It’s easy to write Whistler off as just another touristy money pit. The whole resort is designed to be a moneymaker, and tourism dollars is the only way they know how to do that. If you’ve never been here and just go by the whims of the industry, I wouldn’t blame you for it not being your cup of tea.
But then there’s the real Whistler—the one that drew people here in the first place, long before it was an international resort. That is the town that seeks authentic moments with friends and loved ones, and a kinship to nature. The good news is that it still exists. You just have to get out of the Village to see it.
Creekside: The Original Whistler
Just 4km south of Whistler Village is Creekside, which was where the resort began. Back in the day, the train would deliver passengers to Whistler Creek, and people would trundle up to the gondola barn at the base of what would become the Dave Murray Downhill. From 1965-1981, this was the only way to access the mountain by a lift. Then, when the Village was built, all attention shifted northward and creekside became a mostly forgotten relic.
Creekside had a bit of a revitilization in the early 2000’s. One of the big improvements was a hotel on the shores of Nita Lake. It was larger than anything else in the area, and with a degree of class mostly reserved for larger hotels. They call it the Nita Lake Lodge, and over the years has become a hidden gem for people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle.
For a family with small children, we prefer the scene, in fact. Really anyone who prefers a laid-back, more local vibe to the touristy scene would enjoy Creekside.
The Nita Lake Lodge
The beauty of the Nita Lake Lodge is in the details. From the natural wood decor, to the earth-toned color motif, the design feels like a rustic lodge but with all the modern day amenities. We found it to be a perfect blend of quality construction that didn’t feel over-the-top.
In the room, the comfort was next level. We had a lakeview suite with a massive king-sized bed that had excellent comfort, and a private balcony overlooking Nita Lake. There is a small living room area with couches that allowed our family to feel close without being cramped.
But perhaps the best part of the suite was the bathroom. More specifically, the remarkably large bathtub could fit us all in for a bath time that felt like our own private hot tub. Luckily we had great weather during our stay but if luck wasn’t on our side I would have had no problem wasting a stormy day away in the comfort of our suite.
The Pool and Sauna
The pool sits in the back of the hotel on ground level, which is an ideal location for reasons I’ll explain shortly. While the pool itself isn’t anything remarkable, it’s what is next to the pool that makes it a bit more of a treat.
The sauna is a relatively new addition that sits on the pool deck, enticing those who enjoy a good sweat with a poolside session. . For those brave enough to make the 100-or-so meter trek to the lake, you can test your mettle with a cold dip right afterward, offering one of the easiest access saunas to a natural cold plunge in Whistler.
Nita Lake comes straight from glacier-fed Whistler Creek, so you can be sure that it’s colder than most. In the wintertime you can often find that someone has cut open a hole for those who really want to test their willpower by lowering past a sheet of ice. But those who know the benefits, will find this appealing, and a large majority of people might think this is crazy. I’m in the former group and appreciate the ambiance of nature to really exaggerate the extreme feeling of a cold plunge under ice.
The Restaurants at Nita Lake Lodge
Nita Lake Lodge has a few different options for food, all on different price/quality scales. Inside the hotel you have The Cure lounge. It has a relaxed feel with some excellent options for pub-style food with a bit higher quality than most pubs in town. The burgers use local ingredients and are a standout in my opinion compared to much of the other pub fare in Whistler. We ate here the first night of our trip.
Despite the kids rowdiness, we were welcomed and given a nice corner table away from other guests, allowing us to be a little more at ease with them than usual for a restaurant.
Another option is Creekbread, a staple in Creekside for almost 15 years that was recently acquired by the Nita Lake Lodge. It’s only a block away from the hotel and always has a warm, welcoming vibe with the wood-fired pizza that ends up being one of the hottest seats in town. We preferred to order takeout and eat by the lake to avoid the lineups and crowded atmosphere. This was also to do others a favor to not deal with our loud and messy children.
But the signature restaurant at the Nita Lake Lodge is The Den, the upscale choice for more than just guests. The restaurant prioritizes local ingredients as well and the varied dishes suit a wide variety of palettes. I wouldn’t call myself a food critic so I won’t go into detail other than every one of us was happy with the amazing food and dessert, which is not an easy feat with our diverse tastes.
To Sum It All Up…
Staying at the Nita Lake Lodge is an ideal choice for families who prefer adventure over shopping, the quiet over the hustle and bustle, and a bit of luxury without the pretension. The staff is warm and welcoming to small kids, and the adults don’t get bored with the diverse menu and activities that surround the hotel.
With three lakes a short walk away, there is no shortage of things to do, and the village isn’t that far if you do want to go. But we love the feel in Creekside, it feels like our second home. So check the hotel out if you are looking for a bit more than your average accommodation, but don’t want (or need) the extras that often come with the price tag to match. We will definitely be back!
- Whistler’s Nita Lake Lodge Review: Our Family’s Fall Getaway
It’s easy to write Whistler off as just another touristy money pit. The whole resort is designed to be a moneymaker, and tourism dollars is the only way they know how to do that. If you’ve never been… Read more: Whistler’s Nita Lake Lodge Review: Our Family’s Fall Getaway - The Ultimate Guide to Whistler for FamiliesWhistler, BC is a little town with a big reputation. Once the site of a quiet fishing lodge, the valley at the top of two watersheds is now an international tourist destination. But beyond the resort, there is… Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Whistler for Families
- One Renegade Family’s Month-Long Trip Through Costa RicaSure, you can book an all-inclusive beach vacation and call it a day. But is that truly travelling? Of course not. It’s an easy way to take some time off, but it’s not immersing you and your family… Read more: One Renegade Family’s Month-Long Trip Through Costa Rica
- Helinox Unveils the “Play” Series of Backcountry GamesPlaying games with your family can be one of life’s great pastimes. And passing time in remote places in nature, many will argue, is the best of all pastimes. However, until now most games were relegated to a… Read more: Helinox Unveils the “Play” Series of Backcountry Games
