In the past couple of weeks I have sold a condo in the Coast at Blackcomb Springs. This is a great property right on the ski hill and only a few turns from the Wizard lift. The Coast is also a nice quiet location for the summer with the valley trail network outside the front door. There is a great landscaped pool and hot trub area for after play rejuvenation. The Coast has studio, one and two bedroom suites starting from $125,000.

Village side I sold a studio in the Cascade Lodge. This investment property has a Village location but away from the bar scene. Great views of the mountains so you can see which one to ski or board that day. As well an awesome pool & spa area in a landscaped garden. Between the Cascade and Blackcomb Springs yopu have the best two pool areas in Whistler.

On the single family side a 3 bedroom home with a two bedroom suite in Emerald Estates. Located on a quiet culdesac this home was great value for a starting single family investment in Whistler.

Prices are excellent right now and interest rates still at historic lows. There has never been a better time to but in Whistler. The benefits of the new highway will be fully appreciated this winter along with our new cross country destination status.

Nothing is more spectacular than a day on a trail. Due to the heavy snow pack in tyhe alpine the Helm Creek- Rubble traverse was filled with flowers and still will be blossoming a few more days.

This a big but awesome through hike with a little oranization. Arrange to drop a car down at the Rubble Creek parking lot and get to the Cheakamus Lake trail head. From here it is a 25 km hike through varied landscapes to the other trail head. Visitors at the Helm Creek side are few as you climb up through the forest to the Cinder flats. Across the meadows and continue down or as we did take a side trail to Garibaldi Lake. Enjoy the view and then head down through the forest.

The beauty of Garibaldi Park is largely unappreciated by the Greater Vancouver area residents. Lakes as gorgeous as anywhere in the Rockies.

Investing in Whistler real estate will open the gateway to many family adventures in the surrounding parks. I have said it before about buying in Whistler. Don't be put off by a small investment in Whistler as you'll be outside so much it won't matter.

Your Whistler home, whether a condo hotel, chalet or townhouse is base for exploration, action, rejuvenation and more. Live a lifestyle of minimal travel for your weekend and vacation getaways.

Even as a longterm resident there are still events, trails, ski runs and more for me to explore for the first time. This summer I am hiking within the valley to maximize my play time and reduce the travel time and impact on the environment. I'm not bored yet!

Many of the condos and townhomes can provide some rental revenue to assist with the costs of ownership. The investment side is through the long term hold while you use and enjoy the home in Whistler. Whistler is one the few areas that provides 4 season activities within a few minute drive. Many other BC resorts are either ideal for the winter or summer and involve driving for an hour or more the alternate season playground. Within our small valley we have the downhill & cross skiing, snowshoeing, ski touring, golf, biking, hiking and more. In fact many locations don't require you to get in a car for the duration of your stay.

With purchase prices down about 30% and record low interest rates there has never been a better time to buy. Buy real estate in Whistler now and get set to enjoy the 2010/2011 winter.!

Take 9408 Deerhorn Place. This quiet single family home is located on a culdesac in Emerald Estates asking $685,000. The suite has 2 bedrooms with a high ceiling and lots of space. The main house has 3 bedrooms and a loft. The lot is level with lots of parking. A large deck increases the living space for the summer and provides storage for your winter wood supply.

Depending on the term and rate you choose for your mortgage the payments on a $500,000 loan are easily under $3000 a month. Interest rates are low and buying real estate is a safe investment in your long term future.

Buy when everyone is selling!

Every summer I make a point of trying something new in Whistler. Even after all these years I still have a good sized "to do" list. Earlier this summer I tried the Whistler Alpine guides ":Via Ferrata".

Starting off on the sign in sheet they ask if you have any phobias they should be aware of. Well heights is the one for me.  

Meeting at the ski school hut neat the light board the guides orgainize your gear quickly and efficiently taking time to explain all the bits & pieces. They can provide everything down to the hiking boots if need be. We start off across to the base of the Via ferrata in the snow that has lingered this summer.

Climbing the via ferrata we enjoy a different view of the valley as we work our way up the climb. My group included  families from Washington and Alabama.  While the boys from Alabama had ridden the peak lift to the summit the day before we all agreed the view was much better when we earned it!

Whistler Alpine Guides has a shop in Whistler Town Plaza just down from the Gap & Caramba. I have used their guides twice before and always been very happy with the experiences. There's still time to get out and make a day of it on Whistler. The BBQ at the Roundhouse would be the perfect wrap up to a Via Ferrata day!

