Like nearly everything in Canada, Whistler’s thriving patio scene isn’t dependent on the temperature. In fact, things are particularly alive in the cool mountain air of winter, when residents and visitors alike flock to the village’s numerous patios for après. Here’s our guide to the best of those patios.
THE ROOFTOP PATIO.
The fact that Whistler Village has to sheepishly wag its head when asked if it sports any rooftop patios is going to change in 2018 when we open The Rooftop Patio, offering elevated après right in the centre of the village.
Our third floor rooftop patio will be a smaller version of The Living Room, our design-forward interior bar + lounge + cafe on our second floor, and will feature a small bar, standing counter and sensational views up to snow-capped peaks and down over the pedestrian-only Stroll to Village Square.
Here you’ll be able to warm your inner soul (and your body) under a patio heater with a (Baileys-infused) gourmet hot chocolate, or anything else from our full bar. This is going to be a game-changer, and with its limited capacity it’s going be kept a secret by locals for as long as they can.
LONGHORN SALOON & GRILL.
Whistler’s largest patio bar is home to the infamous Bulldog cocktail – an inverted Corona beer stuck deep in a mini pitcher of lime margarita. If you’re hitting up the Longhorn make sure you’re ready for an epic après – the Longhorn does not do low key. This huge patio with outdoor firepits and signature yellow umbrellas is a favourite with locals and visitors – you’ll understand why as soon as you grab a seat front-and-centre at the base of Whistler Mountain.
GARIBALDI LIFT CO. BAR & GRILL (GLC).
The GLC, as it’s more commonly known, is perched right on Whistler’s shoulder in Skier’s Plaza and offers front row seats for watching skiers and snowboarders gliding into the Village. A recent renovation that introduced outdoor firepits on the GLC’s side patio overlooking Skier’s Plaza has created a buzzing lounge vibe. This patio mainstay ups the ante on typical après fare – think epic nachos served with fresh homemade guacamole, an impressive selection of local and imported beers, and their signature appetizer, “Sex Cheese”.
BASALT WINE + SALUMERIA.
This patio is mid-stream on Village Stroll, across the way from Pangea, and really shines once the night gets going. Basalt’s cocktails aren’t just mixed, they are crafted, and there’s a unique urban vibe to the space. You don’t want to miss their exceptional cured meat and cheese platter.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experiencing the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
So, you need a quick and convenient way to get to the world’s greatest ski resort without blowing your budget? No problem. There are a number relatively inexpensive ways to get here, all of which can be booked in advance (we always recommend doing this – without a seat reserved you could end up forking out for private transport or a beige hotel room in Vancouver).
Here we present the various transport options for the 125km ride from Vancouver to Whistler…
WHISTLER RIDES.
Pangea has negotiated discounted pricing Whistler Rides, likely making this your most affordable way to get to (and from) Whistler – use coupon code PANGEAVIPGUEST(case sensitive, use ALL CAPS) for the lowest rates (only available to Pangea guests).
YVR SKYLYNX.
YVR Skylynx is a reliable option if you’re wanting to travel to Whistler directly from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), though this convenience comes at a cost ($59 at time of writing if booked at least 3 days in advance). The service runs via downtown Vancouver, so you can also catch the bus from there if you’re already in the city. Doing so will save you over $30 on your ticket – which, if you’re arriving at the airport and are serious about saving money, makes it incredibly tempting to take the SkyTrain / “Canada Line” ($5-8) to Vancouver City Centre Station and walk 7 minutes to the departure point at Burrard Station from there (see map below).
SNOWBUS.
Bringing your own ski gear to Whistler? Check out Snowbus, which unlike mainstream operators does not charge luggage fees. Nor do they have cancellation fees, which is handy if you need a little flexibility. Other perks include free wifi, free protein bars, and a free drop-off at Vancouver International on your return (unfortunately Snowbus can’t offer an airport pick-up). Services run up to three times a day in winter (with multiple Vancouver pick-up locations) and cost $38 – though fares have been seen on the Snowbus website for as little as $24 one-way and $35 return. We recommend booking your tickets around November or early December for the best deals.
EPIC RIDES.
Epic Rides offer epic value for money, especially if you’re bringing a mountain bike to Whistler. One-way tickets are a bargain at $24, and they’ll take your MTB for free! They run 6 services a day in summer. Pick-up locations in Vancouver are numerous – check out epicrides.ca for more details.
WHISTLER SHUTTLE.
