Co-host to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games - Whistler is buzzing with a flurry of new resorts and boutique hotels. Just 75 miles north of Vancouver and rated as one of North America's top ski resorts, Whistler is also a year-round adventure playground where you can go flight-seeing over immense glaciers, paddle to a ghost town, hike old growth forests in search of bear dens, play championship golf...

THE WESTIN RESORT & SPA - WHISTLER VILLAGE Opened in 2000, The Westin is the most centrally located 5-star hotel in Whistler, right in the main village and just steps away from both Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas (Four Seasons Resort and Fairmont Chateau Whistler are located in the quieter Upper Village). The Westin is convenient to all the shops, bars and restaurants of Whistler Village, as well as being located slopeside at Whistler Mountain with ski-lifts, ski-school and nursery.

The entire property is non-smoking and all of the 419 suites have been designed for the ultimate in residential comfort with fireplaces to warm your surroundings and superb views of mountains, forested hills or Whistler Village providing an enchanting backdrop. Dining options include the Aubergine Grill, with its dramatic show kitchen and the intimate FireRock Lounge, for a chic après-ski atmosphere. The Avello Spa and Health Club is one of the most comprehensive in Canada with a mountain-view lounge and 25 treatment rooms for facials, body wraps, and holistic therapies. Take advantage of the indoor/outdoor pool and dual whirlpools, Eucalyptus steam room, and extensive fitness area.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT WHISTLER - UPPER VILLAGE is Whistler's newest 5-star resort, opened in 2005, and offers 273 guest rooms, suites and townhouses that are generously sized and capture the spirit of a luxurious mountain residence.

All feature cozy wood interiors, gas-burning fireplaces and superb views from private or step-out balconies. The outdoor, free-form pool is reminiscent of a glacier spring and the spa provides pampering therapies in 15 treatment rooms. Guest have complimentary access to the well-equipped cardio and weight training center. Extensive children's amenities are offered for families. 5280 Bistro celebrates its spectacular alpine location with glorious views from a brilliant fire-lit setting.

During the winter, a dedicated ski concierge is available to simplify your day on the mountain, providing customized rentals, equipment transfers, direct ski lift access, assistance arranging lift tickets and booking lessons. In summer, just 3 km/2 miles from the resort, is the 18-hole, 6,908 yard, par 71 Nicklaus North Golf Course offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks, an emerald lake and beautiful fir trees.

THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER - UPPER VILLAGE is a majestic, classic hotel located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a 5-minute walk to the main village. This 550-room chateau-style hotel features ski-in/ski-out access to Blackcomb Mountain with ski bulter service, as well as the Vida Wellness Spa, fitness center, indoor-outdoor heated pool with three spa tubs and a heated outdoor lap pool with piped-in underwater music.

There's even bar service at the hot tubs, so after a hard day of skiing, you can soak away your tired muscles while enjoying a cocktail and watch the skiiers come down the mountain. Each room offers spectacular mountain or village views tastefully designed to blend with the alpine setting. The gold-level rooms have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and offer access to a private lounge and other perks.

The Mallard Lounge offers fireside après-ski or "19th-hole" golf relaxation with the ambience of an English gentleman's club. It's just off the vaulted lobby with its river rock fireplace. The resort's signature Wildflower Restaurant serves fine Pacific Northwest cuisine and wines against stunning mountain views.

PAN PACIFIC WHISTLER MOUNTAINSIDE - WHISTLER VILLAGE is situated in the prime ski-in/ski-out location at the foot of the Whistler Mountain gondola, one block from Whistler Village Square. The hotel offers 45 Studio Suites, 51 One-Bedroom Suites and 25 Two-Bedroom Suites, all with balconies and awe-inspiring views of the two majestic mountains or the rustic charm of Whistler Village. The spacious suites offer the comfort of gas fireplaces, fully equipped granite-top kitchens, high-speed Internet access, plush robes, down duvets, soaker tubs, Aveda bath toiletries.

The hotel has an amazing pool deck overlooking Skiers' Plaza, with stunning views of both the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The pool deck has a year-round heated outdoor pool, two outdoor hot tubs and a steam room to help you relax after a day on the slopes. So, not only can you ski right back to your hotel, you can relax at the end of the day, gazing up at the snowy slopes. Indulge in a hot-stone massage and aroma facial in the Spa.

SUNDIAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL - WHISTLER VILLAGE opened in December 2003, this European-style boutique hotel features ski-in/ski-out access and a residential ambience in the heart of Whistler Village. The hotel anchors one end of the Village Stroll and is adjacent to ski lifts, serving both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The hotel's 49 one- and two-bedroom suites have breathtaking mountain and village views from every room, as well as full kitchens, living areas with gas fireplaces, premium bedding, DVD players, wireless Internet access, and bathrooms with soaking tubs and heated floors.

