Got a special occasion to celebrate with a large group of people? I’ve got just the spot. Tyrol Lodge at Whistler Mountain in British Columbia. This little gem boasts 16 rooms and can sleep up to 54 people, bunk-bed style. With its communal kitchen and large lounge area, it is ideal for both winter and summer stays.
Frankly I’d never heard of it until a month ago when the invitation arrived. Two friends who were celebrating their 50th birthdays booked the entire lodge and filled it with family and friends. They billed the adventure as “the party of the century!”
It was perfect . With an eclectic age range of nine to 70 we were encouraged to entertain ourselves during the day and then return to the lodge at night for potluck meals and drinks. The result? Most of us arrived as strangers and left as friends.
Yep: Wine, salads, bread and barbecued beef. The perfect recipe for my kind of meal.
So, to the uninitiated, what’s the appeal of Whistler? Well, the views for one.
Isn’t this a lovely Winter shot?
You’d be forgiven for thinking that. Actually, it was taken by my son a week ago. Yes. You can ski and snowboard at Whistler in the summer. How cool is that?
Not a skier? No worries. Whistler in the summer is magical.
Here’s a sample of the beauty that is Whistler in the summer. You can canoe, bike, swim, hike or picnic. Those of you seeking a little more excitement can enjoy the thrill of tree top ziplines or white water rapids.
Another option is to simply sit in the Whistler Village and people watch.Home to many of the events of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the town worked hard to create a cozy apres ski atmosphere. They succeeded. A lovely cobbled street threads its way past the collage of shops, restaurants and hotels. My special delight is just soaking up the many different languages. People come here from all over the world. My daughter’s particularly favourite Whistler treat? Cow’s Ice Cream Shop
Cheers to my dear, newly minted 50 year old friends. Thank you. It was indeed “the party of the century!”
