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Complimentary wheels and bike experts on staff attract cyclists to the Aava Whistler Hotel.
(Photo: Courtesy of Aava Whistler Hotel) |
Take your pick of complimentary outdoor pursuits�biking, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle-boarding�at Nita Lake Lodge (from $186). Just steps from a glacier-fed lake and Whistler’s multiuse Valley Trail, the 77-room boutique also houses an on-site yoga studio with daily classes and Whistler’s first yoga wall (complete with harnesses and straps to help perfect your poses), a new hot tub overlooking the lake, and a spa perfect for relaxing sore muscles; in October and November, the 90-minute Swedish massage goes for the price of a 60-minute one ($105). Unwind in rooms boasting basalt fireplaces and double-soaker tubs (request one with a serene lake view). Then head down to Aura for dinner, where the locally sourced menu (with ingredients from the property’s rooftop garden) includes dishes like roasted halibut with toasted-almond emulsion ($28).
Hit the expansive network of trails around Lost Lake, just a ten-minute walk from the majestic Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, where rates (from $200) are less than half the peak-ski-season price (also look into third-night-free, off-season-only offers). The high-performance bicycle and ATV positioned in the stone-and-timber lobby complement the outdoorsy yet upscale aesthetic, with sculptures by resident artist Burns Jennings sprinkled throughout the ground floor. Spacious rooms emphasize comfort away from the rugged scenery, with balconies and gas fireplaces. The sleek on-site restaurant, Sidecut, is a carnivore’s dream: choose from an à la carte selection of six cuts of Canadian prime beef (from $33), with seven rubs, and three housemade sauces.
Mingle with the mountain-biking set at the independent Aava Whistler Hotel, a gathering spot for two-wheeled thrill-seekers since its reopening before the 2010 Olympics. A rustic-chic tone is set in the lobby, which is the perfect spot to gawk at footage from your helmet-mounted GoPro HD video camera courtesy of the in-house GoPro Demo Lab, which lends the devices to guests free of charge. Other cyclist-friendly amenities include complimentary Giant cruisers, a bike valet (plus a wash-and-tune area), and a secure vault for your wheels; ask the staff, many of whom are big-time mountain bikers, for insider tips on trails. Bunk up in some of Whistler’s best-priced rooms during the off-season (from $111), all of which come with mini-fridges, Aveda products, and on the fourth floor, beautifully vaulted ceilings.