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Whistler’s Top 5 Places to People Watch

posted: 8 Feb 2010 Bookmark This E-mail this page
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For a town of only 10,000, Whistler certainly has more than its share of colourful characters. With an ever-changing social scene that ranges from old-school ski bums to perfectly coiffed celebs—and from adrenalin-buzzed skiers to new-school freeriders—Whistler’s plazas and patios are endlessly entertaining places to watch the world go by. People watching is practically a sport in the Village, in fact, with a highly-evolved culture dedicated to sitting back with drinks and watching the parades go streaming on by. The lakes and peaks will always be Whistler’s best views—but the kaleidoscopes of people that play and party here aren’t far behind.
 
Here are five of Whistler’s favourite places to people watch:
 
Citta Bistro
Citta Bistro has been voted Whistler’s best spot for people watching for nine years in a row. Set in the thriving heart of the pedestrian-only village, its patio is the perennial classic location to pull up a chair, order a pitcher of honey lager and watch the procession. Open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. all year round, Citta’s patio is one of the prime places to hit when you come down from the mountain or in from the trails. It’s a local favourite, so you’ll be able to rub shoulders with some of Whistler’s most passionate outdoorspeople. Buy a round or two, and you’ll have new friends in no time. 
 
Skiers Plaza
Skiers Plaza may be one of the most famous après spots in the world—right at the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas, it’s a wide-open public space with gorgeous panoramas of the mountains. It’s home to two of Whistler’s storied patios—the Longhorn Saloon and the Garibaldi Lift Company—and it provides great views of skiers and shredders speeding down Lower Olympic and the Village Run. In the summertime, there are all sorts of lovelies soaking up the midday sun—not to mention the legions of dirt-encrusted warriors coming down from the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
 
On the Mountain
In the daytime, the town’s focus shifts to the alpine. On a powder day, it’s mass pandemonium as everyone races to find their own little stash of untracked lines. After a few hours, though, the muscles are burning and the hunger sets in. From midday on, the Rendezvous on Blackcomb and the Roundhouse on Whistler are hubs of activity as skiers and snowboarders of all ages refuel before heading back out to the glaciers and terrain parks. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned vet, it’s hard not to love being immersed in the bustling crowds. Make sure you’ve got your camera along—on a clear day, the views from both lodges are incredible.
 
The Village Stroll
Lined with galleries, shops and patios, the walkways of Whistler Village are always worth a wander. Whether it’s for an early-morning latté on a summer’s day or late-night drink as Whistler’s nightlife kicks into gear, there’s always some sort of action going on. You’ll hear accents from all over the world, and the stroll is even more of a party when the festivals are in town—if you time your visit with Cornucopia, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival or the Whistler Film Festival, you’ll find the pathways buzzing with energy. If you’re lucky, you might even find yourself rubbing shoulders with a star of the silver screen.
 
Dusty’s Bar & BBQ*
Whistler Village tends to get all the attention, but savvy locals and visitors know not to forget about the Creekside. At the bottom of the Dave Murray Downhill, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ is billed as having ‘Whistler’s sunniest patio.’ It’s a classic big-beamed alpine lodge, and the social scene is always super friendly. The food is great as well, whether you’re there for après or for coffee and breakfast before heading up the hill. People like Canadian Olympic snowboarder Maëlle Ricker claim Dusty’s as a favourite, so you know the vibe is fully authentic. Like Whistler itself, Dusty’s doesn’t disappoint at any time of year.
 

*Please note that Dusty’s will be closed to the public during the 2010 Winter Games.

 

 

 

 

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