Whistler

Most Whistler hotels, including the Pan Pacific Village Center and the Adara Hotel, are in Whistler Village—an area conveniently located at the base of Whistler mountain, within walking distance of the Blackcomb gondola as well. Closer to the Blackcomb base, you'll find more spacious luxury hotels, such as the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in Whistler Upper Village. Skiers looking for a Whistler hotel room under $250 will find a number of excellent hotel values (including the sparkling new Nita Lake Lodge) in Whistler Creekside. This secondary base area is three miles south of Whistler Village, but a gondola connects it to the slopes, the inexpensive Whistler Wave bus service links it to the Village's eating and shopping hubbub, and, thanks to sparser crowds, it has the feel of seclusion in nature. Condos are a good option for large groups, families, or those who desire a bit more privacy. ResortQuest Whistler represents more than 900 area accommodations, ranging from studios to five-bedroom homes. Most come with a full kitchen, fireplace, entertainment system, parking, and access to an outdoor pool or hot tub (888-898-9208; www.resortquestwhistler.com).

During the 2010 Olympic Games, Whistler Blackcomb will host the alpine skiing events; cross-country skiing, ski jumping, luge, bobsled, and skeleton competitions will be held in the surrounding area. Due to a regional cap on new commercial accommodations, Whistler isn't seeing much of a building boom in the lead-up to the Games. The area's roads, however, are getting a big overhaul, including a $600-million project to widen, straighten, and generally improve the winding 65-mile stretch of the Sea-to-Sky Highway that connects Whistler to Vancouver. So even though the area may be all but inaccessible during the Games themselves—hotel occupancy was already nearing 100 percent a year before the opening ceremony—at least all future Whistler visitors will benefit from the Olympic fever.