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
Superb!5 / 5Oct 23, 2017
ALArthur L.
Being named North America's greatest ski resort, it definitely holds up the name and reputation. So great slopes overall, great staff etc. Only one downside, however, is that when it hits May, it'd be nice if the slope hours are extended just by an extra hour or so, so that people can enjoy skiing for longer. That's one improvement I'd like to see... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 22, 2017
SMSteven M.
Great resort overall. Hosted the 2010 winter games so facilities are top notch. Drawbacks are lines are super long for gondola and resort itself closes quite early in the day as so night lights are installed on most runs.
Poor!1 / 5Oct 22, 2017
MVMichael V.
Due too the new owners of whistler/blackcomb they scrapped the one day edge card discount . Now you have to pay full ticket window price of $145 plus tax . Living in Vancouver it was nice going to whistler once or twice in the ski season . Now it is just not practical as it would be close to $300 for same day skiing with getting the shuttle there... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 21, 2017
RRyan
Excellent choice for anyone of all skill levels to enjoy. Blackcomb provides even more expert terrain and powder galore. My friends and I had an amazing time last winter. The people were friendly and the snow was fantastic.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 21, 2017
MMarc
It's always a good time to be riding in whistler . There is allot of terrain for all kinds of riding skills and abilities. The Terrain parks are the best parks I've to . They always keep the parks in excellent shape . There is also allot of freeride terrain for those powder days ! A highlight is the peak to peak gondola which connects both... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 21, 2017
JSJeremy S.
Whistler is what happens when you're busy making turns. Yes, it's if I lived and went to heaven. It's heady mountains and epic fresh powder is what keeps me going between pilgrimages. The People, Places and Food keeps me on the pipe- a happy monkey on my back that I'll never kick.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 19, 2017
NTNick T.
The best ski town of all! 8000+ acres of some of the best terrain in the world with runs to suit every body. When Whistlers pumping there's nothing that can beat it! And don't forget the legendary Apres at dustys!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 19, 2017
RLRobin L.
Whistler is the best , you have everything you need there ! from cruising the slopes to the backcountry or either riding the terrain park its obsolutly amazing! Also you have very good apres ski and amazing food in there! Love it there
Superb!5 / 5Oct 18, 2017
CSCurtis S.
So much to do in this beautiful part of the world. Incredible slopes and trails, so scenic and picturesque. Best getaway anytime of the year. Love it there and can't wait to go back!
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 18, 2017
NNathan
Massive vertical. All types of terrain. Beginner to advanced riding. Whistler Blackcomb has it all. I have had everything from deep powder days, fast groomers to sunny spring park laps. Although the lift lines can get pretty out of hand of powder days during the peak season, its still one of my favorite places to ride!