7 Reasons Whistler is a Must-Ski Resort
I first arrived in Whistler, Canada in the year 2000, straight off a four-month American road trip, and slept my first night in my car, in Parking Lot 1. Little did I know I'd go on to spend four incredible seasons living and riding there, or that I'd still be going back to this day.
My love for snowsports has since taken me across the world, from Chile to Japan, yet Whistler is the one resort that consistently pulls me back.
Whether you're a first-timer or an expert, want ski-in ski-out accommodation or a self-catering apartment in the energetic village, or need plenty to do off the slopes, Whistler ticks every box, for every person. Here are the reasons why Whistler is a must, based on my extensive first-hand experience.
Our Whistler ski packages range from £1,549pp to £4,419pp for 10 nights, including flights, transfers and accommodation. All of our holidays are tailor-made, so to receive your unique quotation, call us on 01273 224060 or request a quotation online and we'll be in touch.
1. North America’s biggest ski resort
Whistler has more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 200 runs spread across two mountains that sit side by side, Whistler and Blackcomb. They're connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola - the longest and highest free-spanning lift in the world - and together form a gigantic ski area that you'll barely carve the surface of, even after a week or more.
One thing that I love about Whistler, and skiing in Canada in general, is that every acre inside Whistler Blackcomb's managed boundary is patrolled and avalanche controlled. That's not just the groomed runs, but the bowls, glades, and open powder fields too. That means it's all skiable, so you're free to explore the whole 8,000+ acres without stepping outside a managed safety net.
This is something the Alps' vast lift-linked areas don't offer in the same way. There, only the marked pistes are patrolled. Venture off them, you're in unpatrolled terrain, at your own risk. In Whistler, you have free rein across the entire resort.
To help first-timers to Whistler navigate their way around, the resort has created seven 'Wonder Routes'. From the highest peaks to epic glade stashes, family forests to the best on-mountain dining and aprés, can you tick them all off?
2. Terrain for every skier and boarder
It's a common line that a resort 'has something for everyone' - but in Whistler, there genuinely is - and lots of it! There's seemingly endless terrain for every ability.
For beginners, there are excellent learning areas, including the designated learning Olympic Zone, and lots of gentle terrain. And unlike resorts where beginners are confined to the base, Whistler allows you to take lifts to higher elevations and see the views like everyone else. You can enjoy long, scenic green runs, like the beautiful 'Green Line' or 'Ego Bowl' - which our founder, Richard, tackled on a snowboard!
Intermediates are in luck too, with over 100 slopes designed for cruising, progressing, and exploring the huge, and often empty, alpine bowls. The thigh-burning 7-mile 'Peak to Creek' is a personal favourite, as is the breathtaking 'Cloud Nine'.
Advanced and expert skiers and boarders have heaps of terrain to shred. Whether it's a single black diamond like 'Gun Barrels', a double black like 'Cockalorum', or conquering the famous 'Spanky's Ladder', an expert-only, inbounds hike-to zone, you can spend an entire week ticking off world-renowned runs.
It's not just about the terrain in Whistler, but the many ways you can experience it. The ski school is world-class - I'm saying that as someone who used to work there! - and there are loads of options for park skiing, ski touring, backcountry tours, cat-skiing and heli-skiing on offer too. Not to mention you can ski with a local mountain host for free!
There's a large dedicated mid-mountain family zone on Whistler Mountain, while kids will love exploring the Magic Castle, Enchanted Forest and Tree Fort areas.
I always suggest Whistler visitors spend a day or two with our friends over at Extremely Canadian, who run specialist steep skiing clinics and backcountry clinics - they are genuine experts with local knowledge.
3. Huge snowfall totals
With an average annual snowfall of 10.4 metres (409 inches), Whistler is right up there with the best in terms of snowfall.
