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 08, 2017
MHMark H.
Whistler is a world class resort with an unprecedented combination of terrain, powder, climate, fine dining and nightlife. The terrain meets all levels from beginners through experts. The off posted is phenomenal. The kids club ski school is amongst the best in th world. A large network of chairlifts and gondolas make for short lines. The... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
KKyle
Awesome terrain for a beginner to. Pro awesome pow allmost throw the whole season allways friendly people and friendly lift ops team whistler blackcomd is truely magistic best resort in canada
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
RSRobert S.
Whistler Blackcomb is my favourite resort because every time I'm on the twin peaks I am in awe of how it feels to be on top of the world. Weather I'm on 7th Heaven or Symphony I get high from being high on such a majestic mountain ranch. The apres ski is awesome as well with over 90 restaurants and clubs to enjoy!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
MTMathew T.
I have rode at whistler for two years now and really enjoy the terrain offered. Living in whistler allows me to get the best snow since it's not always the most concistent. Great place but could be a gamble if your looking for champagne powder.
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 07, 2017
SMSteve M.
I've lived in whistler for 5 years. Being a whistler transit bus driver. My job is to provide excellent customer service to both locals and tourists of whistler as well as safely transport to and from the mountain from hotels and outer neighbourhoods. Whistler blackcomb is almost to hard to put into words sometimes. With an average of 24-28 feet of... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 06, 2017
JHJoseph H.
I love this place. Definitely my favourite mountain to ski on. There's so much skiable terrain on this resort you'll have to be carefull not get lost on the hill. Start early and head to back bowls in the morning to skip the busy lines. Cheers!
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 06, 2017
JPJay P.
It's a Great resort and Very varied, something for everyone. They really should get night skiing though as day is over too soon! I hope the next season is as good as the last!
Superb!5 / 5Oct 06, 2017
EVEdgaras V.
Probably the best mountain resort to sky at. After whistler/blackcomb all other mountains didn't seem to me as exciting. It might not be a good thing but oh well.. Highly recommend to hit those slopes!
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 06, 2017
MDMike D.
Best time to go: Last two weeks of March. The snow is plentiful and the crowds are sparce. April/May is also awesome. Blue skies and corn. Babes, beers and beats on the patios.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 05, 2017
DPDave P.
I visited last season during February and found it to be an delight. I'd never snowboarded outside of the US, & was completely unaware I was headed to board on 173 glaciers spanning the largest resort in North America! I will most certainly be returning again, especially if I can somehow win this Epic pass!