I've Skied Over 20 Canadian Resorts – This One Takes the Crown

I adore the ski resorts out west. Canada , stretching across Alberta and British Columbia for two main reasons: these regions boast excellent powder snow and welcoming residents who strive to make your vacation unforgettable.

The ideal method to explore this captivating ski location is through a road trip—over the years, I've undertaken multiple trips lasting about 10 days, visiting as many as six different resorts per journey. Among these, one adventure particularly shines through: my exploration of Whistler Blackcomb.

In the early 1990s, I made my initial visit to what has become North America's biggest resort. At that time, Whistler and Blackcomb—the resort's two peaks—operated independently and each required a separate lift ticket.

Many things have evolved since those days. Today, both mountains are under the ownership of Vail Resorts and operate as a single super-resort. The resorts are interconnected at the village base and midway up the mountain via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. This gondola accommodates 28 passengers per car and offers breathtaking vistas of the pristine Fitzsimmons Creek beneath them.

Vast and diversified skiing terrain

Whistler Blackcomb North America's largest ski area spans nearly 8,200 acres, making it significantly larger than any other resort in Canada and similar in terms of prepared runs to some of the most extensive regions in Europe.

Back in the day, you picked just one peak—either Whistler or Blackcomb—and stuck to it throughout your entire skiing experience. You're free to continue this tradition if you prefer; both mountains offer ample slopes for an enjoyable time. Each boasts significant elevation drops exceeding 1,500 meters, featuring expansive upper bowls and numerous trails through wooded areas down below.

A haven for both experts and intermediates

Here, experts have plenty of choices, with numerous ungroomed possibilities in the elevated basins, such as the notorious 41-degree Couloir Extreme. A few of my favorite trails can be accessed via a brief climb up Spanky’s Ladder on Blackcomb, offering access to an expansive, unoccupied, powder-filled basin along with multiple routes back down.

To fully enjoy the expert-level slopes, hiring a guide is highly recommended. Unlike in the Alps, where off-groomed areas might not always be monitored, here these terrains are regularly patrolled and managed for avalanches—provided you remain inside the designated ski boundaries, whose limits can vary based on weather conditions. Additionally, top-notch helicopter skiing and cat skiing opportunities abound locally.

Across both mountains, there are superbly easy and cruising blue runs, served mainly by high-speed chairlifts. A great test is the long (7km) Peak to Creek run, with wonderful views over a steep valley and to the rather phallic Black Tusk mountain. A personal favourite is the easy black Dave Murray Downhill when it has been groomed – the venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic men’s downhill race.

Excellent ski schools

The resort’s main ski school is top-notch ( Whistler Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School ) and boasts an outstanding reputation for educating both adults and children across all skill levels. I've also enjoyed some fantastic times here. Extremely Canadian , offering one- and two-day Advanced Ski Clinics tailored for experts and daring advanced intermediate skiers looking to fully enjoy the mountain's challenging terrain—these sessions include both guidance and instruction with a full day commitment starting at 8:15 am until the last lift operates.

I would also suggest participating in the resort’s First Tracks event, allowing you to board an early lift at 7:30 am and hit untouched, perfectly groomed slopes or fresh powder before the crowds arrive en masse an hour later. This experience costs £17 and comes with a food and beverage coupon as well.

A world-class village

The close location of Whistler Blackcomb to the Pacific Ocean implies that the weather here can shift abruptly—while lower areas tend to experience rainfall frequently, higher elevations see this precipitation turn into substantial amounts of snow as one ascends via ski lift. However, do not be discouraged by these conditions; the mountain boasts impressive snowfall records above—the annual average being nearly 11 meters (surpassing many locations in both Colorado and Europe).

At the base of Whistler Mountain lies Whistler Village, which is the most vibrant area to reside in, featuring numerous bars, eateries, and lodging establishments. The Upper Village, situated below Blackcomb Mountain and accessible via a brief stroll or bus trip, is more compact and serene. Each village boasts top-tier five-star accommodations along with budget-friendly alternatives, such as many apartment complexes.

The mountain restaurants in this area tend to be quite busy and usually operate as self-service. Personally, I like to make reservations at one of the table-service alternatives instead. Christine’s on Blackcomb (my favourite) or Steeps Grill on Whistler to avoid the queues. At resort level, there’s plenty of choice. My favourites include Araxi in Whistler Village and the Rimrock Café, a taxi-ride away near Creekside. I always enjoy the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) , Longhorn and Dubh Linn Gate Irish pub in Whistler Village and Merlin’s in Upper Village for their lively apres-ski.

Few places beat Whistler Blackcomb for things to do other than ski: the tubing park is great fun for all the family; the brave can try riding a bobsleigh down the Olympic course (with an experienced driver); Ziptrek Ecotours I will take you through the forest using zipline tours and suspension bridges; additionally, we offer helicopter rides, dog sledding, and snowmobile excursions. Each Sunday night features a complimentary, illuminated Fire and Ice demonstration where experts ski through a flaming hoop of fire, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show.

Essentials

My favorite spot to lodge is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain—an excellent location with top-notch service, opulent accommodations, as well as both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and Jacuzzis, not to mention saunas and steam rooms. Ski Independence (0131 243 8097) provides packages for seven nights starting at £2,927 per person, which includes flights, transfers, and ski carriage.

Arrange the ideal journey using our assistance. Whistler ski guide.

The runners-up

Banff

This is the main place to stay in Banff National Park. Three separate ski areas with almost as much terrain as Whistler in total and runs for all standards. But you need to choose which to go to each day and a car or shuttle bus to reach it.

Plan the perfect trip with our Banff ski guide.

Fernie

A quaint contemporary village located at the base of a mountain famous for its heavy snowfall and challenging untamed slopes — ideally navigated with a local guide. It offers only a few well-groomed trails suitable for intermediate skiers. An unassuming historic district can be found a short distance away.

Sun Peaks

A welcoming, car-free resort designed specifically for visitors offers skiing across three connected mountains, making it the second-largest interconnected ski zone in Canada. It boasts slightly more than half the terrain of Whistler. The slopes here cater primarily to intermediate skiers.

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