Visit Whistler in November? Isn’t that before it’s really starts to snow?
Why yes, of course it is! You should visit Whistler in November so you can experience everything it has to offer BEFORE the crowds overwhelm this charming village. It’s the perfect place for a romantic weekend getaway with your significant other. It’s so close to Vancouver and easy to get to, yet you feel like you’re on vacation because it’s so charmingly different from home.
#1 Cornucopia
Cornucopia is Whistler’s celebration of food and drink, held over 10 days every November. It’s a place of culinary reckonings, where the wild meets the refined and the epic and the epicurious come together.
There are a plethora of events, including wine tastings, food and drink seminars, signature tasting events and even health and wellness events.
When we visited Whistler in November we attended a seminar/cooking demonstration by Chef Kara McMaster of Caveman Grocer. We learned how to cook a delicious Chicken Bacon Carbonara! Who knew that paleo noodles (aka spaghetti squash) could be so delicious!
#2 Reasonable Hotel Prices
November is low season at Whistler, just before the start of the ski season and just after the end of mountain biking season. Instead of paying more than $500 per night for a nice hotel room, pay less than $200 to stay in some of the best accommodations Whistler has to offer!
We stayed at the Pan Pacific Mountainside during our visit to Whistler in November, right in the heart of the village. Check out our review here. The highlights of our stay were definitely the excellent location and the Dubh Linn Gate Irish pub on site.
If you’re interested in visiting Whistler in the summer, check out Rachel’s excellent guide to the perfect Whistler summer weekend.
Next time we go we’ll stay at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Prices for this luxury hotel are extremely reasonable in November, compared with upwards of $700 per night in peak ski season. Chateau Whistler also has great restaurants, leading me to the next reason to visit Whistler in November …
#3 Fabulous Restaurants
We had several great meals while we visited Whistler in November, including a delicious dinner at The Wildflower Restaurant in the Chateau Whistler. I can’t believe we splashed out and had the chocolate fondue!
Oh well, we can always be good later ?
Another new favourite was 21 Steps winner of a Diners’ Choice Award for 2018. It was just steps away from our hotel on the village stroll and is locally owned and operated. The second story location offered stunning views of the village and surrounding mountains. The mood was casual and the menu offered great modern comfort food. The restaurant was bustling with activity on our visit, and we came away very satisfied with our choices. I had the short ribs and Ross had the half chicken – scrumptious!
An enduring favourite of ours for breakfast and brunch is the Gone Village Eatery. Also locally owned and operated, it is tucked into the back of Armchair Books in the Village Square. Vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo options are on the menu as well as classics like waffles and eggs benedict.
#4 Off -Road Buggy Touring!
In search of adventure and maybe a little heart-pumping adrenaline, we jumped when we learned Canadian Wildness Adventures was offering 4×4 buggy tours in the wild terrain of Whistler!
We chose a 3-hour Odyssey adventure, and it did not disappoint! Our guide drove us out to the rugged mountain chalet where we got to drive our very own 4×4 adventure machine. Our guide led us and 5 other couples on mountain roads and forested single-track trails up to very scenic mountain viewpoints. We powered over creeks and boulders and splashed into HUGE puddles, sending up cascades of water both on the buggy and us! The views were so beautiful at the summit of Sproatt Mountain!
Good thing we were provided with full-on rain gear including very fashionable gumboots! Once it was all over, our own clothes were still dry.
Although we both could have driven the buggy, I let Ross drive the whole time. After the first climb up the mountain over craggy boulders and huge puddles, I decided I would be a happier passenger than driver ?
We’ll definitely be booking more adventures with Canadian Wilderness Adventures when we visit Whistler in November again – highly recommended!
#5 Whistler Interpretive Forest
We lucked into this gem while strolling on the Valley Trail during our visit to Whistler in November. Approximately 1 kilometre long, it loops off the Valley Trail, winding through an old growth forest along the banks of the Cheakamus River. It wasn’t very busy when we were there, offering a peaceful respite from the buzz of the village. There are plenty of helpful signs pointing to the various highlights. My favourites were the trees that were clearly the favourites of the local bears – complete with huge marks where the bears had sharpened their claws!
We both tried to help out this tree, but despite our best efforts it continued to be the leaning tree of Whistler!
What’s your favourite Autumn getaway? Let me know in the comments!
