so a friend and I are planning a trip up to vancouver and whistler for around new years time, any suggestions on what to do in town or where to go around that west canada region?

i want to know everything aboot vancouver and canadians there if possible

Robson street downtown is where all the shopping is at, tons of stores. If you want to party hit up Graneville thats where most of the nightlife is at downtown.

I would also recommend the amsterdam cafe, if you get my drift. Its also downtown but closer to east hastings so watch out for bums, they are pretty agressive now.

now the question is, who can show me around haha

Do you ski? Or want to learn to, if you don't?

never skiied in my life, how long do you guys think is a good amount of time in whistler?

Well if money isnt an issue stay for a while, it will be very busy over christmas break

How long are you planning on going?

I'd say 3-4 days in Whistler. The drive is a blast, but watch out for rocks on the road (freshly paved). Learn how to ski there, they've got great Aussie instructors, and chilling (no pun) in the pubs after is a good way to wind down. Book waay in advance. Like now.

Robon St. downtown is for shopping - expensive little boutique shops and clothing stores. Granville has a good music scene for shows and is full of people at night. Granville island is kind of a funky little market, worth checking out. Try taking a water taxi over - cheap and better than driving.

Drive over Lions Gate bridge twice - once in the day for the view, and once at night for the experience. Stanley park makes a nice entrance to the city, and going straight through Georgia street will show you the waterfront.

Davies street is Vancouver's gay neighbourhood, purple bus stops and everything. Commercial is sort of the lesbian hood, but it's more of a small-business hand-made urban cafe kind of place.

The bums - just say "Sorry, No" and keep walking. Really, they have no excuse for panhandling. The last 3 jobs I had inbetween school I walked in with my resume, they didn't even look at it, just asked me if I could start that afternoon. It's hella easy to find work here.

North Vancouver's lonsdale is nice, Grouse and Cypress Mountain make for good local skiing, there's a whole bunch of good golf courses too if you're into that.

If you like smoking pot, go down to The Amsterdam like someone mentioned, just bring your own weed. If you don't know where to get it, almost everyone has a hookup. Ask around. I remember reading somewhere that 90% of Vancouverites have tried pot at least once in their lives. After smoking up, go check out the H.R. Macmillan Space center to see Lazer Floyd (on the weekends only) Welllllll worth it, even if it's just for the giggly elevator rides and line ups at the snack machines. :D

And if you're really bored - open up the Georgia Straight. They always have tons of listings of things to do. Just walk around and have a good time.

Smoke pot, hit up the brewery on Granville Island, go skiing/boarding, take a ferry ride. I won't be a permanent resident until next year when I move to Victoria :P