Tasting Your Way Around
Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains
Story by Dee Raffo | Images by Joern Rohde
Umbrella Bar
Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort, with an impressive 36 lifts and more than 200 runs on 8,171 acres of terrain — home to big mountain skiing. So, to fuel those epic days on the slopes, there are 12 on-mountain food and beverage outlets, serving up an incredible variety of food. Let’s dig in.
Sterr has been in Whistler for 17 years, having worked 15 of them for WB (with a year at Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado), and his passion is palpable. COVID wiped out many local suppliers that Sterr and his team worked with, and the past few years have been spent rebuilding those relationships and stabilizing the team. And the skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers of Whistler Blackcomb are certainly reaping the rewards of this resurgence.
Glacier Creek Lodge
Heading inside Glacier Creek Lodge, on Blackcomb Mountain, which sits at the base of the popular Jersey Cream Express and Glacier Express lifts, you’ll be treated to a unique food-truck-style experience. Eye-catching Japanese art decorates the ramen station, and there are also tacos, pasta, and fish and chips available. For the latter, Sterr was inspired by a trip to Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant in Las Vegas, where fresh fish was skewered and then dipped into batter.
“I like to challenge the team to go beyond,” Sterr says with a smile. “I said, no frozen fish! How do we do this fresh, and how do we incorporate local produce?” The result is partnerships with Stanley Park Brewing, whose beer is used in the batter, and with Albion Farms & Fisheries in Vancouver, which supplies the fish.
Chic Pea
Chic Pea - Image Courtesy W/B
Did you know you can dine in Bavaria while in Whistler? Sitting at 2,284 metres (7,494 feet) up Blackcomb Mountain is the Horstman Hut, which was recently given a Bavarian makeover. Inspired by locals of Bavarian heritage, including Sterr, the WB team went all-in on creating a menu that stood out, and people have been feasting on bratwurst (sausage) on pretzel buns and Obatzda (cheese dip served with soft pretzels and pickles) while lapping the runs in the 7th Heaven area.
“We’ve had so many positive comments about the Horstman Hut,” Sterr says. “It goes back to the strength and willingness of the team to push themselves that makes these kinds of offerings possible.”
Looking for a sweet treat? You can usually smell this location before you see it. Chic Pea on Whistler Mountain, located at the intersection of the Upper and Lower Whiskey Jack runs, has always been known for its melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon buns, but the challenge was how to elevate them. Their new maple bacon topping is uniquely Canadian, while the cookies-and-cream bun with its crunchy crushed Oreo topping is a favourite North American variation.
This quick service spot was recently given the “go beyond” treatment, so you can now devour your treat on their new Aperol Spritz Patio, where you can pretend to be on a snow beach as you lounge under the bright orange umbrellas, sipping a cocktail.
ee 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.
Steep's Grill
Roundhouse Lodge
Just down the slope, at the base of Big Red Express, you’ll find Raven’s / Sḵewḵ' / Yecwlào7. It’s the third season that WB has collaborated with the chefs from the Thunderbird Café at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to offer Indigenous food items on-mountain. Look out for the stunning mural of Black Tusk, which sets the scene, as you munch on offerings including a smoked salmon sandwich, followed by Bannock donuts. Those can be accompanied by a beer, wine, coffee, or tea from Indigenous producers. If you have a question about a food item, ask the team, who have been trained on the menu's origins.
If you’re looking for a stand-out lunch, then head into Steeps Grill & Wine Bar at the Roundhouse Lodge. Newly renovated, this full-service dining option features a Pacific Northwest theme, focusing on elevated comfort food. When asked for a few of his favourites from the new menu, Sterr recommended the Seared Pacific Albacore Tuna, served with Japanese spices, edamame purée, a soft, free-range egg, toasted sesame, and a soy-yuzu glaze. Other top dishes include their Fraser Valley Wagyu Burger and Kuterra salmon from northern Vancouver Island. Reservations are recommended and available at exploretock.com/steeps.
Our food and beverage team connects with the guest the most,” explained Sterr. “[Guests] come in to eat, warm up, reconnect, and celebrate. Our job is to create moments that matter and keep innovating to hit those peaks.”
This season, if you’re in the Roundhouse Lodge or the Rendezvous Lodge, look out for their new Seat Seekers; they sound like something from Harry Potter, and might just be as magical for a hungry skier. Sometimes, finding a spot in these two popular dining halls can be a mission, but the Seat Seekers will take on that challenge for diners this season.
Sterr also mentioned that renovations are underway at Pika’s and the Cappuccino Bar at Whistler’s Roundhouse Lodge to improve the flow, and that a new area in Blackcomb’s Rendezvous Lodge, called The Stash, will be available for those bringing their own lunch, with hot water, microwaves, and utensils available.
With 12 on-mountain dining outlets, there are a lot of options for you to choose from when exploring Whistler Blackcomb, whether you’re on skis, a board, or sightseeing. Happy dining!
whistlerblackcomb.com
Raven's - Image Courtesy W/B