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

Find accommodations around here

Creekside (Walk)

  • Quiet and residential
  • Access slopes via Creekside Gondola
  • 3 mi from Whistler Village

Find accommodations around here

Alpine Meadows (4-5 mi)

  • 5 minutes drive from Whistler Village
  • Cheaper lodging than Whistler Village
  • Range of accommodation from cabins to chalets

Find accommodations around here

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

Find accommodations around here

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
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 05, 2017
SDSandy D.
Whistler Blackcomb is an amazing place to ski and snowboard. It has tons of (varied) terrain including alpine bowls. It gets lots of snow, but the snow can be heavy- especially on the lower mountain. It often rains at the base area.
Superb!5 / 5Dec 19, 2013
MMolly
The cliffs and the other attributes that give a great resort amazing terrain all play into the mountain terrain at Whistler Blackcombe.
Superb!5 / 5Dec 15, 2013
DDaniel
THE TERRAIN AT WHISTLER IS UNRIVALED. THE SNOW CAN BE A BIT IFFY, BUT THE VERTICAL DROP AND VARIETY OF TRAILS IS UNMATCHED.
Very Good!4 / 5Dec 09, 2013
AAndrew
This is by far the largest resort in North America. Between in bounds and out of bounds terrain, it is the steepest area in North America.
Superb!5 / 5Dec 02, 2013
KKyle
Whistler may not have the driest snow but sure makes up for it in all other ways - mountain size, terrain, lodging, apres ski life, nightlife, food, travel time, wonderful mix of people. Just a really fantastic place.
Superb!5 / 5Nov 22, 2013
FFred
Whistler has the most skiable surface and variety in North America. It is an international resort. You may ride the lift with someone from England, eat lunch with a native of france, and spend your hot tub time trying to remember German verbs.
Superb!5 / 5Nov 12, 2013
JJohn
Whistler has it all, big mountains, small city (the village)and relatively a good price. It's just so nice to be able to fly in (then bus for 2 hrs - only bad point) and then be able to walk to everything you need - mountains, food, shops, bars. It's great.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 25, 2013
JJohn
Less expensive than most for the dollar and the food is good and the mountain is so varied.
Average!3 / 5Sep 19, 2013
EEric
great skiing when the weather is right. the nightlife is always great. getting there is an ordeal!
Superb!5 / 5Sep 12, 2013
JJohn
Everything you want it's there. Nightlife, enormous mountains, affordable lift tickets, high quality housing.