It's 10 a.m. Let's have some wine.

After all, we're on holiday - a weekend getaway aboard Whistler Sea to Sky Climb, a Rocky Mountaineer train that climbs 118 scenic kilometres to Whistler, a three-and-ahalf-hour trip from the station in North Van.

For couples, families and friends, the Climb is an efficient and entirely relaxing way to roll north to the mountain resort, which will be reached before noon.

But first, breakfast - consumed before the wine, of course, but barely.

In one of the the train's domed cars, we put fork to a plate of cheese omelet and roasted potatoes as we take in the sunshinekissed waters of Howe Sound, Squamish and Cheakamus Canyon.

Not a bad way to spend a Friday morning. By mid-afternoon, on a warm mid-July day, we're lounging in clear pools of water on a mountainside, a hammock nearby for ultimate relaxation.

It's hydrotherapy in the heart of nature at Scandinave Spa (scandinave.com), a 17-month-old hillside retreat located on some of the most scenic three acres of land Whistler has to offer, at Lost Lake and Spruce Grove parks.

In a word, wow. Operators of the outdoor spa encourage visitors to travel, in sequence, from hot to cold to relaxation. The heat is provided by a choice of tubs, thermal waterfalls, a eucalyptus steam room and well-lit Finnish sauna. Fifteen minutes later, it's time for a quick dip into one of the cold tubs, followed by 10 or 15 minutes of "chill" time - on one of those cozy Adirondack chairs, in a solarium or, better yet, a hammock (a high-end one made by Quebec-based firm Mahamac) on a hill overlooking the entire spa grounds.

Scandinave Spa has quickly become one of THE things to do in the resort town, which I prefer to visit in summer. In the village, mountain bikers decked out in muddy battle gear mingle with snowboarders on a hunt for snow, the last of which is waaaay up the mountain.

Many of them reach the white stuff by chairlift, of course. The rest of us ride up in nervous anticipation of the Peak 2 Peak, a gondola that connects Blackcomb and Whistler mountains (www.peak2peakgondola.com). On the day we went, the lineup for the gondola at Whistler was daunting, to say the least, so the woman at the box office suggested we depart on the lift from the Blackcomb base because, on such a spectacular day, it's a more enjoyable ride. Good call. On the way up, two black bears grazed in the grass, paying no attention to the humans 25 feet above them.

Once on the Peak 2 Peak, my knees knocked together a little we hit mid-span, nearly half a kilometre over the valley floor. Each gondola car has room for a couple dozen people, some standing, so make friends and enjoy the 11-minute thrill ride.

Back in the village, dinner reservations were made at Araxi, one of Whistler's most venerable and respected restaurants. Chef James Walt is known for dishes with incisive flavours, vibrant presentations and celebratory use of regional fare - so, of course, our tasting menu boasted the ingredients of nearby woodlands, pastures and shores (equal parts surf and turf, with wicked wines to match).

To burn off some of those well-earned calories, we showed up at 8: 45 a.m. the following day at Whistler Eco-Tours for a four-hour pedal/paddle adventure (whistlerecotours.com). Our guide, Robbie, had us rolling at a good clip on our mountain bikes, around Lost Lake and on to Green Lake, past the amazing Nicklaus North golf course and a handful of people wearing hip-waders, fly rods in hand. On the shore of the lake, we donned life jackets and grabbed paddles for what would be an hour-long, relaxing canoe ride around the lake and up into the River of Golden Dreams (so named in tongue-in-cheek tribute to those lured there by fool's gold decades ago). Whatever the name, the river is clear, cold and calm - and, not too far into it, an ideal place to view a massive osprey nest resting high in a tree.

The following day, a Sunday, we strolled the great length of Whistler Farmers' Market (whistlerfarmersmarket.com) and strolled through the beautiful new Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (www. slcc.ca) before jumping the train for the afternoon ride home.

What a weekend.

IF YOU GO:

Rocky Mountaineer's Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train operates Thursday through Monday from May until the end of September. Guests can opt to take the train in one direction, as a return day trip or spend a few days in Whistler. Rates range from $95 to $335. Info online at www. rockymountaineer.com or call 18006657245.

Tourism Whistler's website (whistler.com) offers plenty of packages and deals, places to stay, things to do and more. Coming events in the village include the Canadian BBQ Championships (July 29-31), Whistler Children's Art Festival (Aug. 13-14) and Jazz on the Mountain concerts (Sept. 2-4).

tzillich@thenownewspaper.com

twitter@tomzillich