Anyone planning on exploring Canada’s fall season would be wise to head along to Whistler’s 22nd annual Cornucopia. The world renowned event, taking place from 8th to 18th November on the cusp of the town’s ski season at the iconic Whistler Blackcomb, is often recognised as one of North America’s most unique and diverse food and drink festivals, spreading eleven days of carefully curated events through the town’s crisp Autumn nights. These range from the popular signature tasting events and sommelier tours, to night markets peppered with worldly street food, and exclusive sit-down dinners showcasing the best of Whistler’s intimate culinary scene and local produce.
Cornucopia’s Signature Tastings, a series of seven different evening events, will bookend the festival with guests given the option to “add-on” those aforementioned sommelier tours: guided insights into a select group of wineries aimed at engaging, educating and entertaining guests. And those Signature Tastings are substantial, often sell-out events like perennial Cornucopia favourite “House Party”, which brings in local talent for a mish-mash of BBQ, home-grown Vodka, and micro-brewed beer; “The Picnic”, signalling the festival’s second weekend with “talents, tastes and toasts”; “Crush Grand Tasting”, a vibrant wine tasting event; “Night Market: Taste the World”, an energetic showcase of street cuisines from across the globe; and more.
The festival, which attracts over 15,000 guests to the resort each year, has been successfully showcasing and supporting Whistler’s local restaurants, as well as the wider food and wine industry, for over two decades now. Add in the majesty of Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s top rated ski resort for the past 12 consecutive years, as the festival’s most picturesque backdrop and it’s certainly not hard to see why Cornucopia has remained one of the most respected of its kind.
Consider it your pass to indulge in British Columbia’s abundant culinary scene before ski season officially begins.
Cornucopia, Presented by BlueShore Financial has opened up ticket and accommodation packages, which are available from CAD $70 (AUD $74.20) per person, per night. All information needed can be found at whistlercornucopia.com.
Images: Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane.
