Real Estate Blog

A Sea to Sky Kinda Summer

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:50:32 GMT

Summer Activities in the Sea to Sky seem boundless. The minute the sun shines everybody strips down, gears up and gets out in nature. The ladies of Meg McLean Real Estate are no exception and they all have a favourite adventure to share…

MEG
Paddle boarding has become such a big part of the “lake hangs” lifestyle and it is such a great way to get across the lake to meet up with friends, head out with the kids or even your pooch (unless the wind picks up, in which case getting back can be quite a challenge!)

Last year Meg paddled the River of Golden Dreams on a paddle board for the first time and it’s now top of her “Let’s do it Again List”.

Thankfully, getting your hands on outdoor equipment seems to be a little easier this year so check with your local suppliers (Escape Route have Red Paddle boards available) or there are tons of online options available.

KIKI
Kiki likes to get out on her motorbike the minute weather permits so this summer it has been a late start but you can’t keep a good woman down and she has definitely been making up for lost time. A couple of quick trips over to the island are always fun on a motorbike, as long as you arrive ½ hour before sailing time you are guaranteed a spot up front with no waiting. Her favourite quick trip from Whistler though would be the awesome stretch of road up to Lillooet. Riding out through Pemberton and Mt Currie, as you whizz by the Joffre Lakes Trailhead, catch a brief glimpse of the ice blue glacier and feel the temperature drop before cresting over the hill to witness the change in landscape along the duffy. Rolling down past Seton Damn and into the warmth of the desert like Lillooet almost feels like another world. The inevitable pit stop at the Abundance Artisan Bakery for a tasty treat and a quick rest, or for a real spoil, a languishing lunch at Fort Berens Winery and then back on the bike for the “riverside ride” home. Best day ever!

LIZ
Liz would live on her boat if she could. It is no surprise then that her favourite Sea to Sky adventure is on the water. Taking the boat from horseshoe bay with a few friends (Sewells Marina do daily rentals if you don’t have your own!) and heading across to Gibson’s for some oysters at “Smitty’s” is always a crowd pleaser. You can anchor up at a number of small islands with remote beaches along the way and you really get to see our scenic coast from a new perspective. Looking across at the Lions from out in the bay or stretching across towards Mt Washington on a clear day. Thankfully Liz’s partner Ryan has recently added starlink satellite to their on board amenities so the dream of simultaneously working and sailing is not so far out of reach.

KRISTI
Meet me in lasqueti, squeti, meet me at the shore! Kristi is a dedicated family girl who is acing the classic juggling act of career, family and friends. It is rare that she gets any time to just be in nature or enjoy a couple of days away however, this summer she cleared her schedule and made a quick escape to Lasqueti Island with some girlfriends. That’s right, no laptop, no lovers, no children. Instead it was ocean, lots of laughs and maybe a little bit of wine. Its a drive- ferry-drive-ferry adventure so you definitely want to have a few days when you get there, but wow is it a magical spot.

KRISTEN
Kristen, our Marketing Manager currently lives in Calgary, Alberta – so less Sea to Sky adventures for her lately, and a few more Prairie ones! If you make it out that way in the Summertime, she highly recommends the live music at the Calgary Stampede, a float down the Bow River, a day trip to Drumheller to check out the dinosaur museum, and she will happily recommend some amazing local eateries (just send her a DM on Instagram lol!)

Coming Soon

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:49:15 GMT

BC ASSESSMENTS

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:48:24 GMT

BC ASSESSMENTS were released earlier this month and they have the town buzzing! With many properties seeing a substantial increase in value over the past year, we are fielding a lot of questions about the increase in taxes and what this means for your equity. We have reached out to many of you via text and just in case we haven’t managed to connect with you we’ve put together this list of 5 options for utilizing the extra equity in your home :

1. Start a business. Do you have an idea or a dream for a business that you could use funds for?
2. Buy another property. Have you been thinking about an investment property or a slice of real estate in another area?
3. Home renovation. How long have you been waiting to spruce up a bathroom or kitchen?
4. Stocks. Looking to begin or diversify your portfolio?
5. Toys! In the Sea to Sky there can be so many useful and fun toys to own. What have you been fantasizing about?