What does that mean for you? For starters, a genuinely long season, typically running from late November through to May. Snow falls on around 82 days each winter, so if you're skiing the classic December-to-April window, fresh top-ups are never far away - I've lost count of the number of mornings I've woken up in Whistler to another 20cm overnight.
As skiing in Canada often benefits from early booking, Whistler is a great pick as it reduces the anxiety of a 'what if there's no snow' ski holiday. In Whistler, it snows, simple as that.
Spring skiing deserves a mention too. March often brings some of the deepest, most consistent snow of the whole season (known locally as 'March Madness'), paired with longer days and bluebird skies - for me, it's the most underrated time to visit. Read our blog for more, which explains all about the snow, sun and savings you can look forward to.
4. A magical village that has it all
Whistler has three distinct and well-connected villages - Whistler Village, Upper Village (Blackcomb) and Creekside. But it's Whistler Village that has a special place in my heart. It's fully pedestrianised, and pretty massive too, more like an alpine town than a resort base, and its exceptional infrastructure helped it land the role of hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
There's plenty to fill a rest day here - spas, boutique shops, art galleries and ice skating all sit right in the village. But it's the small moments that make it magical: walking through at night, fresh snow underfoot, fairy lights strung between the buildings and the mountains looming above you. It's just really special.
For me, what brings it all together is the food. It's home to well over 100 restaurants, cafes and bars, with seriously tasty food of all kinds. Whatever your taste buds desire, whatever your budget, there's a place for you. There are loads of suggestions in our Whistler resort guide, but Bearfoot Bistro and Sushi Village are two of my (and our team's) go-tos.
The friendly locals are another highlight, who create a warm and homely atmosphere - and having lived here for four years, I should know. Everyone's got a favourite bar, a favourite hill, a story about the last powder day. It's infectious.
And I can't not mention the buzzing après scene. Every mountain base has its own legendary après spot, where you can dance on tables and let your hair down: Dusty's in Creekside, Longhorn at Whistler, and Merlin's at Blackcomb. Don't miss the Hairfarmers playing an après set at Dusty's - it's unforgettable, and about as Whistler as it gets.
5. Non-ski activities to suit everyone
Whistler’s non-ski activities are some of the best I’ve experienced, and most are easily accessible from the village. There are so many that I love, but these are my standouts:
- Snowmobiling - join a guided tour with options to explore beautiful Callaghan Valley or head up Blackcomb Mountain for fondue or a steak dinner. This one's hard to beat.
- Olympic bobsleigh - truly thrilling, visit the 2010 Olympic sliding centre and whizz down the bobsleigh track at up to 50 miles an hour. This is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Scandinave Spa Whistler - there are a ton of spas in Whistler, but it's well worth venturing a little north for this. Surrounded by a forest, this unique spa overlooks incredible mountain vistas.
- Vallea Lumina - a multimedia night walk through an enchanted forest, this is a magical experience. Storytelling, light installations, video projections and special effects make for an unforgettable, truly special 40-minute stroll.
- Ziptrek Ecotours - embark on a three-hour adventure through the forested valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, crossing a network of suspension bridges and riding along scenic cables above the stunning Fitzsimmons Creek.
- Heli-sightseeing - taking to the skies in a heli isn't just for advanced skiers and boarders - everyone can enjoy this unique bird's-eye viewpoint with a heli sightseeing tour, including options to land on Rainbow Glacier or visit a hidden ice cave.
- Many, many more - think bungee jumping, tube parks, tasting tours, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and plenty to entertain kids and adults alike.
6. A huge range of accommodation for every budget
Whistler has accommodation options for all budgets and tastes. Choose from self-catered suites, family-friendly condos, luxury spa hotels, and a wide selection of ski-in ski-out properties.
Whistler Village provides the easiest access to bars and entertainment, while Upper Village and Creekside offer a quieter stay with local amenities. All have easy access to the ski lifts.
Here's a recommendation that I've stayed at for each budget, and a flavour of what to expect. But the easiest thing is to chat to us - we've stayed in or visited them all, and have a great working relationship with all of them.
