My little sister Stephanie is one of my most favourite people. She and I have always been close. I trust her with any secret, I value her advice but most importantly she makes me laugh. My love for her expanded in a way I didn’t expect when I had the boys and made her an Aunty. Seeing the way she makes their eyes light up is a true reflection of how special their relationship is. We are so lucky to have her which is why when she turned the big 3-0 last month, we wanted to celebrate!! What better way to celebrate a milestone birthday on the west coast than with a weekend in Whistler! Here are some of the ways we celebrated. 

Accommodation 

I booked us a two bedroom suite at the Crystal Lodge. Steph really wanted the kids to be a part of the weekend so we knew we’d need a separate bedroom for the kids to sleep in and this two bedroom suite was perfect. We arrived in Whistler and immediately checked in. When we arrived in the room we were greeted with a lovely bottle of white wine and huge 3-0 balloons! I’d also brought a bouquet from the incredible Maple Ridge Florists to brighten things up. The suite felt perfectly festive; it was such a nice touch to be welcomed with so many goodies to make Steph feel special. 

We had a drink in the room, taking in the view, while we got ready for dinner and the kids played. Having the extra space to spread out and accommodate all of the toys was a great decision! Crystal Lodge is a wonderfully central location in Whistler village. Steps to the Whistler Blackcomb Gondolas, village activities, shopping, bars and restaurants which makes it a great choice for a weekend in Whistler. Their winter perks also include ski valet service, boot and glove drying stations, games room, outdoor pool and hot tub, all in such a beautiful space. The staff are always so welcoming, it really does feel like a home away from home!

Eating, Drinking and More Eating 

Steph chose Earls Whistler for our first night and the Mexican Corner the second night. So what does a good sister do? I booked reservations for both. We had such a lovely dinner at Earls, so many incredible dishes to choose from. We started with a selection of appies and then had pasta and a salmon dish. So delicious and such a treat to be out enjoying food I didn’t cook, LOL! We enjoyed the BEST cheesecake with a fresh raspberry coulis as we sang Happy Birthday. It was honestly SO good, we are still talking about how amazing the food was and how warm the hospitality was. 

Both mornings we had breakfast at the cutest crepe place, called Hot Buns Café, literally right across the street from the Crystal Lodge. It’s so refreshing to walk out of the hotel and have so many food choices on the doorstep. A good location is essential for a weekend in Whistler! It wasn’t the location that brought us back two days in a row though, the crepes were SO good. We had the nutella crepe and the berry waffle both days. We will definitely be going back. They really pack all the goodness on and the boys loved them. So decadent and so convenient. 

Dinner the second night, after the spa, was equally delicious and so authentically Mexican.  Margaritas were on special and were they ever special haha! There was no shortage of tequila and they went down very nicely! We walked down the village stroll for ice cream afterwards. It was a clear evening and so nice to get out in the fresh air. Walking around Whistler in the evening is so peaceful. It also offers some great people watching and window shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxing

Scandinave Spa Whistler is magical. The location couldn’t be more beautiful and the vibe is so serene. It’s the ultimate relaxation, the highlight of any weekend in Whistler. We enjoyed the hot and cold baths and massages. My Mom and Steph had deep tissue massages and I had the restorative massage which was out of this world. I can’t wait to go back. I wish I got the name of my masseuse, she was incredible. It was exactly what this tired mama needed. 

We also had a special treat and tried out the Guided Hydrotherapy, a 40-minute guided thermal cycle which was very enjoyable. I felt like such a boss when I conquered the cold plunge. My mom and sister bowed out and watched me from the cafe in the lounge area and said they couldn’t believe how focused and calm I was haha. Goes to show how strong a mom is! 

I love anytime we can go to the Scandinave Spa. It is truly a wonderful experience. I love the way silence is encouraged at the spa. This is hard with my Mom, Steph and I but I love being able to connect with myself and have a few minutes of uninterrupted peace. I laid in one of the hammocks and looked up into the beautiful sunset, surrounded by the trees and nature… It felt very grounding. I don’t get much time to relax and reflect these days so having a calm moment to be alone with my thoughts was wonderful. 

Exploring Whistler 

On our last day, we stored our luggage with Crystal Lodge and went to explore Whistler a little before we hit the road home. We spent a lot of time at the adventure park in the Whistler Olympic Village. The boys loved it. There’s just so much to keep them occupied and having fun. We had some margarita pizza and drinks at the Brewhouse. It was so nice to sit outside in the warm sunshine. October was so beautiful this year and we made the most of it. After some patio time we did some shopping and then headed home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A weekend in Whistler never disappoints. This trip was extra special as we celebrated Steph turning 30. There are so many great dining options, excellent shops and ways to celebrate any occasion. There’s also so many adventures for kids to have and that fresh mountain air tires them out! 

Have you visited Whistler recently? I know I’ll be back soon and want to hear your recommendations for places to eat, explore and shop. I’d love to get up there with Gary sometime so romantic dinner options are welcome too!