#GOFestWhistler with your girl crew
Heading to GO Fest for a girls’ long weekend with your favorite adventurers? The weekend has a packed schedule, and we’ve rummaged through for an itinerary covering the plentitude of activities for you and your gal pals.
Friday, May 18
9 to 10:30 a.m. Ease into your long weekend with Gentle Yoga & Essential Oils with Andrea Nacey at Whistler’s newest yoga studio Bear Paw Yoga. (Cost: drop-in $35, Bear Paw pass-holders: $15. Preregistration is required.) Then take your serenity over to the Village to explore and to settle in at your hotel.
Your evening starts at 5:30 p.m. with an hour-long Camping & Hiking: Packing 101 workshop at the GO Fest Haven at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Planning your packing will get you charged up for summer adventuring in Whistler’s mountains. The workshop will help you hone what you bring, and also learn to pack in a way that has fewer “hey has anyone seen the…” moments on trail. Fun fact: did you know women should distribute the weight in their backpacks differently to men? This takes advantage of the strong female lower body. (Cost: free. Sign up in advance at the GO Fest Haven). Afterwards pick up food as you stroll down the Village Stroll towards the Village Square.
The Philosopher Kings hit the Village Square stage live at 7:30 p.m. Yup, the Juno-winning pop and alternative rock group are live and free right in the heart of Whistler. (Cost: free.)
Then head back along the stroll to the Maury Young Arts Centre in time for the Whistler Film Festival Adventure Film Series Canadian premiere screening of In The Starlight at 9 p.m. directed by Mathieu Le Lay. The documentary follows outdoor photographer Paul Zizka as he searches out the world’s starriest skies. (Cost: $15. Purchase tickets online.)
Saturday, May 19
Ease into your morning with KIND Yoga from 8 to 9 a.m. at the GO Fest Base Camp at Whistler Olympic Plaza. (Cost: free. Just drop in 15 minutes early.) If you’ve not had breakfast, don’t worry, because everybody gets a healthy KIND snack after class. Yum.
Pick up the pace mid-morning at 10 a.m. with Whistler Cycling Club’s Road Bike Group Ride for all abilities. The club meets at Whistler Village Sports in Mountain Square. (Cost: free to Whistler Cycling Club members, $2 for non-members. Arrive at 10 a.m. to register and the ride leaves at 10:30 a.m.). The club will show you a sampling of Whistler’s incredible road cycling with views aplenty.
At noon you’ll head to the Alta Lake Station House for Paint with Isobel at the Lake. Isobel MacLaurin is a renowned local artist who paints Whistler’s landscapes with a bold, colourful eye. (Cost: free. Alta Lake Station House is not accessible by car, so park at Wayside Park and walk along the Valley Trail.)
Alternatively, if you couldn’t get enough of scent, join Essential Oils 101 with Aimee Decaigny at 1 p.m. at GO Fest Haven at Whistler Olympic Plaza. (Cost: free. Sign up in advance at the GO Fest Haven.)
At 3 p.m. the live music starts with a female vocalist in indie band Carmanah— known for their unique west coast soul sound—at the Village Square Main Stage. (Cost: free.)
Then get temporarily inked at Henna Fun at GO Fest Haven at 4 p.m. (Cost: $5 minimum donation. Sign up in advance at the GO Fest Haven.)
You’ll be ready for a glass of wine by now. Wine About Art runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the GO Fest Base Camp at Whistler Olympic Plaza. You create your own canvas guided by local artist Penny Eder of White Dog Studios. (Cost: $50. Register through White Dog Studios.)
Now it’s time for more music: roots rock quartet Current Swell take the Village Square Mainstage for the headline performance at 7:30 p.m. (Cost: free.)
Sunday, May 20
Planning to share your weekend on Instagram? Facebook? Snapchat? Give your online friends #FOMO by tuning up your photography skills at the Digital Photography Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alta Lake Station House. (Cost: $59. Alta Lake Station House is not accessible by car, so park at Wayside Park and walk along the Valley Trail. Register online here.)
Take a few hours to relax before the evening’s events. At 5 p.m. is the Whistler Film Festival Adventure Film Series’ Short Film Series that screens seven short films in 97 minutes followed by the Western Canadian premiere of surf documentary Proximity. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Taylor Steel and Produced by Teton Gravity Research (TGR), Proximity pairs surfing icons with young surfers today to explore the relationship between people, time and place in locations around the world. (Cost: $15. Purchase tickets online.)
Once again, finish the evening with another fantastic live music set from DJ duo The Funk Hunters at 7:30 p.m. Their electronic music is influenced by old-school soul, funk and hip-hop. Bring your dancing shoes. (Cost: free.)
Monday, May 21
Before you head back home again, there’s time for one final KIND yoga to start your Monday right. Join us 9 a.m. at the GO Fest Base Camp, Whistler Olympic Plaza. (Cost: free. Just drop in 15 minutes early.)