Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort Review
Whistler ski resort in in a class of its own and is justifiably considered one of the hottest ski destinations in the world. The Whistler ski resort is massive and it offers amazing terrain diversity and a very efficient lift system. However Whistler Canada is so much more than just the skiing and snowboarding and a Whistler ski holiday can also include an abundance of off-slope activities. The pedestrian-only Whistler Village is full of restaurants, bars and plenty of shops to delight any shopper-holic.
Whistler hosted the alpine skiing events of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics as well as the bobsled, luge and skeleton events. Some ski resorts benefit hugely from the profile of hosting the Winter Olympics, but Whistler Blackcomb was already attracting thousands of visitors from around the world, so it probably didn't gain much from the publicity. Whistler is a household name in the skiing and snowboarding fraternity. Whistler Blackcomb is a mega-resort!
Whistler Ski Resort Terrain
Whistler Canada is the largest ski resort in North America and the biggest ski area in the world outside of Europe. Whistler Blackcomb ski resort consists of the interconnected Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, and it has an incredible 8,171 acres (3,307 hectares) of terrain, a huge vertical drop of 1,609 metres, over 200 marked trails, and plenty of off-piste opportunities. The Whistler ski resort is so big that instead of having a trail map, they have an atlas!
The
Whistler skiing and snowboarding terrain varies incredibly from gentle slopes and wide groomed cruisers to tree skiing, steep alpine bowls, couloirs and terrain parks. No other resort offers so much variety. Whistler Resort is suitable for all types of skiers and snowboarders, from first-timers to extreme riders who want to ride hair-raising steeps.
The only downside to the Whistler ski terrain is for those with un-fit legs who may struggle with the super long runs. Also, sometimes the powder that falls is a bit wet, but the terrain makes up for it.
Whistler Blackcomb is committed to continuing to develop the resort and in the past decade they’ve opened new terrain and upgraded the infrastructure. A major highlight has been the addition of the very impressive Whistler Peak to Peak Gondola which connects the upper parts of Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.
Whistler Blackcomb can be accessed using an
Epic Pass.
Where is Whistler Canada?
Whistler is located in British Columbia near the west coast of Canada, approximately 125km (76 miles) north of Vancouver and 58km (36mi) north of Squamish. Whistler BC is located on the Sea to Sky Highway (BC Highway 99).
The main gateway airport is Vancouver International Airport, which is located 140km south of Whistler Village. For many international visitors, Whistler is the most convenient Canadian ski resort to access considering its proximity to Vancouver and the abundance of international flights into Vancouver Airport.
Whistler Accommodations
There are plenty of
Whistler accommodations to suit all budgets and requirements. There's a diverse selection of Whistler hotels ranging from standard to 5-star, as well as lodges, apartments (condos), and even a few hostels. Only a small amount of Whistler lodging is ski-in ski-out but there are lots of accommodations that are only a short walk to the lifts.
When choosing Whistler accommodation the first decision is regarding which village to stay in. Whistler Village is the main heartbeat of Whistler with prolific restaurants, bars and shops. The adjacent North Village has plenty of action, but it requires a longer walk to get to the lifts or use of a shuttle bus. Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain offers some slope-side accommodation, whilst the Creekside base is popular with families. See our
Whistler accommodations page for more information on the villages.
Whistler Activities
Besides skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Resort, there are an abundance of
things to do in Whistler. Whether you’re looking for something wild, mild, or for a child, there are loads of Whistler activities during winter!
Powder hounds can go heli skiing with Whistler Heli Skiing for a cookie cutter approach or with
Phantom Heli Skiing for something a little more special. The other alternative for riding fresh powder is to go cat skiing.
A sample of other Whistler winter activities includes snowmobiling, zip-lining, dog sledding, fondue dinners, tubing, ice-skating, and day spas, and of course there’s the famous
Whistler shopping.
Cost of a Whistler Ski Holiday or Vacation
There are some components of a Whistler ski resort that are expensive. The lift ticket prices are by far the highest in western Canada, but you get great value for money considering the infrastructure and terrain on offer. Other Whistler Resort owned services such as ski rentals and ski school are very costly but there are also private providers who don’t charge as much.
Whistler activities also generally cost a little more than at other Canada ski resorts.
When it comes to Whistler accommodations, you can pay as much as you want in relation to the quality and location of the lodging. Relative to other Canada ski resorts, the accommodation rates are very reasonable due to a large supply and plenty of healthy competition. The same can be said for dining and shopping. You can spend a fortune if you want, but if you’re watching your pennies there are lots of inexpensive options available.
Why Ski Whistler Blackcomb Canada?
As a multi-award winner, Whistler Blackcomb is an absolute must for any skier or snowboarder. You won’t find a resort with better facilities, but one downside is that it’s definitely not a secret and everyone else knows how great Whistler is! It can be a little crowded at times, and it can be difficult to find freshies, a table for lunch, or a perching spot for après drinks. No one seems to care though, because Whistler Canada is so great. Actually it’s awesome!
Powderhounds have given many "
best ski resorts in Canada" awards to Whistler Blackcomb for the amazing terrain:
- Best overall ski and snowboard terrain
- Advanced on-piste terrain
- Best off-piste
- Expert and extreme terrain
- Lift infrastructure
- Terrain parks
In addition, other
best skiing in Canada awards for Whistler Canada are:
- Top overall ski resort in Canada
- Best après, nightlife and restaurants
- Best ski shops
Obviously the Powderhounds are impressed with the Whistler ski resort!