Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

In 2007 we seasoned in magical Whistler-Blackcomb. Read about it here. In the period 2017-2020 we have made new visits to Whistler.

Whistler Blackcomb is located in British Columbia in western Canada. Its special geographical location in the Coastal Mountain range near the Pacific Ocean means that it snows often and in large quantities. However, the snow is not as dry and cold as further inland, but still drier than the snow in Europe. As the largest ski resort in Canada, Whistler offers great skiing with lots of vertical drop on two mountains, always with British Columbia's stunning wilderness settings as a backdrop.

Since our first winter visit in 2007, the resort has hosted the Winter Olympics but has not opened any new skiing for a long time. However, they have invested in the spectacular Peak2Peak lift that connects Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain. As you travel across a valley, the distance between the poles becomes almost 4 km (!) with an altitude of almost 1000 meters (!). The new owner Vail Resorts has also built a new gondola lift from Blackcomb base and upgraded some of the chairlifts.

Our experience is that the resort has been transformed over the years from a focus on more affluent people to more for families. The fact that they have invested heavily in the summer season with, among other things, lifts for sightseeing and downhill cycling is also noticeable. Of course, currency fluctuations affect price levels, but prices for accommodation and lift tickets are still at an internationally high level, while transportation, food and ski equipment, for example, are better off. Consider an Epic season pass if you're staying more than 10 days, which offers a better price and opens the door to skiing elsewhere in North America and the world. Restaurants in the mountains are few and far between and serve food of a more basic standard. The village has a wide range of restaurants, but as usual, the food in North America is rarely for gourmets. The atmosphere in the village is generally pleasantly unpretentious and casually sporty.

The skiing and the fantastic magnetic environment are still top notch. The average snowfall has now decreased to 11.5 meters per season, but is still world-class when it comes to the possibility of skiing more or less deep fresh snow among the large snow-covered spruces or in alpine bowls at higher altitudes. Of course, this also means that the area is more for those who like to spend long days on skis in all weather and conditions and less for those who like to relax, sunbathe and sit on outdoor terraces. The weather is fascinatingly unstable with very rapid changes, sometimes several times a day. Good and waterproof ski clothing as well as ski goggles with lenses made for poor visibility are highly recommended.

After a snowfall, Canadians normally just ski the "easiest way down" and leave pretty much everything else untouched, which makes for great loose snow skiing in the ski area and even on the slopes. Only when everything has turned into soft humps, which can take a few days, do you hit the slopes. However, the surface is never very hard, even if the new snow is slow in coming.

The possibilities for skiing outside the ski area are endless. However, given the conditions in the area, even more so than in other places, you should consider using a mountain guide for this.