After years of work to market Whistler as a four-season resort destination, the term “dead season” doesn’t mean quite what it used to in the Sea to Sky.
Whistler Blackcomb is closed for skiing and snowboarding until November, but the bike park is open for business, while the Peak 2 Peak and Blackcomb Gondolas are scheduled to start spinning for sightseeing on June 10. In the meantime, good weather, a long weekend and reasonable hotel rates are drawing plenty of visitors up the Sea to Sky highway this spring.
Still, May and June aren't known as the busiest months in Whistler. That said, there are a few perks to sticking around between peak seasons. One of the best? Restaurant shoulder-season deals, where locals and visitors can enjoy some of the best dining experiences Whistler has to offer for a fraction of what that same meal would cost normally. The only catch: most of these specials are only available on certain days of the week, and many wrap up at the end of the month—meaning in some cases, there are only a couple days left to take advantage. (Some specials do last well into June, so be sure to call ahead to double-check if you don't see dates listed below.)
Here's some inspiration if you’re looking to make a dinner reservation this week.
Wildflower at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
The Fairmont's warm, cozy Wildflower restaurant is offering a three-course menu available for $49 from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays this May, featuring "seasonal dishes created with hyper-local ingredients."
Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar
Recently named the 66th best restaurant in Canada in 2023 (and No. 4 on Canada's Best New Restaurants list) for its elevated, seafood-focused take on Pacific Northwest cuisine, the new kid on the block is offering a four-course "Flavours of Spring" prix fixe menu from Tuesdays to Fridays until June 15 for $36. Add B.C. wine pairings for an extra $49, or international wine pairings for $79.
The Mexican Corner Restaurant
Unable to take a spring trip down south this year? The Mexican Corner is where to head if you're in search of deals on drinks—specifically, tequila—rather than multiple courses. During "Fiesta Hour," from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, enjoy handcrafted margaritas (doubles or pitchers), mini-flights, Modelos and straight-up Cazadores Blanco shots for a few bucks off.
Teppan Village
If you're in the mood for Japanese Teppanyaki in Whistler Village, treat yourself to a three-course dinner—offering a choice of NY striploin, wild B.C. salmon, teriyaki chicken or tofu steak—for $32, washed down with $20 sake margarita jugs or a glass of Sapporo for $5 from Sunday to Thursdays.
21 Steps Kitchen + Bar
The locally-owned eatery with something for everyone is running its legendary shoulder-season specials once again this spring. Choose between 21 Steps' $46 three-course special, or make a reservation in the Attic to take advantage of its buy-two-small-plates-get-one-free deal. (The garlic chili prawns and fried goat cheese are two favourites.) Both specials are available between Sunday and Thursday evenings well into June.
Sushi Village
If super hiro rolls, spicy agedashi tofu and seaweed salad are more your speed, head to Sushi Village (some know it better as Whistler's favourite party spot) for its $30 spring four-course special, available from Sunday to Thursday from 4:30 p.m. on, until June 21.
Stonesedge Kitchen
Grab your favourite dinner companion(s) and head to Stonesedge's picturesque corner of Whistler Village this spring to enjoy charcuterie and wine for two for $40; three appies for $30; or a burger and beer for $28. These specials are available from Sundays to Thursdays until June 15.
(Hot tip: sign up for a Gibbons Après Pass membership to access an extra discount on those deals, and other regular-priced menu items throughout the year.)
SIDECUT Steakhouse at the Four Seasons
Located in the Upper Village's Four Seasons Resort Whistler, SIDECUT is offering a four-course tasting menu for $59, available between 6 and 9:30 p.m. until June 1.
Rimrock Cafe
One of the few spring deals outside of the village, Creekside surf 'n' turf institution Rimrock Cafe brought back its $69 three course menu in 2023—think lobster bisque, beef tartare, seared scallops, halibut, duck or venison. The special is available from Tuesday to Thursday (and Sunday) nights until June 22, but you're going to want to make reservations.
The Raven Room
Venture into the Pan Pacific hotel (the Village Centre location across from Earl's, not the Mountainside) to find one of Whistler's best cocktail bars. Actually, make that one of the best cocktail bars in the country: last year, The Raven Room ranked 35th on Canada’s Best 50 Bars list.
Its food menu is just as impressive as its cocktail list. This spring, order one item off its small-plates menu and get a second small-plate for half-price, or opt for its tartare + cocktail combo: choose between a salmon, tenderloin or beet tartare, or tuna tataki, served with a Whistler-grown rainbow salad, fries and a select cocktail for $29.
Pasta Lupino
Instead of a multi-course, prix-fixe menu, the Main Street Italian spot is offering 20-per-cent off daily specials this spring. However, it is the last week to take advantage of Parmy Tuesdays or Lasagna Wednesdays before Pasta Lupino's May deals come to an end on Wednesday, May 31.
The good news? Pasta Lupino will revive its "Dinner for 2 deal" throughout the month of June. Everyday from 5 p.m. on, sit down to a bread basket, choice of two appetizers, two "create your own" main dishes and a half-litre of wine or jug of beer for $49 plus tax.
Naked Sprout Café
It's true, most of the deals on this list look like sit-down dinners with multiple courses. If lighter fare is your vibe, head to the Naked Sprout Café in the village for 50 per cent off smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices (with the purchase of an item from the eatery's breakfast, sandwich, wrap or bowl menu, of course) until Wednesday, May 31.
