Review of Whistler

20th December 2015 by Peter Frinton 

Unlike last year’s snow disaster, Whistler Blackcomb is off to a phenomenal start, as are other BC resorts and coastal mountains in the USA. Shasta Mtn. Ca and Brundage, Idaho are snow standouts this week according to onthesnow.com. But Targhee, Wy has a good base too. Stark contrast to Japan where there is next to nothing in some major resorts, and truly horrible European conditions, save perhaps the Pyrenees.

But back to Whistler. 80% of the pistes are open, with more promised this week, and nearly every day another 20 cm of snow seems to pile up, interjected with clear cold see-forever days that make me wonder why WTSAS rates Whistler as only 3 star for scenery. (When you can actually see the 360 view, it is spectacular, though not as closeup as, say Grindelwald)

Beautiful snow conditions, short lineups- that will change as of this weekend.

The day lodge at the alpine on Blackcomb has been redone and enlarged, and the restaurant, Christine’s, features a new pricey menu and a fancy new chef. The gondola from Whistler village to the Roundhouse on Whistler got its makeover last year, and the capacity increase has really eased lineups, as did the six-pack at Harmony and the Crystal Ridge extension in 2014.

Right now is the time to come over- as in tomorrow. It won’t get silly busy until Dec. 26th. If you can’t grab your board(s) and run, hang on until Jan. 3rd, and the Xmas crush will abate. You won’t have the mountain to yourself, but the 2 week forecast is so good, you won’t hurt for snow.

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