Whistler Ski Holidays

Description

Whistler takes pride of place among Canada and North America’s finest and most popular ski resorts, and you only have to spend a day or so there to see why. It’s a very pretty town with bags of character, it’s unbelievably friendly, it has an amazing beer and food scene, it regularly receives buckets of fresh snow, the lifts are swift and modern, and the skiing is exceptional!

The resort sits at 670m with lifts running up to just under 3,000m, and no matter where you base yourself, you’re never too far from the nearest gondola.

Whistler joined forces with the neighbouring peak — Blackcomb — in recent years, and they’re linked together by the mighty Peak2Peak gondola. Regular visitors and locals inevitably prefer one side over the other, but during a 7- or 10-day visit you can certainly make the most of both.

Both peaks are tree-lined and sheltered on the lower slopes, with plenty of good learner terrain to be found.

As you head up the mountain, the gradient becomes steeper and the scenery more dramatic. Huge glades, forests and bowls offer exceptional backcountry skiing — it’s a freerider’s paradise!

One of the key reasons behind Whistler’s long-term success is its open approach, and families are made just as welcome as groups of friends looking to party. Parents with children in tow can choose from any of the family-friendly eateries around resort and, up on the slopes, the support and infrastructure in place for visiting skiers is superb.

When it comes to parks and powder (or freestyle and freeride) Whistler has it covered. On the freestyle side, there are a number of impressive snow-parks located across Whistler-Blackcomb, with hits and kickers to suit all abilities. If the fresh snow falls, powder-hounds can bounce through some of the best snow Canada has to offer, and heli-skiing is popular. You can make fresh tracks through pine forest, carve down the steep and deep or ride through deep snowdrifts just metres from the pistes. If you’re lucky enough to see fresh snow in Whistler, be sure to hire a guide to make the very most of it. You won’t regret it!

Whistler is laid out very simply, with one long main street running from the central plaza to the base of the lifts. Along the street you’ll find all the ski hire and snowboard shops you’d need, and the bars and restaurants are all within easy reach.

Regarding accommodation, Whistler is home to a high number of hotels, from cheap and cheerful to high-end luxury. Breakfast isn’t always included and many visitors find they have to budget for meals separately, but Whistler has plenty of places to choose from for lunch and dinner.

Aside from hotels, visitors to Whistler can book condos or apartments, and standards and locations vary.

Most people visiting Whistler from the UK fly from Heathrow into Vancouver – a flight of around 10 hours. Air Canada fly direct and ski carriage is free. The transfer time from the airport into resort is around 2 hours, and there’s plenty or transfer companies plying the route. In short, accessing Whistler is pretty simple.

Getting There

When to Go

For skiers and snowboarders in search of Whistler’s sweeping descents and superb terrain parks, from December to March is the best time to pay a visit — when the glades and forests are covered in a heavy blanket of fresh snow, and the lifts are firing on all cylinders! Many people feel the period between December and February offers the most ideal skiing and snowboarding conditions, but really March and April are special, too.

Early Season

In the early season, Whistler’s temperatures drop heavily and the resort sees regular heavy snowfall. Visitors at this time are recommended to pack well for cold weather, with plenty of warm layers to keep the plummeting temperatures at bay.

December in Whistler has to be seen to be believed, with twinkling Christmas lights adorning the streets, ice-skating, and festive revelry in the air. For families it’s a magical time to visit the resort, but it must be said that Whistler can suffer from poor levels of fresh powder in the early weeks, especially when compared to higher US resorts.

Mid Season

Heading into January, Whistler is in its peak-winter period – with the widest selection of snow-based activities to enjoy. Aside from the skiing, visitors to Whistler at this time of year can try their hand at snow-showing and snow-mobiling in the Callaghan Valley – a corner of the Canadian wilderness far-removed from the busy chairlifts and welcoming cafes of resort centre.

