Earlier this week I packed up + headed to the mountains w my pal Tessa (of TessaLindsayGarcia.com). It’s where we go to get out of the city, get some downtown, relax, get pampered and eat really good food. Whistler to me is the perfect local getaway — not only is it a 2 hour drive out of the city with lots of great hotels to suit every budget, amazing restaurants, spas and a super chill vibe but its also nestled in the forests of the majestic mountains that British Columbia is known for.
Every time I come it’s a brand new experience all over again, a little different each time. To document, I’ve listed some highlights from this trip below:
Accommodation: Nita Lake Lodge
We stayed in a gorgeous open concept two bedroom, two-storey suite overlooking Nita Lake. Big bath tub, heated floors, big outdoor patio, fireplace & full kitchenette. There really wasn’t anything we needed that they didn’t have and it was so nice to come back to the suite after a full day out in the village.
Overall, I found Nita Lake Lodge to be extremely welcoming and comfortable with great local decor, wifi and big comfy beds. The staff were exceptional and the grounds are unreal. With two floating docks off the lake, lots of hiking trails surrounding and a guest shuttle that takes you to/from the village for dinner etc., I would say it can’t get much better than this.
If you do end up staying somewhere else be sure to stop by for a handcrafted cocktail on the lakeside patio at Cure or dinner at Aura. You won’t be disappointed!
Cocktails: Cure Lounge + Patio
After getting settled in we sipped the most delicious handcrafted cocktails on their outdoor patio overlooking the lake. In addition to drinks we also picked on a charcuterie board – delicious!
Dinner: Aura Restaurant
Such good food! We enjoyed a lake view 3-course meal over wine pairings. I loved the style of this place — fresh, modern and inspired by the west coast.
What we ate — First course: Baby Kale + Boston Bibb Salad, Second course: Linguine pasta w/ braised short rib, Third course: Warm sticky toffee pudding. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend.
Spa: Scandinave Spa
If you’ve never been, this is a must — and a total highlight for me. We didn’t go into the actual ‘spa’ part, we went for the baths! First of all, the spa’s rustic installations are nestled on the edge of the Lost Lake Park spruce and cedar forest. So basically, it’s the most gorgeous place on earth and a complete slice of heaven. V loosely, how it works is you rotate through different hot & cold installations (or baths), steam rooms and saunas.
The cycle of hot-cold-relax is proven to both energize and rest the body, improving blood circulation and activating the lymphatic system to help detoxification. It also actively promotes the release of endorphins and reduce stress. For more on hydrotherapy click here.
Lunch: Fifis Bistro
This cute little bistro is located in the Village and features lots of yummy options plus some vegan ones if that’s you. We stopped in for lunch after the spa and sipped delicious mocktails, tried the thick hand cut fries and shared the spinach beet salad. One thing — the moroccan smashed chickpea sandwich was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Highly recommend!
Dinner: Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar
We were completely spoiled at Araxi for our last night in Whistler + enjoyed a fancy five-course meal with wine. Of course, after cocktails which might I add were D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.
What we ate — First Course: Smoked tomato soup, Second Course: Halibut Ceviche, Third Course: first of the season Pemberton lettuces, Fourth Course: grilled tenderloin steak, Fifth Course: first of the season rhubarb.
TIP: if you’re visiting Whistler in the off-season! Most restaurants offer deals on 3-5 course meals so you’re getting A LOT for your value. Its actually pretty insane and completely worth your while. This is why most of the restaurants remain busy year-round, so I’d recommend making reservations where you can.
If you missed my video coverage of our trip on Stories, I’ve created a dedicated highlight on my reel called ‘Whistler’ so you can go back and view it all from beginning to end. If you like what you see, you may want to enter the giveaway that we’ve got going on, on Instagram!
We had such an amazing time in Whistler thanks to our friends at @gowhistler, @scandinavewhist, and @nitalakelodge so today we’d like to give you the opportunity to win a trip of your own to experience it all!
Here’s what you’ll win:
+ one night stay in a studio lakeview suite at Nita Lake Lodge
+ dinner for two at Aura Restaurant (located at Nita Lake Lodge)
+ X2 passes to experience the baths at Scandinave Spa
To enter: make sure you are following us all — including @tesslalindsaygarcia (we WILL be checking! so make sure you follow all rules.) on Instagram if you’re not already doing so. You will also need to tag a friend in the comments who you’d like to bring! The lucky winners will be announced next week!
This post is in partnership with Tourism Whistler. As always, all thoughts + opinions are my own.
Looks like a great place for a getaway with my friend @tararcquinton