30 Years of Incredible Whistler Ski Holidays

Since 1996, we've proudly helped over 15,000 skiers and snowboarders experience Whistler. It's been our most popular North American destination every season, which is no surprise when you consider its outstanding all-ability terrain spread across two mountains, over 200 restaurants, and more activities than you can shake a ski pole at!

I had the pleasure of visiting Whistler for the first time in December 2023, and I only scratched the surface of what the resort offers. To gain a deeper understanding of Whistler's world-famous reputation and why it should be at the top of your must-ski list, I spoke to the team members who have collectively been skiing and selling Whistler for 85 years and know it best:

• Ski Safari Founder Richard Rice - visited Whistler nearly every season since 1995
• North America Product Manager Rupert Hatfield - Ski Safari's Canada Specialist since 2003, personally sending 4,000 customers to Whistler
• Sales Manager Andy Knights - spent four seasons living and working in Whistler

Nearly all of our team have skied Whistler, with several completing seasons there too. We're eager to share our first-hand knowledge and create your perfect tailor-made Whistler ski holiday for 2025/26. Call our friendly team on 01273 224060 or enquire online.

Plus, by booking early, you can save on nearly every element of your Whistler holiday - flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes, rentals, ski school, food and drink, and even activities. And once you add all those savings together, you can easily save over £2,000 per person compared to booking in-season.

Ski Whistler in 2025/26 - 10 nights from £1,270pp with our early booking deals.

To understand the impact Whistler had on Ski Safari’s Founder and Chairman Richard Rice back in the mid-'90s, I sat down with him and asked a few questions about his initial impression of the resort, how this prompted him to start Ski Safari, his favourite aspects of the resort and what the 30 year relationship means to him.

"I first visited Whistler in the mid-'90s on a trip that was part of a bigger Canadian ski adventure driving across Alberta and British Columbia from Calgary, skiing at Banff, Lake Louise, Big White, Sun Peaks and finally Whistler. It was during that time that the idea for Ski Safari was really sparked.

My initial impression of Whistler was just how big, vibrant, and inspiring it was. Coming from smaller resorts in the Rockies and more traditional European spots, Whistler's sheer scale and its two vast mountains were hugely impressive. What really stood out was its purpose-built design - the entire resort, from the placement of lifts, to the runs cutting through the trees, to the entirely pedestrianised village, was meticulously planned as a ski resort, unlike many European resorts that have evolved from villages with less initial planning."

"That first ski day, it just clicked and I thought: "Oh, this is how skiing should be." This extended to how the resort manages the ski area; in North America, the resort is responsible for everything within its boundary, including all off-piste areas. This means zones like Spanky's, which would typically require a guide in Europe, can be skied safely as they are patrolled and inspected for hazards. We knew the Brits would love experiencing the difference between Whistler and European resorts - that’s what really got us into the idea of creating Ski Safari."

"There's a deep, quiet pride in our long-standing relationship with Whistler. It is without doubt one of the very best resorts in the world and that is the case whether you are a very experienced skier, or whether skiing is just a part of a holiday experience for you. Whistler genuinely has it all and, as a result, it is a rock for our business, even now, more than 30 years after that first visit".

• Skiing -"When it comes to skiing, for groomers, I always love Ridge Runner on Blackcomb - it’s just a long, snaky run that’s heaps of fun. For off-piste, the runs on Spanky's backside really get my heart pumping, or that fantastic line on Whistler Mountain going down the skier's left of Whistler Bowl, continuing into Doom and Gloom and then Frog Hollow - with good fresh snow, that's a phenomenal run. To truly make the most of Whistler’s vast terrain and improve your skills, I'd also highly recommend an Extremely Canadian camp  or even just a one-day lesson; it's the best way to open up so much more of the mountain to you."
• Eating - “I love Japanese cuisine, and Sushi Village is a classic institution. It's always a fun time there and they have some very creative sushi rolls.”
• Drinks - “I’m a big advocate of après ski, and there are two legendary spots in Whistler that everyone should visit. Dusty's Bar & BBQ offers a classic Whistler experience with mountains of nachos to go along with every drink you can think of including, of course, the Canadian classic, the Caesar. And the atmosphere at Merlin’s is perfect for a drink and a dance or catching the last of the rays on the sun terrace whilst listening to legendary local band The Hairfarmers.”
• Non-Skiing Activity - “Probably my favourite of the ones I have tried is snowmobiling in the beautiful Callaghan Valley with Canadian Wilderness Adventures, that was very good fun.”

While Richard no longer sells ski holidays himself, you're in safe hands whoever you speak to - nearly our whole sales team has skied Whistler, most more than once. Call 01273 224060 or request a quotation online.

There’s no one more passionate about Whistler in our office than North America Product Manager, Rupert. The resort is hugely significant to him as Whistler and Blackcomb mountains provided the perfect setting for him to ask the most important question of his life.

