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

Araxi | Whislter Village

Our trip to Whistler in late February wasn't given enough attention here - I had time for one quick post before it was off to Quebec!

But now I'm taking it back to my birthday dinner on our first night in Whistler Village. Araxi is so, so good and a must visit if you've made the journey out to British Columbia's most exceptional ski resort. We had a group of 12 and I made reservations over a month in advance. Even then the only time they had open was 6 pm. I had proclaimed The Progress (San Francisco) my favorite meal of 2016 at the time - this was back in January and the year was young. Araxi is another worthy contender, featuring an oyster bar and locally sourced Pacific Northwest plates in a swanky space. Just gaze at that platter of expertly shucked, glistening oysters, that remarkably smooth terrine of foie gras, and those tender pink morsels of roasted venison.

In order of appearance (prices are in CAD)

Dungeness Crab + Egg Crepe Roll ($19.50) - fresh crab with avocado, wild sockeye salmon, yuzo mayonnaise, watercress salsa verdo, citrus soya and yuzu pearls

Firecracker Margarita ($13.50) | tequila blanco, Contreau, hibiscus, basil, lime, jalapeno, smoked sea salt rim. Araxi has an extensive and fabulous cocktail, spirits and wine list.

Quebec Foie Gras Parfait ($22.50) - red wine poached and spiced Okanagan pears, candied kumquats, toast

Oysters ($3.50 each) - Beach Angels, Cortes Island - deep cup, briny, tangy, clean kiwi like finish / Sawmill Bay, Read Island - briny, spicy, sweet fruity finish / Zen, Denman Island - plump, sweet, cucumber finish

Roast Loin of Venison ($45.50) - pepper crusted and roasted, Okanagan apple and pear chutney, crisp parmesan polenta, baby onions and Pemberton salsify

Seared Wild Scallops ($39.50) - light curry and orange glaze, toasted pine nuts, currants, butternut squash, broccoli and roasted rutabaga with herb salad

Passionfruit Mousse (12.50) - lemon sponge cake with passionfruit mousse, toasted coconut mango sorbet and fresh pineapple

Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar
4222 Village Square
Whistler, BC VON 1B4, Canada

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!!