Le Chamois, 4557 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Studios, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom condos for sale. Special configurations of condos on the 5th and 6th floors. Many of the studio and 1-bedroom condos lack a full kitchen.
- Communal laundry for suites on floors 2, 3, and 4. In-suite washer/dryer for condos on the 5th and 6th floors.
- Le Chamois requires specific rental management based on the condo type you buy, with Whistler Premier holding the front desk contract and the designated rental manager.
- The location of Le Chamois is ideal for ski-in ski-out access, situated steps from the Blackcomb Gondola and near various amenities. Great for all levels of ability.
- The building features numerous amenities like a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and ski and board valet service.
Le Chamois, 4557 Blackcomb Way, Whistler have some confusing rules about rentals. Let me help clarify this for you. When you buy a studio, or a 1 bed and 1 bath, or a 1 bed and 2 bath condo you are obligated to use Whistler Premier as your rental manager. If you have the budget for a multi-million dollar condo on the 5th or 6th floor, then you are not obligated to use Whistler Premier. In conclusion, you may want to as they are an excellent, established, rental property management company.
Le Chamois has a restaurant on the ground floor and is opposite the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. This area of the Benchlands is called the Upper Village and is typically a quiet neighborhood at night. Most visitors wanting action are hopefully staying in the Village.
Table of contents
Active Listings
- no active listings
Location
Undoubtedly, this is the best ski-in ski-out location of any condo development in Whistler. The location is literally steps away from the Blackcomb Gondola and the Blackcomb Day Lodge at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. The day lodge is important because it houses a restaurant, the guest services centre for tickets, inquiries, and lesson information, and a ski and board shop for purchases and equipment rentals. Next door is the snow school for beginners of all ages. Did I mention one of Whistler’s best aprés bars is in the day lodge? That would be Merlin’s with lots of indoor space and a great patio.
Location on Blackcomb Mountain: video
In the video taken from the Blackcomb Gondola you only get a glimpse of Le Chamois. However, it is all you need to appreciate the exemplary location of Le Chamois.
Drive from Whistler Village: video
This video focuses on the Drive from Whistler Village along Blackcomb Way. Le Chamois is in a convenient location, only a 5 minutes walk and a 2-minute drive from all the action of Whistler Village.
Google Map
The ten-passenger Blackcomb Gondola replaced the Wizard Chair and Solar Coaster Chair back in the 2018/19 season. Note the short, 5-minute scenic route from Le Chamois to Whistler Village via the Fitzsimmons Creek bridge.
Civic Address Map
The Benchlands 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 map was provided by: the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).
Bus Service
Although Le Chamois is within easy walking distance of the Village, there may be times to catch the free bus service that runs past the front door of Le Chamois. This is an excellent service that runs regularly throughout the year.
Walk to Whistler Village: video
Directly across the road from Le Chamois is the start of the scenic path which runs from the Base of Blackcomb across Fitzsimmons Creek to the edge of Whistler Village. The walk is no longer than 5 minutes. In addition, it is a well-traveled route, away from the traffic at all times of the day and evening.
Photo Gallery
Le Chamois gets a lot of sunshine throughout the day. From the morning sun through to the evening sun, some parts of Le Chamois are getting bathed in the sunlight. The floor-to-ceiling windows capitalize the light.
Ski-in ski-out Trail: Video
Trail Map
Most photos explain that Le Chamois is really close to the Blackcomb Gondola and the Base of Blackcomb.
Google Map Ski Trail
The flat walk from Le Chamois to/from the Blackcomb Gondola has to be one of the main reasons for buying in Le Chamois.
Ski-in Ski-out: Video
The ski-in ski-out video shows you how close Le Chamois is to the ten-passenger Blackcomb Gondola. Possibly the best part is that walking to and from Le Chamois is on flat land. In addition, the morning sun seems to land on this area outside Le Chamois, so the snow melts quickly making it easier for walking in ski boots.
Sales
The Sales of Ski-in/Ski-out Condos page has recorded sales for Le Chamois and other comparable developments.
Revenue
Le Chamois has lock-off units, which means that some condos have one door to the hallway, and then an interior lobby that has two doors. One door leads to the studio with kitchen facilities and a bathroom. The other door leads to a bedroom and bathroom. Whistler Premier will not rent out part of the lock-off while you stay in the other part. The 1989 soundproofing between the bedroom and the suite is not adequate for paying guests.
Built in 1989, the property has various floor plans within the 62 suites. In order for Le Chamois to be classified as a non-commercial building, 15% of the building must have residential status. That 15% are the condos on the 5th and 6th floors. However, the 5th and 6th-floor condo owners still have the option of using their nightly rental zoning.
Who wouldn’t rent in Le Chamois? Granted if you want a full kitchen, Le Chamois may not get the rental booking. It is an excellent ski-in ski-out location, with a swimming pool and hot tub. Did you know that some original units still have the couples’ hot tub in the living room? Seems there is still a demand for a studio with a hot tub in the living room! There is an advantage to this ski-in ski-out location over the properties further up in the Benchlands, and that advantage is the easy walk on the flat to Whistler Village.
