Landing in Vancouver and driving two hours north to get there, even in the middle of the night, through a storm of snow and ice, is a magical experience. whistler blackcomb,
North America's largest ski resort, with 8,100 acres to ski on two mountains, Whistler Blackcomb is connected by a pedestrian village and the world's largest gondola.
Once two separate resorts, today Whistler Blackcomb offers world-class skiing, an expansive space for beginners to learn, an exciting, top-to-bottom run of nearly 7 miles, and everything in between: more than 200 trails; three glaciers; 37 lifts; and 16 alpine bowls. While 20% of the trails are green, the same amount is double black—35% are blue and 25% are black.
Whistler is part of the Fitzsimmons Range in the Coast Mountains that stretch from Alaska to British Columbia, and the “Peak 2 Peak” gondola ride, 2.73 miles long between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, offers spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, lakes and even black bears.
If you've watched “The Crown” on Netflix, you may have been struck by Whistler's stunning beauty when then-Prince Charles of England, the current king, took his young sons to Whistler in 1998 for a four-day private skiing vacation — and the boys' first public appearance — following the tragic death of their mother, Princess Diana.
But for American powder heads, there's a new and more compelling reason to cross our northern borders. After being purchased by Vail Resorts for $1.39 billion in 2016, Whistler Blackcomb became part of Vail's Epic Pass network for the first time this season.
Powder up people!
The “Peak 2 Peak” gondola offers amazing views as it passes through the mountains. Christy Fitzpatrick
This year, the Epic app lets skiers buy passes and lift tickets online instead of waiting in line — after a slight increase, passes now cost $982 (ages 13 and up) or $501 (ages 5 to 12).
In addition, riders will now be able to join My Epic Gear, a membership to rent premium equipment with slopeside pick up and drop off. Membership for the 2025/2026 season is $50, with a $55 daily use fee for adults and a $45 fee for children ages 3 to 12. The My Epic app also provides useful information from mountain resort alerts to trail maps, snow reports, base conditions and personal stats records.
For adrenaline junkies, heli-skiing is now an option as well. Whistler Heli-Ski covers an area 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb: 432,000 acres with more than 173 glaciers. Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass holders receive a 20% discount on single-day packages. Ski and snowboarding clinics also offer variety – for kids, for women, steep skiing clinics and skiing with the Olympians who make Whistler Blackcomb their permanent home, to name a few.
Another new perk: This year on the mountain, the Jersey Cream Express has been upgraded from a four-person to a six-person chairlift. This is the fourth upgrade since 2022, having previously upgraded the Big Red Express, Creekside Gondola and Fitzsimmons Express.
Next year, Whistler Blackcomb will also host the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 from February 8 to 16. The event will feature more than 500 competitors from more than 20 countries competing in adaptive sports for their first winter edition. Special events include alpine skiing and snowboarding.
slippery slopes
From Airbnbs to hotels in Whistler Village and Creekside, there's no shortage of accommodations. But if you want to get everywhere on foot, Whistler Village is for you. The Westin Resort and Spa, located at the foot of Whistler Mountain, is just steps from the pedestrian village. Rooms have fireplaces and kitchens. Double convenience comes with Westin Ski Valet and CanSki, which offer more than 12,000 skis and snowboards with the largest and newest selection of rental gear in Whistler.
Likewise, there are many dining options. The Grill & Vine Restaurant is an open space inside the Westin that serves a breakfast buffet and casual dining all day, as well as a grab-and-go area throughout the day.
Even easier meals during the day include Glacier Creek Lodge, with floor-to-ceiling windows and root stalk chandeliers overlooking Blackcomb Mountain. It serves ramen, grains and greens, as well as a simple food-to-fuel menu for kids.
For après in Whistler Village, visit the Garibaldi Lift Company Bar and Grill. Stay warm outside with blankets, heat lamps, and drinks that will keep you warm.
DJs and live music ensue, as well as shared plates, salads, pastas, cocktails and good times.
Creekside, head to Dusty's Bar & BBQ, known for its live music, happy hour, and party scene. Merlin's Bar & Grill is also known for its cool, mountain cabin-chic style and après vibe. Popular local rock band, the Hairfarmers play here along with nachos and tap beer.
If you want more upscale dining, there’s the Steeps Grill & Wine Bar inside the Roundhouse Lodge atop Whistler Mountain, featuring regional wines and a Winemaker Après Series in the winter (and a Winemaker Dinner Series in the summer).
Ice and easy
Massages, facials, hip surgery – treatments you'll appreciate after a day on the slopes. You can find them in The Westin At the very aptly named Spa in Whistler. The spa includes access to the hotel's pool and hot tub.
You never know who you'll meet there, as it can be quite a social atmosphere. What's even better is that you don't need to be a guest to book a treatment experience.
“This area is huge and there’s something for everybody.”
Instructor John Solomon
Pro-tip: Get there early and plan your day to avoid the crowds. Book a ski instructor to hone your skills, whether you're a beginner or want to enjoy double-black diamonds before your morning coffee, and get an added benefit: you'll get to avoid lift lines, even on powder days.
Top instructor John Solomon first came to Whistler in January 2001 for the Instructor Training Program, and returned to instruct at Whistler Blackcomb in 2007. He has been an instructor at Whistler Blackcomb every season since then.
He said the area is “huge, with something for everyone.” He added that one of his favorite things is “going through the clouds and looking at the ice islands – it’s a whole different world.”
But it's not all about sliding – there's culture on these mountains, too.
Whistler Blackcomb operates on unceded territories shared by the Lil'wat and Squamish Nations. And if you can ever drag yourself – and your kids – off the mountain, visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the first centre of its kind in Canada, where both Nations work at the centre and share their cultures. Stop for the First Nations museum, art gallery, café and gift shop, and stay at the impressive facility for traditional drum songs, a short film and a guided tour led by cultural ambassadors. There's also a traditional longhouse and Istakan pithouse, as well as carved house poles, canoes, spindle whorls and weaving.
Now head back for one last ski adventure, and know that you'll need to pack your bags and leave them in the lobby before you leave. Traffic can be heavy, so book the Skylinks Express bus in advance and give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport.
If you still feel the burn, you know you gave the mountain your all. And even if you're a mountain climbing enthusiast, this journey and its panoramic views will keep you warm on even the most brutal, coldest days to come.
