Creekside Village — A Whistler Original
Story by Dee Raffo | Images by Joern Rohde
Although Whistler Village has become the main hub for mountain operations, savvy snow lovers know not to overlook Creekside. Only a five-minute drive from Whistler Village, it has a new, high-speed, 10-person gondola, hotels, restaurants, services and a fun, eclectic retail scene.
This new renewed energy in Creekside Village has been fostered by the imagination of Kaori Zage, the co-founder of Capital Zed Creekside Concepts, who owns the commercial real estate from Dusty's to the outdoor firepit on Franz’s Trail. After visiting a friend in May 2008, she fell in love with Whistler and bought a home in Creekside. Zage quickly embraced mountain life, learning how to ski and mountain bike with the help of many locals who made the “city girl” feel like she belonged.
"Our investment in Creekside Village allowed us to curate a small part of Whistler and bring together concepts that complemented each other. We also wanted to give back to the community; to support small, family-owned businesses and bring back that sense of place that welcomed us 20 years ago when we first came to Whistler."
Like the people who dreamed big for Creekside in the 1960s, Zage has invested time in cultivating an incredible team, executing a vision and elevating the area to what it is today.
Let’s look at where the dreams started in Whistler.
“I call it Luxury Lane,” jokes Lisa Morrison, the chief operating officer of Capital Zed Creekside Concepts. “You have a beautifully curated gift store, high-end clothing boutique, stunning interior design shop, nail salon and an award-winning bakery all in a row here at Creekside Village.”
Morrison has been with the company for more than seven years, focusing on championing local businesses, many with female leads. The result is a unique, vibrant and growing retail, food and beverage scene.
“We work hard at fostering our community connections and building our team,” explains Morrison. “We love to bring people together; this year, we’re hosting a drag show during the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, and we have a new idea called Soul Kitchen, where we want to offer an affordable, homemade dinner at Rockit Coffee Co. for young people and parents looking to make new connections in the community.”
Take advantage of the free parking or frequent express buses from Whistler Village to explore Creekside Village’s stores and dining options. One of the more adventurous ways to get to Creekside is to ski to it. The Peak to Creek run is one option, and at approximately 11 kilometres (seven miles) long, it’s the longest continuous run at any ski resort in North America. Or ski down the Dave Murray Downhill, where the men’s alpine skiing events were for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Once there, and if you’re looking for a warming drink and a sweet treat, drop into Rockit Coffee Co. The vibe is what makes this place special. It is decidedly upbeat and retro with its ’70s-inspired furniture, lighting, and colour palette. Choose a seat next to walls lined with typewriters, stereos, and Andy Warhol prints and enjoy looking at the antiques and collectables as you sip your coffee made with its signature roast blend. rockitcoffee.ca
Another place to try is BReD, an award-winning vegan bakery that makes incredible organic sourdough, cinnamon buns, and other delicious baked goods.
From treats to treasures, knickknacks, and keepsakes, Get the Goods is an artfully curated gift shop full of unique finds. Their kids’ section has an array of nostalgic wooden toys, inspiring books and the softest, plushy stuffies around. There’s a games section with everything from chess to Catan and Throw Burrito (a dodgeball card game). Flipping through the Taschen coffee table books and admiring the local art on the walls is fun, too.
“We like to think we’re giving people ideas to help them unplug and interact,” says Morrison. “Canadian-made, small-batch businesses are becoming more of a focus for us, but we also have a great bar and glass selection because, hey, we’re in Whistler, and most people are on vacation, even the ones who live here!” Take the time to explore; this store is not to be rushed. shop.getthegoods.ca
Creekside Village includes 122 West, the stunning home interior store, ART POP by Andrea Mueller, an art shop and gallery, and Abigail Lifestyle Boutique for the latest mountain-inspired fashionwear. If you’re looking for rentals, new ski or snowboard equipment and clothing, or need to tune or repair your gear, CAN-SKI Creekside is the place to go.
Once you’ve explored the retail scene, make your way to Mekong South East Asian Kitchen, which is open for lunch, après and dinner this winter season. The ceilings are vaulted with funky gold-and-white light fixtures, and the walls are lined with trailing greenery, perhaps evoking the freshness of the Thai cuisine they serve. One of Vancouver’s most prolific chef-restaurateurs, Chef Angus An (culinary director), developed the menu alongside Executive Chef Bonnie Khummuang, which offers a delicious balance of fresh, punchy flavours and complemented by aromatic, warming spices. Stand-out dishes include their Tom Yum chicken wings, seasoned with six different spices to mimic the flavours of everyone’s favourite, Tom Yum soup. Or try the aromatic Gaeng Massaman braised lamb shank and Gaeng Gari confit duck leg — one of the oldest styles of Thai curry. 88mekong.com
If you’re after more of an après-ski vibe, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ, right at the base of the mountain, is where to go. A place of ski après legend and lore, it originally opened as L'Après in 1969 but was rebranded in 1983. There’s nothing like their legendary nachos, a cold beer or stacked Caesar and live music to wrap up the day.
All this is just steps from the Creekside Gondola base, which has its own guest relations building and ski school options.
Whether staying there or exploring, Creekside Village is a must-do for your Whistler visit.
Look out for the historical panels dotted around Creekside. They give you some fun snapshots of the area’s history. Download the free Go Whistler Tours app to access the Discover Creekside self-guided tour and learn more.
whistler.com/self-guided-tours
The Creekside dream may have started in the ’60s, but people like Kaori Zage, Lisa Morrison and their team keep it going and inspire the future of Creekside Village. whistlercreeksidevillage.com