Brian Bobroff

Flight Centre’s Brian Bobroff goes West to find some snowy vacation adventure on the slopes of British Columbia. From Vancouver to Kamloops, Brian explores the runs of Whistler and Sun Peaks Resort and blogs advice on where to go to get out of the snow and party harty dudes! Hey Brian, where’s the après party at?
It is always daunting to pick up a new sport as you slowly retreat farther and farther from your teen years.It is especially intimidating when you know the learning curve will involve bumps, bruises and damaged pride.However, as a proper Canadian who has visited the mountains many times in the summer, it was time to take advantage of one our national treasures when they are at their finest in winter.Tourism BCsponsored a group of Flight Centre agents to experience the beauty of two excellent ski/snowboard destinations:Sun Peaksnear Kamloops as well as Whistlernear Vancouver.Both destinations have something special to offer that are very different from each other with the common theme of excellent snowboarding and gracious hosts.
A beginner can head to these world class ski destinations and feel assured that there are professionals there to make you feel at home on the mountain and in the village when your day is done.  We started in Sun Peaks which was an excellent place to be introduced to the basics of snowboarding.  This resort village is currently quite small but in the process of rapid development.  When it is fully developed, it will still only be one third the size of Whistler, so it is an excellent choice if you are looking for access to mountain runs without the crowds of its more well known cousin to the West.  For specifics on the craft of snowboarding, it is best to deal with the professional instructors who are in abundance at both locations.  What is most important to know is that you are in good hands with these folks, and that they are very patient regardless of your skill level.  With only two days access to the mountain runs, the learning curve had to be quick.  The first day was humbling watching toddlers whip past me with ease while I was simply trying not to fall.  It is certainly important to have a positive attitude and to listen to the advice of the instructors.
Of course with hard work on the mountain by day (and some fun Snowshoe tours that are available through the Adventure Centre at the base of the ski runs it is important to have great places to head après.Bottoms, inside of the Coast Sundance Lodge, is a great place to enjoy excellent pub fare with generous portions.  Their music also gets pretty funky by night for people who are looking for a place to enjoy the evening.  Sun Peaks is very family friendly so there are not quite as many nightclub options compared to Whistler.  For folks who do need some nightlife there is Mackdaddy’s to give you a place to do some dancing into the night.
The people who run the hotels and lodges are what make Sun Peaks truly special.  It is the type of place that you will very likely get to know the managers on a first name basis within your first day.  Some of the places really pride themselves on having a family run atmosphere and a personal touch that you can not experience in larger centers. Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge is a great example where the Olympic Champion is known to take guests on guided runs when she is around town. Doug Andrews, Hotel Manager from the Coast Sun Peaks, feels like an old friend within minutes of arriving. Sun Peaks Lodge is family run by Mario and Silvia who are an absolutely charming couple with an accommodating spirit that will certainly make you feel at home while on holiday. If you enjoy a small town atmosphere, personal attention, and wide open ski runs, this is a place for you!
A scenic drive separates the two resorts with many photo opportunities of impressive splendor.  The sights are beautiful, and the snowboarding is even better.  Whistler is especially imposing when you only have 3 hours experience on a snowboard.  Fortunately, there are absolutely phenomenal instructors who work at your skill level but they are also good at pushing you to the next level.  Our instructor, Stuart MacKenzie (stuartm@pureresults.com) was absolutely fantastic.   His confidence in me helped push me to go far beyond what I expected I could do. He also provided lots of stories on the history of the area and local area information to add colour to our experience. Whistler/Blackcomb has green (beginner) runs right from the top of the mountain so you get to experience the full majesty of these twin peaks regardless of your skill level.  You also get to experience all method of mountain travel from moving carpets, chair lifts and gondolas (including the new Peak to Peak gondola that connects the two mountains together offering amazing views. Whistler is definitely a lot busier than Sun Peaks, so do expect a lot more people around you at all times.  It is important to be mindful of the people below you and behind you.  If you fall, always make sure you are staying in an area that keeps you visible, or get out of the way quickly.  Also, make sure to leave more than one route around you to be on the safe side so others can pass you safely.  A nice perk you enjoy when you are with a snowboard instructor is that you get to bypass all of the lines for the lifts and gondolas like a proper VIP!  Riding down to finish our full day (without falling in front of the hordes of people at the bottom of the mountain) was an absolute thrill.
The feeling of exhilaration after not just surviving, but conquering, the mountain was phenomenal.  Another reward is the outdoor hot tub waiting at the Pan Pacific Mountainside mere steps from the bottom.  After a quick blast in the eucalyptus sauna it is always a good idea to enjoy après with an amuse bouche at FireRock Lounge inside the Westin Resort.
Whistler comes alive at night with numerous nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and hangouts to choose from.  A vast collection of hot sauces, with ribs that would make Fred Flintstone jealous, is waiting at the Brewhouse. Hy’s Steakhouse will provide you with superlative service without pretension.  I recommend the wild tuna (yes, I know it is a steakhouse but I had one bite of a friend’s and it was pretty memorable). Thanks to my past life in the club scene and to DJ Jelo we were able to get some VIP treatment at a few of the clubs.  Garfinkel’s aka Garf’s was our first stop, and would be a good place for the younger set of legal age revelers with your standard top 40 club tracks.  Maxx Fish had more variety in the ages, and also had more diversity in music.  Savage Beagle had two levels of music.  Downstairs they played top 40 hip hop, and upstairs was house and trance music.  Most importantly, there were comfortable booths to enjoy conversations and libations with friends.  The last club visited was also the best nightlife experience in Whistler. The Whistler Film Festival was wrapping up during our trip and there was an after party at the Garibaldi Lift Company (aka the GLC) which is also near the Whistler Gondola.  Local DJ  Mat the Alien was headlining with a video DJ set with music synced to video projections to add a completely new dimension to the night.He is one of the best party rocking DJs in Canada and he proved it on that night.  If he is in your neck of the woods or you are in his, definitely check him out.  He will make you jump, move and groove no matter what kind of music you listen to.  If he can’t make your booty move, your booty must be dead.  Ultimately, the night of the week will determine what kind of music is at each club. To find out what is on, you can pick up the free weekly Pique. There are complete event listings to help get you in the loop as well as plenty of local news.
The Olympics would not be coming to Whistler if it was not a world class destination, and it has all you could hope for in a winter resort.Sun Peaks is the spot to go to if you are looking to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds.The beauty is that there truly is something for everyone between Whistler and Sun Peaks in Beautiful British Columbia.
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on traveling to British Columbia and skiing the slopes of Whistler or Sun Peaks Resort? Contact Brian Bobroff, an International Travel Consultant at brian.bobroff@fightcentreassociates.com