BC's Hottest Hangouts by Lezah Williamson

BC has some hot hang-outs. We're still not in the same league as jet-set hot-spots like London, Paris, New York and the like, but as they say, you've come a long way, baby. Wasn't that long ago that Vancouver was just another provincial town... and here we are, waiting for the world to come to our door for the 2010 Olympics.

If you're looking for some celebs, and you happen to be up in Whistler, you can probably find them at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The Fairmont is a very upscale chain of hotels that stretches across the nation, and many of its hotels are in the uniquely Canadian 'chateau' style. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is where the Queen usually hangs out when she's in town, just to give you a basis of comparison. So you can assume the Fairmont Chateau Whistler to be of the same calibre.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler was recently voted both the #1 ski resort and the #1 golf resort in North America. Fairmont's Mallard Lounge boasts a number of outdoor fire pits. Celebs such as Tom Cruise, Kurt Russell and Mel Gibson have been spotted there.

Not interested in traipsing all the way up to Whistler? Then try West Restaurant. This four star, award winning restaurant serves up contemporary regional cuisine and is said to be the favourite of Pierce Brosnan.

Image from /www.montana.be/

Whistler By: Lezah Williamson

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Image from www.rockiesguide.com

Whistler, BC - the place to see and be seen, and ski and be skiin' (sorry for that horrible pun - I couldn't resist!).

Anyway, I was up at Whistler on the weekend and had a great time. I hadn't been skiing for a couple of years, but was glad that I chose Whistler.

If you love skiing, Whistler is the place to go. It has, in the past, hosted World Cup skiing events, and in 2010 will be the site of the Winter Olympics.

You can drive right into the village, or take a train from downtown Vancouver - all in less than two hours. The scenery on the way up in breathtaking, and once you get there, the village itself is world class. There are great hotels and restaurants, and lots of shopping.

In 1992, Snow Country magazine voted Whistler as the #1 resort on the continent. Ever since, celebrities have made it their fave hang out.

But the skiing is why we're all there, ultimately, and here is what you get:

there are two mountains that you can access directly from the village, Whistler and Blackcombe.

Whistler has 16 lifts, while Blackcombe boasts 17.

Both have over 100 runs, some as long as 11 km. (7 miles).

It was snowing while we were there, and the forecast is for more snow.

The ski season at Whistler easily lasts into March, and

if you have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, you can go heliskiing even later in the spring.

Check it out!