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How Whistler rings in 2011...

Whether you want to class it up with dinner and a live show or just party hard, Whistler has plenty of options to celebrate the new year in style

In case you missed it, 2010 was a pretty huge year in Whistler - in fact, it marked the culmination of almost 40 years of dreams, vision and hard work that all went into making the Olympics a reality for this resort town. In what seems like the blink of an eye, that year has come and gone, and it's our duty to celebrate the memories and accomplishments that came along with this hectic year.

All of the clubs and pubs around town have chilled their champagne, readying to help residents and tourists alike celebrate in style. While many will opt to attend the First Night celebrations held in the middle of the village (the alcohol-free, all-ages annual celebration, featuring live music, entertainment and activities from 6:30 p.m. onwards), there are also lots of parties going on indoors. Whether you want to go all-out this year and invest in a lavish dinner with a side of live music, rock out at a local hotspot, or relax and reminisce on a patio, we've got just the ticket:

 

NYE @ GLC

Come "bling" in the New Year at the base of Whistler Mountain, and take time to reflect on an amazing 2010 with DJ Doctor Awesome (a.k.a. Chili Thom) and DJ Age. The $60 tickets include a welcome drink, appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. (Group rates are also available for parties of eight or more.) Come dressed to impress!

Where: GLC

 

NYE 2011 Masquerade Ball

Whistler's newest venue hosts a mysterious masquerade party to celebrate new beginnings. Dress to the nines - Village supplies the masks, gourmet hors d'oeuvres and champagne. There will also be a professional photographer on site, party favors, cocktails and plenty of top 40, hip hop and dance music by DJ Rich-A. Advance tickets are just $75.

Where: Village

 

NYE in the Mix

A very special NYE celebration at this hip local cocktail lounge sees DJ Al Churchill manning the turntables from 10 p.m. till late. This event is unticketed and there will be a champagne toast at midnight, as well as some drink features. Don't worry about a dress code, though the staff will be dressed to impress!

Where: The Mix at Ric's

 

New Year's Eve at Dubh Linn Gate

Get in touch with your Celtic roots tonight, as Murphy's Lagh provides an evening of live tunes to ring in 2011. The $50 ticket includes loads of appetizers and hors d'oeurves, party favours and champagne at midnight. The doors open at 8 p.m., and this is a casual affair, so don't worry about dressing up!

Where: Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub

 

New Year's Eve @ Brandy's

DJ Tim Livingstone steps into the booth tonight, transforming this laidback sports lounge into the place to be to dance your way out of 2010 and straight into 2011! Cover is free before 10 p.m., and there's a free champagne toast at midnight, as well! Don't be shy about dressing up; fancy attire is encouraged.

Where: Brandy's (The Keg)

 

NYE at the Crystal Lounge

Local singer/songwriter, Jon Shrier, puts on a special NYE show at a beloved local watering hole. $10 cover includes champagne and party favours. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Where: Crystal Lounge

 

Black's 25th New Year's

This local pub is celebrating their 25th year of business in Whistler, which makes this their 25th annual NYE bash! They're offering up an evening of live music and tunes from Sean Rose, DJ DNA and Joel MacIsaac (expect classic and modern rock, originals and covers ranging from Johnny Cash and Jack Johnson to Bob Marley, the Beatles and Pearl Jam, with DJ DNA playing dance sets in between). The $30 tickets also include midnight appetizers, champagne toast and dancing until 3 a.m. The party starts at 9 p.m., and "mountain elegant" attire is suggested.

Where: Black's Pub

 

A Fire-Rocking New Year

This "grand celebration" kicks off at 8 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and party favours for everyone. Then, to amp up the evening, a special guest DJ will drop the needle at 9 p.m., playing all your favorite tunes until midnight, when they show the live feed from Times Square on five LCD TVs and countdown to toast the new year! Expect hors d'oeuvres and a dessert bar, party favours, cocktail waitress service all night long, a champagne toast at midnight, quick check-in and complimentary coat check. Tickets are $40, while tickets to just the after party (which starts at 12:30 a.m.) are $20. Group rates are available for parties of five or more people; contact management.

Where: The FireRock Lounge (The Westin)

 

Longhorn Saloon Legendary New Year's Eve Celebration 2010-2011

This New Year's Eve bash will see you grooving on the dance floor with Longhorn Legendary DJs, sharing a champagne toast and maybe even a New Year's kiss with that special someone at the largest bar at the base of Whistler Mountain. Plus, watch the countdown on 27 TV screens, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a dessert bar, party favours, cocktail waitress service all night long, quick check-in and complimentary coat check. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $95 or $25 for just the after party (which starts at midnight), or $110 for "premium weekend admission," which includes the NYE celebrations and admission to NYE round two on Saturday. Group packages, which range form $400 to $1,900, are also available; contact management.

