How far away is Chalet Luise from the Village Centre?
Do we need a car in Whistler?
How do I get from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler?
I need to keep in touch with my business are there phones in the rooms, internet access, fax availability etc?
What´s the nightlife like in the village?
What does Ski Storage at the Slope Side mean?
What are the snow conditions like?
When is the best time to come?
What are the Dinner Specials at Chalet Luise?
How long does it take to drive from Vancouver or Seattle?
What is the weather like in February?
How much does a lift ticket cost?
How much does it cost for a Ski or Snowboard lesson ?
How much does it cost to rent ski/snowboard?
Are the lift lines long?
Oh, you´re in the Canadian Rockies, it must be cold!
Is there cross-country skiing?
What other non-skiing activities are available?
Is there a grocery store?
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
What is the GST?
Q: How far away is Chalet Luise from the Village Centre?
Chalet Luise is the closest Inn to the village, lifts and all amenities. We are an easy (no uphill!) 10 minute walk to the village and all amenities. back to top
Q: Do we need a car in Whistler?
The resort likes to encourage customers not to rent a car unless you would like to explore more of the valley. A car usually sits parked for a week as people realize that Whistler is a village designed for walking. For those guests choosing to bring a car, Chalet Luise offers free off-street parking to its guests. Most other places in Whistler charge for parking. back to top
Q: How do I get from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler?
There are scheduled transfers from Vancouver airport every 1 - 2 hours or from downtown Vancouver. Other options are limousines/taxis or for groups, you can charter a van or motor coach. Please refer to the "transportation" section on this website for more information on the scheduled transfers. We can assist in organizing transportation for you. back to top
Q: I need to keep in touch with my business are there phones in the rooms, internet access, fax availability etc?
We appreciate that life is not all play and that some guests need to be in contact with their businesses. We do not have phones in our rooms but we have a central public phone which you can dial both in and out of. For those guests bringing their laptop with them, our public telephone has a dial-up jack for Internet access. Alternatively, there are plenty of internet cafes throughout the village. A fax is also available and we charge $1 per sheet received in or sent out. back to top
Q: What's the nightlife like in the village?
Whistler offers some great bars and restaurants. At certain times of the week, most of the bars have live music and sometimes there is outdoor music in the village square. Choose from the infamous Long Horn Saloon, the GLC and Merlins to name a few. Whistler also offers also a choice of almost 100 restaurants ranging from casual pub meals to formal dining. At night, Whistler has a good selection of night clubs such as Garfinkels, Buffalo Bills and the Savage Beagle. There are also quieter options available as well! New this year, we have an underground 8 screen cinema complex showing the very latest movies. back to top
Q: What does Ski Storage at the Slope Side mean?
For those guests purchasing the ski pass through us, we are able to offer a discounted rate of $2.50 per person per day for ski storage at the base of Whistler Gondola. back to top
Q: What are the snow conditions like?
Whistler receives an annual snowfall of 30 feet. Weather forecasts predict that La Nina will continue to deliver the snow conditions that we have become used to.. Our snow contains more moisture and, therefore, will stick to steep peaks and chutes turning our terrain into some of the best extreme skiing in the world. back to top
Q: When is the best time to come?
Any time is a good time to come! - The winter ski season opens on Blackcomb mountain on November 22, 2003 and Whistler mountain on November 27, 2003. Both mountains are open until April 27, 2004; and Whistler Mountain extends its winter season to June 10, 2004, snow conditions permitting. Whistler/Blackcomb consistently offers the most reliable snow conditions, early and late.
Early season (November 22 - December 20) is the perfect time for novice skiers and snowboarders to visit, as the ski area is typically quieter. This allows beginners to have the mountains virtually to themselves.
February is a perhaps the most popular time on the slopes but the powder snow conditions are the main draw to the resort!
March means the days are longer and the lifts stay open a little longer. Typically, the blue skies and sunshine by then ensure that you not only have great ski conditions but are able to catch a few rays as well!
Late season (April) offers spring snow conditions, and typically milder weather with sunny skies.
Both Early and Late Season value packages, which include significant savings on accommodations and lift tickets. back to top
Q: What are the Dinner Specials at Chalet Luise?
On certain evenings during the week, we offer dinner evenings. These are very popular with our winter guests and we serve menus such as fondues, raclettes, spaghetti evenings or feature local dishes. The cost for a meal (minimum 3 courses) ranges from $25 CAN per person to $40 CAN depending on the type of menu. It is a great way to meet your fellow guests and have a lot of fun. back to top
Q: How long does it take to drive from Vancouver or Seattle?
Whistler is a scenic 2 hour drive from downtown Vancouver; and approximately a 4.5 - 5 hour drive from Seattle. The Sea to Sky Highway (99 North) is a mountain highway, and a change in the weather can quickly alter road conditions.
The Sea to Sky Highway is a pleasurable road to travel, especially when all drivers adopt a courteous and responsible attitude necessary for the safety of all. Enjoy the drive! back to top
Q: What is the weather like in February?