How about a little commentary on the way to your destination? With Whistler Shuttle’s transfer service, you’ll get a guided tour from your driver as well as a very comfortable ride in a premium vehicle. This is another good option if you want to travel direct from the airport, particularly as their shuttles have no set departure times; they wait for you to arrive, even checking your flight status to see if you’re delayed. Of course, this level of service comes at a higher cost than your average bus, but it does give you some peace of mind.
RIDEBOOKER.
All of the operators above utilise their own fleet of vehicles. Ridebooker, on the other hand, harnesses the power of multiple fleets, including some of the above from downtown Vancouver to Whistler, even at the last minute. They do this by filling the empty seats on services run by various companies, making this a seriously compelling option if you don’t mind which operator you end up getting.
AND FROM THE BUS TO US!
All buses and shuttles drop off at the Gateway Loop, which is a 2 minute (160 m) walk from Pangea. Head up the pedestrian-only Village Stroll toward the gondolas for 1 block, and you’ll find Pangea on your left-hand-side!
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experiencing the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
Although Pangea is quite different to your average Whistler hotel, it’s not much like your average hostel either. It’s true there are some things we have in common with hostels, but we differ hugely in our interpretation of such things. Yes, we’re affordable and we have a shared concept, but we also offer more privacy, better facilities, a central location and a boutique hotel feel. Here we explain in precise terms how we’re different – even in the things that make us similar.
COMFORT AND DESIGN.
In how many hostels do you get your own double bed? None that we’ve stayed in, that’s for sure. A double bed with crisp cotton linens is just the start of the comforts you can expect at Pangea. Soft, individually-controlled LED lighting, wood-lined walls and uber-comfortable memory-foam mattresses are just some of the things that’ll have you feeling relaxed and ready for bed.
Then there’s the design, the standard of which has become something of an obsession for us. Seriously, every detail of Pangea’s interior (and exterior) has been relentlessly scrutinized, from the fabrics used in the soft furnishings to the art that adorns each pod’s walls. At Pangea, you’ll feel like you’re staying in a boutique hotel, and you’ll have all the mod-cons you’d expect from one.
PRIVACY.
We’re willing to bet that if you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, or never would again, it’s because you simply can’t go without having your own personal space. Perhaps privacy is the one thing you’re just unable to compromise on – regardless of how much healthier your bank account would look.
We understand it can be off-putting to have to share, so we took this into account when conceptualizing Pangea. We found the solution in our specially-designed pods, which offer levels of privacy completely absent in standard-fare hostel bunk-beds. In our designer private pods you can enjoy the comforts of your own personal space.
Our pods are arranged into suites. And while these suites are technically shared, they aren’t like your average hostel dorm. It’s an entirely different experience.
LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION.
The trouble with hostels is that they come with compromises. We’ve already expanded upon the privacy compromise above, but often that’s not all: there’s the location element too.
Generally speaking, a hostel can either be cheap as dirt but falling apart and slap bang in the centre of town, or it can be fairly swanky but out of town. Rare is it to find one that’s chic and central. Fortunately it’s going to be a little less rare when Pangea opens its doors in 2018, as we’ll be ticking both those boxes.
UNIQUE BATHROOMS.
The dreaded hostel shower block will be banished to the realm of uncomfortable and awkward memories when you arrive at Pangea and find that we do things very, very differently. For a start, our designer bathrooms are located within our suites, which means two things: first, only a finite number of people can use them, since they’re accessible only to guests staying in that particular suite, and second, there’ll be no more of those awkward runs down a corridor and across a public space to get to the loo.
But here’s where things get really interesting. You know that desperate situation when all you want to do is use the toilet but you can’t because someone’s taking a shower? Well, we thought, what if the toilet and the shower weren’t in the same room? In fact, what if all the components you need – a shower, toilet, vanity unit, and changing room – were all separately accessed? So that’s how we set them up, and with more than 2 of these components for every 3 guests, Pangea’s bathroom configuration means it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever have to wait around.
IN ESSENCE.
We’ve taken the “shared” concept and improved it by keeping the good bits, such as the social vibe and affordable rates, and killing the bad bits, like an absence of private space and lack of available bathrooms. Why pay more for a hotel when you can get the best of both worlds at Pangea?
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experiencing the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
There’s no getting away from the fact that Whistler in winter is, by anyone’s standards, an expensive place to go on vacation. But even at this time of year there are ways of getting more Whistler for your money. Here we explain how you can make your money go further, last longer, or even remain safely in your wallet.
CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WISELY.
This isn’t a shameless plug. This is practical advice to ensure you don’t blow your budget on a huge hotel room that you don’t really need, or end up staying in an out-of-town budget hostel that takes ages to get to and from every day.