If you have questions about the equity in your home – how to calculate it or who to speak to, if you think you’ve been over assessed or if you have any questions at all, let us know.

We’re happy to check the real market value vs assessed value for you. And if you have been over assessed, you can appeal it to reduce your taxes.

Click this link to see your assessment.

www.bcassessment.ca

Whistler Market Stats Infographic

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:47:36 GMT

Holiday Gift Guide ’21

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:47:02 GMT

We hope you’ve been tuning into our Instagram and Facebook stories this month – we’ve been featuring some of our favorite Sea to Sky businesses! Wonderful places to shop for Christmas gifts, order your takeout, buy gift cards or just support with your follows, likes & reviews!

This is just a small taste of what we’ve been sharing, check out our Local Love ’21 & Local Love ’20 highlight reels on Instagram for the full listing – we will be adding businesses right up until December 23rd!

Whistler Market Stats

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:46:22 GMT

Winter Is Coming

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:45:45 GMT

While the snow line slowly makes it’s way down the mountains to the Valley excitement is building for the upcoming winter season. Whistler Blackcomb will be opening on 25th of November so dust off the gear and get ready for some FUN! As a team we are excited for our annual team ski day and hope to catch up with clients on the lifts throughout the season. We are always happy to talk Real Estate while sitting in a lift on the way to play!

As the days get colder it is a good time to be checking in on the winterizing of your home:

Top 10 Tips to Winterize Your Home

1) Check your heating system and install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one.
2) Seal up any drafts and insulate around windows and doors.
3) Protect your air conditioner from the cold temperatures.
4) Check your roof before it is loaded with snow.
5) Get your chimney, fireplace and flue serviced.
6) Protect water pipes from freezing both inside and outside your home, be mindful of pipes exposed in basements or crawl spaces.
7) Make your home energy efficient, BC Hydro offers Rebates for energy efficient practices, check them out HERE.
8) If you have ceiling fans have them move in a clockwise direction to move hot air downwards.
9) Clean your gutters.
10) Most importantly don’t forget to stock up on cozy blankets and enjoy cuddles with your loved ones with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate while you watch the snow fall at the window!

Hidden Gem – Alice & Brohm Ice Cream Co.

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:45:01 GMT

A favorite of ours when in Squamish, is Alice & Brohm Ice Cream Co. with two Squamish locations, you have to taste this delicious New Zealand style ice cream! Made with real fruit, and some of BC’s best dairy, we dream about our favorite flavours!

This month we are running a contest over on our Connecting the Sea to Sky Facebook page, to win an Alice & Brohm gift card – head over there to enter!

Hidden Gem

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:43:53 GMT

We have another local hidden gem for you this month, inspiring young entrepreneurs Lydia and Stella Schwartz created The Peanut Butter Queens in Whistler. They are a small Peanut Butter business that believes food should be organic, fresh, whole, and made with love and care. They have a large variety of Peanut Butters including: Honey Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Maple and many more! They sell their jars at Farmer’s Markets throughout the Summer. These make amazing holiday or hostess gifts and you can order year round at: www.ThePeanutButterQueens.ca

REAL ESTATE NEWS – Land Owner Transparency Act

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:42:53 GMT

We want to remind our clients about the Land Owner Transparency Act deadline of November 30th so you can be prepared to make any necessary arrangements. LOTA requires the disclosure of individuals who hold, directly or indirectly, beneficial interests in land in B.C. including through corporate and partnership structures. LOTA will create a publicly searchable registry. Since November 2020 all new transfers of land of this nature have been registered but now existing ownerships must be declared by the deadline. You can file online or through legal representation. For More Information https://landtransparency.ca/

