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!

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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
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 18, 2017
AGAdam G.
expert skier
The definitive mega resort. Can get incredibly busy at peak times, but has expansive terrain and some of the best side country in the world. Bring strong legs, Coast Range snow can get heavy and you'll need to earn your turns if you want freshies all day. Expensive, crowded, increasingly soulless, and still completely worth it.... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 18, 2017
SBSteve B.
expert skier
I've been skiing for 40 plus seasons, and hands down the WB rocks my world every time!... More
Superb!5 / 5Nov 17, 2017
MVMichael V.
intermediate skier
All around great resort with great skiing. Only disappointment is they don't have night skiing. Have limited Time to enjoy all the many trails and the terrien parks. Many friendly staff also.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Nov 17, 2017
CFChris F.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb regards itself as one of the best and most accessible resorts in the world and it's easy to see why. Just 2 hours from Vancouver airport and with a wealth of hotels and lodges you get 2 world class mountains that you can reach with just a stroll through the village. If you get bored of one mountain then you can hop on the... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 17, 2017
JBJason B.
advanced skier
Whistler is amazing however it is incredibly expensive to be here and to buy passes, accommodation is hard to come by and when you do it comes at a high price. The mountain is run very well and it runs like clockwork. The atmosphere of the town and the quality of the runs makes it all worth it! Amazing place to be!... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 17, 2017
DDDanny D.
advanced skier
Whistler Blackcomb is the ultimate ski destination in the world bar none. Great runs with amazing and varied terrain, awesome views, and wonderful facilities. The village is epic - walkable, with all the mod cons and a wide range of bars and restaurants. It's been too long since we last had the chance to get to Whistler Blackcomb... take me back... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 17, 2017
TLTony L.
intermediate snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb has something for everyone. The biggest reason why I'm so draw to the resort is the open space of the ski hills. You feel like you are one with nature. The views are to die for.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 13, 2017
JPJustin P.
advanced skier
I've been skiing whistler blackcomb since I was 3 years old. It has all the terrain you can ask for from the bunny hill to some amazing back country. It has always been my favorite resort to spend the winter season and I look forward to spend my more there. ... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 12, 2017
GGonzalo
intermediate skier
I spent here last winter season and really loved it, the snow was wonderful for six months, there was people from everywhere around the world so it was so good to meet newcomers like me, there are plenty options of restaurants and pubs and of course ski stores. Also spas, many hotels and apartments. I'm staying for the second season here and my... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 12, 2017
MCMichael C.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler's amazing but does get a bit crowded. I've waited hours to get onto the mountain and typically spend as much time waiting as I do snowboarding. The quality of everything is amazing and the snow is always there. It is more so on the expensive side thought.... More