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Great après-ski
Snow-sure resort
Off-slope activities
Off-piste skiing
Stunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesOff-piste skiingStunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesOff-piste skiingStunning viewsGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortOff-slope activitiesOff-piste skiingStunning viewsSet in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. This legendary destination combines two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb - across 3,278 hectares (8,100 acres) of skiable terrain, living up to its reputation as one of the world's most impressive bucket-list ski trips.
With over 200 marked runs and a vertical drop of 1,609m, there's something for every level, whether you're a beginner taking first turns, an intermediate cruising long groomers, or an expert hunting steep chutes and alpine bowls. Whistler Blackcomb's snow record is exceptional thanks to coastal proximity, which brings regular Pacific storms dumping metres of famous Coast Range powder.
The resort hosted events during the 2010 Winter Olympics and continues to draw visitors from around the globe. Whistler Village is a destination in itself: a large, pedestrian-only base with excellent restaurants, endless shopping, and a renowned après-ski scene. Its atmosphere is cosmopolitan yet distinctly Canadian, with facilities that rival any resort worldwide. As a bonus, the journey from Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway only adds to the appeal - one of the world's most scenic drives, with dramatic Pacific coast views the whole way.
Check out Whistler Blackcomb ski deals to start planning your trip.
Set in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. This legendary destination combines two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb - across 3,278 hectares (8,100 acres) of skiable terrain, living up to its reputation as one of the world's most impressive bucket-list ski trips.
With over 200 marked runs and a vertical drop of 1,609m, there's something for every level, whether you're a beginner taking first turns, an intermediate cruising long groomers, or an expert hunting steep chutes and alpine bowls. Whistler Blackcomb's snow record is exceptional thanks to coastal proximity, which brings regular Pacific storms dumping metres of famous Coast Range powder.
The resort hosted events during the 2010 Winter Olympics and continues to draw visitors from around the globe. Whistler Village is a destination in itself: a large, pedestrian-only base with excellent restaurants, endless shopping, and a renowned après-ski scene. Its atmosphere is cosmopolitan yet distinctly Canadian, with facilities that rival any resort worldwide. As a bonus, the journey from Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway only adds to the appeal - one of the world's most scenic drives, with dramatic Pacific coast views the whole way.
Check out Whistler Blackcomb ski deals to start planning your trip.
Whistler Blackcomb operates on a scale that's nothing but impressive. Two massive mountains, 34 lifts including eight gondolas, and terrain ranging from mellow beginner slopes to some of North America's most challenging expert runs. The terrain is vast and the variety is enough to keep any level of skier or snowboarder busy for weeks.
Everything about the resort supports serious skiing, whether it's efficient lifts, outstanding facilities, or immaculate grooming. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connecting the two mountains is an engineering marvel: a record-breaking 3.03km unsupported span with glass-bottom cars offering thrilling views that justify the journey alone.
WeSki insider tip: North America uses a different trail rating system from Europe. Green circles indicate beginner runs, blue squares are intermediate, black diamonds are advanced, and double black diamonds are expert-only terrain. Blue squares at Whistler Blackcomb cover a wider range of difficulty than European blues, so confident intermediates may find some blues quite challenging.
Despite its expert reputation, Whistler Blackcomb has excellent beginner terrain. The Olympic Station area on Whistler Mountain provides dedicated learning slopes with magic carpets and gentle gradients. For those who want guided instruction while finding their feet, the ski school is one of the best in North America, with high standards and progressive teaching methods.
Beginner terrain here flows naturally from first turns to confidence-building greens. Once you're comfortable, green runs extend across both mountains, giving beginners genuine exploration rather than just circling a nursery slope. The green runs on Blackcomb's lower mountain are particularly gentle and uncrowded. Once you've mastered the basics on Whistler, take the PEAK 2 PEAK across for a change of scene and equally mellow terrain.
