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
Superb!5 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJordan G.
advanced skier
Best mountain ever. You can cruise from top to bottom on a run and it'll take you half an hour. The best powder and you can ski here a week and find something new every run.... More
Superb!5 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsRadley J.
expert snowboarder
Hands down the most amazing terrain on the planet I’ve ever rode. When you realize that it will take you nearly 30 min of straight riding from top of the glacier to the base; EPIC is surely fitting!... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Feb 18, 2019
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsDaniel B.
beginner snowboarder
The peak to peak is assume and the snowboard school instructors are so nice I will try Skiing next snowboarding was harder then i thought but I had lots of fun... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 27, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJahn S.
expert snowboarder
Even a week wouldn't be enough time to fully explore everything Whistler has to offer. So frickin huge! Having two mountains side by side made it easy to never get bored and always find new stuff.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Dec 27, 2018
SGStephen G.
advanced skier
A world class ski destination. Two mountains for the price of one. Great all season resort. Terrain is varied and there is a lot of black-blue or blue-black areas. Every skier can find their sweet spot.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Dec 04, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAndy K.
advanced skier
If you like the ski atmosphere anywhere, whistler is the most special place you will visit. I have been to Colorado, Utah, all over the east, and even California. Whistler tops all of the mountains I’ve been to. Whistler is enormous, and the town is beautiful. It feels like a Christmas town every season there. The snow is amazing, the skiing is... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJimmy C.
advanced skier
Awesome epic skiing at 2000’ ! Epic that you can see mountains coming out of the sea close to the coastline. Downhill mountain biking is the best here. No other place like it on earth. Visit if you can!... More
Good!3.8 / 5Nov 14, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsAnne T.
beginner skier
Excellent resort for both summer and winter sports. Whistler is architecturally beautiful. Most of the resort buildings have a Pacific Northwest style with warm wood and stone. A lot to find and explore in the shops. (I bought my favourite hat in Whistler Village.) There are many places to eat with varying prices. I enjoy cross-country skiing... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 14, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsDavid L.
expert skier
This mountain was one of the greatest I've ever skied! The staff was so nice and they were always there to give you advice and guide you in the mountain! also tho I had a blast in the whistler and blackomb bowl wich we were lucky because there was a lot of powder! I would go back there at anytime!... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 08, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsDave J.
intermediate snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb is my favourite place to ski,actually my favourite place to visit,not only in the winter ,for skiing,it is a great place to go,year round,but for skiing,it is number one in my opinion,great runs,great atmosphere,great place to party,great place to unwind,also very family oriented... More