Whistler Overview

Whistler Blackcomb is the largest and most famous ski resort in Canada and one of the premier ski destinations in the world. Located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, about two hours north of Vancouver, the resort combines the two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb into a single interconnected ski area linked by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, one of the world’s highest and longest lift systems. The resort offers an enormous variety of terrain, including wide beginner pistes, long intermediate cruisers, alpine bowls, tree skiing, terrain parks, and steep expert zones, making it suitable for every level of skier and snowboarder.

Whistler Blackcomb is especially known for its massive scale, reliable snowfall, and diverse mountain environment. The season typically runs from November into late spring, with higher alpine areas often retaining snow well into May. The resort also has a strong reputation for off-piste skiing, backcountry access, and freestyle terrain, attracting both recreational visitors and professional athletes.

At the base of the mountains, Whistler Village is one of North America’s best-developed ski resort villages, featuring pedestrian streets lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, spas, and entertainment venues. The village atmosphere is lively and international, with a strong après-ski and nightlife scene that contributes significantly to the resort’s global popularity. Whistler also gained international recognition as a host venue during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Beyond skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ziplining, ice skating, and wellness experiences throughout the winter season. Overall, Whistler Blackcomb combines world-class skiing, large-scale resort infrastructure, and vibrant village life, making it one of the most complete ski destinations anywhere in the world.

Whistler Ski Information

Resort height - 675m

Snow range - 653 - 2284m

Ski area - 8.171 acres

Easy - 42 slopes

Intermediate - 116 slopes

Difficult - 58 slopes

Longest run - 11km

Snowmaking facilities - 50%

Snow parks - 5

Ski Lifts - 39 (Gondola - 6, Chairlifts - 3, Drag lifts - 15, Magic carpets - 15)

Things to do in Whistler

Activities - Winter in Whistler Blackcomb offers far more than just skiing and snowboarding, making it one of the most complete winter destinations in North America. The resort’s enormous ski area is the main attraction, with terrain ranging from beginner slopes to advanced alpine bowls, glacier skiing, tree runs, terrain parks, and extensive off-piste opportunities. Beyond downhill skiing, visitors can explore a wide range of winter activities including snowshoeing through forest trails, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ziplining above snowy valleys, and ice skating in Whistler Village. Adventure-focused travelers can also try heli-skiing or snowcat skiing in the surrounding mountains, experiences for which British Columbia is internationally famous. The village itself remains active throughout the winter season, offering spas, wellness centers, shopping, art galleries, and a large selection of restaurants and cafés. Families often enjoy tubing parks, sleigh rides, and beginner-friendly snow activities, while non-skiers can take sightseeing gondola rides with panoramic views of the Coast Mountains. Winter in Whistler also includes a strong social atmosphere, with après-ski events, festivals, and nightlife contributing to the resort’s lively energy. Overall, Whistler combines world-class snow sports with outdoor adventure, entertainment, and modern resort infrastructure, creating a highly varied winter experience for all types of visitors.

Restaurants - Restaurants in Whistler are among the best of any ski resort in North America, offering everything from casual slope-side dining to award-winning fine cuisine. The resort is especially known for its strong food culture, with restaurants serving Pacific Northwest seafood, modern Canadian dishes, Asian fusion, and international cuisine. Fine dining highlights include Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Barnationally known for farm-to-table cuisine and seafood, and Wild Blue Restaurant + Barlish contemporary restaurant specialising in elevated local ingredients and cocktails. Another long-time favourite is The Rimrock Cafes for seafood and game dishes in a cosy mountain setting. ([Ski Solutions][1])the mountain, skiers can stop at iconic spots such as the Crystal Hut or Roundhouse Lodge for waffles, burgers, and panoramic alpine views, while Whistler Village offers lively casual venues, sushi restaurants, steakhouses, and après-ski bars within walking distance of the lifts. Many visitors and locals also recommend venues such as Earls Kitchen + Barlaxed dining and cocktails after skiing. Overall, Whistler’s restaurant scene is considered one of the most diverse and high quality in the global ski industry, making dining a major part of the resort experience.

Nightlife - Après-ski and nightlife in Whistler Blackcomb are among the most vibrant and diverse in North America, giving the resort a lively atmosphere that continues long after the lifts close. Throughout the afternoon and evening, skiers and snowboarders gather in slope-side bars, pubs, and terraces for drinks, live music, DJs, and social events that create a classic mountain-resort energy. Whistler Village is compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to move between restaurants, cocktail lounges, sports bars, breweries, and late-night clubs. The nightlife scene caters to a wide range of visitors, from casual travelers and families to younger international crowds looking for energetic parties during peak ski season. Compared to many Canadian resorts, Whistler has a particularly strong international character, with influences from North American, European, and Australian ski culture contributing to its social atmosphere. At the same time, visitors can also find quieter experiences such as upscale wine bars, spas, and cozy lodge lounges, allowing the resort to balance high-energy nightlife with more relaxed mountain hospitality.

Airport Transfers - How to get to Whistler

We can organise your transfers from Vancouver International Airport. You can also choose between a shuttle transfer which can be more economical if only a few people are travelling or a private transfer which will take you direct from the airport to your accommodation.

Distance to Vancouver International Airport: 135km