Where: Longhorn Saloon

 

Dusty's Rock 'n' Roll New Year's Party

An evening of real rock 'n' roll, guaranteed to pack the dance floor, courtesy of Mad Shadow. Come out and dance the rest of 2010 away! Tickets are $25 in advance, doors at 9 p.m.

Where: Dusty's

 

NYE 2011: An evening with The Hairfarmers

Grateful Greg and Guitar Doug, Whistler's favourite musical duo, help you commemorate 2010 and celebrate 2011 in style with a kick-ass live show that starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance, or $55 at the door.

Where: Merlin's

 

Garfinkel's Winter Wonderland NYE 2011

One of Whistler's favourite nightclubs is transformed into a winter wonderland for one night only. DJ Rosco takes over the DJ booth, churning out top 40, hip hop and house to get the dance floor jumping, while guests can indulge in a personal bottle of champagne, snacks and more. Dress to impress; this party kicks off at 9:30 p.m. General admission is $100 and anyone interested in VIP Dom Perignon room tickets should contact management.

Where: Garfinkel's

 

PeteCatastropheLIVES!

Reggae lovers will want to get down in Whistler's underground hotspot, ThreeBelow, as PeteCatastropheLIVES!, fronted by long-time local Peter Vogler, steps up to play an infectious blend of ska, reggae, punk and dancehall. Vancouver's ska veterans, IrieGeeczar, and local musician, writer and bonvivant, StephenVociferous, join him for the show. $55 tickets include three-course meal, live band and champagne.

Where: ThreeBelow

 

Uncorked!

Maxx Fish takes their New Year's parties pretty seriously - they want to make sure this is an event to remember for the rest of the year. On top of loads of top 40, R&B and house tunes from DJs JT James and Vs. Zero, they've decorated the room up to the hilt and secured West Coast Contortions, magician Clinton Gray and Whistler fire spinners so there won't be a single dull moment as people ready to ring in the New Year. To top it off, guests also receive a personal bottle of champagne, professional photos of their group, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, a late-night buffet, party favours and treat bags. Dig out your finest attire, because this is one party where you'll want to be dressed to impress. Early bird tickets are $105 and general admission tickets are $125.

Where: Maxx Fish

 

New Year's Eve 2011 @ Moe Joe's

Billed as "Whistler's wildest NYE party," Moe Joe's is throwing one hell of a bash for the occasion. The club is being transformed by a decorating team for the evening and DJ Praiz, one of Canada's top turntablists, will be spinning hip hop, top 40, dance, funk, R&B, electro, and mash-ups till the wee hours of the morning. Your $75 ticket (early bird pricing) also includes gourmet hors d'oeuvres, professional photography, a champagne toast at midnight and tons of party favours. Sounds like a good reason to dig out that cocktail dress and heels...

Where: Moe Joe's

 

Whistler NYE 2011

Tommy's is planning quite the NYE bash: expect gourmet hors d'oeuvres, a champagne toast and of course, a killer music and party vibe. Throw in some dancers, professional photography and plenty of surprises to fill out the night, and you'll set the party standards pretty high for 2011. Early bird tickets are $49; check www.tommyafricas.com for more info.

Where: Tommy Africa's

 

Outside of Whistler

 

Black or White/Good Vs. Evil New Year's Party

Come dressed as your favourite hero or villain, or just in black or white, for this bash (costumes aren't mandatory, but there will be prizes for the best dressed party-goers). Throw in some live music, courtesy of Baby Harry Calaway, and the option of three different dinner packages (dinner for two, $22, $39 and $59), and you have a tailor-made NYE to remember! The party starts at 9 p.m., and $10 cover includes the first pint.

Where: Howe Sound Brew Pub (Squamish)

 

Chances' NYE

Feel like Lady Luck is on your side for 2011? Come try your chance with the NYE Monster Bingo Bash or NYE on the Slot Floor. The Rock Bar and Grill will host live music from Jeffery James and the Bootlickers, while over on the gaming floor, DJ Darcy entertains. Tickets to the bingo bash are $80, which includes a buffet dinner starting at 6 p.m., 36 cards of bingo, hats, noisemakers, plus great door prizes, bingo prizes and a hockey ticket draw. Tickets to NYE on the Slot Floor are $25, and that includes a buffet dinner starting at 6 p.m., hats, noisemakers, and some killer door prizes and "hot seat" draws" throughout the night.

Where: Chances (Squamish)