Skiing and snowboarding terrain at Whistler Blackcomb is a paradise for intermediates. With 40% graded blue squares, there's a huge variety of long groomers, tree runs, and rolling terrain that lets you work on your technique. The longest run stretches to 11km, providing a proper journey that takes you from alpine bowls down through forest to the village. Intermediate runs through the bowl have consistent pitch and spectacular scenery, giving you a taste of high-alpine skiing without expert-level difficulty.
As your confidence builds, the easier black diamond runs become accessible, bridging the gap to advanced terrain without sudden jumps in difficulty. The runs off the Harmony and Symphony chairs on Whistler Mountain are intermediate-friendly favourites, while on Blackcomb, the Crystal Zone provides excellent intermediate terrain with fewer crowds.
Whistler Blackcomb's advanced and expert territory is legendary. Expert terrain here ranks among the best in North America, and you'll have your choice of steep chutes, cliff drops, massive bowls, and 1,609m of vertical to play with. The Whistler Bowl, West Bowl, and Peak Chair access serious alpine terrain that challenges the best skiers. On Blackcomb, the Glacier Express opens up the 7th Heaven zone with steep, committing lines.
The double black diamond runs are nothing but extreme. Couloir Extreme, Spanky's Ladder, and the runs off the Peak Chair are for experts only - they're steep, often with mandatory air, and not to be taken lightly. But there's also plenty of less extreme advanced terrain that challenges strong skiers to push their limits progressively. Backcountry access is world-class with proper guidance, and fresh powder days here rank among the world's best skiing experiences.
WeSki insider tip: Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb involves a 20-minute hike for access to some of the best expert terrain in North America. On a powder day, it's worth every step. But go early, as the best lines track out by midday.
Whistler Blackcomb is one of the world's great snowboarding destinations. Five terrain parks cater to all levels, from beginner progression features to the massive jumps and rails of the expert parks. The Blackcomb Terrain Park is competition-grade, regularly hosting professional events, and its Olympic-standard superpipe draws pro riders for training.
Beyond the parks, natural terrain is outstanding for freeriding - steep chutes, natural hits, and some of the best tree riding in North America. Powder potential on fresh days is exceptional.
The off-piste at Whistler Blackcomb is extensive and varied. In-bounds, there's huge amounts of ungroomed skiing accessed directly from lifts, with bowls, glades, chutes, and everything in between. Tree skiing on both mountains is exceptional, with widely spaced old-growth forest providing shelter on stormy days and excellent snow preservation.
For backcountry skiing beyond the resort boundaries, the Coast Mountains offer world-class terrain accessible by helicopter or touring. Several operations run day trips from Whistler, and the area has a deserved reputation as one of the best heli-skiing destinations on the planet. A guide is essential for any backcountry exploration.
Whistler Blackcomb's ski and snowboard school is one of North America's largest and most respected. Instruction is available for all ages and abilities, from first-timers to experts wanting to improve. Teaching quality is consistently high, with well-structured programmes and excellent facilities. Specialty clinics cover everything from women's camps to steep skiing technique.
Through WeSki, you can add ski or snowboard lessons to your package and have everything arranged before you arrive. Check out Whistler Blackcomb ski deals to get started.
Whistler Blackcomb takes terrain parks seriously. Three parks across the two mountains cater to all levels, from small progression features to massive kickers and rails. The Blackcomb Terrain Park is the centrepiece - competition-grade, regularly hosting professional events, with an Olympic-standard superpipe. The park crew maintains everything to an exceptional level throughout the season.
Despite its expert reputation, Whistler Blackcomb works remarkably well for families. The beginner terrain is excellent, the ski school has outstanding children's programmes, and the sheer variety means everyone - from nervous first-timers to confident teenagers - finds terrain that suits them. The pedestrian village is safe and easy to navigate, and the scale means there's always something new to discover.
Parents can relax knowing the resort is well set up for families, with children's facilities integrated throughout. Young children have dedicated learning areas, and the ski school's kids' programmes are among the best anywhere. Childcare facilities operate for little ones not yet ready to ski, and the village has plenty to keep non-skiing hours entertaining. Teenagers will think they've landed in paradise - they'll love the resort's world-class terrain parks and variety of challenging runs. Plus, the village has enough going on to keep them entertained for a fortnight.
