There’s doing it, and then there’s doing it right. If a mountain ski resort is the destination, lift access, exceptional food, provocative drink, and spa amenities are all musts. Nita Lake Lodge, just outside of Whistler village, provides all that and more in Canadian spades.

When in the presence of true quality, it is easy to be put at ease.  Upon my entrance and check-in, I became acutely aware of what I was dealing with — authentically smiling employees who were truly interested in my well-being, happy to provide a tutorial on how to operate the heated floor in my bathroom, and eager to show off the three-prong door to my balcony that does so much more than slide. I was in their hands and they weren’t going to let up.

At every corner, staff introductions were made and remembered, even with the lodge booked up for the Spring break weekend.  Nita’s associates were not going to let me be a stranger, or allow me to conceive an opportunity to which I might be of want.

Feeling coddled, enjoying a drink in Nita’s lounge, Cure, seemed like a decent idea to keep the momentum going.  In environments such as Whistler during the colder months, alcohol always seems to find itself snuggling up with me next to the fire. Icelanders attribute their high consumption of spirits to keeping up their own during long winters.

Hailey Pasemko, Nita’s resident mixologist, feels the same way. Using product grown in her personal garden, the sweet-cheeked, beanie frayed blonde bartender has conceived a cocktail list of originals worthy of any locale.

Hailey even dabbles in a little infusion, melding local foliage into her signature creation, the Cedar Sour. To drink (or slurp) is to know what an arid, minty tree tastes like. Trust me, I know how weird that sounds, but she made a believer of me, among many others.

As far as traditional meal-and-beverage pairings go, Nita Lake’s in-house restaurant, Aura, makes going into town for après-fair a waste of your valuable vacation time.

Currently ranked in the top 10 of restaurants in and around Vancouver, Aura is well-regarded among the locals as sacred ground for serious eaters.

This reputation is thanks to the continual use of local products, as Chefs Tim Cuff and Owen Foster have committed to source their raw materials from Okanagan farms and the Salish Sea and its tributaries.

Each element on the plate shares a relationship. Scallops and organic greens clasp hands as if they were raised side by side (which, from a geographical perspective, they were). Pork Belly and Chard happily associate with squash spaghetti. Once rivals, pure potatoes and carrots wingman venison and gnocchi. For the final element, an impressive wine list featuring both local and worldly options is never far off.

The latest invention between the two chefs is a massive offering of charcuterie options including multiple pâté to accompany traditional salumi and the more adventurous veal tongue. Where they find the time, I have no idea.

Fret not for breakfast and lunch as Nita’s café, Fix, will easily start your full day ahead with a full tummy. Artisan breakfast sandwiches, various fruit options, and a skilled barista are available to provide sustenance.

So, the mountain has been had, the afternoon cocktail and snack consumed. Your body is demanding a bit more for total relaxation, and with no surprise Nita boasts the full service Ashram Spa to accommodate every joint and muscle.

Cleanse your body of pain with five different types of massage, or make it a bit dirtier lying stagnant in a mud bath.  If the breakfast from Fix is still providing caloric energy for motivation, yoga classes and personal training are available at any level of intensity. Hot tub lovers do not fret, there are two located outside on a second floor balcony with views of BC’s best scenery to boot.

Of course, sleep has to be had at some point. Not surprisingly, Nita’s suites are elegant and impressive.  Each room is constructed in classic lodge style without being tacky, the designer gracious enough to keep the Elvis inclined singing salmon off the wall and opting for contemporary pieces of art instead.

Flush couches offer a foundation to prop up feet. A deep tub and stone benched shower will not only cleanse, but invite you in for extended relaxation. A perfectly constructed bed and plethora of pillows will force a debate of whether to answer that wake-up call, or simply let the phone ring. Not to be forgotten are the magnificent views of Nita Lake and the surrounding mountains.

To be spending time in scenic Whistler, Nita Lake Lodge specifically, it’s nearly impossible to not find yourself in contemplation. I now understand luxury is relative, and that Nita Lake Lodge is a first cousin. As my charter to Vancouver creaked away from Nita’s massive profile, I turned for one last look, and couldn’t help but feel I’ve somehow arrived.