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Whistler Blackcomb (Canada)

Ski Resort Review and Guide

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Ski Resort Reviews:


Whistler Blackcomb Summary:

Base: 2,284 ft
675 m
Summit: 7,494 ft
2,284 m
Vertical: 5,280 ft
1609 m
Ski area: 8,171 acres
Trails: 200+
Lifts: 38
Terrain parks: 4
Snowfall: 396"

Runs/trails:

Beginner: 20%
Intermediate: 55%
Advanced: 25%

Trail Map:

trail map
Select to enlarge

Whistler Weather:

Whistler Description:
hotel Pan Pacific Whistler Mountain Side. (5 Star Hotel at the base of Whistler Mountain)
(This and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, also a 5 Star Hotel, at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in "Upper Village", are the two signature luxury hotels.)

Whistler Blackcomb has three mountain bases, Whistler Village, Upper Village and Creekside each with lifts or gondolas to the mountain. The focus of the Whistler development is "Whistler Village" which has a town hall, fire and police station, medical clinic, museum, library, and more than 200 shops and 90 restaurants. Thus after one arrives in Whistler, a car is no longer necessary as you can traverse the village most easily on foot. Whistler has great night life, snow and a huge double ski resort mountain: Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. I prefer to ski Blackcomb Mountain as it is more challenging, and then party on the Whistler side. Whistler is a two hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia on the south western Canadian coast. Vancouver Canada is easily accessible via its' international airpost.

Ski chair above mid-mountain lodge

Whistler / Blackcomb Mountain Terrain:

With 8171 acres of skiable terrain, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. Local heli-ski services open that up to 494,000 acres. Add to this an annual snowfall of 396 inches and you have a skiers paradise. Whistler Blackcomb also has seventeen high-alpine bowls, so don't be sad if you can't get to all of them.

Chutes:

There is no shortage of steep terrain for the advanced skier at Whistler/Blackcomb. Advanced skiers will want to look for Couloir Extreme (off to the skiers left is even steeper), Cirque, West Cirque and for the daring, Spanky's Ladder pictured here. You can also find "Secret Chute" near Spanky's.

steeps Grey Davis plunges down very top of Blackcomb Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain.
(Its a 30 minute hike to the top of the ridge.)

Baskside of Blackcomb Diamond Bowl "Powder Powder" A Sick Line!! - Backside of Blackcomb Diamond Bowl

Cornices and steep runs can be found at "Chainsaw Ridge" on Blackcomb, Flute (has a hike) on Whistler, and "Harmony Ridge/Horseshoes" on Whistler.

Most of the expert terrain is above the tree line so it can be rough on windy days.

Spankys Will find the entrance to "Spanky's" is greeted with plenty of warning signs for beginners to turn back and they should. Look out for cliffs. The end of Spanky's run is rather long and flat.

Spankys

Moguls:

Heavenly Basin (Blackcomb) Heavenly Basin (Blackcomb) looking out from Jersey Cream Express lift.

Trees and powder:

You will find some steep tree skiing off the back of Harmony ridge. Exit to the riders right off of Peak Chair or liftie's leap, right next to peak chair to find more steep runs. "Seppo's" is also a pleasure.

For some open glades try "Club 21" and "Side Order".

Beginners and Intermediates:

This mountain has plenty of terrain for the beginners and intermediates.

Whistler Terrain Parks:

Inverted on half pipe

Whistler terrain park Whistler terrain park

Try out the terrain park before the Winter Olympics take it over in 2010.

Whistler Apres Ski:

Apres ski CITTA restaurant; across from Amsterdams.

Also:
  • Garibaldi Lift Company - 604-905-2220
    Lounge upstairs from the base of the Whistler gondola.

Whistler Helicopter Skiing:

British Columbia offers some of the worlds best Heli-skiing with 80% of the world's heli-skiing operations. Heli-Skiing companies in BC are licensed to heli-ski in regions defined by the British Columbia government.

Heli-skiers are provided with an avalanche transceiver to strap under their jackets, and "powder cords" to help locate skiers in the event of an avalanche.

Helicopter skiing

Snowmobile Trails:
Half day, full day and week long rides are available. Ride mountains and glaciers, Whistler has plenty of diverse terrain.

