Canada’s West Coast Goes Green
City Life, Green Issue –April / May, 2008
By Sera Ozel and Stephanie D’Angelo

As the proud host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,Vancouver has quickly evolved into one of Canada’s most sought-after travel destinations. Following suit is the ever-bustling city of Whistler.With so many residents and travellers roaming the cities,Vancouver and Whistler businesses have taken a sustainable approach to ensure that all of their practices are eco-friendly.

Asone of the leading eco-conscious travel destinations
in the world, British Columbia ensures that each of its
cities follows suit.This dedication is evident through the restructuring of Stanley Park – Vancouver’s oldest and largest park. Recently devastated by a windstorm that sent hundreds of ancient trees toppling down, the city took immediate action to restore the park’s natural beauty. In such a short time, $9.5 million has been raised for the effort. It is this dedication to its environment that has earned B.C. the respect of visitors and residents alike.

In fact, our visit to Vancouver and Whistler revealed an eco friendly theme throughout the cities’ hotspots.This is defi nitely the case at the chic Opus Hotel in Vancouver’s hip Yaletown neighbourhood. Boasting contemporary style with a sleek design and vivid décor, the Opus Hotel is doing its best to look out for the environment. They just eliminated the last plastic
bag in its suites and have substituted them with reusable canvas bags.The suites are decorated in the utmost style with spa-like washrooms outfitted for the hotel’s elite guests.Accompanying its stunning décor is exceptional guest relations with on-call, and educated hotel staff eager to help you – whether it’s waking you up with breakfast in bed or assisting you with directions around the city.

We spent our first evening in Vancouver experiencing the hotel’s nightlife and enjoying dinner at Elixir.There, executive chef Don Letendre prepared a decadent meal for us. As proud supporters of local farmers, the menu at Elixir is constantly changing to allow for in-season produce to be incorporated into their dishes.
The province’s commitment to a green lifestyle is even carried through to their skincare. Most of the spas were committed to providing organic skincare products free of dyes, chemicals and preservatives. One of Vancouver’s top spas, Skoah, offers its clients pure products that are suitable for sensitive skin, blending plant extract, natural minerals and organic compounds to give you your best skin possible.

On our last morning in Vancouver, we took a gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain, where we gazed down over the water, and took in the city’s beauty.At 3,700-feet above the ground, a Sno-limo chauffeur took us down the snow-covered hills. Perfectly safe and extremely fun, Sno-limos are the only way for non-skiiers to enjoy the ski hills. And, they reduce carbon emissions as they are man-powered and a great alternative to snowmobiles. Since the top of the mountain stays snowy all year, these winter pastimes
can be enjoyed year-round.

After bidding farewell to Vancouver, we paid a visit to its famous neighbour to the north. A city that’s young at heart, Whistler is a natural year-round playground,
constantly bustling with excitement.The charming village offered something to do at every time of the day, whether it was a thrilling adventure or just some quiet time listening to nature and absorbing the magnificent scenery. And with an adoringly inclusive culture, Whistler’s laid-back style and friendly inhabitants made us feel instantly at home.

Our Whistler adventure began at the Adara Hotel, a luxurious retreat with a dedicated and hospitable staff. Located at the heart of Whistler’s ski resort,Adara offers its guests a modern alternative to traditional accommodation.The hotel’s 41 guestrooms are
beautifully decorated with a vibrant colour scheme and charismatic décor.Taking immense strides to be kind to the environment, each room at the Adara is equipped with recycling bins, low-flush toilets, and conservation cards that encourage guests to limit the frequency of having their sheets and towels washed during their stay. Truly an eco-friendly hotel, Adara has also eliminated the use of plastic bags on its
newspapers and in its wastebaskets.

As we walked through the village of the renowned Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, we were surrounded by enthusiastic tourists strolling the cobblestone pathways, exploring the enchanting cafés, lively pubs and unique shops that line the streets. A perfect destination for the thrill-seeker, the thriving resort offers visitors endless action-packed activities – no matter the season.

Perhaps the highlight of our Whistler expedition was our experience at the Taman Sari Spa.We were treeted by a courteous staff, each member trained in Indonesia to deliver an authentic experience. Candles lined the floor of the exotic retreat, lighting the way to our pristine treatment rooms, where we indulged in the Royal Essential Touch and Javanese Pampering packages.

After visiting two environmentally friendly cities, we hope that other Canadian hot spots will adopt a green mandate. It is clear that reducing waste and implementing sanctions to encourage eco-conscious lifestyles can truly make a difference.

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