ASPENS-Blackcomb Mtn.

Aspens, 4800 Spearhead Drive, Whistler, BC

Aspens on Blackcomb Mountain, 4800 Spearhead Drive, Whistler, BC, is located in the area called the Benchlands. This true ski-in/ski-out condominium complex is located literally on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain. The Aspens’ development has one of the best locations in the Benchlands neighborhood because it is also an easy walk down to the Base of Blackcomb at any time of year.

The Aspens is zoned for Tourist Accommodation so that means you can use your property as a residence or you can rent it out on a nightly.

Active Listings

Listings for the Aspens come to market the most out of any of the ski-in ski-out developments. This is simply due to the number of strata lots in the development, 233 in total.

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View the Active Ski-in/Ski-out Listings posted by all Whistler brokerages. You will also see everything else posted for Whistler ski-in/ski-out real estate on that page. If there is no link, best to check out the property on WhistlerListings.com

Market Update

When starting your initial search for Whistler real estate, it is important to understand the current market conditions. I understand that you may not be ready to contact me. In the meantime, I encourage you to study the sales and listing statistics on the Market Update page on this site. The statistics are compiled by the Greater Vancouver Realtors (GVR) In addition, the monthly Whistler Real Estate Market Update video is a great way to stay informed.

Location

The Aspens is located in a neighborhood called, the Benchlands. The Aspens has one of the best locations in the Benchlands because 1) it is on the edge of Lower Merlin’s run on Blackcomb Mountain and 2) it is an easy walk to the Base of Blackcomb, even in winter. From the Base of Blackcomb, the walk to Whistler Village is flat and takes about 5 minutes.

Location on Blackcomb Mountain: video

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a prominent building in the Upper Village. Watch the video to see how close the Aspens is to this landmark. The proximity to everything in Whistler is the reason for the popularity of the Aspens from owners to renters. You can’t go wrong with the Aspens.

Drive from Whistler Village to Aspens: video

It is a short drive from Whistler Village along Blackcomb Way to Spearhead Drive.

Google Map

This Google Map shows you what stores and services are nearby the Aspens. The short walk to the Upper Village from the Aspens is responsible for the rental revenue in summer…near Whistler Village but not in it.

Civic Address Map

The Benchlands location is basically the area that is surrounded by the pink border. The whole area, excluding Horstman Estates, was developed in the eighties to service the tourists who were coming for a ski vacation.

The civic map below was provided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

Bus Service

The bus stop for the Aspens is basically across the road from the entrance to the Aspens. Perfect for when you are not in the mood for a 5-minute walk to/from the Village.

For transport, there is a free, village bus service that has a route through the Benchlands. The bus travels along Blackcomb Way, up to the top of Painted Cliff Road, and then back to the village via Spearhead Drive. This free bus service runs about 8 times an hour in winter and just slightly less the rest of the year.

Walk to Whistler Village: Video

One of the advantages of the Aspens is the access to walk down the slope to get to the Blackcomb Day Lodge, at the Base of Blackcomb. This means that walking the 5-minute scenic trail to Whistler Village is an easy decision. Have a look at the video below which starts across the road from the Base of Blackcomb.

Photo Gallery

The sunlight washes over the front of the building in the morning which would be a lovely time to have the sunlight shining into the condo. However, as you can see from the photos it only shines on certain condos. By 2 pm the sun is full force on the swimming pool and the condos behind it, and those condos become rather toasty. So, it is important to think about the heat from the sun when deciding on a location in the Aspens.

Ski-in/Ski-out Trail: video

Ski access doesn’t get any easier, because you step off the Lower Merlin’s run and onto the Aspens property.  Furthermore, just carry your skis or board over to the valet service and that wonderful person takes your skis or board downstairs to storage. The Lower Merlin’s run leads down to the ten-person gondola which will take you up to the Peak to Peak Station. The Peak to Peak takes you across to Whistler Mountain and all it offers.

Trail Map

Google Map Ski Trail

A special mention goes out to the Blackcomb Mountain world-class groomers. These mountain men and women do a great job of moving snow around on these lower slopes in springtime.  As a result, the properties located on Blackcomb Mountain remain a true ski-in and ski-out even if the snow has started to disappear from the lower slopes in Spring. 

Sales in the Aspens

Scroll horizontally to view and sort the data: To sort by year sold, click on that heading for a chronological setting. To view the sold price, swipe to the left.

Aspens 1 Bedroom Sales 1998 to Present

The sales of one bedroom condo apartments in Aspens, 4800 Spearhead Drive, Whistler. Data was imported from the Whistler Listing System. Days on Market (DOM) has been recorded since 2010.

There are 1 and 2-bedroom floor plans in the Aspens. The sales of each have been split into separate charts.

Aspens 2 bedrooms Sales 1998 to Present

The sales of 2-bedroom condo apartments in Aspens, 4800 Spearhead Drive, Whistler. Data was imported from the Whistler Listing System. Days on Market (DOM) has been recorded since 2010.