January is also the best time to make the most of Whistler’s amazing back-country skiing and snowboarding terrain. First-time visitors are often taken aback by the breadth of off-piste terrain within the boundaries of the Whistler-Blackcomb ski area, although venturing farther afield isn’t wise without a fully trained and experienced guide.

Late Season

As the cooler January and February weeks give way to the sunnier and warmer months of March and April, skiers and boarders in Whistler-Blackcomb continue to enjoy beautiful conditions – with a typically heavy base of snow. March often sees very heavy Spring snowfall, and remains one of the resort’s snowiest months – often followed by that most magical of natural events; a bluebird day of bright sunshine and blue skies to complement the heavy snowfall of previous days.

On top of this, March in Whistler means longer days on the slopes and longer après ski hours, too. Head off the slopes into one of Whistler’s welcoming bars or restaurants for a beer and a well-earned plate of nachos, and watch the sun sink behind the snowy peaks. Magical!

Blackcomb Mountain reopens in June and July for glacier skiing, too, and visitors can make the most of the lower slopes for exploring the wilderness landscapes.

Where to Stay

Getting around

Apres

Don’t visit Whistler expecting Euro-style après ski, because you won’t find it! There are plenty of amazing bars to choose from, where you can tuck into steaming bowls of nachos and cheese, juicy burgers and delicious pizzas, all accompanied by cool pitchers of craft beers from across the valleys and beyond.

There’s also a lively and diverse live music scene in Whistler, with a wide array of talented bands taking to the stage across the resort each night. Merlin’s, the Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC’s) and Dusty’s sit in Blackcomb, Whistler and Creekside respectively, offering a welcoming home for thirsty après-skiers in search of a refreshing pitcher and a place to park up. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg! The Brewhouse, Dubh Linn Gate, Fitzsimmons Pub and The Whistler Brewing Company are all well worth a look.

Eating out

A foodies’ haven, Whistler is home to an impressive range of restaurants, cafes and eateries with international flavour, and — depending on the foreign exchange rate at the time — prices are good. Sushi, Mexican and Italian dishes are popular, alongside steak and burger joints. If you want to save your dollars for the slopes, there are lots of comparatively inexpensive eateries and, equally, if you’re in search of something special, many of the higher-end hotels house fine-dining restaurants where you can really treat yourself.

Good for Couples

Elements Urban Tapas

4359 Main St #102B

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5569

Good for Couples

The Keg

4429 Sundial Pl

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5151

Good for Couples

Wildflower Restaurant

4599 Chateau Blvd

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 938 2033

Good for Family

El Furniture Warehouse

4314 Main St

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 962 8848

Good for Family

Misty Mountain Pizza

4293 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 2825

Good for Friends

Creekbread

2021 Karen Crescent

BC V0N 1B2

Whistler

+1 604 905 6666

Good for Friends

Longhorn Saloon and Grill

4280 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 932 5999

Good for Friends

The Brewhouse

4355 Blackcomb Way

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604 905 2739

Activities

Whistler sits in the Callaghan Valley, a region of soaring peaks, rugged trails, snow-capped forests and shimmering lakes. If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, you’re in the right place! Away from the slopes there’s a massive range of non-ski activities to choose from, and getting involved with one or two non-ski activities will enrich and enhance your Whistler experience.

Husky sledding

4280 Mountain Square

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 877 938 1616

Skidooing

4050 Whistler Way

BC V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 604-932-8484

Snowshoeing

211 – 4293 Mountain Square

BC. V0N 1B4

Whistler

+1 855 824 9955

Ski School

Getting around

Family ski

Whistler, and its neighbouring resort of Blackcomb, combine to offer the largest ski area in North America – with a broad range of terrain well suited to learners, youngsters and families. This, alongside the resort’s rapid lifts, generally hassle-free ski access, excellent snow coverage, and minimal lift queues at the lifts, makes Whistler an amazing destination for families taking to the mountains. The beginner area on Whistler was also renovated and improved in recent years, and now offers more terrain and additional lifts.

