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Thanks for the detailed reply. I hadn’t even got to the stage of considering actual costs of going with the family and now realise it absolutely wouldn’t be viable.
Whistler is on the card within the next few years but more likely with a few riding pals.
I’d probably look to rent a dh bike too. I’d like my own but it just seems like so much extra hassle.
Edit to add - the rental cost of a high end dh bike like the v10 is something that I think is often underestimated. I’ve heard anything between £400 and £600 to rent out a good dh bike for a week? That in its self seems mental but I understand that they kind of have to charge that sort of money.Driving to the alps is hopefully happening next summer either solo or with the family. I’d intended to do it solo last year but covid stopped it happening.
I think next year my son will be old enough to tolerate the drive down. Being able to plan in an overnight stop somewhere en route and bringing my own bike makes it appealing.Like wise I’ve dreamt of riding a-line since I was a teenager. Those pinch yourself moments must be pretty special.
I really want to ride my mountain bike now.
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TotalShanner
Not my V10, a rental. Best compliment I can make about the frame was that I didn't really notice it. It just felt confident and did what I asked it to do without fuss. The fork needed more small bump sensitivity amd didn't cope with the braking bumps as well as the rear end, but overall, for a rental it was well maintained and the perfect tool for the job.
I was only there for the weekend. Without boring you to tears, I've got to attend an exhibition in Chicago for work and covid rules means you can't fly into the US direct from the UK, you have to fly in to a "safe" country for a minimum of 14 days before the US will let you in.
So I drew the short straw of 2 weeks in Canada visiting some of our customers. And to achieve the 14 days I had to fly in to Vancouver on the Friday pm amd wouldn't need to see any customers until the Monday.
Like you, I'd never been and always wanted to go to Whistler, so my choices were kill time in a Vancouver Lenny's Lodge on drive on up to Whistler. Did feel a bit blessed for all the stars to align the way they did.
I stayed in a place called the Whistler Village Inn & Suites. It was pretty basic, a pull down bed, a sink and a fridge etc, but it was very central which allowed me to make the most of my short time there. There wasn't really any hotel facilities but there's so many cafes, bars and restaurants in the centre I certainly didn't go hungry. There's also a fairly big supermarket within walking distance.
Got to be honest, I'd probably not take the family. Its extremely expensive, I certainly couldn't afford to do it if I had to pay for everything myself, even as a solo traveller. Even being fortunate enough that my work was picking up the flights, car hire, hotel, etc, the bike hire, lift passes and the mtb specific 2 day travel insurance I took out cost me a small fortune.
There is stuff in the surrounding areas that a family would enjoy (if they don't bike) but having had family holidays in the Alps, where there's loads more for the whole family to enjoy, I'd recommend that over whistler all day long. 4 bums in a car to drive to the alps will cost you a fraction of what flights to Canada for 4 would cost. Whistler itself is clearly a purpose built ski resort and feels much more commercial ie just set up to extract maximum cash from the visitors. And unlike in the alps there aren't any mountain bars or restaurants you can pull over to. You have to return to the resort for drinks or food.
I'm sure your family would enjoy it, and the whole area is ridiculously beautiful but I think they'd enjoy the alps more, and that's even before any cost considerations.