Eight suites have private outdoor hot tubs and the property features a rooftop hot tub; some suites have step-out balconies overlooking Skier's Plaza. The comforts of home are never far away when you stay at the Sundial, from boxes of gourmet chocolates and luxurious Aveda bath products placed in every room upon arrival, to complimentary hot apple cider and baked goods in the lobby.

Come back after a day of skiing and relax in the rooftop hot tub or the in-house Vital Spirit Spa. The hotel also has several popular restaurants in-house.

PAN PACIFIC WHISTLER VILLAGE CENTER - WHISTLER VILLAGE Opened in summer 2005, this brand new 83 all-suite contemporary hotel is the sister hotel to the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. Guests can utilize the hotel's ski valet at the gondola base to store skis and gear.

All-suite accommodations come complete with full kitchen, gas fireplace, balcony, large oversized windows and full four-piece baths with soaker tubs, complemented by deluxe Aveda salon amenities. Revitalize in the boutique spa or take advantage of the year-round outdoor heated lap pool and two outdoor hot tubs, all with spectacular views of the idyllic mountains. There is also a cardio/weight room and sauna.

The hotel offers an inclusive buffet breakfast (a first for any Whistler accommodation). The hotel's signature Pacific Lounge offers dramatic floor to ceiling windows that take in epic views of the surroundings. Allow the hotel's 24-hour Concierge and Front Desk to assist you by recommending and organizing activities and dining arrangements, so you can fully experience all the magic that a Whistler vacation has to offer.

HILTON WHISTLER RESORT & SPA - WHISTLER VILLAGE completed a $52 million, 30-month renovation in May 2006, opening a brand new hotel steps away from the lifts. All 289 spacious guest rooms have been stylishly redesigned, including Hilton Serenity® bedding, luxurious bathrooms with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and deep soaker tubs.

All rooms include up-to-the-minute amenities like custom-designed alarm clocks with connection cables for MP3 players and added luxuries available in a number of suites, range from woodburning fireplaces, full service kitchenettes with granite countertops, balconies, private in-room saunas and internal laundry facilities. Lead by highly awarded Chef Jay Lynn, the Cinnamon Bear Grille presents Canadian west coast cuisine in a casually sophisticated venue. The Cinnamon Bear Bar is an excellent après ski bar and a favorite with locals, featuring large screen TV, two pool tables, fireplace and an outdoor patio with firepits.

The hotel's Artesian Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments, fitness facilities, year-round heated pool, sauna and steam rooms.

FIRST TRACKS LODGE - WHISTLER CREEKSIDE Set at the base of Whistler Mountain, in the Creekside Village, First Tracks lodge is literally steps from the Creekside Express Gondola, shopping, fine dining and apres ski.

Creekside Village is ten minutes south of the main village, and has its own Whistler Gondola and Town Centre with restaurants and shopping. Elegant and richly styled, the lodge features designer 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom suites. Heavy timber doors lead to majestic interiors of stone, slate and glass, warmed by deep colors and rich, authentic fabrics. Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops lend a modern flair to gourmet kitchens.

First Tracks Lodge is designed to delight even the most discerning travelers. Indulge in the outdoor, four-season pool and hot tubs or spend some unhurried time in the lobby library. After a day on the slopes, come home to one of Whistler's most prestigious addresses.

ADARA HOTEL - WHISTLER VILLAGE Opened in January 2006, Adara is an intimate, "hip" boutique hotel and is just steps away from the shops, restaurants, nightlife and ski-lifts of Whistler's main village.

Adara Hotel offers a completely new experience in Whistler, integrating modern design elements with the warmth and intimacy of traditional ski lodging. The hotel's highly professional staff is on duty 24 hours, ensuring that whatever time you arrive, you'll be welcomed, and whatever you need during your stay will be provided at once. Choose from four distinctive room configurations, featuring spa-like bathrooms, luxurious beds, floating fireplaces and artful design details. Like most Whistler hotel accommodations, wood, stone and other natural materials are used to reflect the beauty of the landscape.

At Adara, these materials are expressed playfully, and are combined with iconic modernist furnishings, rich colors and innovative surface treatments to create a stylish and light-hearted Whistler lodging experience. A lobby bar serves après-ski cocktails and a year-round outdoor hot tub provides a scenic soak after a day of skiing or endless other adventures that Whistler offers.

SUMMIT LODGE & SPA - WHISTLER VILLAGE NORTH is a Kimpton Hotel, known for their collection of boutique, pet-friendly properties. This four-story lodge is located in Whistler Village North, three blocks from the pedestrian-friendly Whistler Village Square.

The hotel provides a complimentary ski shuttle to the Whistler/Blackcomb ski lifts. Eighty-one studio and one-bedroom suites feature kitchenettes with granite countertops, fireplaces, soaker tubs, and private balconies.

An outdoor heated pool and hot tub is surrounded by evergreens, and the hotel's unique Javanese-style, Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa, provides seductive treatments after an active day of skiing.

The hotel's Elements was named Whistler's Best New Restaurant for 2005, and offers tapas, fresh seafood, infused martinis and rare wines.

www.luxurytravelmagazine.com