Whistler Blackcomb

Closed
Karl Sander
SnowPak Local Insider
Karl Sander
Pros
  • Massive variety of incredible terrain
  • Easy to access from Vancouver
  • Full of amenities and après ski to keep everyone well entertained
Cons
  • Expensive place to ski and crowds can be an issue

Overall

4.1

If you’re serious about your skiing or snowboarding, sooner or later you owe it to yourself to visit Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia. It’s consistently near the top of Ski Magazine’s annual list of Top 50 resorts as well as Forbes Top Ten Ski Resorts in North America. With a ski area of 8,117 ac spanning two mountains, it’s North America’s largest and most popular resort. The resort consists of two distinct mountains, Blackcomb Peak and Whistler Mountain, with the main village nestled between and joined by the Peak2Peak gondola, which is the highest lift of its kind in the world (1,427 ft. The staggering amount of acreage includes over 200 named trails of bowls, glaciers and tree runs. There’s plenty of variety and enough terrain to keep everyone from beginner to expert busy for days.

Best month to go

March

Whistler’s season typically begins by the end of November and usually lasts well into May. If you go in March, you stand your best chances of getting an almost-perfect combination of longer days, great snow coverage all over and temperatures cold enough to keep the snow in good shape. It also avoids the Christmas/New Year’s crunch, and the US public holidays when Americans stream over the border for world class skiing and a (usually) favorable exchange rate. Just watch out for the local schools’ spring vacation period which is a recipe for big crowds. For 2017-2018, it’s the last two weeks of March.

FLY TO

Vancouver International Airport

DRIVE/BUS TO

Whistler (2-3 hours)

Whistler Village (Walk)

  • Most popular place to stay along with Creekside
  • Made up of three main areas
  • Known for its world-class dining, nightlife and shopping

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Creekside (Walk)

  • Quiet and residential
  • Access slopes via Creekside Gondola
  • 3 mi from Whistler Village

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Alpine Meadows (4-5 mi)

  • 5 minutes drive from Whistler Village
  • Cheaper lodging than Whistler Village
  • Range of accommodation from cabins to chalets

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Niklaus North (4-5 mi)

  • 5 minutes away from Whistler Village by car or public transport
  • Cheaper lodging than Whistler Village
  • Variety of accommodation from condos to chalets

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For beginners

Whistler Mountain has more suitable terrain for beginners than Blackcomb so it's best for never evers to start off on the bunny slopes there. More experienced beginners can also get a taste of high alpine skiing on the Burnt Stew Trail!

More beginners tips

For intermediates

Intermediates have an endless choice of runs here! On the Whistler side, Harmony Ridge will offer panoramic views of the peaks in Garibaldi Provincial Park while in Blackcomb, be sure to check out Hortsman Glacier; it's not often intermediates get a chance to ski on glaciers!

More intermediates tips

For experts

Nothing screams world-class like the terrain at Whistler-Blackcomb. Test your skills on The Couloir and The Cirque, two iconic lines on Whistler Mountain. Or perhaps try out our favorite, Sapphire Bowl in Blackcomb, it's steep and packed with pow!

More experts tips

Find freshies

For in-bounds off-piste head to Lakeside Bowl or Xhiggy's Meadow or for backcountry make your way to Saphhire Bowl in Blackcomb.

Ditch the crowds

Avoid the runs below Emerald Chair and Orange Peel during peak times.

Non skiers

Whistler offers endless activities to keep non-skiers busy! From bobsledding - that's right bobsledding - to ice fishing to relaxing in outdoor baths amongst a cedar forest, there's something for everyone here!

Families

Whistler Village is renowned for its exceptional facilities and activities to keep the whole family entertained. On the slopes, the area directly below the Emerald Express is a dedicated family are so skiing together is made easy and hassle-free!

Save up to 32% when you book a Whistler Blackcomb package!

View Whistler Blackcomb packages

Whistler Blackcomb Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 329 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsDale B.
intermediate snowboarder
Whistler Blackomb is a no brainer when it comes to the best mountain to ski/board in canada, amazing village immense culture and hands down an experience you will not forget... More
Average!3.2 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsBruce V.
intermediate skier
Nice. Expensive. Typical western luxury. Geared to serve for money. Good for social posing. Great for wealthy minorities and whites. Corporate feel. Soul could be found in the little corners of this resort :-). I vote to not burn it down.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 11, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJudith K.
intermediate skier
I find whistler blackcomb to be one of the best resort in Canada. I learned to ski there for the first time, as black woman i was hesitant, but the staff did a wonderful job making sure i got the attention i needed to improve and grow! By the end of the season i was on black!... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 11, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsOlly L.
intermediate skier
Wonderflly overpriced best resort I have ever been to. Higly recommend for being close to Vancouver as well as part of Vale group of resorts. Fantastic facilities and night life.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAustin T.
advanced skier
Whistler is a world class resort that is easily accessible and gives people of all ages and skill level something to enjoy. The two mountains -- Whistler and Blackcomb -- offer all sorts of runs, one can't really classify one as more difficult or whatever, they are both great and you can easily ski both with the peak2peak gondola! The snow is... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsBen S.
expert skier
This is a great resort if you have the cash, and if it happens to be a good snow day. In my experience, the snow here is of much lower quality than that of the interior mountains. However, the terrain is more varied and more advanced in some cases.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsApril D.
beginner skier
Tucked into the Canadian mountains is the idyllic town of Whistler. The views from the top are amazing plus there is shopping, eating, and great hotels to fill in your down time.... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAlistair S.
advanced skier
I found Whistler Blackcomb unreal! Two massive mountains joined by a spectacular gondola. Had 5cdays os skiing, including an excellent lesson (which I will do again next time), a back country tour, and an afternoon avalanche awareness tour. Spectacular setting, great facilities, and good people. Not cheap, but I think good value for money.... More
Good!3.8 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsDanielle D.
advanced skier
Wow! Such a beautiful town, there is so much to do there besides riding the snow. The village architecture is amazing. Lots of shops and restaurants. Went there spur of the moment during a ski road trip and we were pleasantly surprised to get a hotel room last minute for about $100/us even though it was crowded due to winter break for the... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsHamdan K.
beginner snowboarder
Love Whistler. We hit the slopes over spring, the resort was open till May 30. As beginners, we appreciate when there are green runs at high elevations so that you can enjoy the views. Whistler does not disappoint in that regard. Even in the spring, there were long green runs that let you traverse down the mountain without hitting too many crowds.... More