Choosing a Vacation Rental Property in Whistler, BC
Whistler is perhaps the best ski resort in North America; there is certainly nothing close for the vertical drop, the acreage of groomed slopes and the variety of expert terrain. However, there is also a wide variety of rental accommodation, and before choosing, it would be good to educate yourself on the options and their implications.
Whistler properties vary along 3 key dimensions: size, quality/style, and location. We don’t need to say much about the size; there are properties on the rental market ranging from 350 m2 shoe boxes. ft to imposing chalets of 6000 m2. foot or more. Quality is another matter entirely. Much of Whistler’s rental inventory was built in the 1980s and 1990s, when the resort profile was lower and cost was the name of the game. Most developments were built with nonchalant design, cheap materials, shoddy fixtures and fittings, and unimaginative decor at best. You don’t want to vacation in a condo with blue carpet, magnolia walls, Formica countertops, shiny brass bathroom fixtures, and garish sofas.
So you either need to look for one of the more recent developments, such as Taluswood, which was built to a much higher specification, or you need to find a unit that has been recently renovated (or ‘Whistlerized’, as the local term has it). ‘Whistlerization’ typically involves the installation of slate floors, granite countertops, stone fireplaces, wood cabinets, beams and trim, and paint in earthy fall tones of café au lait, caramel and burgundy. These units have a much more mountain cabin feel. Prime properties in Whistler go a step or three further, with spectacular designs and very high quality finishes, although only a few of these properties are on the rental market.
Location is perhaps the key issue when choosing your rental in Whistler. Although it is only a small city, there are many different areas that you can choose for your vacation, and each of them has advantages and disadvantages.
The Village is the place to be for its proximity to bars and restaurants, and for being a relatively short walk from the ski lifts. However, most of the inventory at the Village is small, with one- and two-bedroom units dominating the mix, and it’s all built to an affordable standard. Finding a unit that has received a recent quality renovation is critical. There are also one or two units that are larger, but you may have to look hard to find them.
Upper Village is located on the lower slopes of Blackcomb Mountain. This is the location of the ski-in, ski-out units that are also reasonably accessible to the Village. However, if you want to ski, be sure to check what this means. Some properties are actually on the slopes; others, still calling themselves ‘ski-in, ski-out’, can be up to a 5-minute walk away. Others are ski-in, but not ski-out.
The second main location for ski-in, ski-out units is Taluswood on the lower slopes of Whistler Mountain. This is a very exclusive area with a variety of accommodation but all to a high quality standard using peeled logs, natural materials and quality decor. Access to the slopes is very easy, with no more than a 2 minute walk from most properties. However, you do need a vehicle to get to the shops and restaurants, as this area is not served by the free shuttle service or municipal buses.
The fourth location is Creekside, the original Whistler location. This used to be a very cheap area, but recent big investments have made it a decent alternative to the Village. The Creekside Gondola is always less crowded than the Village elevators, and there is now a great selection of shops and restaurants in town. The quality of accommodation is very mixed, with many unattractive older properties and some newer luxury villas that are the same as anything in Whistler. You can walk to the elevators from most places in Creekside.
Finally, there’s a selection of other locations, including Blueberry Hill, Nicklaus North, and Alpine Meadows. You’ll usually find bigger houses here, but there’s no access to the slopes and you’ll also have to drive to the Village. However, you will get more for your money in terms of property quality and size here.
As with most things, it pays to consult an expert. If you’re looking for accommodations in Whistler, give the folks at Holiday Whistler a call. They will be able to help you with good advice.