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!4.9 / 5Nov 08, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsCarrie P.
beginner skier
Whistler Blackcomb is the place to go! Everything about this area is amazing. The slopes are great, the views are amazing and the town is da bomb! I always recommend Whistler Blackcomb to my friends and family!... More
Very Good!4 / 5Sep 13, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsKirk T.
intermediate snowboarder
They've made big efforts to cater to all levels of riders for sure. The runs are long! It was an interesting place to visit. The village is like nothing I've ever seen before. It's monolithic. It'll be a one off though. It definitely caters to the elite. 140 bucks for a lift ticket is a bit out of hand for most of us.... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Jul 03, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsFrank H.
expert skier
A very large resort that definitely caters for all areas of mountain sports. There is endless winter terrain and with the dual mountains of whistler and blackomb there is always pockets of hidden gems for the more advanced skiers. Love the mountain life and the nightlife... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Jun 07, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJason S.
advanced snowboarder
Whistler Blackcomb should be on everyone's priority list. The skiable terrain is insane for all ski level, the village is car free with ample shopping and dining but best of all Canadian hospitality boy these people are the friendliest on earth. Stop looking for the all round resort you just found it in Whistler Blackcomb.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Jun 01, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJosh F.
intermediate snowboarder
Fantastic resort, vast, going outside of peak was amazing too! Highly recommend! The number of lifts available really allows for endless fun, you're definitely never bored of the same areas because you simply never run out of runs. There are many green and blue runs which help to develop your skills, and having access to both mountains, all runs... More
Superb!4.7 / 5May 11, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsJoshua C.
advanced skier
I was worried about long lines and soo many people prior to coming to whistler. Mid week lines mostly nonexistent. Can get busy on weekends. Huge variety of terrain to suit all levels., great food and apres. Truly lives up to being called one of the worlds best resorts.... More
Good!3.6 / 5May 11, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsMarcel E.
advanced snowboarder
An amazing mountain with tons of terrain and something for everybody in the family! It is our go-to mountain, however I wish the prices were more affordable for a family.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5May 11, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsNathan R.
advanced skier
Amazing resort. So much range, ski top to bottom feels like an eternity. Tons of groomers, tons of off-trail, never run out of range. Beautiful views, bring your camera. Cool little town, with so much to do.... More
Average!3.4 / 5May 11, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsBrian F.
advanced skier
Largest ski resort in North America. 1900 hectares of inbound skiing. 1500 metre vertical drop. Great back country access. Wide range of terrain from beginner to advanced. Biggest complaint is cost; very expensive resort to visit.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5May 11, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsMike C.
advanced skier
With the most terrain in North America, apres and restaurants to compete with the best of them and an average annual snowfall of 37 feet, Whistler has it all. One thing I love about the resort is that you will find green and blue runs from the very top of the alpine to the bottom of the ski -out. For beginner and intermediate skiers, this is such a... More