Cross Country Skiing:
Twenty miles of alpine skiing trails are just minutes from Whistler village. The most popular area is "Lost Lake" (five minute walk from Whistler Village) which leads to the Whistler Nordic Centre at the "Nicklaus North" golf course clubhouse (beginners). Look for the entrance to Lost Lake Park, next to the Ticket Booth off Lorimer Rd.
Call 1-800-WHISTLER (800-944-7853)

There is also a Whistler Mountain Tour with trails located next to Roundhouse.

For back country trails see Callaghan Valley Trails or Whistler Olympic Nordic Park.

Whistler Shopping:
Whistler shopping Whistler Village hosts more than 150 shops in a pedestrian only enclave.

Whistler Night Life:
Whistler night life Nightlife in Whistler centers around the "Village". Garfinkels (my personal favorite), Moe Joe's, the Longhorn Saloon, Merlin's, Whistler Brewhouse, Black's Pub, Citta's, Tapley's Pub, Tommy Africa's (especially on Monday's), Boot Pub (live music), Dubh Linn Gate (apres ski), Max Fish, the Savage Beagle, Buffalo Bill's, ... See why we like this place! Whistler night life Of the 2000 work visas Canada issues to Australians each year as a "Commonwealth exchange", over 1200 park themselves in Whistler to work the resort and party crazy at night.

Whistler night life Whistler night life

Whistler Taxi: 760-934-8294

For more Whistler nightlife information, see Pubclub.com's Whistler guide.

Directions to Whistler Mountain:

Most of the skiers at Whistler drove from Vancouver BC. Transportation and directions from Vancouver to Whistler:
  • From the Vancouver International Airport: (2 hrs)
    Directions:
    • Head south on Grant Mcconachie Way (3.5 km)
    • Continue on Arthur Laing Bridge (0.2 km)
    • Take the ramp to Granville St/City Centre (0.6 km)
    • Merge onto SW Marine Dr (0.2 km)
    • Continue on Granville St (7.8 km)
    • Take the Seymour St/HWY-99 N ramp to BC Ferries/Horseshoe Bay/Whistler (0.3 km)
    • Merge onto Seymour St (1.0 km)
    • Turn left at W Georgia St (2.0 km)
    • Continue on Stanley Park Causeway (2.4 km)
    • Continue on Lions Gate Bridge (1.5 km)
    • Take the exit toward N Vancouver/Capilano Canyon/Grouse Mountain (0.2 km)
    • Merge onto Marine Dr (0.4km)
    • Turn left at Capilano Rd (1.2 km)
    • Slight right onto the Rte 1 W ramp
    • Keep right at the fork to continue toward HWY-1 W/Trans Canada Hwy W and merge onto HWY-1 W/Trans Canada Hwy W (12.6 km)
    • Take the HWY-99 N exit toward Squamish/Whistler (1.4 km)
    • Merge onto Sea to Sky Hwy - Hwy 99 (100 km)
    • Turn left at Blueberry Dr (1.1 km)
    Note: You will pass through the towns of Squamish and Brackendale

  • Train Vancouver to Whistler: British Columbia Railway: Daily runs from North Vancouver
    604-984-5246

  • Bus Vancouver to Whistler:

Road condiditons:

Map of Whistler Blackcomb Canada:

Google Map    Google Streetview of Whistler ski runs

Whistler Blackcomb Accommodations:

  • Central Reservations: 1-888-686-7529
  • Group Reservations: 1-866-383-1591
    20 or more.
  • Whistler Accommodation Reservations - condos - 1-866-905-4607
  • Whistler Reservations - 1-888-882-8858
    International: 1-604-734-8383
  • Whistler Rental Condos:
  • Hotels/Motels: Whistler British Columbia V0N1B4
    • Aava Whistler Hotel $$$$ - 800-663-5644
      Located next to Whistler Village.
    • Adara Hotel
      Rooms feature fireplaces and spa bathrooms.
      Located in Whistler Village.
    • Alpenglow Lodge $$ - 604-905-7078
      4362 Main St. V0N1B4
    • Best Western Listel Whistler Hotel $$ - 604-932-1133
      4121 Village Green V0N1B4
    • Blackcomb Lodge and Spa $$ - 604-932-4155
      422 Gateway Dr. V0N1B4
    • Carleton Lodge $$
      1, 2 and 3 bedroom loft suites with full kitchen, fireplace and washer/dryer.
    • Chalet Luise $$ - 604-932-4187
      7461 Ambassador Crescent V0N1B7 (residential area)
    • Crystal Lodge $$$ Pet friendly - 604-932-2221
      4154 Village Green V0N1B0
    • Delta Whistler Village Suites $$ - 604-905-3987
      4308 Main St. V0N1B4
    • The Durlacher Hof Alpine Inn $ - 604-932-1924
      7055 Nesters Rd. V0N1B7
    • Edgewater Lodge $$ - 604-932-0688
      8020 Alpine Way V0N1B0
    • Executive Inn at Whistler $$$
      Located in the heart of Whistler Village. Rooms feature fully equiped kitchenettes, fireplaces and Jacuzzis for two.
    • Evolution $$$$
      One and two bedroom suites a short walk from the Creekside gondola. Billiards and media entertainment rooms.
    • The Fairmont Chateau Whistler $$$$ - 604-932-8000
      4599 Chateau Blvd. V0N1B4
    • First Tracks Lodge $$$$
      One, two and three bedroom suites at the base at Creekside gondola (ski in/ski out).
    • Four Seasons Resort Whistler $$$$ - 604-932-3400
      This luxury hotel is located in Upper Village.
      4591 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
    • Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa $$$ - 604-932-1982
      4050 Whistler Way V0N1B4
    • Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Whistler $$ - 604-938-0878
      Studio, one and two bedroom units located in Whistler Village. Rooms include jetted tubs, washer / dryer and internet access.
      4295 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
    • Le Chamois $$$$ - 604-932-8700
      (Wildflower lodging company)
      Studio, one, two and three bedroom suites located in Upper Village (Ski in/ski out).
      4557 Blackcomb Way V0N1B0
    • Legends $$$$
      One, two and three bedroom suites located at the base of the Creekside express gondola (ski in/ski out). Billiards and media room.
    • Lost Lake Lodge - 604-905-7631
      4660 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
    • Mountainside Lodge $$$
      Studios to lofted suites located in Whistler Village.
    • Nita Lake Lodge $$$$ - 888-755-6482
      Timber and stone lodge with 77 suites. View of Nita Lake.
    • Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside $$$ - 604-905-2999
      One and two bedroom luxury suites. Eight of the suites have a private hot tub. Each suite includes a full kitchen, gas fireplace and internet. Located in the heart of Whistler Village.
      4320 Sundial Crescent V0N1B4
    • Pan Pacific Whistler Village Center $$$ - 604-966-550
      4299 Blackcomb Way V0N1B4
    • Residence Inn by Marriott $$$ - 604-905-3400
      In room fireplaces, large balconies, complementary breakfast buffet, ski valet, ski-in/ski-out Upper Village.
      4899 Painted Cliff Rd. V0N1B4
    • Summit Lodge and Spa $$$ - 604-932-2778
      Located in Village North and features a complementary shuttle. Rooms include a kitchenette, fireplace, balcony and free internet access.
      4359 Main St. V0N1B4
    • Sundial Boutique Hotel $$$ - 604-932-2321
      4340 Sundial Crescent V0N1B4
    • Tantalus Resort Lodge $$$ - 604-932-4146
      24 hour front desk and housekeeping service. Each suite has a kitchen.
      4200 Whistler Way V0N1B4
    • Town Plaza Suites - 604-966-0999
      4314 Main St. V0N1B0
    • Westin Resort and Spa $$$ - 604-905-5000
      4090 Whistler Way V0N1B4
    • Whistler Cascade Lodge - 604-905-4875
      4315 Northlands Blvd. V0N1B0
    • Whistler Village Inn and Suites $$$ - 604-932-4004
      Located in the heart of Whistler Village near all of the shops, restaurants and bars.
      4429 Sundial Pl. V0N1B4
    • Woodrun Lodge - 604-932-6699
      Ski in / ski out located in Upper Village.
      4910 Spearhead Pl. V0N1B0

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