Sapphire Retreat at Snowbird

The village shuttle stops right outside the complex, which was a real help with ski boots. We stayed at Snowbird 304, rented through Whistler Platinum, for a ski trip with six adults. One room has bunk beds and is a bit small for an adult couple, so I'd say it's better for five adults or two couples and two kids. The modern, renovated house was clean and simply furnished, with a lovely little reading nook. The kitchen had everything we needed, and we were so happy cooking there that we hardly went out for dinner in the village. Whistler Platinum's guest services were amazing, as always.

Our three-bedroom, two-bathroom Snowbird apartment was a good place for the family to unwind after sightseeing and hiking. It had a washer and dryer, a parking spot, and was well cared for, though the lighting throughout the home was limited. My grandparents own the timeshare for one week in August, right in peak mountain biking season. Nearby forest fires brought haze that dulled the usually beautiful views. The building is conveniently close to Whistler village, and Lost Lake is a short bike ride away. Whiski Jack owns several nearby buildings, occupied by full-time residents, owners, renters, and timeshare owners. Apartment sizes vary. We also used the hot tub, accessed with a code given on arrival. It felt safe and was rarely misused, though I found the water a bit too hot. In the village there are restaurants, bike and ski rentals, the gondola and chairlifts, adventure rentals, sweet shops, clothing stores, and a supermarket or two. I had an amazing week of summer in Whistler!

I don't know why Snowbird has such a low rating. We had a great week of skiing, with 10 adults fitting comfortably in the cozy house. The view and hot tub were lovely, and the location was really convenient. Best of all, bus line 5 picks you up right at the door.

The location and the beautiful view out the window earn the two stars. The photos made the units look better than ours was: it looked worn, and the bathrooms hadn't been properly cleaned in a while. There was dirt in the corners and a stained shower curtain. Our grandson was sneezing and congested the whole time, which I think was from dust embedded in the furniture and carpet. We hadn't smoked or brought a pet, so the hypoallergenic cleaning fee fine seemed laughable. The washer and dryer also need updating.