If you’re in need of a getaway from Vancouver or have some extra days while you’re in Vancouver, head out to Whistler and enjoy the fresh air, ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola, and maybe get lucky and see some bears. We saw two during our 3-day stay!

There is a lot to do in Whistler and while the area is known for outdoor activities, there are also some cool museums, great places to dine, and things you can do on the milder side.

After standing in line for 3.5 hours through customs, due to the airport’s computers being down, I was beyond excited to realize that all I had to do was take an elevator upstairs to get to the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel. Within 20 minutes, I was checked into my room on the Fairmont Gold level, in a robe and refreshing myself with some snacks and drinks from the exclusive 24-hour lounge.