Whistler Market Stats Infographic

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:41:46 GMT

Hidden Gem

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 18:41:01 GMT

As you know, we are massive supporters of local businesses and want to share with our valued clients and friends some hidden gems in the Sea To Sky that you should check out! The first comes to you from just off the Whistler Village stroll between Fat Tony’s Pizza and Stonesedge Kitchen, this hidden gem includes a nail salon and footwear store with the latest and greatest styles for all seasons. Team members Meg & Liz took their business meeting for an outing to Soles Nail Lounge for pedicure magic and were welcomed by the lovely owner Lizzy. Stop by Soles or book your nail appointment online HERE

Whistler Market Stats

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 18:39:56 GMT

Back to School

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:39:16 GMT

The lazy, unstructured days of summer are wrapping up, the time to start getting ready for a new school year can be exciting – a fresh start. Switching from summer-mode to having a full-on schedule, with even more stuff can be easier with some tools and techniques.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Whitney Reynolds, owner of Hook & Basket to bring you some simple organization tips that can be put into action right now, so when school begins, you’ll be ready – whatever the situation.

4 Back to School Organizational Ideas For Your Home

1-CLEAN OUT CLOSETS

Before you go out and buy a whole new back-to-school wardrobe, go through your child’s closet with them, and have them try on their clothes.Donate any outgrown clothes, or previously loved items. This will make room for needed clothes and keep their closets organized.
*Hook&Basket tip: Any new article of clothing, means one article has to go. One in, one out.

2-CREATE A FUNCTIONAL ENTRY SPACE

School comes with lots of clutter – backpacks, papers, coats, shoes, hats/gloves – so make sure you have a functional entry space for containing the chaos. Keeping things simple and organized when you enter the home prioritizes a feeling of calm.Having a designated “home” for each child’s backpack and belongings will make it easier to find items quickly, and to maintain the space throughout the year. Create the habit even before school starts. :)If extra-curricular activities are in the schedule, organize their equipment and make sure you you have anything you need to order in the next size up.
*Hook&Basket tip:Limited with space- a few hooks on the wall for backpacks and coats with a simple basket or two underneath for shoes can have a huge impact!

3-SET UP A PARENT INBOX FOR PAPERS

One of my favorite back to school organization ideas is setting up a “parent inbox”. A place for kids to put any permission slips, notes from their teacher or homework to check over. And we all know there is an abundance of all this stuff!
*Hook&Basket tip: Label one side “in box” – for the arriving papers. Review the inbox in the evening. Label the other side “outbox” – for any papers that need to be returned to school.
4-CREATE A BIN OF AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

Almost as soon as kids get through the door after school you will be hearing “can I have a snack?” If you are like me and prefer your kids to eat healthy rather than searching through cupboards or eating too much junk food, create a bin of pre-planned snacks.This can be a drawer in the refrigerator with pre-cut fruits and veggies. Or a bin in your cupboard with pretzels or dried fruit.
*Hook&Basket tip:Set it up with healthy snacks. Friendly reminder -it is ok for your kids to eat the same snacks everyday. Keep it simple :).
Enjoy the remainder of your summer, time sure does fly! If you need assistance with organizing your life and home feel free to email Whitney – info@hookandbasket.com

Whistler Market Stats Infographic

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:38:22 GMT

SEA TO SKY Farmers Markets

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:37:47 GMT

As we enjoy getting out and about again it is so important to us all that we support those local businesses who have worked tirelessly to continue growing, creating, serving and giving back to those in need. A fantastic way to shop local and meet the wonderful and inspiring people of our Sea To Sky Communities is to hit the Farmer’s Markets this Summer. You can grab everything from arts, crafts to veggies and clothing, even some local bottles of deliciousness for those summer umbrella drinks!

We chatted with a few of our favourite vendors:

Teri at Re:Creation designs is a Farmers Market fan favourite. All of our team have one-of-a-kind pieces from her collection. All designs at Re:creation are made from start to finish in beautiful Whistler, BC. In efforts to help promote sustainability, all of the creations are handmade in small batches using materials and methods that are environmentally conscious. From timeless designs to more sustainable fibres like Linen, Wool & Organic Cotton. Teri loves to help promote and be a part of the change we wish to see in the world!

Solome Natural Beauty has the cutest stall in all the land! Check out her hand-made natural beauty products.

