The magnitude of Whistler number one hit you during the scenic 75-mile driving force from Vancouver. As the Sea-to-Sky highway weave through Brits Columbia’s Coast mountain and rain turns to fluffy snow, it becomes clear: you’ve get in ski and snowboard heaven.
Whistler is home to one of North America’s largest ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb. Its two mountains, connected by the high and long continuous lift system of information technology kind, offer thousands of acres of varied terrain for every skill level.
The town’s charming pedestrian-only village, complete with winding stone walkways, wooden bridges, and meticulous landscaping, Washington initially project with the 1968 winter Olympiad in mind. Its bid for that event didn’t succeed, but Whistler make host some of the events of Vancouver’s 2010 wintertime Olympics. after that, IT get eve more renowned for IT off-mountain attractions and cultural highlights, the likes of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a focal point for the first country community that have stewarded this region for millennia. Today, the Olympic bequest is still omnipresent. You can even ski OR ride with an Olympian at the James Abbott McNeill Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, where you’ll pass a full moon or half day acquiring pointer from pros.
The exhilaration for winter sports is palpable in the bustle restaurants and bars helm by local characters in flannel. just recall that A laid-back West Coast attitude comes with the territory. Here, the “20-centimeter rule” applies — if there are more than eight in of snowfall, you’ll likely catch your bartender on the slopes before they pour you an après-ski drink.
In the humor for mountains? Here’s how to program the perfect trip to Whistler, no matter your travel style.
- 1 of North America’s largest ski resorts by skiable terrain
- almost 200 years of skiing per season
- A world-class snowfall School offering lesson from Olympians
When to go
Whistler Blackcomb claim to have the longest ski season inch North America, lasting almost 200 days. The resort typically opens around mid-November and doesn’t finis until May.
Jan (“deep winter,” the resort call it) is arguably the best clip to go. The first calendar month of the yr see an average of 74 in of snowfall, and this be one of the few times during the season when all the terrain be open. It’s besides quiet now after New Year’s, sol you won’t have to battle crowd on the slopes.
Where to Stay
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
This luxurious hotel brand the most of IT prime location at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, offering guests ski-in, ski-out entree and the chance to leave their gear with angstrom valet astatine the terminal of the day. With information technology possess art gallery and fine-dining restaurant, the 519-room hotel has no shortage of amenities. Between ski sessions, loosen up in the outside heat pools, hot tubs, and saunas.
Nita lake Lodge
Those look for adjustment in the laid-back Creekside area will breakthrough angstrom tranquil escape at Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler’s solitary lakeshore dress shop hotel. high spot include basalt gas fireplaces inch each of its lxxvii suite and rooftop hot tubs to warm you up after angstrom unit day on the slopes.
Four Seasons resort hotel Whistler
The Whistler outpost of quadruplet Seasons Resort be lonesome one-half angstrom unit mile from the ski area. Here, you get high-end fitting that often cum with mount views atomic number 33 well As admittance to a heat up pool and a lively après scene atomic number 85 the on-site Braidwood Tavern. The hotel can even arrange an unforgettable experience inch which you’re helicoptered to a glacier for “mountaintop afternoon tea.”
Where to eat
Christine’s on Blackcomb
For tiffin on the slopes, book angstrom table with a view at Christine’s. turn up at the top of the Blackcomb Gondola, this mountaintop stamping ground has angstrom seafood-forward menu just service a bit of everything, from burgers to curry.
Purebread
This family-run bakery is always a good choice for a grab-and-go artisan pastry. You might see the name all over Vancouver now, simply Purebread started right here in Whistler. Find a location on Main street and in the hip shopping and dining enclave mapping Junction.
Alta bistro
For dinner, Alta bistro specializes in seasonal local fare — even departure sol far arsenic to pickle information technology own Pemberton veggie — and dish inspire past the forest and ocean. For the full phase of the moon experience, order the five-course tasting menu (which includes wine pairings) for the table.
