Breathing fresh air beneath a star-dotted sky,
you'll zoom up a forested trail at speeds of
up to 40 kilometres per hour, catching mag-
ical glimpses of the Whistler Village lights
flashing between powder-dusted pines.
Travelling with your group into the high
alpine in a single-file parade, you'll quickly
get the knack of navigating your snowmo-
bile around tight bends and through heavy
snowdrifts. The journey offers a fun way to
forge bonds with friends and family, whether
you all live for helicopter and jet-ski thrills or
are complete adrenaline newbies. (Drivers
must be 19 or over with a valid licence, but
passengers on two-up snowmobiles can be
as young as five.)
When you reach the Crystal Hut, a
feast of food and music awaits. Relish the
warmth in the rustic wood-panelled room
as you dip fresh-baked crusty bread into a
gooey, mouthwatering fondue that blends
emmental and gruyere. Local charcuterie
with cured meats and artisan cheeses aug-
ments the spread, along with pan-roasted
chorizo sausage and IPA bratwurst with
Dijon. For vegetarians, tempting alternatives
like plant-based Italian sausage and vegan
chili are available.
Meanwhile, local musicians enliven the
vibe with acoustic guitar-driven tunes. You
just might find yourself singing along to Ed
Sheeran's "Shape of You" or Neil Young's
"Heart of Gold." In between songs, check
out the deck to admire the panorama of
moonlit glaciers, and the sight of Fitzsim-
mons Creek twisting between Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains.
If you feel a bit like a celebrity as you
make your return descent, the sense is legit-
imate: by taking the tour, you've joined ski
royalty Ashleigh McIvor, the 2010 Olympic
women's ski cross gold medalist; rock royalty
in Kiss bassist Gene Simmons; and literal
royalty in King Charles III.
Few winter activities deliver both a
heart-stirring adventure and a hearty feed.
This one overdelivers—in a winning way.
Tours run December through April. For
more details, contact Canadian Wilderness
Adventures (canadianwilderness.com).
FULL THROTTLE
Crystal Hut awaits after a 6,000 foot carve
up the mountain (top); snowcats clear
the path (left); equal parts adrenaline and
indulgence, the four-hour snowmobile
adventure's big thrills culminate in a
"cheesy" night of escape (below).
LIFT, LODGE,
LOUNGE
If you're extending your
Whistler Blackcomb
stay for more than just
a snowmobile, the Epic
Pass has become the
most affordable way to
hit the hills as day passes
have climbed in price
(though the Epic is only
available for purchase
until late November).
Here's what's new to the
program this year.
FRIENDLY DISCOUNTS
Sure, a solo ski trip can
be good for the soul,
but so is sharing it with
friends. This year, the
pass includes six Epic
Friend tickets, giving
your fellow riders a
half-price lift ticket for
the day.
SWEET DIGS
You'll get discounts on
local stays: 20 percent
off at Lodging Ovations
properties including
Legends Whistler,
Evolution Whistler and
First Tracks Lodge or 10
percent off Fairmont
Chateau Whistler,
Blackcomb Springs Suites
and Pangea Pod Hotel.
A LITTLE MORE APRÈS
Get a post-snow discount
at Crystal Hut, Glacier
Creek Lodge, Rendezvous,
Roundhouse, Chic Pea,
Raven's Nest, Garbo's,
Harmony Hut, Horstman
Hut and Ollie's Grilled
Cheese.
BC B U S I N E SS NOVEM B ER/ D ECEM B ER 2025 | 53