Due to Whistler´s coastal proximity, temperatures are moderate throughout the winter season, rarely dipping below -10C (12F) in the valley and -15C (5F) in the alpine during the coldest part of the year.
Average daily alpine temperatures in February are -6C (22F), while valley temperatures are 3C (37F). Average snowfall for the month of February is 230cm (91 inches), contributing to a total average annual snowfall of 914cm (30 feet). back to top
Q: How much does a lift ticket cost?
Please refer to the ski passes page. back to top
Q: How much does it cost for a Ski or Snowboard lesson ?
Please refer to the adult lessons and child lessons pages. back to top
Q: How much does it cost to rent ski/snowboard?
There are a multitude of rental shops located throughout the Village; and both Mountains have rental/retail outlets at their base areas and on-mountain.
Please check out the rates in our rental gear section. back to top
Q: Are the lift lines long?
Whistler/Blackcomb features five base areas, all within minutes of each other and all equipped with high-speed lifts, virtually eliminating long lift lines and assuring fast access to the alpine. Whistler mountain has doubled it´s upload capacity with the installation of a high speed quad chair accessing the mountain from the base.
Lifts at both Mountains are also accessible to people with disabilities. back to top
Q: Oh, you´re in the Canadian Rockies, it must be cold!
Whistler is not located in the Canadian Rockies, it is located in the Coastal Mountain range of British Columbia. Like any mountain environment, Whistler can experience some cold snaps. However, our lower elevation and coastal proximity means the temperature is usually on the mild side, without severe extremes of higher mountain elevations. Average temperatures are from -5C to -10C with the occasional dip below this level. These temperatures are comparable to those in Colorado. back to top
Q: Is there cross-country skiing?
Yes, of course, and it is just round the corner from Chalet Luise! Whistler features more than 28km (17.5 miles) of track-set trails. There are numerous possibilities to rent cross-country skis. back to top
Q: What other non-skiing activities are available?
Practically every winter activity imaginable is just outside your door at Whistler. Choose from sleigh rides, snowmobiling tours, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, paragliding, indoor tennis and squash courts, flight-seeing, fishing, fitness centres, horseback riding, indoor rock climbing, or guided sightseeing tours. back to top
Q: Is there a grocery store?
Whistler has three major grocery stores, plus several smaller convenience stores. As well, Whistler caters to everyone's needs and features two liquor stores; cold beer & wine stores; a public library and museum; hair and beauty salons; medical and dental clinics; banks/foreign exchange/banking machines; video rental stores; laundry and dry cleaning services; pharmacies; and non-denominational church services. back to top
Q: Can you recommend a good restaurant?
Whistler is renowned for its dining; and its' reputation as an international resort is reflected in the variety of cuisine available. There are more than 100 restaurants, ranging from fine dining to fast food take-out, from family spots to casual pub fare; featuring Greek, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, Mexican, Mediterranean, West Coast and American cuisine, and more!
We are happy to give recommendations and make reservations on behalf of our guests! back to top
Q: What is the GST?
Most goods and services you buy in Canada are subject to the Good and Services Tax, or GST. GST at 7% is charged throughout the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and PEI. As a non-resident visitor to Canada, you can claim a refund for GST you paid on eligible goods and accommodation. back to top
Do you qualify for the refund?
You qualify for a tax refund if:
- you are not a resident of Canada
- you have original receipts
- your purchase amounts (before taxes) of eligible accommodation and goods on which you paid GST total at least CAN$200
- and each individual receipt for your goods shows a minimum purchase amount (before taxes) on which you paid GST of CAN$50.
What is eligible for the refund?
You can claim a refund for GST paid on:
- Eligible accommodation
- You paid tax on accommodation provided continuously for less than one month (the limit of less than one month applies to each lodging establishment).
- Each receipt shows the number of nights of accommodation made available for each lodging establishment.
- You can only apply for tax you paid on the room charge (room service and telephone charges do not apply).
- Eligible goods
- Goods qualify for a refund if you: paid tax on the goods, bought the goods to use outside Canada, and remove the goods from Canada within 60 days of delivery to you.
- Tour Packages
- For tour packages that include GST on accommodation, only 50% of the package GST can be claimed. If a non-Canadian travel company booked your tour, no GST is charged, therefore, no GST is claimable.
Where can I get my refund?
- In the Whistler Village - Visitor Refund Service, on the lower level of Spirit of the North.
- If leaving by car - at the Canadian Duty Free Shop, located at the Canada/U.S. border.
- By Mail
- Departure by car - you must have receipts stamped by Canadian Customs or by Duty Free Shop staff.
- Departure by airplane - you must enclose your original boarding pass (out of Canada).
- **You will not be able to receive a refund at the airport
For more information, contact:
Visitor Rebate Program
Summerside Tax Centre
Revenue Canada
Summerside, PEI
C1N 6C6
Canada
Toll free from anywhere in Canada:
1-800-668-4748
From outside Canada: (902) 432-5608
The refund application form is available at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/README.html