The Best Guide to Skiing Whistler Blackcomb

Featured Image: Guy Fattal

When I made my first pilgrimage to Whistler as a teen, the allure of this skiing mecca was already cemented in my mind thanks to Whistler’s appearance in classic ski films like “Aspen Extreme” and “Ski School.” Like so many others, once I got a taste of Whistler Blackcomb’s 8,171 skiable acres, 16 high-alpine bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails, I was hooked.

The draw of this legendary ski resort only grew as freeskiing culture burst on the scene in Whistler in the late ‘90s, thanks to legends like Mike Douglas and JP Auclair. I returned to Whistler for every college break I could, and once I wrapped up school, I packed up my rig and moved to this skier’s paradise.

While the world-class skiing is what initially drew me, and so many others, to Whistler, what made us stay was the town. Set amidst the breathtaking Coast Mountains, Whistler’s pedestrian-only village is littered with killer restaurants, storied watering holes and amazing places to spend a night out.

Getting to Whistler is a breeze via Vancouver International Airport, which offers direct flights from over 120 hubs. It’s about a six-hour flight from New York, just under four hours from Denver and just under three hours from San Francisco.  Not only are the flights from America short, but the U.S. dollar also goes a long way in British Columbia, thanks to the favorable exchange rate to the Canadian dollar.

From Vancouver, the iconic Sea to Sky Highway transports you to Whistler in less than two hours. The scenic drive winds through rainforests and seaside outcrops, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, Howe Sound and Coast Mountains. As beautiful as the drive is, I was always most excited to catch a glimpse of Furry Creek Golf and Country Club—the location for the infamous Bob Barker fight scene from the '90s cult comedy, “Happy Gilmore.”

It's easy to get distracted by the views in Whistler | Photo: Guy Fattal

Once you arrive in Whistler, skiing becomes a priority. Whistler Blackcomb averages over 400 inches of snow annually, which helps the season stretch from November through April and often into May.

While both mountains are accessed from Whistler Village, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola enables travel between peaks without having to ski back down to either base. This engineering marvel, which holds world records for both the highest lift of its kind and the longest unsupported span, whisks skiers between Whistler and Blackcomb—covering almost three miles in a mere 11 minutes.

Over 75 percent of Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain is considered beginner or intermediate. However, it’s that remaining nearly 25 percent that has made it the home resort for pros like Marcus Goguen, Tonje Kvivik and Kye Petersen. Skiers from around the world make the journey each year to challenge themselves on famed zones like Blackcomb’s Spanky’s Ladder and Horstman Bowl, along with The Cirque. 

Spanky’s Ladder is accessed via Blackcomb’s Glacier Express lift. A short but steep bootpack gives you a plethora of options from technical lines in Sapphire Chutes, to cliffs and steeps in Diamond and Ruby Bowl, to wide open powder fields in Garnet Bowl. To reach The Cirque, take Whistler’s Peak Express and follow the signs from the Peak to Creek trail.

A short hike will put you atop the cornice where you can drop into The Cirque. The 44-degree slope might require some rock dodging up top but then opens up into steep bowl skiing. Whistler is also home to legendary drops like Air Jordan and Waterfall Cliffs for the brave ones seeking out the big airs. If untracked powder with no crowds is what you’re after, there are several heli-ski operators in the valley that will gladly take you into untouched backcountry zones.

A face shot a day keeps the doctor away | Photo: Guy Fattal

If your legs need a day, there are more outdoor adventures in Whistler beyond the slopes. From popular aerial pursuits like ziplining and bungee jumping to sports that were featured at the 2010 Olympics, Whistler really is a winter playground. Pull four Gs while taking on the same bobsled track from the 2010 Games.

If speed takes a back seat to chiller pursuits in nature, you can go dogsledding and take the reins as a musher. If you really want to keep it low-key on your day off, hit one of the many local spas in the area—one of our top choices being the Scandinave Spa with a plethora of options for proper R & R.

Finally, after a long day of exploring Whistler, numerous fantastic après options await in the Village. Whether you prefer pitchers of Kokanee or line dancing in ski boots, there are endless options for visitors to find their lane to party.

Photo:Justa Jeskova

The Village is full of bars serving up happy hour specials and there are two stalwarts that really stand out. Situated in Skier’s Plaza just steps from the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas, sits both Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) and Longhorn Saloon & Grill, both of which attract an international following with popular DJ performances.

The GLC has more of a laid-back beer garden feel with private fire pits and live music, while Longhorn gets a bit rowdier, equipped with smoke machines, champagne guns and lively patrons who tend to keep the party going late into the night. 

Photo: Grant Gunderson

After a few drinks, it’s time to experience Whistler’s top-tier culinary scene. Thanks to the proximity to both the ocean and the international foodie city of Vancouver, chefs have access to fresh ingredients that those in other ski towns simply don’t. Sushi Village has been a Whistler institution for 40 years and is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its fresh sushi and sake margaritas. For a more upscale option, Bearfoot Bistro is not to be missed with their extensive menu, large wine cellar and a sub-zero vodka tasting room necessitating parkas to keep you warm while sampling. While Whistler Blackcomb’s legendary terrain and snowfall might have been the initial draw for many, it’s everything else that Whistler has to offer that keeps ‘em coming back winter after winter. The Village’s après, dining and nightlife have carved out their own fabled reputations, independent of the resort, and Whistler has become a jumping off point for just about every winter sport and outdoor pursuit you can imagine in the Coast Mountains. Come for the skiing, come back year after year for everything else.