Post Olympic Games Whistler is the best buy going. Incredible values to take advantage of in this 4 season playground. As we move forward and leverage the legacies this is the time to buy real estate in Whistler.

Prices are great. A 2 bedroom 2 bathroom suite in Deer Lodge (pictured above) is asking $455,000. This building is in the heart of the Village with underground parking. Park and walk everywhere for your stay. Overlooking the library, Fitzsimmons water feature and western mountains you can manage yourself or choose a manager to work with.

This is a phase one building which allows unlimited owner use in the rental. The suite is being freshly painted as I type. Call or email me to view and enjoy the 2010/2011 winter.

Single family is also a great real estate investment right now. For under $700,000 you can purchase a 3 bedroom and loft home with a 2 bedroom suite in Emerald Estates. Use either part of the home while rental helps pay the mortgage. This is a very prudent long term investment plan allowing for an enjoyable family lifestyle today. New indows, freshly painted and ready to go.

You have been thinking about buying for years? Jump into Whistler today! The hiking trails are opening up and the alpine flowers not long off. Lost lake and Alta are warm with the beaches awaiting you!

Nothing says summer in Whistler like picking berries in Pemberton. A 30 minute drive north of Whistler, Pemberton is a farming & logging community which serves as a large bedroom community to Whistler.  

It offers a more traditional lifestyle for families with backyards, vegetable gardens and walking to the store. Originally single family homes were the only option but with increased land values and population there are condominiums and townhomes from studios and up.

Warmer and drier the valley has spectacular mountain scenery, horse back and bike riding trails with easy access to backcountry for hunting, sledding, ski touring and more.

Condominiums start around the $200,000 range, townhomes with three bedrooms or more from $330,000 and homes from around $500,000. Contact me with your requirements in terms of bedrooms and purchase price. I'll provide the details to begin the search for your new residence in Sea to Sky country.

It's not the sun baked parade we enjoyed the last 2 years but it was parade to celebrate our birthday. It was a parade reflecting on what was this past winter in Whistler. We've turned the corner on the Olympics and saw the rings come back out for tourists to enjoy and photograph. Our athlete's were an addition this year but let's remember and celebrate them every year.

The Sliding Center and Nordic Centers opened this year as our legacy in future local athletes. The access to Callaghan Country and the new Olympic Nordic park have increased the activities greatly. The cross country ski season is enhanced greatly with the trail system at higher elevation.

One of the mistakes buyers in Whistler make is focusing on the compromises they have to make based on price. Yes Whistler is expensive. Do you really need all that space when the real joy of owning here is participating in the outdoor amenities? Price have not been better in a decade. Interest rates are good. Make the move to buy in Whistler this summer and enjoy years of benefits in your physical and mental health.

Creekside is the home of the Olympic downhill and the best three ski out runs in the resort. A mellow location in the summer with a outdoor pool and hot tub as well as being situated on the valley trail system. Dusty's patio is right there if you don't feel like cooking

In the winter you are steps from the lineup for getting up the hill to catch the best snow. Park your car upon arrival and don't drive until you are heading home. One of the real estate best buys in the Whistler today. Call me for a viewing on this amazing opportunity!

It seemed like everyone from the office was out pushing themselves and we all came back happy, challenged and ready to repeat next year.

Next weekend we go full swing in the resort. the mountain bike park goes to summer hours, the skiing and snowboarding starts up again, golf course in prime shape and those great dinners at the Roundhouse start for the summer.

So the time has never been better for investing in the Whistler lifestyle. Whether you are limited to $100,000 to $2 miliion or more there are great buys in your future. You'll find your kids will spend more time outdoors than hunkered down with their computers. We have a great new highway to access the resort and we are enjoying the legacies of the 2010 Games. 

208 Cascade Lodge is a studio suite in the Village. This phase 2 property is in one of the best buildings in the best location. Concrete construction, air conditioning, awesome pool and hot tub area in a large landscaped garden. 2000 prices at $89,000!

8589 Drifter Way got a two thumbs of from all the realtors on the Tuesday property tour. Ideal for families of all ages. Extremely flexible floor plan for teens, nanny, grandparents. Nature envelopes you year round in the living entertainment area. $2.100,000. Buy now before the Chinese investors come to Whistler. They are very active in the Vancouver market right now. Call Sharon for your exclusive showing on these and more properties. Check out the market at www.whistlerlistings.com and then have me set up your appointments!