Our friend and client Helen of Lazy Maisie Creates has beautiful hand-crafted jewellery, personalization is available on some pieces and she really has something special for anyone in your life who deserves a piece as unique as they are! Helen is also one of the friendliest people you can meet at the market, if you catch up with her, let her know we say “hello”!

Vicki Watson of Watson Leather Goods who is at the Squamish Farmer’s Market is another team favorite, here’s what she has to say about her brand!

“Watson Leather Goods was borne one pandemic Thursday, sitting in my driveway with a girlfriend and pondering the new world.I have worked in food and beverage forever so finding myself with spare time to indulge my hobby of leather working gave me the nudge I needed to turn it into something more…Small wallets and bags are my niche but I do take requests so my repertoire is growing all the time.”

Stop by this weekend and see what is on offer, it’s a great atmosphere for the whole family and there are gems to be found at every corner!

Whistler Market Stats Infographic

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:36:04 GMT

FATHER’S DAY

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:35:24 GMT

Father’s Day is on Sunday, we hope you make time to celebrate the Fathers in your lives, remember to laugh at their Dad Jokes – at least for one day 🙂

We share some stories about our Dads

Lucy tells us this great local story “My Dad used to visit Whistler for the Summer from England and at 84 years young would ride his mobility scooter to the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub in Whistler Village for lunch and a Guiness most days. He was always a source of wisdom and advised one of the lovely servers to consider washing her clothes on the cool cycle because every time he visited the skirts seemed to have gotten shorter! There is a reason his nickname was Dennis the Menace!”

We hope Kiki’s Mum isn’t reading this one “In my early teens I can remember my dad being on a lacrosse trip in the States one year, when he called home to Australia to say he’s landed in hospital with a stomach bug. Several days and millions of tests later, he is released and returns to the tour. Much discussion is had about concern for my Dad’s health, the cost of a 4 day stay in an American hospital (thankfully covered by the team’s medical) and our whole family is just anxious to have him home. Several years later, I am training for the state team and my coach and I are having a laugh at the pub after training. He’s regaling me with stories of my Dad and his amazing history in the sport, when he launches into this great tale about my Dad on a trip in the states and how he ended up in hospital. Turns out, drinking an entire bottle of tequila, including the worm, after a long day of consuming beers at a golf course without drinking any water on a 30 degree day doesn’t settle so well…Happy Fathers Day Dad, I will never tell mum, this one is between us xxx”

Kristi writes “When I think of my Dad, I smile. I don’t get to see him very often, however he sure holds a special place in my heart. Memories. I’ve got travel on my mind! Family trips to Florida, party time with Dad in Dominican Republic, and then we spent 2 1/2 weeks together at the end of 2007 touring around the Greek Islands, followed by a couple nights in London with some friends. It was his longest vacation he’s ever had. We enjoyed amazing food and had many adventures. Sunset in Santorini was pretty spectacular! I hope we can do another trip together one of these days! I love you so much Dad. Happy Father’s Day!”

Whistler Market Stats

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:33:29 GMT

April Showers, Bring May Flowers

Fri, 14 May 2021 18:32:43 GMT

The sun has been making more regular appearances and our thoughts are turning to getting outside and growing some beautiful flowers or fresh food for our tables. Whatever the size of the area you have available to you there are plenty of options for getting your hands dirty and enjoying the satisfaction of watching a plant you nurture grow. Whether it is simply a pot on a windowsill, a community garden box or a large backyard, gardening is good for you, science says so!! We are not the experts on gardening so we turn to locals and new owners of the Whistler Garden Centre in Function Junction, Charles Verreault and Magali Paquet for help. Charles and Magali want to share their passion for plants and the endless ways of making people happy. At their store the growing capability is endless as they have everything you will need to grow the perfect garden all summer long, or if you don’t have that green thumb they have lots of different types of houseplants that are easy to take care of! They have a great team with lots of knowledge that will give you all the right tips to make that new friend survive!!

