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!

View Whistler Blackcomb packages

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!2.6 / 5Feb 25, 2020
YKYosuke K.
expert skier
Unfortunately, We have not much snow this season. I really want to go off-piste. But we can see very stunning scenery that we really want to see again. I hope we have the next chance of coming.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsOllie B.
advanced skier
Amazing! Endless terrain! This is where I learned to ski, it was perfect. This is where I still ski and it’s perfect. It can get pretty busy but saying that, WB do an excellent job of crowd control.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsGerard T.
beginner snowboarder
An epic mountain resort with everything you need and plenty of ski in / ski out hotels like the Hilton. Some amazing lifts and gondolas worth the entry fee alone... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Feb 20, 2020
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAndrew C.
beginner skier
wonderful place for ski, one of the best in north america with fantastic view. It is a excellent place for family. It is a beautiful place from the village to the mountains. A trip up the mountain in the gondola is a must to see and full majesty of the environment... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Feb 20, 2020
RCRyan C.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb is by far the best ski resort I've visited . Whistler has amazing food, incredible nightlife and world class skiing and snowboarding suitable for all skill levels. I would strongly recommend checking it out.... More
Good!3.8 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsTony L.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler is a massive resort, great for spending multiple days at or repeat visitors, local and abroad. The food pricing is on the more expensive side, and the lift tickets definitely are the highest around, but if you can get a season pass or edge cards and bring your own snacks, it is well worth it. Whistler is the easier mountain, with... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAlice L.
beginner snowboarder
Absolutely love it here for so many reasons! They have so many options for runs and so many for each level. The scenery is unreal and never gets old. A little piece of heaven for sure! With the scenery and options for runs, it is no wonder this place is first class. I always think the cost is absolutely worth it for what you get for... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsMicheal T.
expert snowboarder
Love it. Passed are a little pricey. Terrain epic. My kids love all the things they can do at the mountain. The skating tobogganing are the base of the mountain... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsOne W.
intermediate skier
The best resort in North America . Good environment, good service on the top. absolutely fantastic, location and staff. The skiing is amazing and the views only increase in beauty the higher up you go! The Gondola and lifts are always kept in great shape and the staff run them smoothly. Whistler Village is a fun, youthful, and family friendly ski... More
Superb!5 / 5Nov 04, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJordan H.
advanced snowboarder
This is my favorite place to go snowboarding in the winter. There is always great trails and the staff are so nice, very friendly and not rude at all. I give this resort a 5 star rating.... More