To gain a better understanding of Rupert’s love for Whistler, I first asked him about his initial visit, followed by what keeps him coming back, his favourite parts of the resort and the story behind his proposal.

"I first visited Whistler about 30 years ago, back when I was working for a chalet tour operator called Simply Ski. They invited me on a trip to explore selling chalets there. At that point, I mainly skied in Europe and honestly hadn't heard much about North American resorts.

What immediately stood out, a real differentiator from Europe, is the concept of resort boundary areas here. All the terrain within those boundaries can be skied safely; there are no 'on-piste, off-piste shenanigans’. It's like one big playground, as long as it's not physically closed."

"The huge amount of terrain is largely responsible for what keeps me coming back. Even after 30 years and well over fifteen visits, I’m still discovering new exciting runs across Whistler’s 8,171 acre ski area - the largest in North America. You just can’t get bored here!

I also love the ease of access from the Vancouver airport. After a direct flight, it’s a swift 2-and-a-half-hour drive on the mesmerising Sea-to-sky Highway, which boasts views of the iconic Howe Sound, plus mountains, waterfalls, and forests.

Finally, the variety of accommodation at Whistler is unbeatable. There isn’t a bad place to stay, which means you have the option to make your trip as luxurious as you wish. A personal favourite of mine is the 5* Fairmont Chateau Whistler. With heated pools, hot tubs and ski-in ski-out access, this is one of Whistler’s premium hotels. I was lucky enough to stay in the prestigious ‘Gold’ section of the hotel with a private reception, exceptional amenities and exclusive food and beverage service (the canapés made by the Executive Chef were a standout!).”

"Whistler holds special meaning for me as it's where I proposed to my wife, Debs. This happened on a trip with Tourism Whistler just before the 2010 Winter Olympics. Knowing the resort's spectacular backdrop and that Debs would be delighted by the skiing, I began to formulate a plan.

We ended up on Cloud Nine at 7th Heaven, and the moment was incredible. The name felt perfect, and with the breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged landscape as the backdrop, I asked the question and thankfully, she said yes! It couldn't have turned out better, and every time I return to Whistler, I make a point of a nostalgic trip back to Cloud Nine to the spot where I proposed.”

There must be something in the air at Whistler, because we've had plenty of customer proposals at Whistler, including Amy and John who got engaged on the slopes back in February 2022. 

Obviously, the resort is good enough to propose in, but it's also the perfect place to tie the knot too! Our customer, Richard George, got married in Whistler back in 2009:

"We love Whistler so much we got married there! It has, perhaps, some of the most fantastic scenery, skiing, après ski, restaurants and non-skiing activities of any ski resort, anywhere."

Whistler has also been a popular post-wedding destination for our customers, with many choosing to spend their honeymoon there!

• Skiing - “In my opinion, there’s nothing more fun than hurtling down steep, challenging terrain with an outstanding backdrop and the Lakeside Bowl off of the 7th Heaven Express chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain more than ticks those boxes!”
• Eating – "I highly recommend Teppan Village for a fun, theatrical dining experience. It's a teppanyaki spot where they cook your meal right in front of you. It's a whole lot of fun, and their tiger prawns are absolutely delicious!”
• Drinks - "I always make a beeline for The Mallard Lounge in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. With its roaring wood fireplace, live music, and plush leather chairs, it’s an ideal setting to enjoy my favourite drink, a margarita.
• Non-Skiing Activity - “For a real bit of excitement, you have to try whizzing down the bobsleigh track at the Whistler Sliding Centre, it’s my favourite thing to do when I’m not having a blast on the slopes.”

For questions about Whistler or a tailor-made quote, contact Rupert directly by calling him on 01273 224060 or emailing rupert@skisafari.com.

At Ski Safari, we pride ourselves on our almost local-level knowledge of our resorts, a claim Sales Manager Andy Knights can certainly make for himself, having completed four back-to-back seasons in Whistler.

I wanted to find out what led him to choose Whistler and spend four seasons there out of all of the incredible Canadian resorts, what he loved about his time, what appeals most to our customers, and his personal favourite aspects of the resort.

"I first arrived in Whistler on 30 October 2000, right after a four-month road trip across America. My first night, I actually slept in Parking Lot 1 and spent time exploring Whistler Village, where I discovered Zog's Dogs - a locally famous all-season food truck that offers great fast food including poutine, hot dogs and burgers that’s still there today.

Whistler is a wonderful destination for beginners. It’s where I first learned to snowboard, specifically at the base of Blackcomb on the magic carpet area. The all-ability terrain is perfect for progressing. After gaining some confidence and honing my technique, I became obsessed with covering every metre of terrain across Whistler's two mountains."

