HSJones

We are meeting family in Vancouver and driving up to Whistler for the first week in March. Family is coming over from UK, we're flying in from T.O. We're staying in self-catering accommodation. I figure groceries will be much more expensive in Whistler - and wondered if Vancouver locals can recommend a supermarket where we can stop and stock up on food/drink for the week? We'll be picking up a car at Vancouver airport and heading north - something en route would be best.
Also, in BC is alcohol sold in grocery stores or is it like Ontario where you have to visit a liquor store? If so, we'll need to stop at a liquor store too, so perhaps a supermarket next to a liquor store would work best!
Google is saying we'd drive on highway 99 (Granville St) through the city and out up to Highway 1. Is traffic going to be a nightmare? And is there another way that locals would recommend? We're arriving on the 3rd March (Saturday) around 3pm.
On a side note, my sister and her husband will be spending a few days in Vancouver prior to skiing - what are the must-sees for first time visitors?
We're very excited! Thanks for any advice!

Aviator

Traffic depends on the time of day you travel through downtown. There are ways around. From the airport I go Grant McConachie Way, 99, SW Marine, down Blenheim to Point Grey Road, over Burrard Bridge, through Stanley Park and onto the Lions Gate bridge. 99 North however is the most straightforward route.

Liquor from liquor stores. No idea on the price of groceries in Whistler. I'd just want to get there and in the overall scheme of things is the price of a few rations worth the hassle? There are also grocery stores in Squamish.

helcat12

There are liquor stores everywhere, so fear not - you will be able to stock up on booze on the way out there without taking much of a detour, if any at all.

el_richo

As soon as you get onto Granville Street immediately after leaving airport (Grant McConachie Way), there's a Safeway on the left hand side and a liquor store next to it i think.

JonboyE

At Granville and 70th. Yes, there is a liquor store next door.

Former Lancastrian

On a side note, my sister and her husband will be spending a few days in Vancouver prior to skiing - what are the must-sees for first time visitors?
We're very excited! Thanks for any advice!

Im guessing East Hastings St area is not a must

helcat12

On the handful of occasions I have been to Vancouver as a tourist I have never seen anything I would call a "must see".

The inside of the Customs building doesn't count, that's for sure.

The best thing was the view of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain.

Granville Isalnd was nice for an afternoon especially if there is a special outdoor market or event on.

Whale watching trip from there was fantastic fun in nice weather, too.

I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what is suggested - I clearly need to find some myself.

el_richo

Thought i'd seen one when driving by. Thanks JonboyE

Oink

The most popular activity seems to get really fat, wear fancy dress and then go Granville Island and wander about all over the road while not noticing that there are people who drive and have somewhere to go.

helcat12

I notice that they do not even look up to see whether there are any cars coming, but then very few people seem to be knocked down.

More common it seems that they kill themselves while in their cars through a combination of appalling driving, ditches that you could fit my house in and very sturdy trees.

As for the fancy dress on Granville, I assumed it was something to do with their attempt at cosmopolitan style when they were going out somewhere special until I saw the same thing in Safeway.

JonboyE

There is an IGA Market Place in Whistler which is smaller than a superstore but what you expect from a supermarket. Whilst I don't expect it will be super cheap it will serve all your needs. There is also a Nesters market and Creekside Market (both grocery stores) that the locals I know use.

Are you Costco members? If so, there is a Costco on Expo Blvd that is only a few blocks off route. It is right beside BC Place.

There are two Loblaws Stores close to your route. A Real Canadian Superstore on SE Marine Drive (about 10 minutes east of the Arthur Laing Bridge that connects the Airport to Vancouver) and an Extra Foods at Park Royal in West Vancouver (turn left instead of right at the intersection of Marine Drive and Taylor Way).

As mentioned above, you can do your shopping in Squamish as well.

At a liquor store. BC Liquor Stores are government owned but there are numerous private stores and pubs also sell takeouts. The BC Liquor Stores are generally cheaper but many do not have chill cabinets. There are 3 BC Liquor Stores in Whistler.

There are ways around it but I would not chose to take them. The view from the Granville Street Bridge, Downtown, Stanley Park and the Lion's Gate Bridge are all worth seeing and if you are only here once it would be a shame to miss them.

The Canucks are at home that evening so there will be traffic going into downtown. It might be best to do your shopping in West Vancouver or Squamish so you get through downtown before it gets busy. (It probably also rules out Costco as a convenient place to shop.)

There is a good discussion of things to do in Vancouver if you only have a few days here ... http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=744033

HSJones

Thank you for the helpful and interesting tips and advice! Looks like we're all set.

After going for a practice at Glen Eden ski hill near Toronto this weekend to ensure we could still remember how to ski, I've decided in future years not to bother practicing in Ontario prior to hitting the big mountains....such a waste of time and money!

Only hope that Whistler lives up to the hype.

el_richo

Don't forget to buy your EDGE pass before you get there to save a chunk of cash on lift tickets. Offer runs out this week.

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/tickets/edge/index.htm

tee1

I'd just do your shopping in Squamish, its on your way and pretty much the same price as supermarkets in Vancouver. For proper grocery shopping in Squamish, fruit, veg etc go to save on foods which is close to the town centre just of the highway. There's a walmart 5 mins further up the highway, good for frozen stuff

Do NOT do your shopping in Whistler, the prices amount to extortion
For example a normal box of cornflakes in Whistler $6.50, same box in Squamish $2, which is why I regularly head to squamish.

In Whistler, IGA is the overall cheapest but Creekside has the best meat selection and Nesters has a good range of veggies.
The liquor stores here are the same price as in Van.

Where you staying in Whistler? Hopefully we'll get some good snow for you before March as its not the best right now

JonboyE

Just another thought. For parts of the Sea to Sky Highway winter tires or chains are required between October 1 and March 31.

Although I regularly run this risk and have never seen the rule enforced I believe the police do sometimes check cars, especially in bad weather. To be on the safe side it might be worth asking the rental company if they can supply a set of chains, or you could pop into Canadian Tire