Families with mixed abilities can ski together on the extensive intermediate terrain, then split up for more challenging pursuits and regroup for lunch or après. Dining options suit all tastes and budgets, from casual slope-side spots and family-friendly pizza joints to proper sit-down restaurants in the village. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and most places happily accommodate families without any fuss.
Whistler Village is a destination in its own right, well beyond skiing. Purpose-built yet full of character, the pedestrian village combines excellent dining, varied nightlife, and a huge range of activities that keep non-skiers happily occupied all week. Set against the dramatic Coast Mountains, Whistler has a distinctly West Coast Canadian feel that's outdoorsy, friendly, and unpretentious, despite its world-class facilities.
Beyond downhill skiing and snowboarding, Whistler offers one of the widest selections of snow-based activities anywhere in the world. From peaceful forest trails to high-adrenaline adventures, there's something here for every energy level and interest.
Whistler Village keeps non-skiers and rest-day explorers thoroughly entertained. From world-class spas and cultural attractions to shopping, art, and outdoor experiences, there's far more to do here than in most ski resorts. The pedestrian village layout makes everything easy to access, while the surrounding forests and mountains provide a stunning backdrop year-round.
Whistler's dining scene is exceptional by ski resort standards and genuinely rivals major food cities. The village offers everything from relaxed cafés and bakeries to high-end fine dining, with a strong focus on West Coast cuisine using local seafood, game, and farm-to-table ingredients. Mountain restaurants also stand out here, with several proper sit-down options offering memorable views as well as quality food. Popular spots book up quickly, especially at weekends, so planning ahead is wise.
WeSki insider tip: Araxi is the standout restaurant in Whistler. Book well ahead, request a table in the main dining room, and consider the locally sourced tasting menu - it's worth building an evening around.
Whistler's après-ski scene is one of the most varied and energetic in North America. The action begins on the mountain as the lifts wind down, then flows naturally into the pedestrian village, where bar-hopping is part of the fun. Slope-side patios fill quickly on powder days, while the village offers everything from relaxed pubs to stylish lounges and late-night clubs.
The atmosphere is friendly, international, and inclusive - families enjoy early evening drinks, while groups and younger crowds keep the energy going late into the night. Live music is common, DJs feature regularly, and the compact village layout makes it easy to move between venues without planning ahead. Après-ski spots worth knowing include:
Whistler offers everything from luxury hotels to self-catering condos, ski-in/ski-out properties to more affordable options further from the lifts. Whistler Village puts you in the heart of the action with easy access to both mountains. Upper Village suits those prioritising Blackcomb access, while Creekside is quieter with its own gondola to Whistler Mountain.
Quality is high across the board, and even properties not directly slope-side are typically a short walk to lifts. The free village shuttles connect all areas efficiently.
WeSki insider tips:
Whistler Blackcomb lift passes cover both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connection. The resort is part of the Epic Pass network, so holders of Epic Passes from other Vail Resorts properties have access included.
Children, seniors, and teens have reduced pricing. The ski pass value lies in the terrain accessed, providing over 8,100 acres on a single pass, with terrain for every ability level.
You can select your lift pass options when booking your Whistler Blackcomb ski holiday through WeSki.
Rental shops are plentiful throughout Whistler Village, at the base areas, and on-mountain. Quality is generally high, with demo and performance equipment available alongside standard rental options. Given Whistler's varied terrain, it's worth investing in decent equipment - the difference between rental tiers is noticeable. Book ahead during busy periods to guarantee availability of your preferred sizes and equipment types.
Whistler Village is pedestrian-only and compact, so most everything is walkable. A free shuttle bus system connects the villages, Creekside, and outlying accommodation throughout the day and evening. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects the two mountains, so you can ski both without returning to base. Getting around is straightforward and well-organised.