Pangea is the wise choice if you’re after affordable accommodation in the heart of Whistler. We cost a lot less than a comparable hotel, and we offer a lot more than your average hostel – like essential elements of privacy, a boutique design and outstanding facilities (including free gear storage).
GET YOUR LIFT TICKETS IN ADVANCE.
If you want to save money, donot buy your lift tickets when you get here. Apart from splashing out on a luxury hotel, that’s probably about the quickest way to empty to your bank account. We touched on this in an earlier post, but it’s worth revisiting now, especially as you’re more likely to be using the lifts in winter.
WhistlerBlackcomb.com is the best place to buy tickets in advance online; they guarantee the lowest price. Tickets give you access to both Whistler and Blackcomb and include the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the record-breaking, valley-spanning lift that makes it possible to ski both mountains on the same day. Canadian and Washington State residents can also save money by purchasing a 5- or 10-day Edge Card.
BRING YOUR OWN GEAR (IF YOU HAVE IT).
A surefire way of saving cash on a trip to Whistler is to bring your own gear. Providing getting it to Whistler isn’t a problem and your hotel has a place to store it once you get here (Pangea does, by the way), it’s by far the most cost-effective option.
However, if you aren’t a regular skier or snowboarder and don’t have gear of your own (or if the cost of transporting your gear is prohibitively expensive), it’s usually a better idea to hire your equipment from one of Whistler’s great local rental companies. Most outfitters offer budget options as well as pro-grade kit.
GOURMET EATING AND DRINKING – FOR LESS.
Whistler has a world-class food scene, and who are we to tell you not to make the most of it? If you want to wine and dine in the fancier restaurants, be our guest. But you should know that gourmet food, outstanding wine and high-class cocktails can also be found atThe Living Room or The Rooftop Patio for considerably less. Whether you’re a guest of the hotel or not, you can make your money go further by après-ing at Pangea. And even in the winter, the patio scene is where it’s at.
LOW COST FUN.
Whistler in winter isn’t just about skiing and boarding. Sure, it’s what brings most visitors to town, but there are other things to do and they can be surprisingly inexpensive. Snowshoeing, for example, is one alternative winter activity the Pangea team love when they’re looking to rev up the heart rate in a stunning outdoor setting, and for less than 15 dollars you can hit the scenic trails of the world-famous Callaghan Valley (check out our Winter Guide for more on this). There’s also admission-free ice-skating in the village, with skate rental costing less than a beer. So if the price of lift tickets brings a tear to your eye, consider taking a day or two off the slopes at the beginning or end of your vacation.
BOOK AHEAD FOR CHEAP TRANSPORT.
This should go without saying, but the earlier you book your flight, train, bus or car, the better. Of course, this could be said of any destination in the world, but remember not every destination in the world is quite like Whistler; booking transport a long way in advance makes even more sense when you’re heading somewhere that’s known for being high-end.
Depending on where you’re flying from and when you want to fly, it can be more cost effective to fly to Seattle and pick up a bus or train from there.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experiencing the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
Winter is when Whistler really comes into its own. Sure, it’s a great place to be in summer, and there’s plenty to do up here even when there’s no powder on the slopes, but it didn’t become an internationally renowned mountain resort and a Mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts because of the excellent hiking opportunities. Whistler made its name first and foremost as a ski resort, and a rather special one at that. Not every resort can say they’ve been voted “Number One in North America”. Fewer still can say they’ve hosted a Winter Olympics.
So we’ve established that Whistler is a good place to be in winter. But what kind of skiing and boarding is on offer, and what else is there to do at this time of year? Here we take you through the most popular winter activities, how to do them, and who to go with.
ALPINE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING.
Between them, Whistler and Blackcomb have 37 lifts and more than 200 runs offering over 1600m of vertical drop – and because they’re linked by the 4.4km Peak 2 Peak Gondola (more on that below), you can pack both into a single day’s action. Both mountains have multiple freestyle terrain parks for those who like getting serious air while ripping down rails, table tops, spines, and jibs. Lift tickets are available in advance from www.whistlerblackcomb.com and give you access to everything on the mountains (terrain parks and Peak 2 Peak Gondola included).
There are plenty of options if you’re in need of instruction, but one firm that we highly recommend is Extremely Canadian. Operational since 1994, they offer private clinics for skiers and boarders alike. Fancy yourself as a pro? They’ll take you to the mountains’ most wicked drops and purest powder stashes. You’ll be begging them not to leave you.
NORDIC (CROSS-COUNTRY) SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING.
