Toronto
November 5th, 2010
Wake Up to Whistler
stay
Whistler’s best kept secret—till now—is Nita Lake Lodge. New ownership has brought in a killer kitchen brigade, an Ayurvedic spa, a rooftop garden and has stocked the lake with trout (they’ll even loan you a rod and tackle at the front desk). The large and luxurious rooms with lakefront views are just as inviting as ever. Rooms from $189. Nita Lake Lodge, 2131 Lake Placid Rd. Whistler, B.C., 888-755-6482, www.nitalakelodge.com 
do
This serene part of the Valley Trail calls for biking or cross-country skiing, and once the lake freezes over, look for ice hockey games organized by the Lodge. In summer, the pretty Alta Lake park and playground with boat launch is just steps away. In November, it's wine-tasting time at Cornucopia.
eat
Nita Lake’s Aura restaurant serves up locally foraged mushrooms, Pemberton-grown heirloom beets and artichokes from the Lodge’s own rooftop. Bison flatirons, Sloping Hills porchetta and side-striped prawns are the smartly-sourced support staff to the vegetable-forward menu.
après
Cozy up by the fire in the Cure Lounge at Nita Lake where the thick-cut buttermilk onion rings ($5) are not to be missed. On tap is France’s Kronenbourg 1664—a match made in heaven. Or Whistler. It's all the same to us.July 15th, 2010
Whistler Weekender
Grab the girls and head to the mountains for a weekend of spas, steaks and sun.
dine
The brand new Sidecut steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel boasts an infrared grill that creates the perfect crispy char. Customize your steak with a choice of dipping sauces and rubs, like the spicy and smoky Edison’s Medicine. Sit on the pretty patio and marvel at the serene views. Is that a bear up there? www.fourseasons.com/whistlerdrink
The Bearfoot Bistro’s new Miami-style poolside patio opened officially on July 1. If you can’t take the heat, duck into the restaurant’s new Belvedere Ice Room, don a Canada Goose-down parka, and taste specialty vodkas stored in a wall of ice. Now that’s cool. www.bearfootbistro.comrecover
The new Scandinave Spa off the Lost Lake Trail is a self-contained hydrotherapy haven. Detox in the Finnish sauna and steam room then refresh in the hot and cold plunge pools. Relaxation rooms stocked with contemporary magazines and a policy of silence will help with your head, as will a restorative bowl of lemongrass-miso soup in the bistro. From $55, www.scandinave.com relax
Consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer train to Whistler and arrive already relaxed after a spectacular 3-hour journey through valleys, rivers and waterfalls not seen from the highway. A complimentary drinks cart (remember those?) is a welcome retro touch. Now that’s our idea of “personal training.” From $129, www.whistlermountaineer.comJanuary 9th, 2009
ski scamps
If your little ski-wee is already threatening to board out of bounds, you need to know about this.
The new line of kids' body armour from Sweden's PoCito includes these hot orange spine protectors, as well as helmets, gloves and goggles suitable for budding Ross Rebagliati's ages 4 to 10. Just be glad they aren't "budding" anything else—yet!
Available at Advanced Kinetic Systems, 6-1212 Alpha Lake Rd., Fuction Junction, Whistler B.C., 604-905-1223, www.akswhistler.com
Or order online ($20 shipping to Canada) at Peak Ski Shop.
