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
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
DCDaniel C.
expert skier
Whistler has something for everyone. Aside from epic alpine runs and gorgeous glades, there are hidden gems like the Tree Fort for the kids and the Crystal Hut for a cozy lunch with a view. With two mountains connected by a high speed gondola there is so much terrain to explore that it's impossible to get bored. The biggest problem is finding... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Nov 07, 2017
KKKyle K.
expert snowboarder
I absolutely love whistler #1 exhilarating Heli-boarding, awesome nightlife, amazing dining options, endless amount of activity's and event's, and it's fantastic lodging, and hotels. And there amazing friendly staff. An overall awesome mtn and will always have a spot in my heart as one of my favourite mountains to get away too. And not far from my... More
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
ASAlexander S.
expert skier
While Whistler is getting increasingly expensive, it is still, in my opinion, one of the best resorts on the planet. The vast amount and diversity of terrain, the metres of snow it gets every year and the great après and nightlife in the village all combine to make it a truly phenomenal resort. Hard to get more bang for your buck even though it... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Nov 07, 2017
MKMatt K.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler/ Blackcomb is a massive resort with all kinds of runs. It has good snow most of the time, but it is far more busy after a big snowfall. Even so, you rarely wait in line for too long.... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 07, 2017
ELEvan L.
expert snowboarder
Love it! Love skiing and snowboarding! So much terrain, great park, good variety of lifts. I love Whistler it is a second home to me. Whistler has great vibes and host many big events such as world ski and snowboard festival. ... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 07, 2017
RKRadim K.
advanced skier
Whistler is definitely one of the best resorts I have been to. Most of the hotels are located in the Whistler village within couple minutes walk from the lifts. The skiing area is huge as it spreads over two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, connected by the Peak to Peak gondola which makes it super easy to get from one mountain to the other if... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 07, 2017
TWTerran W.
advanced snowboarder
Fantastic place to spend a couple days. Any longer and it will cost you a lot. Snow is amazing, staff are super helpful. Can't go wrong. Head up to seventh heaven for some amazing views and runs. ... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 07, 2017
SCShane C.
intermediate snowboarder
Whistler is a great resort. The lift passes are pricy if going for a few days. It will need more accommodation soon but for now it's my favourite resort. Big snow and big fun!!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 07, 2017
ADAlexandre D.
expert skier
I like this resort, you can do a lot of things for all levels and after skiing you have a lot of facilities to enjoy good moments with friends and family.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 07, 2017
MMatt
advanced snowboarder
Whistler has been my go to for over a decade. Expensive for a day pass, but worth the value for edge passes. The terrain is variable from beginner to expert, lots of hidden pockets of fun, good snowfall levels each year and reliable lifts.... More