There is no better way to cool off in Whistler post outdoor adventure than bundling up in an iconic Canada Goose parka and stepping inside the Ketel One Ice Room. Located inside the Bearfoot Bistro, the Ketel One Ice Room is the coldest permanent sub-zero vodka room in Canada! Be sure to sign up ahead of time as space is limited and the experience itself is an intimate one. Ideally the experience is best done with a small a group of friends. We suggest a foursome, as body heat can be one’s only saving grace when sipping vodka in -32C temps while you are trying to handle the cold and make the experience last as long as humanly possible. Although the $48 price tag per person does include an informational on the specifics of distillation and filtration, you’ll want to cut straight to chase…4 vodka shots of your very own choosing and as many selfies as your phone will handle before shutting down from the cold. (It truly does happen, so be sure... ...
Banff: A Trip for all Adventure Seekers
Come explore Banff, Canada’s first National Park for yourself. You have to see it to believe it. A vacation on the mountain is not exclusive to skiers and snowboarders as one might assume. Come for a little R&R or an adventure or both. A quick flight to Calgary and a 1 ½ hour drive and I was in paradise. My other option was a 9 hour drive from Vancouver but I was anxious to get there. Downtown Banff is condensed into one Main Street with a few streets branching off from it. With hotels at one end, shops and restaurants at the other and jaw-dropping views in every direction, I was mesmerized from the get-go. My stay at The Fox was like having my own chalet. There is even a hot tub in the center of the hotel that resembles a natural grotto and is open to the sky. What better way to wrap up a busy day of snowshoeing Sunshine Meadows or ice walking Johnston Canyon than soaking in... ...
The Commandments of Après Ski
In the good old days, skiers coined the term après that time of day when one had earned the right to indulge and share their passion for powder and sport. Resort towns like Whistler can trace the inception of après culture back to hippy ski-bum days circa 1967. Today, it is a globally recognized social phenomenon and universal celebration that takes place after sport. Clearly, certain things have evolved over the years but the core elements are consistent. It isn’t a full ski or sports day without après. Establishments like craft breweries and upscale restaurants capitalize on the continuous popularity and expansion of this cool sporting culture but overlook the basics. It’s not the atmosphere or the menu that make for great après but the following ingredients. Cause for celebration: The core vibe of après is a celebration. Traditions may vary but the term itself is universally understood. Après is permission to party, to let your hair-down, raise a glass and celebrate the fact that you have conquered another epic... ...
Christmas Adventures: Peak of Christmas
Did I go to Grouse Mountain or step into a scene of a Christmas movie, that was the question I kept asking myself as I wandered through the Peak of Christmas. Whoever did the decorations for this, nailed it. As if the scenery up on Grouse Mountain isn’t amazing enough, the Peak of Christmas took it to a whole other level. It really looked like a scene of North Pole straight out of a movie. By far my favourite part was the Light Walk. I’m going to try to describe it but this does not even do it justice, it’s really something you just have to see for yourself. They decorated a path with all white lights. It was like walking through an enchanted forest. In some areas the lights were scattered and simple and in others you were surrounded by nothing but white lights. The tunnel made out of lights at the beginning is so beautiful that my friend was convinced it will be a marriage proposal hotspot –... ...
Cirque De La Nuit: Cornucopia After Dark
It’s Friday the 13th and although Cornucopia weekend is winding down, the party is not over yet. The lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is beginning to look more like Vegas or Ibiza than Whistler as entertainers and guests arrive in costume. As the buzz builds, the pre-party energy is expectant. I savor the vibe and slowly unwind. Evolve Cellars Gewurztraminer calls my name so I raise my glass and give thanks. Thanks to friendship, to love and to embracing the mystery of life by letting go of both the past and the future I am able to fully embrace living in the moment. A toast to Cornucopia, to great company and to the mystery of what the night has to offer. Cirque De La Nuit Veradeasi has the vibe of Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity or Mardi Gras but tamer. It is a celebration of the free-spirit and offers the freedom to embrace our authentic selves without judgment or shame and to walk to the beat of our own drums.... ...
Celebrating Abundance at Cornucopia: Whistler Bliss
Celebrate every step you take in life to succeed, Evolve Cellars There is no other singular thing in the world that connects me with my true self than to be outdoors in nature. I am beholden to the majestic power, beauty and strength of the mountains and to the forests that ground me and give me nourishment. They awaken my enthusiasm for life. Merina Koly states it beautifully, “nature makes no mistake”. Everyday we plant seeds of personal growth and nature is living proof that we are all in this together. For me, Whistler is the place where I can turn inward. Whether snowboarding on 7th Heaven or hiking in solitude around Lost Lake, I am grounded here in Whistler. A walk in nature helps me to focus, to be calm and clear about my intentions. Funny how Mother Nature speaks loud and clear when I tune in and listen. We group in the morning at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre where the journey began. I recall the smudging ceremony,... ...
Celebrating Abundance at Cornucopia: Crush
No matter where you are, who you are with or the occasion, there is always a glass of Evolve to change, grow, succeed, and celebrate with you. There are so many ways to celebrate abundance at Cornucopia but one of my favourites is the opportunity to meet and mingle with new people. Ten beautiful women, each with her own story came together to experience the Cornucopia Nourish Retreat. My most powerful instances of courage, faith, trust and inspiration come only when I put myself out there and Cornucopia is no different. Sharing in the beauty of our alpine surrounding, I face any fears, I go with the flow and I allow the whole of the Cornucopia experience to unfold. It’s not until day three of our retreat that I become aware of the scope of what is happening within our group. Experiencing each event together has laid foundation for new friendships and bonds. Less is more when it comes to a retreat. Attending alone or with a close friend truly... ...
Celebrating Abundance at Cornucopia: Finding Balance
“Take a deep breath and embrace yourself as you take your next movement forward”. Evolve Cellars One thing I learned today at the Cornucopia Nourish Retreat is that in an ideal world, wellness is number one. We should be following an 80/20 rule and enjoying everything in moderation. Although this rule favors a pure diet and lifestyle, the other side of balance is about saying yes to the things that bring us pleasure. Two of my biggest weaknesses and favourite indulgences are fine wine and rich, stinky cheese. In reality I live closer to 40/60 ratio so it is a clear reminder that my own personal stats could really use some tweaks and adjustments. To compensate for the good time I had last night at the House Party, Best of BC Cornucopia kick off party, I set off through Whistler village to a yoga class at Yama Yoga studio. Yoga is how I reset my body, mind and spirit. Sharing a studio space and a multi-day experience like the Nourish... ...
Celebrating Abundance at Cornucopia: Endless Possibility
Evolve Cellars encourages us to celebrate life’s precious moments like these. As I stand before the hand-carved, over-sized doors leading into the Squamish Lil-Wat Cultural Center in Whistler I admire the symbol of hands lifted high in gratitude. I am here for the Nourish Retreat, a special edition to the Cornucopia Food and Drink Festival menu, which focuses on personal wellness. Each totem, each canoe, each artifact has a story that represents our rich Canadian heritage. Beyond the cultural center, the Istken Pithouse calls us inside. This is a sacred space where I have come to begin anew and open myself to new possibilities. Adorned in traditional First Nations attire, goddess and Cultural Ambassador Holly Joseph from the Lil-Wat nation welcomes me and our group with open arms; a sacred practice is about to take place. The sacred smudging ceremony begins. One at a time we are invited to let go, to cleanse, to purge any negative thoughts or feelings holding us back from our true potential. Holly Joseph pours... ...