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 / 5Nov 06, 2017
TBTom B.
advanced skier
Awesome all round resort. Major downside is the lift lines esp on weekends! Biggest pro is the amazing vertical and wide variety of terrain that can cater for every single ability level and for both skier and snowboards. I'd have to say Blackcomb is the better overall mountain... More
Superb!4.5 / 5Nov 06, 2017
ABAlan B.
advanced skier
Whistler deserves all the compliments it receives and more! With over 8,000 acres of terrain, there are more than enough slopes for riders of all abilities. Whistler averages over 400 inches of snow each year. The service is fantastic. Family- friendly? Yes. Lively village? Yes. Great restaurants? Yes. Plenty for non-skiers to do? Yes. ... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 06, 2017
MHMatthew H.
advanced skier
Excellent all around resort with tons of activities both on and off the mountain. This resort really has it all with a lot no season that makes it easy to find time to go to. Also, on of the most beautiful destinations. ... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Nov 06, 2017
IRIvan R.
advanced skier
Two great resorts with one ski pass. For me the best part, other than great terrain, is actual elevation, village and start of the ski area is sitting at around 500 meters (1650 feet), so me as vacation skier is much easier to ski in the first few days. ... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 06, 2017
MRMark R.
advanced skier
We rate Whistler the #1 resort because of the largest ski terrain in North America, great ski slopes, great village of restaurants, shops, groceries, things to do, family friendlines. We are from New Orleans and usually make 3 or 4 ski trips a year with family and friends. ... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 06, 2017
MEMarcel E.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb is a world class mountain with world class prices. Love the terrain and variety of runs. I wish there were less crowds! Overall, you can't have a bad day at this resort.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 06, 2017
KKen
expert skier
European style resort in America.Something for everyone.Lift system outstanding. Great steeps. Beginner program outstanding. The village brings it all together. One of the best ski areas in North America.Canadian dollar exchange makes it affordable.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 06, 2017
SBScott B.
advanced skier
We skied at Whistler this past February for the first time. While most ski resorts have a variety of skiing options, Whistler has a seemingly endless supply. We were there 10 days and I was finding different runs the entire time. We had an awesome time and will definitely be coming back!... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 05, 2017
SBStuart B.
advanced skier
Theres a reason whistler wins so many awards. Cant fault it.fantastic facilities. Accomodation available to suit all tastes and budgets. A HUGE amount of skiable terrain so you wont get bored. Cant wait to ski there again... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Nov 05, 2017
THTyler H.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler is one of the greatest mountains in the world, it has great atmosphere and brilliant runs. With the ability to visit two mountains in one day their are not many mountains that can top it. Though in saying that, the last few years people have started realizing how incredible it is which has caused line ups to take longer than the actual... More