"I initially lived in Whistler for three years, including summers, before heading to New Zealand to get my snowboard instructor qualification at Mount Hutt. I then returned for another season, coaching 13-17 year olds for Whistler Snowboard School's 'Ride Tribe' programme. The ski schools here are incredibly high standard - you're never too good for a lesson, and instructors always create a fun, challenging learning environment for any ability."

"I really appreciate the scale of the mountains and their incredible connectivity, especially with the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola - it makes transferring between Whistler and Blackcomb so quick and easy. I always recommend spending mornings on Whistler for the sun and afternoons on Blackcomb.

In total, I spent four winter seasons working in Whistler, and I've been visiting the resort ever since, even introducing friends who have permanently moved there. To me, Whistler is truly the 'adventure capital of North America', offering so much all year round.

I stayed there for a decent portion of my life because I felt like it was 'my place.' It perfectly resonated with my passion for sports, the outdoors, mountains, and being surrounded by like-minded people. That lasting impression absolutely shaped my entire career in the ski and snowboard industry."

"Now, working at Ski Safari and speaking to skiers and snowboarders daily, I understand that Whistler's most significant appeal is its convenience, even with the nine-hour flight from the UK. Once you're there, most accommodation is within a five-minute walk of the lifts and situated in the pedestrianised village. Everything you need is on your doorstep. From restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores, pharmacies, and ski rental shops. Some rental companies, such as Black Tie Ski Rentals, will even come to your hotel room for fittings!”

"Everywhere you go, the service is first-rate, and the staff will go out of their way to help you. It’s this positive vibe that is largely responsible for Whistler's glowing reputation.”

• Skiing - "On Whistler Mountain, my favourite run is West Cirque to Christmas Trees - I love its exposure and the trees are perfectly spaced. Over on Blackcomb, I always enjoy Ridge Runner and Rock 'N' Roll for their fast, flowing blue runs with great banks."
• Eating - "On the mountain, I love Crystal Hut - it's got that 'European-style alpine hearty warming cuisine' with great soup bowls and chilli, plus amazing views and a really cosy atmosphere."
• Drinks - "In Whistler Village, Crystal Lounge has a great locals' vibe, cheap wings, and they're always playing ski movies. My go-to drink is a Caesar - it's like a Bloody Mary on steroids, and often comes with some elaborate garnishes including burgers and onion rings! Merlin's is a great spot for one."

Speak to Andy for a local's level of knowledge. Call 01273 224060 or email andy@skisafari.com

The first review of Whistler on our website is from David Crimble and it stretches back all the way to 2003. This is the resounding evaluation he gave of Whistler:

"By far the best resort in the world. Europe has yet to learn about customer service, and there are few resorts to match Whistler on scale. Bump runs are awesome, intermediate skiing is all over the place, and the trails are well-suited to allow beginners to really feel like they are seeing the whole two mountains. Gladed skiing is the best idea ever, allowing you to ski pisted runs in thinned-out tree areas, and the bowls are huge and varied.

The nightlife is excellent and ranges from cosy bars to nightclubs. Moe Joe's and the Cinnamon Bear are well worth a visit.

They even have underfloor heating in the pedestrian village to ensure a safe meander through the shops - everything is so well designed and thought through in a subtle way. A lot of it you only realise once you have returned home.

Everyone should visit Whistler at least once, and to top it all, the drive up from Vancouver is simply beautiful. GO NOW."

Fast forward over twenty years, and the feedback is still just as strong with messages and photos like these flooding in every season.

With the opinions and suggestions from three of Ski Safari's most experienced Whistler skiers, plus countless positive reviews from our customers, I'd be very surprised if 'Visit Whistler in 2025/26' isn't jotted down in big, bold letters on your to-do list by now.

You might find Whistler even more tempting when you realise how affordable it can be by taking advantage of our Whistler early booking offers. Securing your holiday by 01 September means you can save on every aspect of your holiday, including:

• Flights - the earlier you book, the cheaper you fly
• Transfers - discounts on shared transfers and kids go free
• Accommodation - save up to 50% - plus free room upgrades
• Lift passes - ski from £58 per day
• Rentals - discounted rates and kids rent free
• Food & Drink - receive up to $250 in restaurant vouchers
• Activities - Save on exciting add-ons, from snowshoeing to heliskiing

Read How to Ski Whistler for Less to discover the latest money-saving tips and tricks. Prices will be going up at the beginning of September, so make sure to book before it's too late.

Beyond Richard, Andy, and Rupert's extensive knowledge, our entire team is brimming with Whistler experience; nearly all of us have skied there at least once, and several more team members have completed seasons there.

Let us help you create your perfect Whistler holiday using our first-hand experience of the resort. Call 01273 224060 or request a quotation online and one of our specialists will be in touch.

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