The name sounds like the title of a children’s movie, but it’s actually the name of one of America’s most famous ski resorts, located 125 km north of Vancouver, Canada. In fact, Whistler and Blackcomb are the names of two twin mountains that rise far above this resort’s 670 meters above sea level altitude. Situated halfway between the urbanized valley and the great Rocky Mountains, Whistler Blackcomb retains snow and ice for months, until late spring. Choose it for your week of “late” skiing… and for more.
More than just skiing
Like all mountain resorts, Whistler Blackcomb offers views and hikes in every season. In summer, the ski slopes become trails immersed in the green woods, while in autumn some patches of vegetation take on wonderful colors.
Whistler Blackcomb is a small village of 9,000 inhabitants, with architecture that playfully imitates the Tyrolean style. It offers a historical museum, several restaurants, a park surrounding a small lake called Lost Lake. Not far from the center are two other bodies of water: Green Lake and Alta Lake.
A half-hour drive from Whistler lies the town of Pemberton, an ancient colonial place now under the jurisdiction of the First Nation tribes. The magical and mystical aura of these ancient native peoples still permeates the streets and homes of the town, where you can admire several museums, cultural centers, religious buildings, and above all, railway bridges and old stations… the pride of the locals.
Getting to Vancouver (and its Vancouver International Airport – YVR), Richmond, Campbell River, Britannia Beach, or Gambier Island… on the coast… requires just an extra hour drive, easily manageable if you are staying in Whistler.
Skiing at Whistler Blackcomb
There is no doubt, however, that Whistler Blackcomb’s main attraction is its ski facilities, which, as mentioned, are open until late May! Known as a settlement since 1858, it only became a tourist destination in the early 20th century (1913), and today it is one of the most famous winter sports resorts in the world.
The ski areas are spread across both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, separated by the Fitzsimmons Creek valley. The slopes starting from Whistler descend either to the village or to the valley, with 19 lifts including gondolas and chairlifts, along with all the related amenities (restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels). On the opposite mountain, Blackcomb’s slopes are among the steepest in America, descending into the valley and equipped with 15 lifts, though not accessible from some runs.
Although separate, the two resorts are considered one – which also unifies the prices of admission tickets and accommodations. Since 2008, the two resorts have finally been physically connected by a spectacular single-span, unsupported cableway (a world record for such structures, spanning over 2 miles and rising 436 meters above the valley), called the Peak2Peak Gondola. The ride on this cableway alone is a tourist excursion in itself!
The slopes
In total, Whistler Blackcomb offers 200 km of slopes, ranging from 675 to 2,284 meters above sea level. The competitive nature of this resort is evident from the number of difficult runs, which far exceeds those reserved for “Sunday skiers.”
Only 20 km of blue runs welcome families, beginners, and enthusiasts every year. A full 110 km are dedicated to red runs, difficult but not impossible, suitable for serious athletes. Black runs, for professionals and risk-takers only, cover the remaining 50 km.
The most dangerous and challenging slopes are Couloir and The Cirque, both due to their elevation gain and the unique terrain. Generally speaking, however, all of Whistler Blackcomb’s runs are challenging, partly due to the proximity of the Canadian Pacific coast—and therefore the ocean wind—which makes the snow wetter and often less compact. Remember to tackle these runs only if you’re really good at skiing or have a good instructor by your side.
Come to Whistler Blackcomb because…
You’ll ski on real champion slopes.
You can challenge your speed on fast and… steep runs!
Experience the thrill of a spectacular and unique cableway ride.
You can reach Vancouver with little effort.