Strata
Built in 1989, the property has studios to four-bedroom suites, with 61 total strata lots (condos). In order for Le Chamois to be classified as a non-commercial building, 15% of the building must have residential status. That 15% are the condos on the 5th and 6th floors. However, the 5th and 6th-floor owners still have the option of using their nightly rental zoning.
This is a joint strata which is residential in conjunction with the commercial strata lots. The strata council is made up of residential and commercial owners. The residential and commercial sections have separate financials.
The main drawback to Le Chamois is that there is no stove or dishwasher in most of the studio and one bedroom suites. I imagine this was due to the developer thinking that most skiers in the eighties would just need a stovetop. Some condos do have a stove which was added later, but these condos are an exception. Le Chamois has the following condo types:
- studio
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- 1 bedroom/2 bathrooms
- 2 bedrooms
- 3 bedrooms
- 4 bedrooms
- 5 bedrooms
Site Plans
These plans show the unit number of each condo: Le Chamois site/building plan. Please note, the 5th and 6th floors of Le Chamois have 2 to 5 bedrooms condo floor plans. The floor plans are unique to each condo.
Directory of Building
The site plans correspond to the floor plans. Please note, only the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors have floor plans. The 5th and 6th floors belong to the same strata but these floors have different rules which are explained further down the page. For your convenience link to the Le Chamois site and floor plans.
Floor Plans
Registered Strata Plan
This is a link to the Registered Strata Plan VR2753. The strata plan will give you the documented size of your unit. It is typically where the listing agent finds the size of the condo. The strata plan is not a document that will change.
Amenities
Amenities for Le Chamois include:
- front desk
- heated outdoor pool
- outdoor hot tub
- fitness center
- ski/board and bike storage
- secure underground parking
Front Desk
Le Chamois has a front desk managed by Whistler Premier which is an experienced, property rental management company. If you are buying a studio, or a 1 bed and 1 bath, or a 1 bed and 2 baths you are obligated to use Whistler Premier as your rental company. The 5th and 6th floors have the option to self-manage or use the rental management company of their choice. If you want to self-manage your studio or a one-bedroom condo, Le Chamois is not the building for you.
Fees
The costs covered by the monthly strata fees are outlined in the strata financials. They include, but are not limited to:
- live-in caretaker
- communal laundry facilities
- hydro
- natural gas
- cable
- internet
- water
- recycle and garbage removal
- landscaping
- snow removal
- communal hot tub maintenance
- swimming pool maintenance
- elevator maintenance
- common property utilities
- common property insurance
- contribution to the Contingency Reserve Fund (CRF)
Pets
On page 5 of the current Amalgamated bylaws for the Le Chamois strata corporation, it notes the following:
“Without limiting the generality of the word “responsible, an owner is responsible for the owner’s own acts or omissions, as well as those of any of the tenants, occupants, visitors, agents, contractors, employees or pets of the strata lot or the owner…”
Storage: skis, boards, and bikes
The storage in the condo will be minimal; however, the rest of the building does allocate decent storage for your needs and your guests’ needs:
- Ski and board storage lockers are located in the building with easy access to the exterior. These are on the second level above the front desk and reception area.
- A storage locker number is assigned to the owner of the condo. This will be identified on the Form B, which is obtained as part of the contract.
- Bike storage takes over from the ski and board storage room, again with great access to and from the outside.
- There is an in-suite storage closet for the owner’s belongings. You can create as much in-suite owner storage as you wish.
Parking
There are two parking garages in Le Chamois. One is for the owner’s unassigned parking and the other garage is for visitor parking. The front desk manager will advise you or your guests where to park. Unassigned parking is a common procedure with properties that have rental guests.
Zoning
Le Chamois is zoned residential with a covenant on title to allow nightly rentals.
Questions
FAQ
Yes. Le Chamois is located steps away from the Blackcomb Gondola.
No. All rentals for suites on floors 2, 3, and 4 must be managed by the experienced, resident rental management company. Condos on floor 5 and 6 can self-manage.
No. It is up to each owner. However, for studios and one bedroom condos, if you are participating in the rental pool, you must put your unit in the rental pool when you are not staying in the unit.
Yes. You can choose to live in your Le Chamois condo.
Communal laundry for suites on floors 2, 3, and 4. In-suite washer/dryer for condos on the 5th and 6th floors.
No. You can remove appliances, but you cannot add them.
No. Don’t count on getting strata approval to add any appliances.
Yes. The bylaws state that strata lot owners are allowed to have pet(s).
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 their designated agent’s obligation to them. DORTS binds the agent to the client but does not bind the client to the agent.
Next Steps
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
Marion Anderson Real Estate Agent
Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, Whistler, B.C.
marion@marionanderson.com (604) 938-3885