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
Poor!1.3 / 5May 02, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsKevin C.
expert skier
Parent pass was only available until September 4th. Missed the deadline. All other passes available until November. WB doesn't want families to ski together. WB does not support affordability. Disappointed.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5May 02, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsRyan M.
intermediate skier
Was a massive resort, well catered for, well known, a lot of australians... snow quality and lifts were good as expected. Pricing was reasonable. The range of difficulty of runs was good... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5May 01, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsGraham C.
expert skier
After decades of vertical.. from a learner to a expert my roots have been in Whisler and Blackcomb mountains.. probably one of the best inthe world... sadly I have boycotted the New ownership who have clearly gone out of the normal and previous practise of operations to accommodate and profit of destination holiday skier / rider... good bye....... More
Good!3.7 / 5Apr 30, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsKirk T.
advanced snowboarder
The cost of lift tickets is making more and more difficult for many to get out there and enjoy snow sports. Whistler isn't cheap. On the other hand, it really is something else as far as scale of terrain and how huge the village is. It's like Banff times ten. I won't make it a regular place to return but I'm really glad I had the chance to go. It's... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Apr 27, 2018
Whistler Blackcomb ReviewsKevin W.
intermediate snowboarder
Massive amount of terrain. Great on a pow day. Always a que for the lifts but once you explore and know the mountains you can avoid the busiest lifts. Very accessible and terrain suitable from beginner to expert. Really enjoyed my time here this season... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 06, 2017
MHMaxim H.
intermediate skier
Best resort in North America. Two ski Mountians next to each other will get you busy all day. Good restarants in the village, where you can get all kinds of food. Shopping, kids activities.... More
Superb!5 / 5Dec 05, 2017
DWDennis W.
intermediate snowboarder
I think its the place to be! Everybody I meet is telling me how amazing it is. Thats it. I want to get the season pass!! Please make it possible for me to go to whistler how often I want to.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Dec 04, 2017
KWKyle W.
advanced snowboarder
The ski resort is as big as they come. Could easily spend at least a week and not get caught redoing too many runs. Town is fantastic with many food and drink options for apres ski!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Dec 03, 2017
EHEdward H.
expert skier
Having skied in the Alps my whole life, I decided to make the trip across the pond to Whistler, Canada. Put simply - If you're keen on your skiing, this is the place for you. It doesn't have the same village charm as many places in the Alps, by the off piste and availability of skiing is amazing! Could not recommend more. ... More
Average!3.2 / 5Dec 03, 2017
MSMark S.
expert snowboarder
So busy pretty much all the time. Mostly everyone is bragging on their cellphones in the lift line that they are in Whistler. The snow can be great and you will maybe get one run of fresh tracks if you are near the front of the line. If you want to live and work in Whistler you will pay $1000 a month for a closet with a bed made of old cardboard... More