Vancouver & Whistler - restaurants and 'must see' things
Discussion
I'm in Seattle at the moment and we are driving up to Vancouver for 3 days today.
Does anybody have any recommendations of nice/different restaurants and things to do? We are going to see the Aquarium and will be doing some shopping.
Also, we are driving up to Whistler for a day (not skiing, just having a look around) - can we still get a cablecar up the mountain? Is there anything we really should do while we are there (aside from skiing)? Oh, is the road from Vancouver generally clear, or do we *really* need snowchains?
Does anybody have any recommendations of nice/different restaurants and things to do? We are going to see the Aquarium and will be doing some shopping.
Also, we are driving up to Whistler for a day (not skiing, just having a look around) - can we still get a cablecar up the mountain? Is there anything we really should do while we are there (aside from skiing)? Oh, is the road from Vancouver generally clear, or do we *really* need snowchains?
Whistler has had 197cm (7ft!!) of snow over the past week, so I'd think chains would be a pretty good idea 
Once there, you can take the lift from the village as a foot passenger to then take the peak to peak at the top. Well worth it if its a clear day.
In Van, I'd suggest a night in Gastown (perhaps eat at Guu, a really good Japanese Restaurant) and a night at Vij's Indian on 11th and Granville (south of False Creek).
Once there, you can take the lift from the village as a foot passenger to then take the peak to peak at the top. Well worth it if its a clear day.In Van, I'd suggest a night in Gastown (perhaps eat at Guu, a really good Japanese Restaurant) and a night at Vij's Indian on 11th and Granville (south of False Creek).
If you are feeling a bit adventurous whilst in Whistler, try these !!
http://www.whistlersnowmobile.com/
http://www.whistlersnowmobile.com/
Edited by Louis. on Tuesday 28th December 06:51
If your in the area and not skiing then viewing the bald eagle's at brackendale is worth a look
http://www.brackendaleeagles.com/index.html
As for driving up to whistler, doubt you will have any troubles getting up there, they may have had lots of snow but they also have lots of snow ploughs and they actually use them, the sea to sky highway is a major road used by vancouverites to get to whistler, many of them in 2wd and not all of them with M+S tyres, it's unlikely to be a problem up to whistler, i wouldn't go north of there though as there is a pass that was snow covered when we did it, still passable with a 4x4 with M+S.
In all our trips to the US and Canada skiing we have never actually had to put on snow chains in a 4x4 with M+S, we have come close a couple of times and had to carry them by law in CA but even with 10ft of snow in a week last year at tahoe we never got the chains out of the boot.
The ferry across to Vancouver island can show you some interesting scenery also, very "moody" if there is low cloud hanging in the islands, may be worth you heading back to Seattle that way via Victoria and down to the Olympic peninsula and back across the sound to Seattle.
The road up to cypres mountain also has some lookouts that give good views of the area with all the supertankers/container ships moored up in the bay and then across Stanly park to Vancouver downtown.
Disclaimer - The poster will not be held responsible if you block the Sea to Sky highway and get beaten up by hoards of snowboarders who cant get fresh pow because of you. Please apply common sense, if its actually snowing and you only have a 2wd with summer tyres, maybe think again
http://www.brackendaleeagles.com/index.html
As for driving up to whistler, doubt you will have any troubles getting up there, they may have had lots of snow but they also have lots of snow ploughs and they actually use them, the sea to sky highway is a major road used by vancouverites to get to whistler, many of them in 2wd and not all of them with M+S tyres, it's unlikely to be a problem up to whistler, i wouldn't go north of there though as there is a pass that was snow covered when we did it, still passable with a 4x4 with M+S.
In all our trips to the US and Canada skiing we have never actually had to put on snow chains in a 4x4 with M+S, we have come close a couple of times and had to carry them by law in CA but even with 10ft of snow in a week last year at tahoe we never got the chains out of the boot.
The ferry across to Vancouver island can show you some interesting scenery also, very "moody" if there is low cloud hanging in the islands, may be worth you heading back to Seattle that way via Victoria and down to the Olympic peninsula and back across the sound to Seattle.
The road up to cypres mountain also has some lookouts that give good views of the area with all the supertankers/container ships moored up in the bay and then across Stanly park to Vancouver downtown.
Disclaimer - The poster will not be held responsible if you block the Sea to Sky highway and get beaten up by hoards of snowboarders who cant get fresh pow because of you. Please apply common sense, if its actually snowing and you only have a 2wd with summer tyres, maybe think again
Edited by ViperDave on Tuesday 28th December 09:11
inkiboo said:
If you like Japanese, go to Tojo's. Bloody stunning.
I totally agree, I was in Canada back in July for my honeymoon and it was so good we went twice. I recommend the 'Omakase'. Watch out for anyone having a birthday celebration there, we thought they were taking the p*ss the first time we heard them singing Happy Birthday!If you like Steak I would recommend 'Gothams' too. It's definitely one of the best steak house you'll ever visit.
Cheers
Flipper
You should be fine without snow chains. Hire a 4x4 if you're worried, but as others have said, the Sea to Sky is kept pretty clear. There's a pull out just north of Squamish where you'll be pulled over if it is really that bad, but listen to MOuntain FM (102.something, IIRC) and you;ll get good warning of whether you need chains.
If you get to Whistler, try Sachi Sushi for sushi, Teppan Village for teppan, Hy's for steak or the Brewhouse for microbrewery beer. Or Cows for ice cream.
If you get to Whistler, try Sachi Sushi for sushi, Teppan Village for teppan, Hy's for steak or the Brewhouse for microbrewery beer. Or Cows for ice cream.
I have a home in Whistler so know it well. Get the main gondola up to the top of Blackcomb then jump on the Peak to Peak gondola between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain, make sure you get in the bubble with the glass bottom, the views are amazing. Once on the Whistler side grab some lunch and arrange for a guided sleigh ride back down to the bottom.
If you are staying for the evening your choice is almost limitless, just ask a local for advice.
As for getting to Whistler the Sea to Sky highway was updated prior to the winter Olympics earlier this year and is now a great road. It is rare that you would need snow chains as the ploughs are very good
If you are staying for the evening your choice is almost limitless, just ask a local for advice.
As for getting to Whistler the Sea to Sky highway was updated prior to the winter Olympics earlier this year and is now a great road. It is rare that you would need snow chains as the ploughs are very good
Thanks guys. We got to Whistler yesterday, but being in holiday mode didnt arrive especially early and only had about 10 minutes of the gondola operating left, so it wasn't worth the $100 to get up the mountain. We had a decent time and some nice food though, and are back in Vancouver now.
The roads were fine. 1 more full day in Vancouver then back to Seattle!
The roads were fine. 1 more full day in Vancouver then back to Seattle!
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