Getting there

By air: Most major airlines fly to Vancouver. Allow plenty of time in the Vancouver Airport, both arriving and leaving, for customs declarations, security and currency exchange.

Helijet (800-665-4354; Vancouver, 273-1414) flies twice daily from the Vancouver airport to Whistler, a 35-minute trip. Flights leave the airport at 11:50 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. daily. Passengers can check two bags not exceeding a total of 50 lbs.

By Train: Whistler Mountaineer (800-687-7245; 606-8460) leaves from North Vancouver daily at 8:30 A.M. for a three-hour scenic journey along the Ski-to-Sky route. The train returns to Vancouver daily at 7:45 A.M. Reservations are required.Check out details at whistlermountaineer.com.

Perimeter's Whistler Express (877-317-7788; Whistler, 905-0041; Vancouver 266-5386) connects the Vancouver Airport to Whistler 9 times a day, with the last bus leaving at 11:30 p.m. Reservations are required by noon, one day prior. Note on ground transportation: The Perimeter bus drops off and picks up only at certain hotels. If you are staying somewhere that isn't on their list, you must get yourself and your bags to a pickup point on time. So keep that in mind as you make lodging reservations.

By bus: Greyhound Canada (800-661-8747; 932-5031) operates from the Vancouver bus depot at Main and Terminal.

By car: From Vancouver, follow Hwy. 99 north all the way to Whistler. For part of the trip, Hwy. 99 merges with Hwy.1 (Trans Canada Highway). Keep an eye out for Exit 2, where Hwy. 99 splits off to go to Whistler. Note: Because of construction work on the road to Whistler in preparation for the upcoming 2010 Olympics, delays may slow your travels.

Getting around: You don't need a car in Whistler. But unless you're staying in Whistler Village or Upper Village, you'll probably rely on the free shuttle (932-4020) to get around. Buses run throughout the resort town with the "primary" route looping from the Village to Marketplace (Village North) to the Upper Village and the Blackcomb Mountain base lodge from 6:15 a.m. until 1 a.m. But beware! If you're staying at Creekside or the Benchlands, you'll have to switch buses in order to get to the Village loop—frustrating and time-consuming on cold winter nights. For local cabs, call Whistler Taxi (604-932-3333). Many of the nicer hotels offer free shuttle service.