In our team we can always track down someone to answer any questions our client’s may have and when it comes to gardening we welcome these great tips from Charles and Magali. Did you know you should always water houseplants when soil is starting to dry rather than on a regular schedule? 70% of house plants like being wet to the touch of soil. Give your plants a weekly dance, rotate them so all sides of your plant gets the sun and not only one side, this will help with keeping your plants green and fresh. For outdoor gardening it’s important to figure out the average frost dates for the area you live in, usually in Whistler the May long weekend is the best time to start planting outside, it’s coming up soon so head to the Garden Centre to prepare. Starting a garden before the last frost of the season is a mistake many new gardeners make. Choose the right plants for your space.Many plants, including fruits and vegetables, need six hours of sun a day to thrive, while others are better suited to areas with limited light. Our team manager Lucy who recently bought a new home in Pemberton is making the most of her garden box and started with Garlic which was planted on the October Full Moon – yes, that’s a thing! If you need any help head to the Whistler Garden Centre, maybe we’ll see you there!

Whistler Market Stats

Fri, 14 May 2021 18:31:12 GMT

Mother’s Day

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:30:26 GMT

Mother’s Day is fast approaching so we want to celebrate the wonderful influence our
Mothers have had on our lives. We asked some members of the team to share some love….

The Best Thing My Mother Taught Me Was…….

“One of the most favourite things my Mother taught me was how to make a feast!! Massive weekend breakfasts, over the top holiday feasts, and mouth watering desserts! Calling Mom for recipes and ideas will always be at the top of my list. Love you Mama :)”. – Meg

“As a young child, through adolescence and into early adulthood there was one phrase that my mother repeated time and time again :“Make every post a winner kid”And now, I hear it in almost every decision I make. If I’m ever at a crossroads or unsure of whether “I should or I shouldn’t “ I hear it “make every post a winner” and it pushes me forward, gives me resolve and makes me feel strangely assured that I am heading in the right direction.I guess it’s my mums version of getting lemons and making lemonade =)” – Kirsten

“The best thing my mother taught me, in addition to exceptional manners 😉 was the value of experiencing life by travelling, adventure, working and culture. She has always encouraged this, however I am mostly grateful for this advice in my teen years, upon graduating high school and having no idea what I wanted “to go to school for”, or “do with my life”. My parents also taught me the value of money and responsibility which I am very grateful for.” – Kristi

“With my children becoming teenagers I am reminded of my Mum making everyone so welcome at our home when I was younger and always having enough food for whomever I bought home. My friends often referred to our house as their second home. When I left England for Canada my friends would regularly stop by for a cup of tea and chat with my parents! I am beginning to understand how important it was for my Mum to be close to my friends and am valuing that with my own children. “Keep your kids close and their friends closer” was a wise lesson!!” – Lucy

“The older I get the more lessons I realize I’ve learned from my mom. From how to to host guests, and make a mean turkey dinner, to leading with kindness and positivity! My mom always has something positive to say in any situation, and is truly my biggest support. So lucky to have her to look up to, and continue to learn from” – Kristen

Remember to make any Mother’s in your life feel appreciated and special on Sunday May 9th! We have wonderful gift ideas from local jeweller Helen Chan of Lazy Maisie. Originally from London, UK, she has called the Sea to Sky her home since 2012. Each beautiful piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. Featuring a simple and feminine design that is uniquely hand-stamped with texture and meaningful messages to inspire thoughtfulness and positivity. Available in sterling silver and 14k gold fill and offering custom words for a more personal touch! Mom’s would love the names of their children on these cute necklaces, we’ve already put in requests to our kids!

Whistler Market Stats I

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:29:40 GMT

Loving Local

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 19:28:58 GMT

It’s February and Love is in the air! It has been the perfect time to explore what we love to do locally while keeping our community safe and healthy. The freezing temperatures have given the ideal conditions for exploring the mountain lakes for ice-skating and pond hockey. Our team suggests packing hot chocolate and wrapping up warm. Smooth, clear ice for skating means it’s certainly going to be chilly! After a trip to the lake for a skate, head to one of our favourite places to sit by the fire and enjoy delicious food, it’s one of Whistler’s best kept secret spots but we are sharing the love with you! The Courtside Cafe and Bar at the Whistler Racket Club holds special themed dinner nights including Gastro Pub Tuesdays, Tapas nights and the best fresh made chips you will ever taste, try the maple bacon flavour, it’s incredible. Check out their facebook page for the latest events.

