FRANSKI
No sponsors. No agenda. Just franchise people making turns in Whistler, getting to know each other on the chairlift, and earning the best après of the year.
How it works
(spoiler: it barely needs organizing)No agenda
No booths, no lanyard small talk. Pick your crew, pick your runs, meet whoever ends up on your chair.
No sponsors
Nobody bought the room, because there is no room. The mountain is the venue and everyone's on the same level — first tracks included.
No keynotes
No stage, no panels, no slides. There's nothing to sit through — the day's schedule is written by the snow and the lifts.
What does it cost?
Nada.
No tickets, no fees, no fine print. Just let us know you're coming.
What's included?
Nada.
There's nothing to include. You cover your own lift ticket, gear, food and drinks — like any other ski trip with friends.
The chairlift is the conference room.
We encourage everyone to ride with someone new — that's where the real networking happens. No name tags, no elevator pitches. Just twelve minutes of uninterrupted chat with a stranger who might become your next partner, supplier or friend.
every run →
Après is where it all pays off.
Boots off, gear stashed, everyone in one place. The day's chairlift strangers become dinner companions, and the conversations that started at altitude keep going well into the evening. Official après is at the Mallard Lounge in the Chateau Whistler — honestly, it's the best part.
Dinner
(the second après)
Photo: Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar
Dinner is the second après. When the lifts close and the Mallard wraps up, the group keeps going — a proper table, real plates, and a room warm enough to thaw out in. Wild Blue is the anchor: the bar first, the dining room after, and everyone welcome to drift between the two. Like everything else at FRANSKI, nobody's picking the restaurant for you — the table fills up with whoever's still standing. Book early, though; February nights in the village fill fast.
More to do
(below zero)
Photo: Bearfoot Bistro
Underneath Bearfoot Bistro sits a room carved from ice, frozen well below zero all year. White parkas provided, the vodka comes straight from the freezer, and the shots go down quick — the coldest room in Whistler and one of the warmest conversations. Ask around at après; if there's interest, we'll take the group down one evening.
Photo: Ema Peter Photography
Belly up to a U-shaped bar carved from glowing amber onyx — it really is lit from within — while plates of tapas keep coming and the gin & tonics pour. The charcoal-and-white tile floor, curved wood ceiling and candle-style pendants make it feel like a little piece of Madrid in the village. Same deal as the vodka room: ask around at après and we'll sort it.
Why Feb 1 & 2?
Good snow, no weekend lift lines, and easier dinner rezos. The holiday crowds are gone and the snowpack is deep.
Who comes
(and everyone's welcome)Franchisors
Swap war stories with other brand builders on the way up. Some of the best hires and partners you'll ever make start with "so what do you do?" at 2,000 metres.
Suppliers & friends of the industry
No tables to buy, no badge tiers. Just real conversations with the people who use your product, started on a chairlift.
Non-skiers welcome
Not here for the turns? Plenty to do — see Off the slopes below. You'll still end up in the middle of every conversation.
Jackson & Deanna Loychuk.
Whistler semi-locals and long-time franchisors. We love to ski and we love our franchise friends — so we put the two together in our happy place.
When we say hosting, we just mean helping everyone experience Whistler the right way, on and off the mountain, based on our years here.
happy to show you around →
Why Whistler
(our happy place, for good reason)
Top-rated in North America
Whistler Blackcomb is consistently ranked the #1 ski resort in North America. 8,000+ acres, the longest vertical on the continent, and two mountains — one for each of our two days.
Epic Pass access
Whistler Blackcomb is on the Epic Pass, so if you've already got one your access carries over. If not, grab lift tickets online ahead of time — way better than window prices.
The Canadian dollar
Our American friends get serious value here. The exchange rate stretches your hotel, dinner and gear budget a long way — it's like a sale on the whole trip.
World-class, on and off the snow
Skiing, accommodation, dining, spas and amenities — it's all the real deal. We share our specific picks below, but honestly, you can't go wrong in this village.
Roll like a local
(semi-local knowledge, freely shared)Beat the lift lines
Hit the base 30 minutes or more before lifts spin and you'll get first tracks on corduroy. Fresh snow? Wait until after 10 am and the lines will have burned off. Whistler's First Tracks option gets you up early the easy way — or hire a guide for the day and bypass the lines entirely. Either way, don't overthink it: weekdays are rarely that busy.
