Featured Image: Tourism Whistler/Mitch Winton
It has been a bleak snow year across much of western North America. Low totals in the central Rockies have left powder-hungry skiers in Colorado and Utah searching for fresh turns. Lucky for British Columbia, the atmospheric river’s floodgates opened just in time for the holidays. Thanks to its coastal proximity, Whistler Blackcomb, FREESKIER’s top-ranked ski resort in North America, has been squarely in the storm’s crosshairs. Over the past week, the resort has picked up nearly two feet of snow on top of its already impressive 172 cm base. While that means face shots right now, the real draw is what this snowpack sets up for the months ahead.
March is historically one of Whistler’s snowiest months, so while other regions begin to shift toward classic spring conditions, Whistler locals will still be posting insane pow clips to Instagram. As April and May roll around, the mountain transitions into full spring mode: longer days, skiing in long-sleeve T-shirts, soft hero snow and most importantly, afternoon après.
Photo: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal
Photo: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal
Skiing Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb towers over the town of Whistler, rising dramatically from the valley floor. The resort is massive, with 8,171 skiable acres, 16 alpine bowls and more than 200 marked trails spread across two mountains, making it the largest ski resort in North America. For reference, both Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain are larger than Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado, which spans 3,081 acres. Connecting the two mountains is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, an engineering marvel that stretches more than 2.7 miles and moves skiers between Whistler and Blackcomb in about 11 minutes.
That scale, paired with over a mile of vertical, makes Whistler one of the best spring skiing destinations in the world. In March, you can almost guarantee finding fresh snow at the top of the mountain, terrain locals often describe as a freeride playground. A must-do is the Spanky’s Ladder bootpack, which provides access to four bowls, exposed spines and cliff bands, and often holds onto powder long after a storm. If you are looking for something more lowkey, the resort’s size and March snow mean that if you ask the right people, you might find yourself skiing fresh tracks. As April and May arrive, the mountain begins to ski like two different worlds. We’re talking chalky bowls and spines in the morning, giving way to soft, surfy bumps and spring park laps lower down as the sun begins to warm the mountain.
Image: Tourism Whistler/Ben Girardi
Image: Tourism Whistler/Ben Girardi
Whistler Village Dining, Nightlife and Activities
Unlike many world-renowned ski resorts, Whistler offers far more than just great skiing. Whistler’s endless activities, legendary après and vibrant Village vibe truly rivals the skiing itself. Its spring town scene truly rivals the skiing itself. In early March, the sun sets around 6 pm, and by the end of April, it stretches closer to 8, leaving plenty of daylight to enjoy to celebrate spring laps and long days on a sunny patio.
Our go-to spot is the Garibaldi Lift Co., better known as the GLC, which overlooks the resort base. At the very least, it is a great place to grab a drink and watch the sun drop behind the mountains. Most weekends, though, the GLC hosts live music, from house and techno to full bands. If that is not your scene, the Dubh Linn Gate Pub and the Longhorn Saloon are solid alternatives near by.
After some après, it is time for dinner, and Whistler punches well above its weight class when it comes to food. Its coastal location and proximity to Vancouver give the town access to some of the freshest seafood and high-quality ingredients. Standouts include Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Wild Blue Restaurant, both known for their innovative dishes and head chefs. That quality extends throughout the pedestrian-only Village, with other excellent dining options around basically every turn.
Image: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal
Image: Tourism Whistler/Guy Fattal
Travel Tips
One of Whistler’s most underrated strengths is how easy it is to get there. The resort sits just a two-hour drive from Vancouver International Airport, which offers daily direct flights from major U.S. hubs. For reference, nonstop flights from Denver to Vancouver take roughly three hours. From the airport, rental cars and shuttle services make the trip straightforward, with the Sea-to-Sky Highway delivering one of the most scenic drives in North America.
Spring also brings strong lodging deals. In addition to already reduced shoulder-season rates, there are amazing perks like: Free Whistler Après Voucher every 3rd night booked in March & April & Save up to 25% on Lodging. Pair that with the favorable CAD-to-USD exchange rate($1 USD = $1.40 CAD), and a Whistler trip can often be more affordable than a comparable spring ski trip in the U.S.
Whistler, BC, checks every box a skier could want, which is why it's No. 1. Some ski towns may offer better spring skiing, fewer people, a wilder party scene or rowdier terrain, but no resort in North America balances all four at such a high level. Simply put, Whistler is a diamond.