If you are looking for an evening activity to get you out under the stars, it’s time to head to Whistler Olympic Park on a Wednesday night when they offer discounted cross country skiing and snowshoeing trail tickets and rentals for $7 each from 3pm-9pm. Refreshments are available and it truly is a magical place to be after dark with your bubble. Click Here to Reserve rentals and for more information.

We are certainly feeling the love for all those in our Community who work hard to keep us healthy and safe. They do such a fantastic job! To thank our community and essential workers for their strength, support and kindness to one another the RMOW “Whistler Has Heart Project” asked local artists and residents to paint 100 wooden hearts. The hearts are being displayed at various locations throughout Whistler for the whole month of February. Go take a look, click here for the schedule of display locations. We hope that you embrace those you love and are thankful for in whichever ways you can this month! We sure do love new clients so if you know anyone who needs help selling or purchasing Real Estate please give us a call, anytime!

New Year, New Visions

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 19:28:04 GMT

After taking some time with family and enjoying our deliveries to all our wonderful clients over the holidays our team has hit the ground running for the exciting New Year ahead. During December we created our Mission Statement to keep us on track with the values which are key to how we serve our clients and our Community. We are so happy to share that with you:

“Our passion is to Empower and Connect with our clients to help them achieve their desired outcome while making it an enjoyable process. We take great pride in our work and care deeply about every client.”

On a more personal note each member of our team created a Vision Board including our personal and professional goals and dreams for 2021. Vision Boards are a fun way to discover your “why?” A vision board focuses on the things you want and also displays the feelings you want to have in your life which fall in line with your values. When you are working on small tasks, day to day business, and generally a busy life – it is helpful to keep your BIG dreams and goals front and centre so they stay top of mind. This a fun task, a study following Harvard students conducted in 1979 proved that setting clear goals and writing them down in words or with images makes people more successful than just thinking about your goals. Many of us had similar images/meanings on our boards with other team members!! It is a fact that we’d all love to drink more water, connect with the people, and visit a warm sandy beach in 2021! Dream Big, Visualize & GO!

Mortgage Rates 2021

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 19:27:22 GMT

Mortgage rates are at all time historic lows. With a conventional purchase, more than 20% down payment, 30 year amortization at 1.94% 5 year fixed rate and variable rate of 1.70%* (*Rate will fluctuate with prime rate). Insured, high ratio mortgages, with less than 20% down payment and a maximum 25 year amortization are as low as 1.74%. It is best to speak with a licensed Mortgage Broker about your specific situation as there are many factors that affect the mortgage rate: purchase price, down payment, credit score, amortization, etc. It is important to understand the mortgage product being offered in detail, including any restrictions on the mortgage, prepayment privileges, and most importantly understanding the lenders penalty calculation. I am always happy to help even if you just need a second opinion on your mortgage for a new home purchase or advice about best rate offers when you are renewing your current mortgage.

– Laura MacCormack — Licensed Mortgage Broker with Verico Compass Mortgage- www.cleverlending.com or 778-388-4240

Canadian Wilderness Adventures

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:26:14 GMT

We were so lucky to have enjoyed a fun-filled snowy morning with our friends at Canadian Wilderness Adventures. As we wrapped up in our snow-gear, our guide Sean lined up the Snowmobiles for our tour. Safety is always a priority at Canadian Wilderness Adventures and we received a full safety briefing and lessons in braking and taking turns on the Snowmobiles – very important information!! After “snowmobile class” was over we set off on our journey through the pristine Callaghan Valley with the sounds of our laughter audible through our helmets and the roaring sound of engines! Sean was a fantastic guide and made sure we were all comfortable and feeling confident on our snowmobiles. We felt like we were flying along on the fresh snow through the wide tree-lined trail and enjoyed a stop at the lake next to the historic NorthAir Goldmine site for a snowball fight and the obligatory creation of fresh snow angels! It was a comfortable ride for beginners, relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery and really got the adrenaline flowing!

