Whistler | Canada

[Whistler Blackcomb]

Raise your hand if it's your Birthday ;)

Peak 2 Peak Gondola views

Alpine Touring!

Decker Glacier | backcountry

Loaded Buttermilk Waffle* | Crystal Hut 

Backcountry skin out

Whistler Brewing Co.

Glühwein break | Hortsman Hut 

views from Blackcomb

skiing Blackcomb Glacier

Olympic Winter Games Podium

Cappuccino break | Raven's Nest

Peak 2 Peak 

Garibaldi Lift Company | Bloody Caesar 

headed from Graystone Condos to Merlin's

Ramen Noodles | Rendezvous Lodge

sister skiing | sisters Après

Sauvignon Blanc | Roundhouse Lodge

*berry compote, whipped cream, bananas, chocolate shavings, bacon + A SHOT OF BAILEYS

Whistler Blackcomb

 Lately it has been all about embracing life in Canada - from the West Coast in British Columbia to the East Coast in Quebec. So that's where I've been. I needed more winter than New England could give. I missed the snow. 

Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia is at the top of her class. Fourteen of us stayed slope-side in the Graystone Condos on Blackcomb Mountain just above the upper village and a ten minute walk to the main village. Besides getting our fill of skiing six days on piste we spent an intense day touring the backcountry with Extremely Canadian. Our skilled guides Les and Chelsea lead us to the top of Decker Glacier and back. Head over to Joy of Outside for specifics on our Canadian Backcountry adventure and a detailed recap of the trip with helpful planning tips!

For on mountain food and drink don't miss the Japanese ramen and pulled pork poutine at Rendezvous, the Glühwein (pronounced glue-vine, a German hot mulled wine) at the Hortsman Hut on Blackcomb summit and the loaded buttermilk waffle at the mid mountain Crystal Hut. For après - bloody caesars at Garibaldi Lift Company and the shot ski + dancing on stage at Merlin's Bar & Grill make the top of our list!

More soon!!

Chamonix - Mont Blanc | France

A big, crazy, adventurous group of friends rented a chalet in the French Alps for a week. In the mighty, crevasse filled, powder steeped, bluebird sky tipped mountains of Chamonix, France (and Cormayeur, Italy) we skied hard. It snowed heavy nearly every evening. By morning as the fog rose steadily above the vast jagged peaks, the warmth of the sunshine combined with the fresh, deep powder, our happiness radiated at a constant high.

The quintessentially French mountain village of Chamonix on the one hand is quaint and inviting, with patisseries and boulangeries where croque monsieur, crepes and Vin Chaud are sold street-side. Fantastic restaurants range from the cozy and homey with steaming French onion soup, pots of fondue, and rich spaghetti carbonara, (topped with a layer of parmesan cheese and a runny egg yolk) to the elegant and refined with escargots bathing in a pesto sauce, buttery foie gras dishes and perfectly cooked duck a l'orange. Add to that a bustling tourist scene with elegant fromage and chocolate shoppes and an endless variety of name brand ski apparel stores. On the other hand it hosts a vibrant après ski and nightlife party, with live music and table dancing, pitchers of Pelfourth and Kronenbourg, bottle service and rounds of shots.

Skiing in the Alps was incomparable. Most notably, there was the 20km off piste run, the legendary Vallee Blanche - which begins with a descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi. Harnessed to one another and our guides we hiked down a ridge edge with a 40 degree pitch on both sides. Then we skied all day among the glaciers, untouched snow and the most breathtaking scenery Mont Blanc range has to offer. 

 Favorite spots in downtown Chamonix:

Apres Ski - Elevation 1904, Chambre Neuf

Fine Dining - Hameau Albet 1er, Le Cap Horn

Party - Les Caves, Barberousse