I also ski a bit and Whistler/Blackcomb
is one of my favourite resorts. It is rather handy to have a cousin living
in Whistler at the foot of the mountain. Accommodation would be cheap except
for the proximity of a great Sushi Bar and some great pubs. Speaking of
which, my local is the Dog and Duck at Outwood, Surrey,
and the Tanglefoot
is unbeatable (IMHO). Fine wines
are another interest that is regularly indulged, although by the end of
a wine-tasting I have trouble making notes. Someone mentioned spitting
the stuff out but I wasn't quite sure what they they meant... Details of
one tasting can be found here. For more tasting
suggestions, have a look at the newsletters from the Bath Vintage Society.