Nagomi Sushi
This Upper Village Japanese spot is closed for maintenance on May 29, but will reopen at 5 p.m. on May 30, resuming service of its $37 four-course spring special. Weekend warriors, this one's for you: Nagomi's special is available seven days a week, for dine-in only. It includes a soup, salad or edamame starter; a second course featuring your choice of item (think tempura, sashimi, tofu, tuna poke, beef tataki, takoyaki, spring rolls etc.) followed by a sushi course (choose between two rolls or five pieces of nigiri) before finishing off with dessert.
La Bocca
Midweek diners at La Bocca will have to choose between a couple of spring offerings: three small plates for $40, or two pasta dishes or pizza, plus a bottle of wine for $60. Both specials are available between noon and 10 p.m. But make it quick: this spring deal comes to an end Thursday, June 1.
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chophouse
In the mood for classics like Caesar salad, clam chowder, roasted chicken, prawn linguine or steak ? Head to Joe Fortes Whistler location for its $49 three-course spring special from Sunday to Thursday. Rest assured: each dish features "regular Joe's portions."
Il Caminetto
Make a reservation at this Toptable Group property to check out chef James Walt’s new $55 three-course summer prix fixe menu. Available Monday through Thursday, Il Caminetto's summer deal features a locally-sourced, high-end spin on Italian fare. Add wine pairings for an additional fee.
Hunter Gather
If one course is enough for you, this locally-owned eatery and taphouse is offering a spring sandwich special that might hit the mark: a Spicy Chicken, Mediterranean Lamb, or Thoughtful Falafel plus your choice of 16-oz craft beer for $19.75.
The Grill Room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
We already mentioned one Fairmont Chateau Whistler menu, but if steak is more your speed, you're not going to want to miss The Grill Room's four-course spring special, on until Thursday, June 1. (Don't fret: there is salmon and a delectable-sounding black oyster mushroom risotto for your pescetarian and veggie pals.) Amp up the $59-plus-tax-per-person menu with wine pairings, offered for three courses at an additional fee of $35 or $45 for all four.
The GLC
The Whistler Blackcomb-owned Garibaldi Lift Co. boasts the closest patio to the Whistler Village Gondola (and also a pretty good spot to scope out construction progress on the Fitzsimmons Express lift replacement). The bar & grill is offering a series of midweek daily discounts into June: Margarita flatbreads and 1800 double margaritas on Monday, karaage chicken and Aperol spritzes on Tuesdays, choripan sandwiches and waffle fries plus sangria on Wednesdays, beef burgers and local brews Thursdays, and finally, Ketel One Dutch Mule cocktails on Fridays.
Dusty's Bar & BBQ
After a day in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, ride out to Creekside and grab a seat on what's arguably the best patio in town. From Monday to Thursday this spring, Dusty's is also offering weekly meal deals—pulled pork or jackfruit Monday, tacos on Tuesday, a burger on Wednesday and chicken parmy on Thursday—served with a single highball or domestic brew for $15.75
Brickworks
Catch Brickworks' $45 three-course spring special until June 1, featuring a menu full of mouthwatering items like baked brie, polenta bites, mussels, beer pan chicken, butternut squash ravioli in a gorgonzola and white wine sauce, capped off with your choice of cheesecake or carrot cake.
Braidwood Tavern
You have another couple of weeks to take advantage of the Braidwood Tavern's spring specials, on until June 14. This "contemporary play on the mountainside tavern," also located in the Four Seasons, is offering a three-course menu for $39 from 5 to 9 p.m., as well as Happy Hour specials like $10 Aperol Spritzes and glasses of wine, $8 beers and casual bites for the early-birds, from 2 to 5 p.m. daily.
Bearfoot Bistro
Consistently included on the list of Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, Whistler's Bearfoot Bistro is again offering a spring special in 2023, available seven days a week until the restaurant switches over its menu in mid-June.
At $79 for four courses, this high-value dining experience also includes one of Bearfoot Bistro's four "signature experiences" between Monday and Friday. Guests can choose between sabering a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in the restaurant's wine cellar, a vodka tasting in the Ketel One Ice Room (parkas included), a Nitro ice cream dessert or wine pairings with their meal. When it comes to the food, executive chef Melissa Craig's prix-fixe menu includes options like kombu cured kanpachi (that's smoked watermelon, cucumber, melon consommé, shiso, and serrano chili), B.C. spot prawn & scallop, Hecate Straight lingcod & grilled Humboldt Squid, or Lumina lamb rack, plus desserts.
Araxi
Similarly to its sister venue Il Caminetto, Whistler fine-dining institution Araxi is offering a $55 prix-fixe menu this summer, built around entrees like elderflower glazed duck breast, peppercorn crusted venison and icy waters arctic char.
Alta Bistro
Stop by Alta Bistro this spring for its three-course savoury menu, available for $49 between Tuesday and Sunday, aside from Saturday nights when the prix-fixe option will run diners $59. Choose between a list of unique, savoury creations like caramelized shallot & pear bisque, rangeland bison tartare or miso & potato gnocchi. If you feel the need to end with something sweet, add on a dessert like Alta's milk chocolate mousse or lemon and yuzu parfait.
All Seasons Grill
Located in the middle of Whistler Village, there are only a couple more days to check out the eatery's $40.95 three-course special—soup or salad, your choice of main and assorted cake for dessert—or take advantage of its 50-per-cent-off-bottles-of-wine offer.
Visit Tourism Whistler's site for for more details and restaurant contact info, or Whistler Bites for daily specials and Happy Hour deals. Did we miss your favourite shoulder-season restaurant offer? Email mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com to let us know.
