These Resorts Have the Best Party Scenes in the West
If you're going to choose a resort based on its after-dark activity, these ski areas are a great place to start.
Two side-by-side ski giants rise from a lush and lake-dotted valley, climbing high past tree line into a sprawling alpine arena of glaciers, crags, and awe. This is where 8,100-plus seamlessly connected acres offer weeks of intermediate cruising, expansive kid zones, the continent’s largest serving of true expert terrain, and a whole separate universe of tree skiing.
Expect big snowfall—over 450 inches annually—easy-to-manage altitude, and variable temperatures that deliver mixed blessings. At the base, the little ski city of Whistler and its car-free center buzz and hum with internationalism, vitality, and a nonstop spirit of fun. Both mountain and town are booming, with the last several seasons bringing billions in upgrades from Whistler Blackcomb’s parent Vail Resorts, the town’s big hotels, independent businesses, and the municipality itself.
The not so good? Prices have risen dramatically, particularly for lodging and lift tickets—although the favorable exchange rate and an Epic Pass dulls the sting. But with more than three million annual visitors from around the globe plus the weekend surge from Vancouver and Seattle, nothing is slowing this meteor down.
Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
465″ | 8,171 | 37 | 200+ |
Whistler Blackcomb, B.C. is on the Epic Pass. Epic Pass holders get unlimited access with no blackout dates.
Find out SKI editors’ favorite hotels, restaurants, bars, and activities on the slopes and in the villages at Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.
The Creekside Gondola, a main conduit from the Blackcomb base area, goes from a six-passenger to a 10-passenger ride this winter, an upgrade that will increase capacity out of the base by 35 percent and decrease wait times. Additionally, the Big Red Express, a main mid-mountain feeder lift, gets an upgrade to a high-speed six-seater from a high-speed quad.
The resort is partnering with Helly Hansen to bring women’s specific ski camps to the slopes this season. The two-day clinics will be honed to meet each participant’s skills and goals, and all levels of skiers are welcome.
After a couple seasons of limited menu options at the resort’s quick-serve dining outlets, more diverse and healthier cuisine, such as ramen, grain bowls, and Thai and curry dishes, will be added to the offerings.
The resort operates on Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation land. Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center to learn more about the people who’ve inhabited the land way before skiing was a past time.
Ride the Peak Express to West Cirque, a double black with a dauntingly rocky entrance that gives way to a steep pitch. Not quite up for that? Detour to Peak to Creek, a 5,000- vertical-foot descent over nearly seven miles.
Swing by the Crystal Hut on the Blackcomb side for legendary buttermilk waffles served hot and crispy.
The best entertainment these days is outside, and you can switch it up from the resort by sliding the Valley Trail instead. Departing right from town, a portion of the 25-mile paved path is groomed for Nordic skiing in the winter.
Visit the Audain Art Museum for cutting-edge West Coast architecture and a definitive showcase of B.C. art dating back to the 18th century.
Downtown Whistler’s Sushi Village taps Pacific roots to serve the best Japanese food of any Canadian ski town.
Corner Pocket on Whistler Mountain.
We’re partial to Alpina by Basalt, Bar Oso, or Mallard for cocktails and chef-styled snacks.
Test your limits in Saudan Couloir on Blackcomb or Harmony Horseshoes on Whistler. Then hike up and over Blackcomb’s Spanky’s Ladder to the serious expert terrain of the Gemstone Bowls. Go with a guide if it’s your first time.
The Dirty Bowl or a bacon-maple doughnut at Portobello.
Whistler Mountain’s year-round Peak Suspension Bridge hovers in thin air over the heights of Whistler Bowl, spanning one-tenth of a mile and proffering 360-degree views.
If you're going to choose a resort based on its after-dark activity, these ski areas are a great place to start.
Trees, couloirs, and cliffs, oh my! When high angles get your blood pumping, these are the ski areas that should be on your go list.
Condos, luxury hotels, ski-in/ski-out, value accommodations—these ski areas have it all.
These seven massive ski areas are ranked by skiable acreage and number of chairlifts.
A new landmark agreement between two First Nations, Whistler Blackcomb, and the Governments of B.C. and Whistler transforms reconciliation into action—and echoes throughout B.C. skiing.
From extreme steeps to top-to-bottom groomers, these are the 10 resorts in the West with diverse enough terrain to please all comers.
As the ski community mourns the loss of an iconic piece of skiing history, a sobering reality check settles in.
Arc’teryx will launch the brand’s first ski onesie in Fall 2020, and it will only be available in the women’s collection.
Got some non-skiers in your crew? These are the Top 10 ski resorts with something for everyone.
Don't let ski season fizzle out: These 10 resorts close it out with a bang.
For skiers who prefer the finer things, these are the Top 10 ski resorts to be pampered at this winter.
The biggest ski resort in North America lives up to the hype, even if the weather does not.
Jackson Lebsack had a beauty of a ski trip north of the border with stops at Whistler Blackcomb and Fernie.
Cody Townsend sends it SkiMo style.
Jackson Lebsack knows his way around Whistler Blackcomb, so he tried some new things while there for "work."
Now in the middle of season three under Vail Resorts' ownership, Whistler Blackcomb's true colors are shining through.
If someone told you that you could comfortably stay at a world class ski resort for $50 a night, would you believe them?
