TRAVEL Summer tourism heats up at Whistler resorts TRAVEL TIPS THURSDAY MORNING at Whistler Golf Club and a local bartender is warming up on coffee and cigarettes and _ complaining that he’s only “had two days off since May and no time to put his beat inte the chuck. “Making any money?” “You betcha,” says the bartender; the | salmon can wait. The Whistler Resort Association states the same thing with statistics, reperting enother record summer season, up 10% on last year’s tally of 500,000 chalets and condo blocks springing up along mountain ridges., ' Rentals are paying off for investors and hotels are enjoying boom times. Remember many of ~ them were financed on the expecta- tion of winter trade only; the expec- tation now is that summer traffic will exceed winter business in the not too distant future. The reason is simple: there is so much to do in the summertime —rid- ing, tennis, fishing, hiking the alpine meadows, paragliding, mountain biking, music festivals, even summer skiing, and gold. Tourist fire info line THE MINISTRY of Tourism will continue to provide the public with fire-related travel information for the rest of the forest fire season. “We set up our new toll-free line just five days ago in cooperation with the Ministry of Forests.” Tourism Minister Bill Barlee said earlier this month, “and already our staff have handled more than 1,200 calls. We have been able to assure callers that, for the most part, high- ways are open and it's business as usual in British Columbia. “My message to the public and to potential tourists in our key mar- kets is that British Columbia is still a safe and beautiful place to visit. SILVERSEA CRUISES The newest addition to iuxury cruising will make a presentation at 1507 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver on September 1 at 7:30 pm We are featuring the Seychelles/Aftican Safari cruise in February of (95 Come join us by phoning 926-6871 This is the big one, and will be more of a feature when the Jack Nicklaus-designed Green Lakes course opens next year. Meanwhile, the new Big Sky course in a quict mountain valley at Pemberton is a delight. Ed McLaughlin, ex-University Golf Club, is the director of golf at Big Sky, 20 minutes downhill trom Whistler, which gives another three weeks’ playing seuson. Architect Bob Cupp has put four tees on every hole to make it versa- tile and critically has made this a walker’s course, although power carts are available. Green fees are $75. If Big Sky is surrounded by mountains, the Chateau Whistler course is on them, an experience offering the best of Robert Trent Jones Jr., snow-capped peaks all around, and even a big black bear near the third tee. 66 There are kids on skateboards, grannies on in-line skates and movers and shakers on goodness knows what. 99 If you want it all, the Chateau itself awaits with pool, health spa and a vigorous yet relaxing massage from Colleen Wight. Other treatments are available, such as thermal baths, body wraps, steam, facial, pedicures, manicures. I didn’t have time for any more but noted that Chateau Whistler has scheduled a series of special spa weekends for Sept. 2-4, Oct. 7-9 and 14-16 and Nov. 4-6. and there is no reason to postpone iravel plans to our province.” The toll-free number is 1-800 294-6688. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The toll-free line is in addition to The cult of well-being is also practiced by other Whistler hotels including the Whistler Village Inns, which has introduced a Back to Basics program including health and weight-conscious dine-arounds. My culinary outings were unreg- ulated but extremely pleasant, start- ing with breakfast at the Chatcau’s Wildflower restaurant where free copies of the Globe & Mail are thoughtfully provided and Claudia the server is as cheerful as the mom- ing. I can recommend the freshly made sandwiches at Whistler Golf Club’s mid-way shack, just $2 com- pared to the usual swiz, and to really catch the mood of summer nights the place to be is in the village, down on your knees asking for an outside table at Chez Joel. The man, a legend in his own waistline, still makes the best pepper steak this side of the Alps, and it tastes even better on a warm night overlooking the village square as the half-million summer tourists, or most of them, stroll by taking in the scene. There are kids on skateboards, grannies on in-line skates and movers and shakers on goodness knows what. Music comes from a restaurant across-the street where a younger crowd drinks out of bottles and pays cash. Later that night they will be baying at the Savage Beagle. The next night we try a sizzling curry at the new Thai One On restau- rant at Blackcomb. A liberal supply of Whistler lager is recommended to keep the temper- ature down and we reflect on how times are achanging round here. Thai in Whistler, and good beer from its own brewery. And wouldn't you know it, that the first person we see in Thai One On is Claudia, our breakfast server. She works here till 11 o’clock at night and is up at the Chateau Whistler doing breakfasts at 6 am. Wonder if she’d like to meeta hard-working bartender? extended the regular Discover British Columbia tourist information and reservation line. Tourists wanting routine travel information or accom- modation reservations should use . the 663-6000 line. TRAVEL WITH THE PACESETTERS " Waltzing Matilda Sully Escorted Tour” teat Hatret Qeet Free evening at Sydney Opera House with performance and vinner PLUS... @ Free Honolulu stopover on Specilic departures, Detailed information dossiers available {SPECIAL FILM EVENING SEPT. 21, 1994 —_— Pisose RSYP | Fall Airfares Return from Vancouver 9 } To AUCKLAND trom CAD $1290 It: SYDNEY, BRISBANE, trom CAD MELBOURNE $1400 & CAIRNS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS AIRFARES NOW AVAILABLE! Special Interest Group departures for Golf, Fishing, Floral, Gourmet Food & Wine. Calt for your customized itineraries and your FREE COWNUNDER BROCHURE. THE SOUTH PACIFIC SPECIALISTS 409 Granville Street, $ Suite site 452, Vane Vancouver 2-800-663-5115 687-3083 BIG SKY pro Tara Roden tees off towards Mount Currie. FOR THE PEAK. OF THE SALES SHOP THE FLYERS WEDNESDAY *Eatons ‘Sears *Wal Mart *A&B Sound ‘*Chevron FRIDAY *Real Estate Weekly “Eatons The Bay Watch for our Real Estate Home Section. SUNDAY *Super Valu *Real Canadian Superstore “Sears *Burger King Safeway Shoppers Drug Mart Save-On-Foods The Bay If you miss any of these flyers call our Distribution office at 986-1337 * delivered to selected areas only