak of the Olympic venue.

I remember my very first time skiing was at Mt Tremblant. It was fun, but I stayed on the beginner slopes for the entire day. I could have easily done that at Collingwood/Mt St Louis ... and would have paid much less ....

Your's and anybody's 2 cents would be greatly appreciated.

[Pete_Coach]

Being a former West Coast resident and skied in all those places, I don't know why you would deprive your buddy of the spectacular skiing as well as partying at Whistler? They have a great ski schools and if he don't like it, they have some of the best apre ski in the world. (apre ski at Grouse or Cypress or Seymour kinda sucks by comparison).
Besides, if he has never seen snow before, why not show him some of the best slopes in the world? Oh,.... bring money, and lots of it.

[Pavel]

That Sea To Sky highway is not nicknamed killer highway for nothing. Whistler is now insanely expensive, stick with Grouse, Seymour, or Cypress while learning how to ski.

[canadien99]

Apres-ski is not what we're after at the moment....

Supposedly, sea-to-sky is being converted to Freeeway. Has that improved the driving experience significantly, or it's way too much under construction to be appreciative ?

In addition to:

Seymour
Cypress
Grouse

Anywhere else in GVRD with ski hills ? Anything further east ? Anything good in Washington State before reaching Seattle ?

[Pete_Coach]

You have all the Vancouver areas pretty well summed up.
As for Washington State, the only one within reasonable driving distance s Mt Baker.
Yes, Whistler is a bit pricey but it is world class skiing and apre ski and you pay for that. Also, the highway is really quite good with the exception of the construction going on. Drove to Whistler this past summer and it is really a nice safe drive. if you don't want to drive, there are buses.

[canadien99]

You have all the Vancouver areas pretty well summed up.
As for Washington State, the only one within reasonable driving distance s Mt Baker.
Yes, Whistler is a bit pricey but it is world class skiing and apre ski and you pay for that. Also, the highway is really quite good with the exception of the construction going on. Drove to Whistler this past summer and it is really a nice safe drive. if you don't want to drive, there are buses.

My concern really are the prices and the time of commute. Driving would definitely be faster than busing it. For a day trip, the day would be gone, i would assume. We don't plan to be in Vancouver for very long.

Anywhere where i can get accomodation for less than $100/night ? Any motel6 or comfort inn type of accomodation near Whistler ? Very simple private accomodation, with bed, showers and tv - is all i ask.

[Pavel]

Last year when we went last, the two laned highway just simply sucked and was dangerous. People speed like crazy and cross the line all the time.

The closest accomodation outside Whistler is Squamish but you can be sure it will be expensive there too. Perhaps you may luck out in some Motel 6 in North Van.

[canadien99]

Last year when we went last, the two laned highway just simply sucked and was dangerous. People speed like crazy and cross the line all the time.

The closest accomodation outside Whistler is Squamish but you can be sure it will be expensive there too. Perhaps you may luck out in some Motel 6 in North Van.

How about, what's the cheapest accomodation in Whistler ?