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!4.2 / 5Nov 08, 2017
RRobert
advanced snowboarder
Love coming to Whistler (when I can afford it). It's a great place to spend the weekend, from the slopes to the locals and the night life. If you plan in advance, buy the Fresh Tracks pass and get up the lift a couple of hours early for an awesomw buffet and to be the first to bomb down the mountain. ... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
JLJustin L.
expert skier
The best ski resort I have been to. The only downside are lift ticket prices and the cost of accommodations. There is a wide variety of terrain for beginners and experts ... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
DCDarren C.
intermediate snowboarder
Best ski resort in B.C.Two and a half hours from Vancouver.Great restaurants and a great vibe in the ski village.Best ski conditions. Lots of accommodation but pricey. Hys steak house is my favourite but caint beet the Irish pub under the Pan Pacific which is my favourite place to stay as they have an out door pool over looking the slopes and... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 08, 2017
SGSantiago G.
intermediate snowboarder
Whistles Blackcomb is by far the most beautiful and scenic resorts that I have visited in Canada. The staff are friendly, the snow is perfect, and the views around the mountain are just stunning... More
Good!3.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
AArin
advanced skier
Whistler blackcomb is a great place to come with the family. The snow was beautiful but with that comes very large lines and you can sometimes wait up to 30min to get on a lift at peak times. Great town with lots of fun to it... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 08, 2017
DMDevon M.
advanced skier
Best resort in North America. Have been coming here since 2007 and will be coming here for the rest of my life assuming global warming doesn't destroy our winters. Do yourself a favour and stay at one of the hotels in the village as the atmosphere there is incredible. ... More
Average!3.4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
LSLia S.
advanced snowboarder
Great mountain getting very busy, I do think the restaurants and town is fantastic, it would be awesome to see some more hostel type lodging or more affordable accommodations because it gets pricey!... More
Very Good!4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
GBMGuillermo Blanco M.
expert skier
One of the best ski station in the world for powder!! Beautifull village with a lot of facilities. Resort surrounded with an amazing nature and just 1 hour and a half from Vancouver, one of the greatest city to live. ... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 08, 2017
BWMBenjamin William M.
expert skier
Love the terrain at Whistler however the crowds and the price are making it difficult to keep as the primary mountain of choice. That being said it is still a world class destination for a reason.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 08, 2017
GEGlen E.
expert snowboarder
Been riding Whistler for over 30 years and I'm still stoked!! I don't think I'll ever get bored of this place. Even if you ride all the in bounds terrain, there is virtually limitless back country terrain in the area.... More