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B IL L G R IM S H AW A ND S PA : WED G E M O U N TA IN LO D G E A ND S PA ; T HE PE A K 2 PE A K G O ND O L A : D E S T IN AT I O N B C/A ND R E W S T R A IN; WHI S T L ER V IL L AG E: TO U R I S M WHI S T L ER /J U S TA J E S KOVA 58 B C B U S I N E S S . C A N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 24 12:30 P.M. ABOVE IT ALL All that leisurely sitting and high altitudes works up an appetite, so a natural stop for both athletes and relax-thletes (coined it here first) is Steeps Grill (4853 Springs Ln., whistlerblackcomb .com), perched atop Whistler Mountain in the Roundhouse Lodge (we go Peak 2 Peak and Lodge 2 Lodge around here). The vibe is "busy chalet" meets "fancy mountain pub," and the menu is about the same. The short-rib poutine ($28) is as good as it sounds: fries smothered in slow-cooked beef and squeaky curds (we relax- thletes need to carbo-load too), with some crispy kale snuck in for good measure. Then, after filling up on panoramic views and slow-cooked meats, it's time for me to head down (not that way, though!). 1:00 P.M. THE VILLAGE PEOPLE Party central awaits at the foot of the mountain. This is the intersection of athlete and patio, where nightlife begins after lunch and college kids can be found dancing on tables and coordinating theme outfits (in this case, the theme appears to be denim). I'm not particularly in the mood to hop up there with them (is it the poutine or my knees? A lady never tells) so instead I stroll the Village promenade, popping into Ruby Tuesday (26a–4314 Main St., rubytuesdayaccessories .com) to peruse some glittery things—I've been flirting with the idea of an anklet for a while now—and then Helly Hansen and The North Face (4295 Blackcomb Wy., hellyhansen.com; 32–4314 Saturday 10:00 A.M. ON THE UP- AND-UP While skiers and boarders clomp around in their boots trying their best not to face plant on the stairs, I'm in my leisure-casual best, headed up on the gondola to experience the beauty of the mountains without the need to slide down them. The Peak 2 Peak gondola (whistlerblackcomb .com) is the perfect, easy ride between Blackcomb and Whistler mountains: I'm lucky to nab one of the special ones with a transparent glass bottom. It's not for the height- wary, but I get to sit the whole time and I don't need to know how to brake—gondola riders, 1; snowboarders, 0. After my peaceful high-flying mountain hop adventure is done, I grab an obligatory selfie standing triumphantly in front of the Olympic rings, partly because that's as close as I'm ever going to get to them, and partly because I feel like a winner. 6:45 P.M. HOME COOKIN' Dinner is courtesy of our own private chef Bill Grimshaw, but there's also top-tier staff here who float in the back- ground to cater to any Peak Diva whims. (They'll even laugh at your puns! Now this is five-star service!) The meal is a love letter to the region's best local producers, and, more im- portantly, fondue: a great way to experience cha- let culture while justifying the eating of So. Much. Cheese. We feast on braised short ribs, fresh lemon-zest-dusted salmon roasted with veggies and another round of fondue— this time, of the chocolate variety and featuring fruit and house-made marshmallows. (Fondue is a major part of the Mountain Glamour Goddess lifestyle, I'm quickly learning.) 9:00 P.M. TAKING THE PLUNGE The best way to ward off a post-fondue coma? By taking another kind of dip. If you're a cold plunge die-hard, you can easily go from hot to cold in the 3,000-square-foot spa here at Wedge Mountain. Challenge accepted. I move from the sauna to the ice-cold pool, Wim Hof-ing my heart out under the stars. WHISTLER G E T A W A Y G U I D E TAKE ME HIGHER From top clockwise: The view from the Peak 2 Peak gondola; Après- ing slopeside at Garibaldi Lift Co.; Whistler Village

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