 Poster: A snowHead
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Due to last minute change in travel dates have had to rebook accommodation and are now next to creekside gondola rather than whistler village itself, just checking that this is not a huge problem as whistler is a bucket list destination and don't want an impoverished experience (first-world problems eh?). Any suggestions for bars/ food welcome too. Plus is the early bird lift pass valid here? Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You are very fortunate.
Creekside way better than Whistler.
Quiet, some good restaurants and shops
Less busy lift for rapid access to the mountain.
And lovely run back down - if its open.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It's not a huge problem.
There are buses between the two, and I think they may even be free for tourists to use. So you can go to Whistler (or Blackcomb), get stupidly drunk, throw up, and still get home.
So the main difference is simply that you're not where most of the shops and restaurants (and places where you fill up before vomiting, I assume), are. This is not really much of an issue.
From a snow perspective, it's all good. If it's warm, you get rain down there, and rain down in the main village: no difference. You can download to either if you like. The "peak to creek" run is fine, probably less hassle than the main drag to the village, which gets very busy (it's easy and it's a funnel, so it gets crowded).
I think the lift from Creekside may actually be quicker, and it's slightly more "core". The breakfast places there used to include some proper breakfast joints (hard to find on foot in Whistler village. There are enough restaurants there if you don't feel like a trek. The accommodation should be cheaper.
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@Snowsartre, creekside is great and has a nice vibe , regular buses to and from main village , some great bars and eateries , inc the world famous Dustys"s . access to the mountain is great and if in good nic the way home is awesome . also some great off piste tree runs on the way back down. all lift passes are valid in whole resort so no probs.
great start to the season over in BC , so hope you have a blast 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Dabber, fantastic, sounds ideal, thank you. Have to say going for the skiing rather than vomit 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Snowsartre, stayed in whistler village and backcomb and creekside many times and have always enjoyed the skiing and never seen to much vomit , make sure you check out the apres at merlins , and the sushi at sushi village
head over to the whistler thread if you need anymore info
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You will be fine at Creekside and Dusty's is awesome............and Whistler village is dead near on a bus - in short I agree with Dabber! 
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Bus wasn't free last year and you need the right change as they dont give change. The takeway pizza place was good.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Creekside is fine and they are trying to kick some more life into it so it will only get better. Dusty is brilliant - pulled pork sarin to die for. The gondola up has queues at busy time but if you go early no problem. It is a 6pack though and that only takes you up to the bottom of the real skiing - then you get on RedChair (gets very cold so wrap up) which is a 4pack. So there could be queues there first thing other wise not bad. You can always take expressway down to Garbanzo which is always quiet.
Bus is not free but needs a $2 coin last year. Taxis cheap and available if you do want a night out in the main village. Can even walk it in 50Mins on the Valley trail that they keep cleared.
As said earlier Dave Murray black or Franz (hard) Blue on the way back down but if you are not up to those you download as no green. Even in a terrible year like last they kept the runs open.
Early bird is called Fresh Tracks and I think it is only open from Whistler Gondola. You go up to Roundhouse for a phenomenal breakfast of all you can eat american style. Then they sound the bell and you are good to go - if you have not eaten too much. So that gets you on the slopes 45mins before anyone else gets up there as it takes 20mins to ride to the Roundhouse. If you have your own ski gear Fresh Tracks is is a great move as you will be awake by 5am anyway.
Best Restaurant in Whistler is in Creekside - Rimrock. It is expensive though. What budget are you talking food wise? There is anything from Dinners through Sushi to top end restaurants like Rimrock and Nita Lake Lodge. Takeaway Pizza at Avalanche is great too but they were having trouble getting staff over the summer so not open everyday. Presume they have sorted that now.
Yes I think Village is bigger with more choice but you will be fine and presumably there is a cash saving so splurge on Taxis if you want a night out. Loads of info on other Whistler threads. Or ask away
They do a fire and Ice show too on a Sunday night(check) that is worth watching - best from Blacks upstairs balcony.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Countdown looming closer (23 Jan) any final top tips for best areas to ski? Can anyone post the Whistler thread mentioned elsewhere?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Dabber, I honestly haven't found the Whistler thread, please do post a link
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Jake43, @Dabber, D'oh!!! Had not scrolled back enough was just reading about transfers and supermarkets - was more interested in best runs etc
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Poster: A snowHead
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Depends on what sort of runs you want
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Lucky you Snowsartre - we love Whistler and you will too, everything is so civilised, people are nice, lift queues are polite (yes) skiing is amazing, there's loads of snow this year, Creekside will not be a problem. Have a fantastic time - you will.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Snowsartre, You could also take the free local guide offer.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
pulled pork sarin to die for
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Nerve gas??