With scenic trails suitable for all abilities, Whistler is a world-class cross-country skiing destination. There are two excellent options if you’re into Nordic styles.
First, you can take a short walk to Lost Lake Park, where 25km of cross-country skiing trails and a further 15km of snowshoeing trails run through wooded slopes and offer incredible views of the surrounding Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Second, you can jump on a shuttle bus to the legendary Callaghan Valley. A Ski Callaghan pass gains you access to both the Whistler Olympic Park (site of the 2010 Olympics) and the Nordic Centre. Combined, these two parks offer over 130km of expertly groomed trails weaving through 7,000 hectares of pristine forest. Around 35km of this is open to snowshoers. Through Ski Callaghan you can also book activities, arrange instruction, and rent equipment.
CAT-SKIING.
If you love fresh powder but hate battling to find it on the piste, we recommend you give cat-skiing a go. For those of you who’ve never tried it before, cat-skiing involves taking a snowcat into the B.C. backcountry for exhilarating descents on fresh, untouched runs. It’s a “pow”-lover’s paradise. Half the fun is the ride itself: comfy heated bucket seats and large cabin windows allow you to relax and take in the scenery on the way up to your run. A day’s cat-skiing includes between 6 and 10 runs – with lunch usually included. If you’re going to splurge on one winter activity, we recommend you save your coin for this!
The recent addition of a fleet of Piston Bully 300s (some of the most powerful, reliable and comfortable snowcats) makes Powder Mountain a good choice of operator if you want to maximize your ski time and distance. They promise no less than 7,000 vertical feet of skiing.
BOBSLEIGH AND SKELETON.
Bet you never thought you could be part of a bobsleigh team? Well, here in Whistler you can – for a few exhilarating seconds at least. The Whistler Sliding Centre’s Public Bobsleigh Program opens up this thrilling Olympic sport to anyone with a stomach for 4G forces. Used in the 2010 Games, the track coasts through 10 twists and turns at speeds in excess of 125km per hour. It’s the fastest in the world. But don’t worry, you won’t be driving – that’s reserved for the group of onsite professionals and ex-Olympians who will take you for the ride.
And if that’s not exciting enough for you, how about hurtling head-first down the track instead? The Whistler Sliding Centre is the only place in Canada where you can try your hand (and head) at skeleton – that seemingly death-defying sport that’s terrifying even just to watch.
Both the bobsleigh and skeleton experiences include thorough safety orientations in case your palms are already sweaty.
TUBING.
For a fun group activity requiring no skill or equipment, take the Excalibur Gondola up to Base 2 on Blackcomb where the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers winter recreation of a different kind. Jump into an inflatable tube and feel the rush of adrenaline as you slide, spin and bump down the mountainside with the wind in your face. As long as conditions permit, you can even hang onto your friends’ tubes and go down as a group – the extra weight of multiple bodies bunched together only serves to amplify the speed. (If you’re here in Whistler on your own, why not invite along some of the friends you’ll make at Pangea.)
The park has over 1,000ft of snow slides with 7 different lanes and a conveyor “carpet” to take you and your tube back to the top. We recommend heading up around 3-4 PM for evening tubing under the lights.
PEAK 2 PEAK SIGHTSEEING.
Even if you’re not skiing or boarding, we think it’s well worth taking a ride on Whistler’s world-renowned Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Spanning the 4.4km gap between Whistler and Blackcomb, it features the longest unsupported lift span in the world (3km), and at 436m is also one of the highest of its kind. This combination of distance and height means you’ll have plenty of time (11 minutes to be precise) to take in the peaks, forests, glaciers and lakes that make this part of the world so breath-takingly beautiful. And because the sky cabins offer 360-degree views (some even have see-through glass floors – wait for the grey-coloured cabin if you’re good with heights), you can admire them from every angle and from both sides of the valley.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola loads at both the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler (accessed via the Whistler Village Gondola from Skiers’ Plaza, a three-minute walk from Pangea) and the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb (accessed via the Wizard and then Solar Coaster chair-lifts that run from the Upper Village). Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.whistlerblackcomb.com or at the Whistler Visitors Centre.
SNOWMOBILING.
Looking at the incredibly diverse terrain around Whistler, you can see why so many people enjoy whizzing around on a snowmobile. Used by many Canadians simply as a means of getting from A to B, these machines turn into chariots of high-octane excitement when you’re powering up and down all sorts of gradients in the B.C. countryside.
