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
Average!3.3 / 5Nov 10, 2017
AHAlon H.
expert snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb is an amazing ski resort, if you know where to go and when to come. Unbelievable terrain and some of the best parks in the world. Not cheap though and very crowded on weekends or holidays.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 09, 2017
CSChristopher S.
intermediate snowboarder
Went for a weekend trip with a few friends had the best time of my life. Would defiantly recommend anyone who shares similar interests to go to this resort . The have a lot of various activities for the whole family to enjoy , it's worth taking advantage of ... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 09, 2017
AHAaron H.
intermediate snowboarder
Too expensive for the average person to enjoy. As well as the whistler mayor not wanting vancouver locals on her mountains. The day trippers pay the absurd lift fee and we aren't appreciated at all.... More
Average!3.4 / 5Nov 09, 2017
APAde P.
beginner snowboarder
Would love to come back on a clear day. Last time I went it was so crowded, but then again it was my second time snowboarding. A pass would be amazing. Can't afford onee... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Nov 09, 2017
JSJohn S.
advanced skier
real fun town - one of the best in Canada, not much cheap lodging, long drive from airport, some great off piste skiing, needs base lodge music entertainment and apre ski scene - currently there is not much at the base area. Lift tix are too expensive.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 09, 2017
GDGuy D.
advanced skier
The most laid back west coast vibe combined with the best terrain imaginable. Perfect for families to die hard extreme riders. The village combines incredible dining experiences with epic night life for anyone who wants to play hard - pay hard.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 09, 2017
RVRaphael V.
advanced snowboarder
Awesome favorite vacation a place that is magic and really close to Vancouver convenient for all the family and all the level a little too crowded over the weekend but still great... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 09, 2017
PPhilip
expert snowboarder
I learned to ride on Blackcomb 20+ years ago and I keep coming back to explore more of this incredible mountain wonderland. While the lift lines are often crowded, the resort is so massive that it doesn't matter as much when you get up the lifts. I still find new places to ride and explore even after all these years. There is a plethora of... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 08, 2017
SCStephen C.
intermediate snowboarder
I have been boarding whistler since my friends brought me there for my 17th birthday and left me at the top never boarding before. I cried and then I was hooked and have loved it ever since. ... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 08, 2017
SKSheldon K.
intermediate snowboarder
Great venue. Too expensive! Really easy to get to from Vancouver. It would be nice if it stayed open later as well. It is still a world-class Resort. Probably one of the top three in the world.... More