The American brand has stepped up their game for the 2019/2020 season with a brand new line of all-mountain skis.
Pretend you're the fastest skier in the world or just get down these world-famous runs.
The coveted ski locker at the base of your home mountain
There’s no downtime in the high country.
Take your vacation game to the next level: Don a bib in a local race and experience the destination an entirely new way.
It's official. SKI Magazine's resort rankings are in, and Whistler Blackcomb has been named North America's #1 Resort for the 2016-17 winter season.
Maybe it’s those nice girls from the bar knocking on your door in the parking lot at 2 a.m. Maybe it’s the cops. Do you answer? An RV ski safari is all about choices.
Ski. Party. Eat. Sleep. Rinse. Repeat.
The answer is: it depends whom you ask (and we’ll see).
Whistler Village, as recently as the mid-1980s, was a black-bear-infested dump. But that didn’t prevent it from being one of North America’s first replicas of a European ski village.
Snow Awareness at Whistler Blackcomb
Spicy, smoky, and stuffed with snacks: Ski country's tastiest Bloodys are right here.
Here are the ski resorts with the best on-mountain food, because brown bagging doesn't always cut it.
Because after a good day on the mountain, it's your right to celebrate with a drink.
After Teal Harle and Tanner Gordon's long competition season, they headed to Whistler Blackcomb to relax before the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Then Max Moffatt and Jake Ondrick linked up, and the crew had sunny days before storms rolled in.
The Liberty Skis team met up in Whistler, British Columbia for two weeks in July to ride at Momentum Ski Camps on the Whistler Blackcomb Glacier. Take a look at what the crew got up to on and off the hill.
Skiing doesn't have to stop in the summer—check out these ski camps for that summer fix.
Find your ski pass for next season—and the best deals—here.
Slopeside live music, wacky costumes, and tons of beer? Sign us up for these spring festivals.
James Heim and Alexi Godbout stomp aorund Whistler Blackcomb looking for big air and soft landings.
Take an afternoon break this season at these new on-mountain hot spots.
Stan Rey strapped on a GoPro to show us his favourite line through Spanky’s Ladder at Whistler Blackcomb. The result? Backflips and straight lines…
Seven camps to make you a better skier.
Beyond - Whistler Blackcomb [Sponsored]
How can a place so sprawling and immense also be so intensely spiritual? Call it the Whistler dichotomy. Or, like one writer, call it home and you’ll understand.
The ski industry is on the rebound: Skier visits were up last season, and resorts were champing at the bit to get started on expansions and upgrades. Here's what to look forward to this season.
This Canadian resort's diversity goes beyond its sprawling skiing and bustling village. Here are our top diversions off Whistler's beaten path.
Check out these 2013/14 pass deals that will save you money and get you skiing.
Russell Dalby wins Arc'teryx photo comp in Whistler Blackcomb.
Photo contest kicks off this week.
Progressive chefs hit the lab to create mountain cuisine with a side of science.
Rip resort-accessed backcountry lines while learning the off-piste ropes.
Whistler Backcomb shares its stockpile of snow.
Sled-Accessed Whistler backcountry with Nimbus Independent.
Behind Nimbus Independent’s British Columbian sled mission.
Well lookie what we have here! A new winner stands atop the podium. Our readers have spoken.
Olympic hype two-years in its rearview, British Columbia is steering a course back to the four-season recognition it deserves. If you think winters here rock, wait till you experience summer.
Olympic hype two-years in its rearview, British Columbia is steering a course back to the four-season recognition it deserves. If you think winters here rock, wait till you experience summer.
No need to compromise: get urban buzz and wilderness splendor.
Haven't gotten your pond-skim on yet? Hit up one of these end-of-season ragers.
Paraplegic skier Josh Dueck amazes and inspires by landing the first-ever sit-ski backflip.
The Atlantic's Derek Thompson takes an inside look at Whistler, Vail, and the economics of the mega-resort.
The Deep Winter Photo Challenge sent teams of athletes and photographers to Whistler Blackcomb to create the best slideshow in three days. O'Neill took home top honors.
SIDECUT, at the Four Seasons Whistler, might just have the best steak in town. We talked with the chef de cuisine about why his restaurant is so special.
How to ski America's hat.
Shoot. Enter. Vote. Win a trip to Whistler, BC, Rossignol skis and more.
With the 2010 Winter Olympics around the corner, all eyes are on Whistler Blackcomb. The masses will descend on Whistler Mountain, where the official events will take place. Which means Blackcomb will be the place to ski. Locals know that Blackcomb outperforms its better-known neighbor when it comes to off-piste terrain and jibbing. Plus, Blackcomb’s lift lines are shorter, its park and pipe bigger, and its backcountry steeper. And with the new Peak-to-Peak gondola—a record-setting 2.73-mile-long feat of engineering—now connecting the two mountains, you can easily zip over to the big W. But with Blackcomb’s terrain, why bother?
Bike parks in British Columbia.
Despite unreal amounts of snow, Whistler opened their downhill bike park for the season. Here's a peek at what the conditions were like.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
Check out SKI Magazine's author page.
Whistler-Blackcomb has some of the best skiing in North America. But it's a big, sprawling resort, with an equally intense party scene. Here are five tips—and one local's secret—for navigating Whistler like a pro.
Waiting for snow? Whistler's got it.