Admittedly, this is one winter activity in Whistler we haven’t yet tried for ourselves, but not once have we seen guided snowmobile tours steaming up the mountain and not wanted to join in the fun. There are a number of tour companies starting out of Whistler, including Blackcomb Snowmobile, Whistler Snowmobile, Ride Whistler and Canadian Wilderness Adventures.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experiencing the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
It’s one of the things that makes us different from any regular hotel. It’s also something that makes us different from a hostel. You could even say it’s one of the things that defines us, or what puts us in a completely new category of accommodation. Yes, it’s privacy. Or more specifically, the level of it we provide. Not so much as a hotel (and we’re completely upfront and even proud about that), but far more than a hostel. For our money (and perhaps yours too), it’s just the right level of privacy, and in this blog post we’re going to explain why.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
We’ve travelled a fair bit. If you put our collective travel experience together, you’d find that the team at the Pangea Pod Hotel has most of the countries of the world covered. One thing we’ve come to realise in our time travelling, backpacking and general vacationing is that it’s quite difficult to get a decent level of privacy in a hostel, and frequently impossible to get any sort of social vibe in a hotel.
It’s not hard to work out why: in a hostel there’s pretty much nowhere you can retreat to for some “me time”, while in a hotel you can’t easily interact with fellow travellers when you’re cooped up in your own room. Sure, you can make small-talk at the breakfast buffet, perhaps an awkward “good morning” in the corridor, but you’ll never really get the chance to know anybody.
So we pondered. How could we provide the fundamental level of privacy that most of us need, but still offer a great social vibe and ensure our hotel remains affordable for our guests? The answer, we found, is a pod hotel.
WHAT KIND OF PRIVACY DO WE OFFER?
We want to make one thing very clear: our pods are not 100% private. They do not have fully closeable doors, and they are not totally soundproof – although they have been designed in a way that significantly reduces noise. Instead, our pods have curtains that you can pull across when you want some basic privacy. The rest of your pod is enclosed by solid walls, tastefully finished with natural wood.
With a curtain on one side and walls on all the others, you’ll be completely cocooned in your private pod: nobody will be able to see you sleeping, and if you want to shut yourself off for a few hours to watch latest episode of The White Lotus on your iPad, you can.
Worried about security because your pod doesn’t have a full-width door? Don’t be. Each pod has an internal lockable cabinet for your valuables and an additional place to secure your luggage (and your skis, boards and bikes have a separate, secure home on our main level). The fact that our pods are housed within suites that can only be accessed by the guests who are staying in them (via an encoded wristband keycard) means there’s an added level of privacy and security at Pangea.
WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT OF SUITES.
We’ve placed our bathrooms within the suites themselves, rather than in some large block at the end of a long corridor. Having bathrooms so close at hand and limited to a finite number of guests makes us very different to a hostel, where this kind of privacy is almost impossible to come by.
OUR SHARED SPACES INCREASE YOUR PRIVACY.
Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? Well, actually it makes sense. At Pangea we have several large common areas (the Living Room and the Patio) where our guests can meet up, have a coffee or a craft beer, share travel stories, or even play board games. Meeting and hanging out with fellow travellers is positively encouraged (which is why we have large family-style tables). In fact, it’s one of the founding principles of our hotel (the clue is in the name).
This means that all of the socialising at Pangea tends to be done away from the suites, which leaves them surprisingly serene places to escape to when you need a bit of peace and quiet.
WHY OUR KIND OF PRIVACY IS THE BEST KIND OF PRIVACY.
At Pangea, we believe that privacy doesn’t have to be all or nothing: there’s a middle ground, and that’s what we offer – an essential level of privacy that doesn’t cost a fortune and which still allows room for social interaction as and when you want it. It’s a fine balance that makes the Pangea Pod Hotel the ideal choice of accommodation for the kind of person who loves to meet like-minded travellers, but also likes to have their own space.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experience the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
If the notion of a pod hotel makes you think of endless rows of soulless capsules in some extensive warehouse-like facility, we suggest you think again. In fact, we politely ask that you to drop any preconceived ideas you may have about staying in a pod hotel entirely – because while it’s true that there are some hotels out there where things are done in the way you might be thinking (most of them in downtown Tokyo), that’s certainly not us. At the Pangea Pod Hotel, we do things very differently indeed. How are we different? Read on…
THE SUITES.
First of all, our pods are arranged into private suites that are only accessible to guests who are staying in them (via an encoded wristband you’ll receive during check-in). We have 8 of these suites with between 6 and 18 pods in each. Some of our suites are “duplexes” with pods spread over two levels, and more than half of our suites boast private balconies.