Scope the base with the webcams
Before you commit, check the WB webcams to see whether the Village or Upper Village gondola looks faster. There's a free shuttle running between the two, and once you're on top the PEAK 2 PEAK is a short ride to the other side of the mountain.
Park it, then walk
If you drive, park the car — everything is walkable, or a quick hop on the free public shuttle bus, which is super efficient. The Four Seasons and Fairmont both run free shuttles to the main Village, and if you're staying at the Fairmont, they'll drive you wherever you want to go. Nothing is ever much more than a 10–15 minute walk.
Lap the alpine, save the groomers
Snow up top is crispest in the morning. Locals burn their laps in the alpine while it's light and dry, then cruise the lower groomers in the soft afternoon. Whistler gets the morning sun in the alpine, while 7th Heaven on Blackcomb is epic on a bluebird afternoon.
Lunch on the hill
Steeps and Christine's are both great — rezos are a good idea, though weekdays are easier to get a table. The Rendezvous and Roundhouse have lots of options. Glacier Lodge on Blackcomb is less busy and has great food, so keep it in mind.
Do like the locals
Stash some snacks in your bag for the chairlift, skip the lunch break, and hit après early to snag a great seat. Looking for a beer up the mountain? Try Seppo's or the Umbrella Bar.
Pick your lines accordingly
With the most terrain in North America, there are countless runs for all levels — and lots of the amazing bowls are rated as blue runs. But if you're new to Whistler, be aware that black diamonds can be more challenging than blacks on some other mountains. Double blacks are no joke, and triple blacks are the real deal.
Competitive eating
If you don't make rezos, you'll be dining at the 5 or 9 pm seatings — even on weekdays. There are lots of decent, more casual options, but book ahead if you want the premium experience at any one of the great restaurants.
February can be cold
-10 to -15°C may not sound too bad, but Whistler is coastal and damp compared to other mountains. Minus 15 on the hill with a bit of wind requires good gear to keep you warm. On the plus side, when it is cold the snow is lighter! Temps are usually more in the -5 to -10°C range, which is perfect.
Want the longer version? Find Jackson or Deanna on any chairlift — the informal guiding is included.
Our recommendations
(semi-local tips, no strings attached)Book the boring stuff early
Lift tickets are cheaper online and in advance — don't pay window prices. Rent your gear the night before in the village so day one starts on the snow, not in a lineup.
Skip the car
Out of towners don't need one — easy shuttles run from the airport right to Whistler Village, and everything is walkable from there.
Where to ski
Both Whistler and Blackcomb are amazing with terrain for all levels. We'll do a day on each mountain — and we're happy to be your informal guides.
Where to stay
We like the Fairmont, but there are lots of good hotel options including the Westin and the Pan Pacific. For larger groups, a condo or chalet close to the village or in the benchlands is great.
Where to eat
This is the fun part — Whistler has so many great options, as long as you plan ahead. Last-minute rezos are tough. Once we know who's coming, we can confirm who, when and where!
Best spas
The Fairmont and Four Seasons spas are top notch. Scandi Spa is also amazing — full disclosure, there's no talking in the hot tub! So if you want peace and quiet, give it a go. If you're a chatty Kathy, opt for the others.
Where to après
The Mallard for pure chill, the Dublin for local vibes, and the Longhorn for the legendary party crew. Pick your mood — or do the tour.
Have a question before the weekend — where to stay, where to eat, what to pack? Ask us. That's what the hosting part is for.
Off the slopes
(non-skiers, this one's for you)
Scenic gondola rides
Ride up for the views, not the vertical. The sightseeing gondolas put you at 2,000+ metres with everyone else — no turns required.
Snowshoe trails
Quiet forest loops through the pines with the same big mountain views. Easy enough to chat the whole way — bring a friend from the group.
Village wandering
Cobblestone strolls, coffee, shopping and people-watching at the base of the mountain. The village is half the trip.
Spa & hot pools
Steam outdoors with peak views while the others carve down the mountain. Recover early — après waits for no one.
See you on the slopes.
Feb 1–2 in Whistler, BC. Bring skis if you've got them, and a good story either way.