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 / 5Oct 12, 2017
RRRiou R.
Whistler is a great resort with any kind a terrain available, The line ups can be big but if you're a local you can try to get week days off or work nights and you'll rapidly know where to go when it's time to find the pow !
Superb!5 / 5Oct 10, 2017
RRaphael
Whistler Blackcomb is my favorite resort with is enormeous terain adapted for all skills multiple lifts and one of the best ski school in the world! All of that in the convenience of a beautiful resort village right at the base of the ski lift, it's all the perfect ingredients for memorable ski holidays.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 10, 2017
MGMathieu G.
the best thing about whistler blackcomb is that they always stayed open for a couple extra weeks at the end of each year, they even stayed open till june 4th when there was no snow at all they had to put the spring park on whistler instead of blackcomb that year.. but last year (when vail bought/took control of the mountain) it was one of the most... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 09, 2017
CBCasey B.
this mountain has more skiing then I can handle in one day. Lots of different terrain to chose from. You can usually find a sweet spot somewhere on the mountain just about any day. It is a little pricey for me. And I don't like the pay parking.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 09, 2017
MMartina
This is an incredible resort with a huge terrain variables from easy to really difficult runs, but what I like the most is the freeride possibilities which are endless. It gets crowded sometimes but it is one of the most well known resorts in the world with absolutelly great snow conditions so that can be expected. Definetelly recommended!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 09, 2017
JLJason L.
It's great but expensive. If I won a season pass, I would go up more frequently from Vancouver, BC, Canada where I live for more day trips. I would be interested in Hotel deals too.
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 09, 2017
EGEd G.
Great skiing and boarding throughout the two mountains. Off piste bowls and tree runs are exceptional and plenty for everyone from beginner to hero level. However gets way too busy too often, not stopped me staying here for another season!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
KMKyle M.
Whister mountain and Blackcomb mountain at your finger tips. 1 pass and 2 mountains with a total of 200 runs combined!. I've ride many mountains in my life but none compare to WB. You can ride WB if you are a beginner or an expert
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
KSKevin S.
Whistler Blackcomb is truly a one of a kind ski resort. Two beautiful mountains connected by the peak to peak gondola. Diverse terrain, spectacular views, and heaps of powder. One of the best big mountain ski resorts in the world.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
KSKevin S.
Whistler Blackcomb is truly a one of a kind ski resort. Two beautiful mountains connected by the peak to peak gondola offering diverse terrain, spectacular views and heaps of powder. One of the best big mountain ski resorts in the world.