After a year on the ground at the largest and best-rated resort in North America, we present to you our top picks for everything necessary to successfully navigate the chief of Pacific North West skiing โ Whistler Blackcomb.
Best Overall Off-Piste Line
Any of the options over the other side of Spankeyโs Ladder. Itโs easily the best in-bound skiing across the entire 200 runs and 33 kmยฒ of terrain youโll have access to at โWhis.โ
Best Groomer
There are many contenders for this title, Twist & Shout under Crystal Ridge Express is a common denominator, yet the quiet runs to the far left of 7th Heaven can also offer some fast and furious action โ albeit a little short lived โ as before you know it youโll be back at the often busy lift line.
Best Bluebird Bowl
A short hike up Flute Bowl will never disappoint if youโre there early enough.
Best Party Line
It depends on your crew, but in an ideal party line youโre looking for maximum speed with as little traffic as possible and zero lift lines so you can just go again and again. Anything under Crystal Ridge Express โ such as Ridge Runner โ is a safe bet, the crowds tend not to come until later during the day and the groomers roll and bend enough to adequately host some ballsy games of follow-the-leader.
Best Glades
Everglades to the right of 7th Heaven has some nicely spaced trees you can rip through as fast as you please. Youโll also always have the option of ducking back out onto the black off to your left, or into some tighter bits on your right.
Best Natural Hit
The wind lip to the right of 7th Heaven chair lift when looking down from Horstmanโs Hut is absolute class with a decent landing, youโve got to keep that speed up though. If itโs too hard packed, hook far left past Lakeside Bowl to the ski boundary for some lovely rolling pillows.
Best Chair To Lap On A Pow Day
Peak Express is almost a no brainer here, but youโll need to boost there really early to make it worth your while. The line on a pow day will build up quick, although once going itโs a quick turn around. While waiting, enjoy the jeering and cheering at those going head over heels down Air Jordan, and let the screams from those snaking fresh tracks under the lift get you geeโd up for the day.
Sketchiest Traverse
Lakeside Bowl. Early on in the season youโll either scrape your skis to the core or fall over the cliff, whichever comes first. Later on though, and on a good pow day, the reward is a sweeping utopia of snowcaine and happy faces.
When Conditions Are Poor
The mountain bike tracks to the right of Big Red on Whistler are the best fun you can have while being incredibly scared of wrapping yourself around a tree. The little hikes and pow stashes found in these trees are also a good bet if the visibility isnโt great.
Best Insta Shot
On a clear day the Peak lookout is a given, but as you dismount the chair at the top of Symphony, if you go left towards the far side of the mountain youโll have unparalleled views of Cheakamus Lake and the striking pinnacle of Black Tusk.
Most Convenient Rest-Stop
First up, if youโre privileged enough to ski WB, there shouldnโt be any time allocated for resting. The only logical option is the 11 minute Peak 2 Peak Gondola that connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountain. If youโre lucky you might get the glass bottom cabin, watch for the count down in the lift station to figure out when the next one of these is expected to arrive.
Best Park
Nintendo on Blackcomb. Itโs only suited to those who are up for the big game, as it has hosted numerous World Championships and sponsored events over the years. If youโre not too keen on breaking your neck, Whistlerโs park is changing every few days to keep you entertained on those average snow days.
Best Gear
If you head to one of the workshops on-mountain at Roundhouse or Rendezvous you can rent a pair of demo skis for the day. If youโve always wanted to try a certain set of planks or you screwed up big time and brought carving skis to a 30cm pow day, then you wonโt regret dropping by these guys. Itโs considerably cheaper than renting from the village.
Best On-Mountain Brekkie
Crystal Hut on Blackcomb for some ridiculously good waffles.
Best Pre-Shred Coffee
Mount Curry Coffee Co. although if youโre pushed for time and looking for a much needed gondy cuppa, Mogulโs in the village square is quick and quality.
Cheapest Eat In Town
El Furniture Warehouse, $4.95 meals, all day every day. Donโt make the same mistake we did and order two or three mains just because they are 5 bucks, the servings will easily put you in your place.
Best Nightlife
To be honest itโs all pretty tacky and nothing is really that cheap. Your best bet is to make the most of the numerous aprรจs happy hours so by the time you end up at Mojoeโs or Brandyโs youโve already had a ripper of a night.
Best Post-Night Out Feed
Fat Tonyโs Pizza, hands down. $2 slices before 8pm (when coming off the mountain), or $3 after (ยฟporque no los dos?).
Best Five-Star Digs
Four Seasons Whistler, oh should you be so lucky.
Best Budget Digs
Whistler Lodge Hostel. If you have a car then this is easily the top value for money accommodation option in Whistler. Situated between Whistler Village and Creekside, itโs around $40 a night, has an outdoor hot tub and is one of the most immaculate hostels weโve ever stayed in. Things to keep in mind is that itโs by no means a party hostel, an early night for the serious shredders is expected all around, and if you donโt have a car itโs a short bus and walk from the village.
Best Transfer Option
Epic Rides if you want the cheapest confirmed bus ticket available, or check the multiple Facebook rideshare groups. Find a lift and youโll only pay a tenner for โgasโ while mixing with some insightful locals.
If Youโre Driving
Park in Creekside, the small village before Whistlerโs main centre. Parking is free and on a busy bluebird or holiday weekend youโve got almost zero hope of getting a spot unless you pull up here.
