Pan Pacific Mountainside Front Desk Associate, Ashley McMillan, knows running and travels internationally to compete in marathons. Here’s the latest from him on health and fitness from his blog on health and lifestyle:

So it’s cold! – Wrap up warm and wear layers. Consider wearing gloves and long running pants. Just because the sun’s not beating down on you and the temps are minus 5c, this doesn’t mean that we should be considering our hydration needs, especially on runs of over 45 mins or longer.

If you live in a wintry environment, consider investing in some ‘yak trax’ http://www.yaktrax.com/ or some similar traction device that will allow you confidently run across snow and ice without fear of slipping and causing yourself damage. If things are too bad outside, consider using a treadmill. I log many a mile on the treadmill, especially when it’s raw ice around me or particularly when doing some repetitive speed training. Not all treadmill running has to be boring or painful, but it can certainly help keep you running when things get bad!

Read Ash’s full article on Eastbourne Trav

 If you’re in Whistler this weekend, you have an exciting opportunity to check out amazing ski photography! Six Photographers will present slideshows of their amazing deep powder shots captured on and around Whistler Blackcomb this Saturday night, 15 January, 7pm at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Find out more at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations

 

This canvas was on display amongst other beautiful artworks exhibed at the Sea to Sky Brushes Exhibit last night in Whistler by the Vancouver North Shore Artists Guild. All artwork was for sale and ranged in price from a $30 pottery tea set to thousands of dollars for large canvases.

When people ask us why did you choose Whistler? The answer is simple. The lifestyle. Whistler allows us to do what we love, whatever that is. We have one of the best ski resorts in the world in the winter and one amazing bike park in the summer. We go golfing, hiking, fishing, biking, horse riding, ATVing, canoeing, kayaking or river rafting. We go snowmobiling, heli-skiing, dog sleighing, cross country skiing, or tobogganing.

We eat delicious food worthy of royalty. We party like rock stars. We work hard and play hard. We have a small town but a big community. We have friends who become our family. We have some of the best moments of our lives. It is all here. It is all happening right now.

This is why we love being here.

Why do you love Whistler?

I’m looking forward to the Dubh Linn Gate Pub’s Cornucopia evening of Granville Island Beers paired with Oyama chacutterie and cheeses!

Dubh Linn Gate Cornucopia: 6:30 – 8pm Tickets $30 from Dubh Linn Gate or the front desk in advance or at the door.

Rainbow – A solid 6 hour return hike from Whistler Village

Rainbow Lake trail starts from the opposite side of the Alta Lake from the Village. You will need a car or bus to get there. At this time of year it’s more practical to wear hiking boots than runners as the terrain is very uneven and there are lots of muddy patches. Along the way you are rewarded with fun boardwalks and bridges and views of the Whistler Valley and gorgeous waterfalls. At the top there’s a little trail around the lake where you can easily find a nice spot to take a break and rest your feet. There are also shorter trails from the same car park and one of the waterfalls can be easily reached within 10 minutes walk.

More info at: www.trailpeak.com

- By Christine Skipworth

Christine Skipworth: ‘Ski’, it’s all in the name. This is Christine’s favourite sport, and the reason why she left sunny Australia to live in the pristine Whistler Valley

Whistler is the ideal Fall getaway, with a myriad of hiking trails, bike paths, and a host of other adventures like Zip-trekking, spa experiences, and delicious dining. To accommodate those who want to get away, Pan Pacific is offering a value-added Dine Getaway Package. The offer starts at only CAD$199 per night for accommodations and a CAD$100 credit towards dinner for two at one of a selection of eight destination restaurants, including Araxi, Trattoria, Carumba, Ric’s or Hy’s Steakhouse, to name a few.

Rate also includes complimentary wireless Internet access, in-resort shuttle, valet ski and bike storage; luxurious suite accommodations with full kitchens, fireplace and balcony; and one of the best pool decks in Whistler. So, it’s all a question of choice. Not only do guests have the option to choose where they apply their CAD$100 credit, but they can also select one of Pan Pacific’s two Conde Nast Traveler award-winning properties, namely the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre that anchors the world-class, pedestrian Whistler Village or the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, which is nestled at the base of both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

The Dine Package is available through the start of the Ski Season, or until November 24, 2010 and is subject to limited availability. For reservations and additional information, please call 888-905-9995 or visit: www.panpacific.com.

Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside and Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre are the only properties in this mountain paradise that offer all of the following value-added, complimentary features: Internet, local phone calls and in resort shuttle as well as in room signing privileges for the Spa, Salomon Rental Store, guest exclusive Pacific Lounge and the Dubh Linn Gate Restaurant and Pub. The Pan Pacific Village Centre also offers complimentary breakfast for all hotel guests.

Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts has launched GHA Discovery, its guest loyalty programme.

Built on the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) platform, GHA Discovery is an innovative multi-brand loyalty programme that offers guests across GHA’s 12 brands and nearly 300 hotels enhanced service and recognition. GHA Discovery stands out from most hotel loyalty programmes by offering guests “Amazing Local Experiences” as rewards.

Its focus is on ‘discovery’, providing guests with opportunities to participate in unique experiences that they may otherwise not have access to. Consequently, guests not only get airline miles as with other loyalty programmes, they also enjoy a Local Experience that they can redeem each time they upgrade to a membership level or stay at a new GHA Discovery brand. Local Experiences also differ for various hotels across member brands. At Pan Pacific Whistler, guests can go behind-the-scenes of Whistler’s only ski and snowboard manufacturer to learn how they are made at Pan Pacific Whistler

Just arrived in Whistler and not sure where to go? Ask our knowledgeable Front Desk Agents for the best places to go that suit your needs and they may also be able to offer you a discount voucher. Or, if you know Whistler like the back of your hand, come and ask us for a discount voucher for your favourite place.

Currently we have vouchers for:

Cows Ice Cream – 10% – 15% dscounts

Ric’s Grill Restaurant– Free dessert or specialty coffee with purchase of a main

Scandinave Spa – 10% discount

Moe Joe’s Nightclub – VIP card for no cover and no line up

Spicy Sports Rental & Retail – 10% discount

Other discounts vouchers that we often offer at the front desk:

Farfalla Hair Salon – $5 discount

Maxx Fish Nightclub – VIP card for no cover charge and no line for 2 people

Avalanche Pizza – Buy 1 slice, get 1 for 99 cents

What would you do for the person who introduced you to the future love of your life?  Don Prins, our Director of Sales, owes that honour to Arts Umbrella, Vancouver for the fateful stroke of luck, which brought him and his future wife together at an Arts Umbrella event thirteen years ago.

Now Don continues ‘paying back’ as Chair of one of the three annual special fundraising events, the Globe & Mail Invitational Golf Tournament, as well as being on the annual campaign committee.

Don says ‘the most important thing Arts Umbrella does is to provide affordable access to arts programs for underprivileged kids, as well as provide support for the artists that do the teaching.  They reach out to over 20,000 kids in the lower mainland’.

Pan Pacific Whistler believes it is important to support the communities that support our hotel, and contribute to the overall wellbeing of these communities, and was proud to provide support for the 13th annual Globe and Mail Invitational on July 15, 2010 by donating a luxurious 2 night stay in a 2 bedroom unit, which contributed to Children’s Arts Umbrella Foundation raising over $100,000 in net proceeds.

Find out more at www.artsumbrella.com