For families in need of tuition, Whistler runs a diverse range of services including kids’ camps and family ski lessons, with classes available for snow-lovers of all levels. Nearly 20% of Whistler’s skiable terrain is learner-friendly, with a further 55% ideally suited to intermediates. Combined, these offer an incredible range of ground beautifully suited to families keen to explore the mountains together. Look out for the entertaining adventure zones, such as the children’s Tree Fort located near the Big Red Express lift on Whistler, and the designated family zone, which can be found near the Emerald Express lift also on Whistler mountain.

If your family is in search of slightly more challenging terrain in Whistler, head over to the Olympic and Paralympic super-G and downhill runs. There’s also a brilliant range of terrain parks – like the Nintendo and Big Easy parks near the Solar Coaster Express lift and the Habitat terrain park which sits near the Emerald Express lift. Here, you’ll find all the hits and kickers that aspiring freestyle skiers and snowboarders could hope for.

The famous Peak to Peak gondola spans the mighty valley between Whistler and neighbouring Blackcomb, offering high-altitude adventure for parents and children alike. It’s also a wonderfully swift way to cross to Blackcomb, where a whole resort’s worth of fresh terrain awaits. The views from any of the gondolas are pretty special, but for an extra thrill, keep a lookout for the slightly rarer glass-bottomed gondolas!

Away from the slopes, parents have a huge range of ways to keep the kids amused and entertained. There’s a tubing hill for adventure on the snow without skis, plus some amazing snow-shoeing trails around the Callaghan Valley. You can explore the alpine wilderness on a dog-sledding tour, or, for families with slightly older kids, zoom along the mountain trails by skidoo.

Group Ski

Whistler is one of the best all-round ski resorts in the world, and as such, works wonderfully well for a wide range of group ski holidays. With neighbouring Blackcomb mountain within easy reach via the famous Peak-2-Peak gondola, Whistler boasts a massive ski area covering over 8,000 acres, and an impressive fleet of fast and modern chairlifts and gondolas offering swift uplift from resort level to the snowy slopes above. The scenery is superb, with snowy bowls, a soaring glacier, and wonderful woodland runs to enjoy.

The resort’s high altitude keeps the snow in great condition, and groups of skiers and snowboarders enjoy regular dumps of fresh powder – ideal for making the most of the North American back-country. The resort offers such expansive terrain and such high-quality snow-parks that it’s best for confident intermediate and expert skiers able to make the most of the diverse ground. But with that said, it’s also a very beginner-friendly place, and groups with learners are well catered for.

The ski schools in operation in Whistler are superb, and there’s a diverse range of tuition available – something many bigger groups of skiing and snowboarding friends really look for. Whistler is a charming and characterful ski resort, with a massive range of restaurants serving up cuisine from all four corners of the world. You’ll find burger and bbq joints, pasta restaurants, Asian cuisine and of course local Canadian fayre – with dining options to suit a wide range of budgets and tastes.

And if your ski group is in search of après ski Whistler has a few good bars to visit – but the après ski scene here is nothing compared to many of the French or Austrian resorts popular among skiing and snowboarding Brits. We recommend coming off the slopes in the mid-to-late afternoon, and enjoying a pitcher or two of beer with a hearty plate of nachos. That’s après ski, Whistler-style!

Large groups of skiing friends or family heading to Whistler have a great range of accommodation options to choose from, including a fine range of welcoming hotels within easy reach of the resort and lifts. When choosing your hotel, it’s worth checking whether breakfast is included or not – not all Whistler’s hotels include it.

Childcare

Parents in need of a little childcare in Whistler can turn to the resort’s Playgroup, which takes place between 8am - 3.30pm. There are meeting points at the Westin Hotel, Creekside and Blackcomb, and childcare costs around $95 a day.

For older kids of 3 to 5 years, the Teddy Bear Daycare service takes place inside Millennium Place in Whistler Village. With a child-to-staff ration of 8 to 1, fully-qualified staff and full-day care available, it’s a good option for many. Rates are at $99 per day, from 7.30 am to 6pm.

Another to look out for is Babysitting Whistler.