Skiing holiday to Whistler / Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, located in British Columbia, Canada, is not only North America’s largest ski resort, but a complete alpine world that offers an unbeatable combination of skiing, après-ski and activities for the whole family. With two massive mountains connected by the iconic Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Whistler Blackcomb delivers a world-class ski experience.

Whistler Blackcomb lives up to its reputation as North America’s premier ski destination. With its huge skiable area, state-of-the-art lift system and a town full of activities and entertainment, Whistler offers a complete alpine experience that’s hard to match.

Whether you’re a first-time skier, an experienced powder hunter or a family on winter vacation, Whistler Blackcomb has something to offer. From the challenging alpine bowls and glaciers to the wide, well-groomed slopes and world-class terrain parks, there is terrain for every taste and skill level.

Whistler Blackcomb Resort overview

• Skiable area: 8,171 acres (3,307 hectares)
• Vertical drop: 1,609 meters (5,280 feet)
• Summit height: 2,284 meters (7,494 feet)
• Base height: 675 meters (2,214 feet)
• Number of slopes: Over 200 marked trails
• Lift system: 37 lifts incl. 3 gondolas, 2 high-speed hooded 6-person chairlifts, 13 high-speed quad chairlifts
• Annual snowfall: 11.7 meters (460 inches)

Specific slope areas and trails

Whistler Mountain

• Peak Zone:
  • “Saddle: Black diamond with spectacular views
  • “Whistler Bowl: Challenging bowl skiing for experienced skiers
• Harmony Zone:
  • “Harmony Ridge: Blue trail with panoramic views
  • “Sun Bowl: Black diamond with varied terrain
• Creekside Zone:
  • “Dave Murray Downhill”: Olympic downhill slope, black diamond
  • “Franz’s Run: Long blue run, perfect for intermediates

Blackcomb Mountain

• Glacier Express Zone:
  • “Spanky’s Ladder: Extreme terrain, double black diamond
  • “Blackcomb Glacier: Unique glacier skiing experience
• 7th Heaven Zone:
  • “Cloud Nine: Long blue trail with great views
  • “Heavenly Basin: Black diamond with powder snow possibilities
• Lower Mountain:
  • “Easy Out”: Green slope, ideal for beginners
  • “Jersey Cream”: Blue slope with good carving opportunities

Unique terrain features

• Peak 2 Peak Gondola: Connecting the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb
• Whistler Bowl: Large area with alpine bowls and chutes
• Couloir Extreme: One of North America’s most challenging slopes
• Symphony Amphitheater: High alpine area with fantastic off-piste
• Nintendo Terrain Parks: Some of the world’s best terrain parks

Snow quality and weather conditions

• Known for abundant snow, though sometimes wet due to coastal location
• Often good powder days in alpine areas
• Snow-safe season from November to May, with glacier skiing in summer

Accommodation options

• Whistler Village:
  • Westin Resort & Spa: Luxury ski-in/ski-out hotel
  • Crystal Lodge: Centrally located with different room types
• Upper Village (Blackcomb base):
  • Fairmont Chateau Whistler: 5-star luxury at the foot of Blackcomb
  • Blackcomb Springs Suites: Ski-in/ski-out apartments
• Creekside:
  • Evolution: Modern apartments close to Creekside Gondola
  • Nita Lake Lodge: Boutique hotel on the shores of Nita Lake
• Budget options:
  • Pangea Pod Hotel: Innovative pod hotel in the heart of Whistler Village
  • HI Whistler: Hostel in the former Olympic athletes’ housing

On-site facilities

• Roundhouse Lodge (Whistler top):
  • Umbrella Bar: 360° panoramic views and après-ski
  • Steep’s Grill: Fine dining with local cuisine
• Rendezvous Lodge (Blackcomb top):
  • Christine’s Restaurant: Gourmet dinners with mountain panorama
  • Glacier Creek Lodge: Family friendly food court
• Whistler Village:
  • Whistler Core: Indoor climbing center and fitness facilities
  • Whistler Olympic Plaza: Outdoor ice rink in winter

Transportation and accessibility

• 140 km north of Vancouver International Airport
• Regular shuttle service from Vancouver and Seattle
• Free local shuttle buses connect all parts of Whistler

Unique Whistler Blackcomb experiences

• PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience: Sightseeing on both mountains
• Fire & Ice Show: Weekly ski acrobatics and fireworks show
• Scandinave Spa: Outdoor Nordic spa experience
• Vallea Lumina: Multimedia experience in the forest
• Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre: Native Cultural Center

Best runs for each level

• Beginners: Ego Bowl at Whistler, Green Line at Blackcomb
• Intermediate: “Harmony Ridge at Whistler, Ridge Runner at Blackcomb.
• Advanced: “Peak to Creek at Whistler, Couloir Extreme at Blackcomb
• Experts: Surf’s Up at Whistler Bowl, Chainsaw Ridge at Blackcomb

Aprés-ski and nightlife

• Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC): Popular après-ski bar at the foot of Whistler
• Merlin’s: Legendary bar at the foot of Blackcomb
• Dubh Linn Gate: Irish pub with live music
• Buffalo Bills: Nightclub for the younger crowd

Canada offers many exciting ski/snowboarding opportunities, with destinations such as Fernie, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise, Marmot Basin, Panorama, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, Sunshine Village and many more.

If you want to read more about Canada as a ski vacation destination, click here.