If you’ve stayed in a typical Tokyo capsule hotel you’ll know that this is a completely different set-up: instead of seemingly unending aisles of pods that leave you feeling overawed and even a little intimidated by the sheer scale and highly impersonal nature of the operation, the sleeping arrangements at Pangea are designed to make you feel comfortable and at home with your surroundings from the moment you walk in.
So while you’ll still be sharing a space with other people (again, only those in your private suite), you certainly won’t be sharing a whole hallway with them. And if you’re traveling with friends and want to make things even more personal, you can reserve an entire suite for your group (assuming, of course, all the pods within it are available).
THE BATHROOMS.
You might be wondering where the bathrooms fit into these arrangements. Well, the answer is that they fit into the suites themselves – unlike pretty much every hostel or capsule hotel we’ve ever stayed in, where the bathrooms are virtually always at the end of some corridor (and occasionally even accessed via an open-plan communal area). Having bathrooms situated within the suites themselves isn’t just convenient, it’s also a great deal more private – at Pangea, you’ll never have to walk sheepishly to the bathroom in plain sight of everybody.
Best of all, we’ve broken down each of our bathrooms into four separately accessed components: a toilet (with its own little vanity), a shower (with an adjoining drying-and-changing area), a larger stand-alone vanity (with a beautiful back-lit mirror), and a separate changing room. And at a ratio of 1 bathroom component for every 1.5 guests at the very most (your suite might even have a 1:1 ratio), it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to wait to use them.
THE DESIGN.
A few years back we stayed in one of the original capsule hotels in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Needless to say, we didn’t get any design ideas. In fact, about the only inspiration we took from that experience was to ensure that our hotel would be as different as possible – and to show that it is possible to create something that’s stylish as well as functional.
So we’ve put a lot of time and resources into ensuring the design of our hotel leaves you feeling inspired, not intimidated. From the private balconies on our upper-floor suites to the unique artwork throughout the property (and in our pods), Pangea has the kind of luxury finishes you’d associate with a boutique hotel.
THINKING DIFFERENTLY YET?
Having individual sleeping compartments that aren’t strictly speaking “bedrooms” is really where the comparisons with a typical capsule hotel end. As you’ve seen, our sleeping arrangements are far more friendly and personal (not to mention more private), our bathrooms are more convenient (and more private too), and the design of our pods and suites is more along the lines of a boutique hotel.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experience the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
Last month, Pangea Pod Hotel co-founder Russell Kling took part in The North Face Valley to Peak trail running race, a gruelling annual contest that sees long distance runners traverse 22.5 km of harsh terrain and ascend almost 2,000 metres to the top of Whistler Mountain. Here he tells the story of the race, aided by the stunning images of the event captured by local photographer Clint Trahan.
Click on the photo below to get the full story.
Last month, Pangea Pod Hotel co-founder Russell Kling took part in The North Face Valley to Peak trail running race, a gruelling annual contest that sees long distance runners traverse 22.5 km of harsh terrain and ascend almost 2,000 metres to the top of Whistler Mountain. Here he tells the story of the race, aided by the stunning images of the event captured by local photographer Clint Trahan.
Scroll below to get the full story.
READY. SET. GO.
Taken within seconds of the start of the race, this shot gives you a pretty good indication of how we were all feeling at that moment: pumped. It’s this rush of adrenaline, and the memory of it, that makes the long distance runner keep coming back for more – certainly not the physical annihilation that follows. You can see me first from the right (bib # 18). The race starts from Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village, which is about a 45-second jog from Pangea’s front door.
ALL BUNCHED UP.
You know you’re at the start of a race when you’re bunched up among dozens of other fit and focussed competitors. Later, as the race stretches out, you often find yourself losing sight of the man or woman in front or behind (depend on how your race is going, of course). You’ll notice we’re all wearing small backpacks – there are few aid stations en route, meaning athletes need to carry their own supplies of water and fuel (read: calories), adding an extra level of complexity and difficulty. As an aside, I ran out of water around the 15 km mark and suffered badly for it.
RHYTHM OF THE MOUNTAIN.
This is one of my favourite images from the race, as it encapsulates the atmosphere at the start of the race perfectly. The way that Clint has captured the ephemeral light cast by the combination of the morning sun rising above the mountains and the dust thrown up by hundreds of pounding feet is, I think, pretty sensational. You can see that things start going uphill (or “downhill”, depending on how you think about it) rather quickly, and to be honest, they don’t get any easier either; certain sections of the trail have a 38.8% incline, and at these points you’re forced to
hike rather than run.
RUNNING WITH A VIEW.