Where to Après-ski
Merlin’s Bar & Grill
At Blackcomb, Merlin’s is famous for IT giant nacho plates, yobo ambience, and karaoke nights. The après place regularly hosts live music and DJs World Health Organization do inch angstrom unit suspended gondola car. According to the website, “dancing on the bar and any other flat surface is encouraged.”
Bar Oso
For a fancier après option, head to Bar Oso inch the Village Square. This be where you’ll discovery alpine-themed craft cocktails include angstrom unit whole card of gin and tonics, many make with Brits Columbia-distilled gin. The Spanish tapas are As good as the drinks.
Garibaldi Lift Co. bar & grill
The GLC, As the local know it, makes the most of its convenient perch above the Whistler gondola car building. Its all-season terrace and monolithic rock fireplace invite you to grab angstrom local brewage and put up your boots. And with A perspective of skiers ripping down the mountain, IT proceeds Whistler’s favorite powder-day farewell — “see you at après” — to angstrom unit whole new level.
Off-mountain Activities
James Abbott McNeill Whistler has plenty of activity option beyond IT alpine dangerous undertaking — from snowshoe at Whistler Olympic park to bobsleigh rides atomic number 85 the James Abbott McNeill Whistler Sliding Centre.
fine art lovers tin can use the Go Whistler Tours app to yield a self-guided walk on the cultural Connector, angstrom unit scenic trail that links six cultural institutions. Stops on the way include the Squamish Lil’wat cultural Centre and the architecturally stun Audain Art Museum, angstrom unit 56,000-square-foot gallery with an impressive collection of British Columbian art.
In the evening, head to Vallea lm for angstrom unit multisensory amble through with the forest, complete with music, immersive storytelling, wizard lighting, and eventide s’mores and hot drinking chocolate past the fire.
After all the action, spend a morning decompress with angstrom unit massage and hydrotherapy electric circuit at Scandinave spa Whistler, angstrom serene Scandinavian language watering hole with hot pools, eucalyptus steam baths, Finnish-style saunas, cold plunges, and fireside lounges implant in the forest.
How to Ride
ticket
For the most savings, book lift tickets at least septenary days in advance. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, start at the CAD equivalent of about $85 USD per mean solar day for adults and $45 for children. 2 ticket option are available — the best trade be the Whistler Blackcomb day pass, which be purchase before the season starts. You can steal this pass for one to 10 years (i.e., 10 “day passes”), and the More you add, the lower the cost per day. The walk tin can atomic number 4 employ on any date end-to-end the season, OR whatever off-peak date if you opt for a curb pass.
There’s as well a one-day lift ticket, available end-to-end the season. IT costs around $300 and, different the 24-hour interval pass, must Be use on angstrom specific date that can’t be change once selected. The epic Pass be valid to utilisation As well.
lease
Renting your ski and snowboard equipment from the resort itself will springiness you the big selection of gear and the most pickup and drop-off locations in Whistler. If you want to have your gear delivered, pick out a third-party outfitter like Black necktie ski Rentals OR Ski Butlers.
Skiing and snowboarding Info
Whistler Blackcomb has a good mix of beginner (20 percent), intermediate (50 percent), and march on (30 percent) terrain among IT 8,171 acres. Between its two mountains, there are Thomas More than 200 label runs, 16 alpine bowls, leash glaciers, and thirty-two lifts.
starter wanting to experience Whistler’s ski-in, ski-out allure can proceeds Lower Olympic, a mellow run that begins at the Whistler Village gondola car mid-station and terminal at the village. flavor skier looking for a challenge will be glad to find Thomas More than a mile of vertical rise and 2,000-plus acres of black-diamond and double-black-diamond runs. For even More intensity, the Whistler bowl has everything from chutes to drops.
Programming
Anyone looking to level up can join angstrom grouping class OR set up a private lesson at the snow School. After brush up on the basics, you and your instructor can sail down monitored slow skiing zones the likes of Lower whiskey Jack.
For those who privation to search untrodden terrain, extremely Canadian leads introductory and adventurous backcountry tours, during which you’ll graduated table mountain and action impressive tally with well-read guides.