Having a car is useful for trips beyond Whistler (to Squamish, Vancouver, or exploring the Sea-to-Sky corridor) but isn't necessary for the resort itself. Taxis and ride-sharing operate throughout the area.
WeSki insider tip: The free village shuttle runs late into the evening. Check the schedule before heading out for dinner in a different part of the village, it saves taxi fares and is part of the Whistler experience.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the gateway for most visitors, approximately 125km from Whistler. The transfer takes around 2 hours along the Sea-to-Sky Highway - one of the world's most scenic drives, following the coast past Howe Sound before climbing into the mountains. The journey is genuinely spectacular, particularly in good weather.
Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with excellent food, culture, and scenery - itself is worth exploring before or after your ski trip. Some visitors extend their trip with a night or two in the city. Direct flights from the UK to Vancouver make the journey relatively straightforward for a long-haul destination.
WeSki offers car rentals from the airport as well as private, shared, and scheduled transfers to Whistler Blackcomb. Add them to your Whistler Blackcomb ski package for seamless door-to-door travel.
North America uses shapes rather than colours to rate trails. Green circles are beginner runs (equivalent to European greens and easy blues). Blue squares are intermediate, covering a wider range than European blues - some are gentle cruisers, others quite challenging. Black diamonds are advanced, and double black diamonds are expert-only (steeps, cliffs, extreme terrain). There's no direct equivalent to European reds - blue squares in North America span that range.
For keen skiers, absolutely. Whistler Blackcomb offers terrain, snowfall, and scale that's difficult to match in Europe. The combination of over 8,100 acres, 1,609m vertical drop, and consistent Pacific snowfall makes it a bucket-list destination. The long flight (around 9 hours direct to Vancouver) is offset by minimal jet lag (8 hours behind the UK) and the quality of the experience. It's a proper adventure that justifies the journey.
Whistler has an excellent snow record. Coastal proximity brings regular Pacific storms that deliver substantial snowfall - the resort averages over 10 metres of snow per season. The 'Coast Range champagne powder' is famous among skiers. The season typically runs from late November to late May, with the most reliable conditions from January through March. Higher terrain holds snow longer, and the glaciers on Blackcomb extend skiing into summer.
Both mountains are excellent, and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola means you can easily ski both in a day. Whistler Mountain is larger with more varied terrain and tends to be the default choice for many visitors. Blackcomb has slightly steeper terrain overall, the glacier for late-season skiing, and the main terrain parks. Most visitors explore both thoroughly during a week's stay.
Yes. Despite its expert reputation, Whistler Blackcomb has excellent beginner terrain and one of North America's best ski schools. 18% of runs are green circles (beginner), and the learning areas at Olympic Station on Whistler Mountain are ideal for first-timers. Once you've found your feet, green runs extend across both mountains, giving beginners genuine exploration rather than just circling nursery slopes.
The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains at the top, allowing you to ski both without returning to the village base. It's an engineering marvel - one of the longest unsupported lift spans in the world at 3.03km, reaching heights of 436m above the valley floor. The 11-minute journey offers spectacular views, and some cabins have glass floors for the full vertigo experience. It's included with your lift pass and is worth riding even just for the sightseeing.
The core season runs from January through March, offering the most reliable snow and full operations. December can be excellent but is slightly higher risk for early-season thin coverage lower down. Late March and April offer spring skiing conditions - warmer weather, longer days, and often great snow higher up. The resort stays open into May on the upper mountain, and summer glacier skiing operates on Blackcomb. For powder hunting, January and February typically deliver the most consistent storms.
Yes - Whistler hosted alpine and Nordic events for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. The sliding centre remains operational (you can try bobsled/skeleton). The Olympic legacy includes infrastructure upgrades and international recognition.
Banff - Fernie - Kicking Horse
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A really useful service that is so much easier to use than other 'all-inclusive' sites. It nicely bridges the gap between a travel agent and booking the trip yourself online. I will use WeSki every time I go skiing from now on.
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