As draining as the physical aspects of the race may be, there is no denying that the views offered by the trails that comprise the Valley to Peak race are simply stunning. If your breath hasn’t already been taken away by your exhausting uphill slog, the vistas up here will finish the job. Incidentally, the route includes the full High Note Trail, one of the trails we mentioned in our previous “Best of Whistler on a Budget” blog post, so if you want views like those captured here by Clint, you can have them without having to run 22.5 km!
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.
Here in the foreground (well, more to the fore than those snow-capped mountains) you can see two competitors negotiating some tricky terrain towards the latter stages of the race. In actual fact it’s as tough as this throughout, with most of the trail strewn with rocks and foliage, criss-crossed by icy-cold streams and perilously slippery with mountain scree. It’s this, combined with the insane elevation gain, that makes the Valley to Peak contest more like a marathon –
despite being only marginally longer in distance than a half-marathon, the race took me seven minutes longer to complete than the Victoria Marathon did (3:04 here vs. 2:57 at Victoria for those runners curious enough to know the exact splits).
GREEN LAKE.
I had to include this in my pick of Clint’s photos from the event, simply because it’s one of the most iconic sights in Whistler. One of the special things about the Valley to Peak trail, and Whistler in general, is the diversity of the terrain. Emerald lakes, glistening peaks, primeval forests, flower-filled meadows – you can take it all in on a good run or hike through the BC backcountry.
A TALE OF TWO RACES.
The race can be roughly divided into two sections. The first half takes you through dense forests, either on or alongside the mountain biking trails. Under the boughs of the trees it’s pleasantly cool, and the going is relatively easy. The second half of the race starts (and ends again) at the Roundhouse and is more exposed to the elements, as these competitors are discovering. With the mercury rising to 29 Celsius, this is where the going gets tough.
THE SPECTATORS.
Marmots make great fans. They might not clap or cheer, but they can give off one almighty whistle. In fact, that’s how Whistler originally got its name (in case you didn’t already know). Spectators of the human variety tend to be few and far between when you’re running up a mountain, so it’s nice to at least have the vociferous support of some of nature’s citizens.
RUNNING AT ALTITUDE.
You know you’re up high when you’re at the same elevation as a plane! It’s not just a matter of perspective, either. By the time the race had finished my Garmin showed about 1,900 metres, or nearly 6,000 feet, of gross elevation gain, and frankly some of the downhill sections are just as taxing (not to mention dangerous) as the uphill ones. Another stunning photo from Clint, who’s managed to convey the vastness of the Whistler landscape.
ONE FOR THE MANTELPIECE.
Ok, so the Valley to Peak trophy won’t be adorning my mantelpiece, but nevertheless I was extremely proud to finish in the top 20 (19th, to be precise). Just the photo of the unique trophy with all the gnarly stats etched into it is a prize of sorts.
BACK AT THE START.
This picture was actually taken at the start of the race (can’t you tell?), before the physical exertions of the trail took their toll. Somehow it felt like a fitting photo to end with – an image that sums up the general feeling you get from taking part in these events – a mixture of pride and trepidation, fused with plenty of adrenaline. Despite a tough race made tougher by a lack of water, I know I’ll be back for more.
Get the lowdown
Find out more about what makes Pangea unique in Whistler (and the world).
First of all, you need to know that there aren’t only 4 reasons for choosing the Pangea Pod Hotel on your next trip to Whistler. We could, for example, speak at great length about how our hotel has a unique social vibe, how you’ll get to meet dozens of likeminded travellers, how sleeping in a pod is an experience in itself, how we’ll be serving exquisite cocktails on The Rooftop Patio, Whistler’s only rooftop bar, and so on.
But we know that the 4 biggest reasons for choosing Pangea are far more elementary – attributes that no other hotel or hostel in Whistler can offer in combination: the perfect location, inspiring design, key elements of privacy and an affordable price tag. Only at Pangea will you be able to tick off all these essential criteria.
1. LOCATION.
There are no two ways about it: our location is unbeatable. Not just unbeatable for the price, as some hotels and hostels might sugarcoat it, but unbeatable period because you can’t get any better than our position right in the middle of the Village Stroll, Whistler’s main pedestrian drag.
We’re in the thick of the action, among plenty of great bars and restaurants, and just a couple of minutes from the gondolas. So not only will you not have to lug your ski or snowboarding gear across town both to and from the slopes, you also won’t have to walk more than a couple paces to Whistler’s famous patios, bars and restaurants in the evening (or to Pangea as you skip, or stumble, home after).
