Thanksgiving 2025: Skiing Our Way Through Vancouver & Whistler
- A.P.W
- Feb 16
- 5 min read
A family tradition, a lot of skiing, even more hot chocolate, and why I’ll always choose the mountains
If you’ve ever wondered what Thanksgiving looks like in my world, here’s the honest answer: it involves skis, snow pants, cold air, and a very full heart.
Every single year, we travel somewhere new to ski. It’s our family tradition. Different destination, same intention. No pressure, no hosting stress, no overplanning—just time together, movement, fresh air, and perspective. Skiing is my reset button. It clears my head in a way nothing else can.
In 2025, our Thanksgiving trip took us to Vancouver and Whistler—and I already want to go back.
This trip had everything I love: incredible skiing, amazing food, art and culture, slow mornings, tired legs, cozy nights, and those small family moments that somehow become the most meaningful.
Why We Ski Every Thanksgiving
Let me start here, because people ask me this all the time.
Why skiing? Why Thanksgiving? Why not a beach?
For me, skiing is grounding. It forces you into the present moment. You can’t rush it, multitask, or overthink. You’re either focused—or you’re falling. There’s something very honest about that.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for it. It’s already about gratitude, slowing down, and being together. Ski trips naturally do all of that. Cold weather strips things back. Snow quiets the noise. Everyone ends the day tired in the best way.
Also—practical tip—traveling over Thanksgiving instead of Christmas is a dream. Fewer crowds, better availability, and a calmer energy overall.
Starting in Vancouver: Food, Art & Easy City Energy
We always like to start our ski trips with a city stop, and Vancouver was the perfect lead-in before heading to the mountains.
Vancouver has this effortless calm to it. It’s a real city—great restaurants, culture, architecture—but nature is always right there. Mountains in the distance, water everywhere, misty mornings. It never feels aggressive or overstimulating.
Let’s Talk About the Food (Because It Deserves Its Own Section)
I need to say this clearly: Vancouver has some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had.
If you love Chinese food, make Vancouver a priority. Dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, late-night spots, tiny places you randomly walk into and end up dreaming about later. It’s not trendy or overhyped—it’s just really, really good.
Tips if you’re going:
Don’t overthink it. Some of the best spots look completely unassuming.
Go for dim sum at least once.
Ask locals where they eat. Always.
Don’t limit yourself to one neighborhood.
Food is such a big part of how I experience a place. It tells you so much about culture, pace, and priorities—and Vancouver’s food scene feels authentic and confident, not performative.
The Art Scene: Quietly Cool
I was also genuinely impressed by Vancouver’s art scene. It’s thoughtful. Understated. Not flashy. Galleries tucked into unexpected areas, artists with strong points of view, work that feels considered instead of loud.
That kind of creativity always resonates with me. I love when art doesn’t scream for attention—but still leaves an impression.
Travel tip: Build in time to wander without a strict plan. Some of the best galleries and creative spaces are discovered accidentally.
The Drive to Whistler: Don’t Rush This Part
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is part of the experience—don’t treat it like a chore.
The scenery slowly shifts. Forests get denser. Mountains closer. Everything naturally slows down. Conversations change. Music gets quieter. You start feeling present before you even arrive.
If you can, drive during daylight. You’ll want to actually see it.
Arriving in Whistler: My Kind of Place
The moment we arrived in Whistler, I felt it—that familiar sense of calm mixed with excitement. Whistler in winter just makes sense to me.
It’s focused. It knows what it is. Skiing is the priority. Everything else supports that.
Where We Stayed: Four Seasons Whistler
We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, and it was exactly what we needed.
Warm, comfortable, refined without being stiff. After full ski days, that kind of environment matters.
Why I loved it:
Cozy rooms that actually feel relaxing
Easy access to the mountain
Incredible service (especially with kids)
The spa (more on that below)
Skiing Whistler: The Real Star of the Trip
Now let’s talk about the skiing—because this is why we came.
Whistler Blackcomb is massive, and it can feel intimidating at first. But once you get into the rhythm, it’s incredible. Wide-open runs, long descents, varied terrain—it keeps things interesting day after day.
Peak to Peak (Yes, We Did It)
We skied Peak to Peak and rode the famous Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and it never gets old.
Floating between mountains, surrounded by snow and sky—it’s one of those moments where everyone goes quiet. You don’t need to talk. You just take it in.
Tip: Ride it at least once on a clear day if you can. It’s worth timing around the weather.
Ski Days with Family
Skiing as a family is one of my favorite things in the world.
There’s movement, then pause. Ski, stop, laugh, regroup. Everyone is engaged. No phones. No distractions. Just being together.
My 10-year-old daughter did amazing this trip, and watching her confidence grow on the mountain was such a proud moment for me.
The Best Part of Every Ski Day (Besides the Skiing)
Two words: Hot. Chocolate.
Every. Single. Day.
Hot chocolate after skiing is non-negotiable in our family. It’s the reward. The ritual. The pause before evening.
And then there’s the hot tub.
Hot Tubs, Snow & Stillness
There is nothing—and I mean nothing—like soaking in a hot tub while snow falls around you after a long ski day.
Muscles tired. Mind quiet. Cold air on your face, warm water everywhere else. That’s when everything slows down. That’s when the day really settles.
A Spa Day I’ll Never Forget
One of the most special moments of this trip was a spa day with my daughter.
Watching her relax, feeling grown-up and proud, sharing that quiet time together—it meant so much to me. It wasn’t rushed or planned too tightly. Just time. Presence.
Travel gives you those moments when you allow space for them.
Why Travel Like This Shapes How I See the World
I don’t travel to escape my life—I travel to enrich it.
Every place I visit teaches me something. Sometimes it’s obvious. Sometimes it shows up later, quietly, in how I think or feel.
Ski trips remind me of balance:
Movement and rest
Effort and ease
Cold and warmth
Discipline and play
Those contrasts matter to me—not just in travel, but in life.
Practical Tips If You’re Planning a Similar Trip
Best time: Thanksgiving week is ideal—early season energy without holiday chaos.
Packing tip: Pack layers. Real layers. Weather can shift quickly.
Food tip in Whistler: Don’t just eat on the slopeside. Explore the village.
Ski pacing: Don’t overdo it. Leave room for hot tubs, naps, and slow mornings.
Why We’ll Keep Doing This Every Year
Different mountains. Different countries. Same tradition.
Skiing together has become part of our family rhythm. It’s how we reconnect, reset, and mark the season of gratitude.
This Thanksgiving, Vancouver fed my love for food and art. Whistler fed my love for skiing, stillness, and presence. And my family made it unforgettable.
I’ll choose snow, skis, and hot chocolate for Thanksgiving—every single time.
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