After, we strapped on snow-shoes and wandered into the trails to admire the peace and tranquility of the beautiful old-growth forest. Tree’s very much worth hugging! Sean told us about the plant life and stories of our local bears. Thankfully we didn’t disturb any Bears taking their long winter naps! Sean took us to a trapper’s cabin on a frozen lake which was very Instagram worthy, we had brilliant local photographer Emily Serrell with us to take care of that! We whole-heartedly recommend joining Canadian Wilderness Adventures for your next trip to the backcountry whether it be on a Snowmobile, Snowshoe or Dogsled tour. The Yukon Breakfast and Steak Night at their cabin on Sproatt Mountain are delicious so those are on our list for next time, we are excited to go back!

SPECIAL OFFER for our Newsletter subscribers 10% off any Canadian Wilderness Adventures tour when you book online: Promo code is MEG2020

Holiday 2020 Gift Guide

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:24:59 GMT

This is just a small taste of what we’ve been sharing, check out our Holiday Faves highlight reel on Instagram for the full listing – we will be adding businesses right up until December 23rd!

Interior Design Tips from KLN Interiors

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:24:20 GMT

This month is a great time to begin preparing your home for Winter and make sure that you are ready to embrace the fast approaching holiday season. While she was putting the finishing touches on our office redesign we asked Kerri Nicol from KLN Interiors for her Top 5 Design Tips for the Holidays:

1. Make it Cozy – Add soft throws and pillows to create an inviting space.

2. Bring in Nature – Venture outdoors and collect fallen cedar branches and pine cones. These can be easily displayed on your mantle or in a bowl as a table centre piece.

3. Stick to a Colour Scheme – Limit yourself to 3 – 4 colours for a consistent and clean look, don’t get carried away with all the colourful, bright lights.

4. Keep it Simple – The holidays are busy enough, don’t let your designs overwhelm you. Simplify your spaces, and allow room for presents, egg nog, and family.

5. Have Fun! – Feeling inspired by a magazine or TV show but think it’s too outside of the box? Now is the time to go for it, the Holidays are meant for fun and laughter!

If you need more help with your design needs get in touch with Kerri, she really works magic in every space! We LOVE our fresh office, with functionality, fun and of course great style, it truly is a joyful place to work hard serving our clients.

ESCAPE WHISTLER

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:23:29 GMT

What better way to escape the rainy weather than heading to one of our favourite indoor activities – Escape Whistler. At our recent visit, The Pinball Machine Room certainly sent us back to the 80s with this impressive fully immersive experience. There were some tense moments where we thought we would never make it out but also laughter as we worked together with our usual spirit of fun while getting the job done!! And YES, we escaped and with minutes to spare, reminded us of those nail-biting moments in some Real Estate deals we have put together!

Sea to Sky Featured Business – Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:21:53 GMT

Starting Friday, July 10, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is extending hours of operation on Friday and Saturday evenings for Summer 2020. Guests are invited to explore the museum and gift shop until 9pm, and either dine in or take-out dinner options from the Thunderbird Café until 8pm.

In the museum, the immersive guest experience during the day will be extended until 9pm: hand drumming at the top of every hour, a fifteen minute film screening, and self-guided tour with knowledgeable Cultural Ambassadors on hand to answer questions.

At Thunderbird Café, the menu will transition from sandwiches and soups to a more dinner focused offering with beer and wine available for purchase (dine in only).

The SLCC offers Guided Forest Walks, where you learn from Cultural Ambassadors about local flora and fauna found along the Salish Stroll, has a gift shop where purchases support local Squamish & Lil’Wat artists, as well as hosts private events!

The SLCC is open Thursday through Sunday 10am – 5pm with an additional 2 for 1 evening openings on Friday and Saturday from 5pm – 8pm.

To learn more visit https://slcc.ca/