2. DESIGN.
Everyone wants to feel inspired by their surroundings while they’re on vacation, right? Well, we believe this extends to the hotel you’re staying in, which is why we’ve invested an inordinate amount of time and resources in the design, development and selection of our interiors.
From the architectural features to the materials used in the furnishings, everything has been carefully chosen to give you that feeling of comfort and calm satisfaction you only get from a modern boutique hotel.
3. PRIVACY.
We wanted to create an environment where it’s easy to meet and interact with other like-minded travellers, but we also appreciate that everyone needs their own space.
So we designed our pods in a way that gives our guests the key elements of privacy they need. Our comfy double beds are surrounded on three sides by walls, while at the entrance to your pod you’ll find a curtain that can be drawn back at night or whenever you just want to keep yourself to yourself.
There isn’t a hostel in town that can offer this kind of privacy, and there isn’t a hotel in town that can offer the kind of social vibe you’ll find at Pangea. It’s the best of both worlds.
4. PRICE.
A central location, chic interior design and key elements of privacy; you’d think all this would come at a steep cost, wouldn’t you? Well, actually, that’s another reason for choosing to stay with us – we can provide all the above for an amount that’s very affordable. In fact, we charge a lot less than a comparably located hotel. So whether price is first or last on your list of hotel criteria, it makes sense to stay at Pangea.
There you have it – 4 very compelling reasons why you should choose Canada’s first pod hotel on your next trip to Whistler. And remember, that’s just the start of it.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experience the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
Whistler has a reputation for being a little on the expensive side (although, if you read our recent “Best of Whistler on a Budget” blog post, you’ll find it’s quite easy to experience this unique mountain town without breaking the bank). This reputation largely rests on the fact that many of the hotels with prime locations in the centre of the village can set you back in excess of several hundred dollars a night during peak periods. A quick search on Booking.com is, as things stand, an eye-watering prospect.
The solution for most budget-conscious travellers is to make some kind of compromise, and usually that compromise is location. It is, for now at least, the only real way to cut the cost of accommodation. So anyone who hasn’t got bucketloads of cash is forced to find a room in a less-than-ideally-located hotel or hostel – and then spend half their vacation trudging back and forth to their accommodation on foot (if they’re lucky) or by bus. Hardly convenient.
DON’T COMPROMISE.
Come early 2018 when our pod hotel opens, compromising on location will no longer be necessary. Pangea will offer affordable accommodation right in the centre of the Village – a location that’s as good as (or even better than) any other hotel in Whistler. What we’ll offer is proximity without the price tag.
Here are three reasons why our location is unbeatable!
1. WE’RE A THREE MINUTE WALK FROM THE WHISTLER BLACKCOMB GONDOLAS.
Nobody really enjoys having to lug their ski or snowboarding gear halfway across town – why would you want to empty the tank before you’ve even hit the slopes? Fortunately, staying at Pangea means you won’t have to. Walk out our door, follow the Village Stroll south and you’ll be bound for snow-sports heaven in just a couple of minutes. Of course, being so close to the gondolas also means you can beat almost everyone else to the slopes first thing in the morning if you want to. Which you will want to on Whistler’s famous powder days…
2. WE LITERALLY OVERLOOK THE VILLAGE STROLL.
That’s right. Head down to The Living Room, head up to The Rooftop Patio, or just head out to your private patio if you’re one of our west-facing suites (half our suites face west, half face east) and look down over the Village Stroll with an air of superiority usually reserved for the super-rich staying in five-star hotels. At Pangea, you get to feel like a high-flyer without paying through the nose for the privilege.
3. WE’RE IN AMONGST PLENTY OF GREAT BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
Like any thriving mountain resort, Whistler has a buzzing nightlife and is home to dozens of great bars and restaurants, so a typical day rarely ends when the sun goes down. Once you’re finished on the slopes it’s usually back to the hotel to stow your gear and freshen up for dinner and drinks – which is a little problematic if you’re not in the centre of the village. By the time you finally head to bed you’ll have had to have made not two but four journeys in the day! And who needs a long trip home when they’re full of great food and even greater cocktails?
Of course, if you prefer to “stay in” and chillax, you can leisurely enjoy après, dinner and drinks in The Living Room or onThe Rooftop Patioat Pangea while you wave at passersby (or better yet, invite them up for a drink as well).
If you’re planning a trip to Whistler and you’re asking yourself “What’s so important about staying in the centre of town?”, hopefully now you’ve got a pretty clear idea. And best of all, now you know how you can stay central without blowing the budget.
Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more insight and more tips and tricks to experience the best of the unique mountain town of Whistler on a budget.