Comparable Sales

To view the comparable Sales of Ski-in/Ski-out Condos (Sales: Condos) page on this site. Comparable properties are deemed to be those condos that buyers would consider when deciding to purchase. Otherwise known as a competitive set.

Revenue

The Aspens are ideal for generating revenue year-round due to the year-round swimming pool, the three, year-round hot tubs, the ski-in/ski-out location, and the easy walk to Whistler Village. Since you can use any rental management company you wish, you can self-manage your condo, should you have the motivation. Your other option is to retain the company that manages the front desk.

Strata

Built in three phases from 1993 through 1995, with a total of 233 strata lots (condos). This building is zoned for nightly rental with no restrictions on usage. The Aspens has 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom floor plans.

Site Plans

Below is the Aspens site/building plan. It shows the location of each condo. The Aspens was built in three phases, hence the different roof lines.

Directory of Building

The site plans below show the unit number and the floor plan type. Best to cross-reference these with the floor plans located further down on this page. Link to the Aspens’ Site Plans with unit numbers and floor plan type.

Floor Plans

One Bedroom

There are four different one-bedroom floor plans as provided by the developer in the eighties: Aspens’ ONE bedroom floor plans.

Two Bedrooms

There are 12 different layouts for the two-bedroom floor plan: Aspens’ TWO bedroom floor plans.

Strata Plan

The Aspens was built in three phases so there are three strata plans under the same LMS115

1. Strata Plan LMS 1151 Strata Lots 1-89

2. Strata Plan LMS 1151 Phase II Strata Lots 90-153

3. Strata Plan LMS 1151 Phase III Strata Lots 154-233

Amenities

• front desk
• ski valet service
• ski and board rental shop
• outdoor pool
• 3 hot tubs
• two communal laundry rooms
• ski/board lockers
• bike cages
• underground parking
• BBQ allowed

Front Desk

The services provided by the front desk are only beneficial to your guests if you rent out your property through this rental management company. If you use another rental management company, the front desk will be of little use to your guests if they have any service issues. However, the front desk provides a towel service for the pool to all owners and guests. The front desk staff of Resort Quest has always been very helpful and they do answer questions from everyone who passes their way.

Fees

The costs which are covered by the monthly strata fees are outlined in strata financials. They include, but are not limited to:

• hydro
• natural gas
• cable
• internet
• water
• recycle and garbage removal
• landscaping
• snow removal
• hot tub maintenance
• swimming pool maintenance
• elevator maintenance
• common property utilities
• common property insurance
• contribution to the Contingency Reserve Fund (CRF)

Pets

One dog or one cat is permitted for each strata lot owner(s). There are restrictions that come with having a pet. It is important to read the current Bylaws if this rule is important for you and your family.

Parking

A parking pass is provided to the owner by the strata but the parking spot is not assigned. This is typical of developments that have a large number of rentals. Imagine trying to patrol where cars are parked it would be too much work. Guests pay a daily or hourly parking rate.

Storage: skis, boards and bikes

In-suite storage

There is a small closet with a lock in each condo so that the owner can lock and store equipment when the property is being rented. Some owners add a lock to a kitchen cupboard and store some supplies in there.

Owner ski and snowboard lockers

There are two rooms hidden away in the parking lot. Each room has rows of lockers that are now assigned. It used to be that if the locker was empty and you had a padlock then it was yours. Since those wild west days, the current strata manager is now more involved in monitoring the ski/board lockers. The locker number should be noted on Form B, so that is something to note when at the contract stage.

Bike storage

There are two gated areas for bikes. One on the parking lot as you enter and the second one on P2. These are communal areas with a locked gate that is opened by the fob used to access the pool area. I have heard of the ski valet service letting bikes be stored in the ski valet area. It would be worthwhile asking, as the strata will not allow you to take your bike to your suite. Bikes are a lot more valuable now than in 1993 when the Aspens was developed.

Zoning

The building has been zoned to allow nightly rentals.

Questions

FAQ

Next Steps

Buying real estate in Whistler, whether ski-in/ski-out or not, is a smooth process when working with an experienced Whistler real estate agent who follows the rules. Everything in real estate, except the negotiation, is a process including writing the contract. However, if you don’t follow the process then you may hear from the other parties after the completion date, and nobody wants to experience that. Choose experienced realtor, and skilled negotiator, Marion Anderson to work with you directly from start to finish. No assistants are involved.

Representation

Explaining Representation to a Buyer or Seller at the first introduction is a mandatory requirement. Since there is no dual agency in BC the Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services Form (DORTS) is essential for the Buyer or Seller to understand what their designated agent’s obligation is to them. DORTS binds the agent to the client but does not bind the client to the agent. In addition, Home Buyer Recission Period (HBRP) would be discussed at that time.

If you think I would be a good fit to work with you and your family, and you are not already working with a Whistler realtor, please contact me. My name is Marion Anderson, and I help people buy real estate in Whistler.

Marion