The slopes

  • Extent 4 out of 5
  • Fast lifts 5 out of 5
  • Snow 4 out of 5
  • Queues 2 out of 5
  • Terrain p'ks 5 out of 5
  • Expert 5 out of 5
  • Intermediate 5 out of 5
  • Beginner 3 out of 5
  • Boarder 3 out of 5
  • X-country 3 out of 5
  • Restaurants 2 out of 5
  • Schools 5 out of 5
  • Families 4 out of 5

The resort

  • Resort charm 3 out of 5
  • Convenience 4 out of 5
  • Scenery 3 out of 5
  • Eating out 5 out of 5
  • Apres ski 4 out of 5
  • Off-slope 3 out of 5

Key facts

Resort675 m
Slopes650-2285 m
Lifts37
Pistes8171 acres
Price index180

Whistler

Canada

Village at night

The upside

  • North America’s biggest ski area
  • Excellent combination of high open bowls and woodland trails
  • Good snow record
  • Almost Alpine scenery
  • Attractive modern village, purpose-built with car-free central areas
  • Good range of village restaurants and lively après-ski

The downside

  • Proximity to Pacific Ocean means a lot of cloudy weather, and rain at resort level is not unusual
  • Inadequate lift system; queues can be a big problem at peak times
  • Overcrowded runs also a problem
  • Mountain restaurants are overcrowded and mostly no more than functional
  • Resort restaurants over-busy, too
  • Latest user reviews

    Just back! Superb trip. We had 4 feet of snow as we…

    Peelie 21 Feb 2017 

    Unlike last year’s snow disaster, Whistler Blackcomb…

    Peter Frinton 20 Dec 2015 

    Skied Whistler from 20th to 27th February. You have…

    carronbrae 11 Mar 2015 

    Your views?

    If you have visited this resort not too long ago, why not add your own short review to this page?

    Summary

    Whistler is unlike any other resort in North America. In some respects – the scale, the high bowls and glaciers, the scenery, the crowds – it is more like an Alpine resort. But like most resorts on the western side of North America, it offers the advantages of usually excellent snow and a lot of woodland runs too.

    All things considered, the mountain is about the best that North America has to offer, and for us a visit here is always a highlight of the season. But we’ll admit that we are generally lucky with the weather, and haven’t had to put up with much rain at resort level – a real hazard. And we try to time our visits to avoid peak periods and weekends, and therefore the worst of the crowds.

    Blogs, features and news

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    The slopes

    • Extent 4 out of 5
    • Fast lifts 5 out of 5
    • Snow 4 out of 5
    • Queues 2 out of 5
    • Terrain p'ks 5 out of 5
    • Expert 5 out of 5
    • Intermediate 5 out of 5
    • Beginner 3 out of 5
    • Boarder 3 out of 5
    • X-country 3 out of 5
    • Restaurants 2 out of 5
    • Schools 5 out of 5
    • Families 4 out of 5

    The resort

    • Resort charm 3 out of 5
    • Convenience 4 out of 5
    • Scenery 3 out of 5
    • Eating out 5 out of 5
    • Apres ski 4 out of 5
    • Off-slope 3 out of 5

    Key facts

    Resort675 m
    Slopes650-2285 m
    Lifts37
    Pistes8171 acres
    Price index180