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@Snowsartre, You could also take the free local guide offer.
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+1 - the Snow Hosts are a great bunch of local skiers: usually all retirees who ski obscenely well. They hook up with folk near the Roundhouse on Whistler and the Rendevous on Blackcomb at (I think) 11 am each day, and take groups on orientation tours around the mountain, according to skill level. They don't take tips, but feel free to make a donation to the avalanche dogs fund!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Snowsartre, Another vote for Après in Dustys - Butt rub mayo & chicken wings!  Stayed in Creekside a couple of times. Cool place. Frequent buses to the village too.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Snowsartre, you are very lucky indeed ... base looks great with regular top-ups.
+1 for the Snow Hosts as well as Fresh Tracks.
Admittedly I prefer Whistler mountain over Blackcomb but having said that I've never ventured onto the glacier at Blackcomb which many rave about.
My favourite runs are :
Blackcomb (Crystal Hut for great waffles and grilled meats / meatloaf)
Most of the runs off the 7th Heaven Chair (although it can be windy / scraped at the top)
Arthurs Choice (gladed but not steep)
Cruiser / Lower Cruiser
Jersey Cream
Ridger Runner
Twist And Shout
Whistler / Creekside
Harmony bowl - all the blacks / take your pick
Symphony Bowl (Rhapsody Bowl for a great in-bounds out of the crowds ski / just drop into it, pick your line, float in lovely powder and join one of the pisted runs at the bottom)
Whistler Bowl black diamonds (much nicer after fresh snow / find them a bit scraped and bumpy if it's been dry for a while)
Bear Paw
Dave Murray - have "fond" memories of taking my 4 year old down it by accident (wife not impressed)
Franz (probably my favourite run in WB)
Seppo's
Tokum
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Thank you everyone for great comments and particularly @FFIRMIN, for being so positive. Have discovered today that we are there for start of Whistler Pride LGBT festival - anyone have any experience of this?
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And does anyone know if can ski down to creek side gondola ar current time?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Snowsartre wrote: |
| And does anyone know if can ski down to creek side gondola ar current time? |
Is the Dave open?
With apologies to Moby - "Here we go now down to Creekside, We get on the Dave and we're going to ride..."
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Given the recent heavy rain. How are conditions? Can you still ski back down to creek side? Arrivé in 24 hours
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Snowsartre, It was chucking snow down in Creekside yesterday. Skype with Daughter yesterday.
Even in the very very warm conditions last year you could still ski out to Creekside (very soft going) in April so whilst I am not there, I can not imagine you would not be able to.
A good idea of the conditions for the home run are looking at the village webcam - http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/snow-report#mountain-cams - as that is same altitude. Creekside is North facing so lasts better. Sometimes this view is like the Alps were earlier with a white stripe in a brown field but there is a 1.5m base so no chance of it not being there for you next week.
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| Jake43 wrote: |
@Snowsartre, It was chucking snow down in Creekside yesterday. Skype with Daughter yesterday.
Even in the very very warm conditions last year you could still ski out to Creekside (very soft going) in April so whilst I am not there, I can not imagine you would not be able to.
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Err, I seem to recall hiking down to the timing flats (halfway to Creek side) in March (I think). So no you can't always ski out. Not really a big deal as its a short gondola download.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Snowsartre wrote: |
| Given the recent heavy rain. How are conditions? Can you still ski back down to creek side? Arrivé in 24 hours |
Unfortunately it is very warm aND wet at the moment. Good news is that there is a good base, and it is supposed to be colder and wet next week, so if that is the case, will soon be decent again
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Creekside is fine for food and bars now (unlike in mid 90s when I first went to Whistler and it was quite a ramshackle collection of buildings) best of all you can take the Dave Murray run home - my favourite run anywhere. We have been in 3rd week March and been fine to ski out to Creekside so you would be really unlucky not to have that option in January. Enjoy!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Creekside last March, just a narrow artificial line.
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FAQ
but where did you end up booking ??? if you're in blackcomb got a few good tips for you !! , you have dropped lucky with the conditions this season , great base formed and regular storms topping things up 
have fun