- For decadent luxury, the 5* Fairmont Chateau Whistler is Whistler’s landmark property. This ski-in ski-out hotel has an abundance of top-notch facilities, including a spa with multiple hot tubs and two swimming pools. I could go on all day about the benefits of staying here - hopefully it speaks for itself!
- For comfort and convenience, it's got to be the 4* Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel. The rooms are large, stylish units, all with kitchenettes, bathtubs, balconies and fireplaces. Facilities include a pool area, hot tub and indoor sauna, and a fire pit and BBQ area. Plus a complimentary shuttle to the lifts!
- For great value, I can't look past the 3*+ Listel Whistler. It's just a couple of minutes from the lifts, and steps from all the bars and restaurants. It also comes with complimentary ski valet, and is home to one of the best fine dining restaurants and wine bars in Canada, the Bearfoot Bistro.
7. A scenic two-hour transfer from Vancouver
After nine hours in the air from the UK, the last thing you want is a complicated final leg with winding roads. After landing in Vancouver, it's just a two-hour transfer along the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
This is one of the most scenic resort transfers I've ever experienced, hugging Howe Sound (a network of fjords) before climbing into the Coast Mountains - my top tip is to sit on the left and take in the views. There are no internal flights or silly-length transfers, just pure, beautiful convenience.
Flying into Vancouver also means you've got a brilliant city add-on sitting right there, and I always visit when I go to Whistler. Our Whistler & Vancouver Ski & City Safari is well worth a look for some more details.
Vancouver is a brilliant city, with spectacular mountain and ocean scenery both visible from downtown. Head to Stanley Park's seawall for a casual stroll or bike ride, and visit Gastown and Granville Island for their food and art culture. Top tip: sushi in Vancouver is the real deal, and the best I have ever had (outside of Japan...)
How much does it cost?
Our Whistler ski packages range from £1,549pp to £4,419 for 10 nights, including flights, transfers and accommodation. If you're worried about price, there are ways to save on every single aspect of your Whistler ski holiday. Read our blog on How to Ski Whistler for Less for insider tips and tricks, based on our first-hand experience.
Lift passes can be a source of misinformation when it comes to price. Booking these before the season starts is key, and you can save up to 65% in comparison. A 9 day lift pass costs from £508, and a 6 day lift pass from £374. That's pretty good going for one of the world's best resorts in my books.
And if you book by September, you'll receive a CAD$250 (10+ night stays) or CAD$100 (7-9 nights) voucher to use at select restaurants, no matter where you stay. Plus, some hotels offer an extra CAD$200 to spend on site!
We'll use our extensive experience to get you the best possible price, whether that's by waiting until there's a flight sale, or suggesting the best value accommodation that still ticks your boxes.
Why book with Ski Safari
- Our knowledge - Whistler was the first resort we sold when Ski Safari started 30 years ago. We've been skiing it regularly since then - combining for multiple decades of experience between our team - and have local-like knowledge of all aspects of the resort. We are the UK's Whistler experts - no one knows it better.
- Our service - we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique and based on your holiday preferences. Call us and you can speak to the same person every time, tap into our knowledge. When you're in resort, we're on hand 24/7 to help in any way, shape or form.
- Our value - our strong relationships with suppliers, especially in Whistler where we are personal friends with many of the team out there, mean that we're often cheaper than you might expect. Tailor-made service doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag.
- Our happy customers - we regularly receive positive feedback from our happy customers, many of whom return year after year, and we're proud of our 4.9/5 rating on Feefo. We've also won Best Small Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays in the British Travel Awards 2019-2025.
Book Whistler, Canada and experience it for yourself
Whistler, and a ski holiday you'll never forget, is waiting. Now's the time to book, with great deals to take advantage of - plus flight and accommodation prices will only rise! Call 01273 224060 or request a quotation online and we'll be in touch.
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