As someone who moved to colorado from the east coast, whistler blackcomb was the first resort out west I went skiing at and it still is probably the best resort I've been to.
Outstanding review as always. This place is flat out special. I grew up in NYC, and this place feels like something out of a movie, especially the drive up from Vancouver, and the incredible views from the peak. The Whiskey Jack birds that fly right up to you on some lifts are also memorable.
I've skiied here my whole life, plus many other places. This is a very accurate review. The conditions are never great (powder here is still typically heavy compared to inland snow) but the range of terrain makes up for it. One thing this review misses is 1) the quality of skiers at the resort which adds to the vibe, and 2) the number of secret/hidden areas accessible to top skiers.
I skied there once. It was actually May 1st. They only had the top of the mountain open but it was great. I thought the facilities and food were great. The scenery was gorgeous. What I thought was really cool is how the lift takes you to the top of the mountain. There is a lot of cool terrain there. The snow was very heavy.
@@RainTheYoung haha - that's a bit of a loaded question. The resort is HUGE. You're probably already done your trip, but hopefully this helps a bit for the next time... I'm a pass holder and have been skiing at this mountain all of my life. I'm still surprised when I find areas I've just either forgotten about, or just didn't know about. Plus, there is a whole new generation making goat track lines that didn't exist before, all as the upper limits of the sport progress. As the video states, you really need to try and follow the conditions. This year, snow coverage was lean at the start of the season and then a huge part of the base was wiped out by rain in late Jan (I can't imagine how bad the people who showed up had it for those 8 days - ug...). So, coverage is still thin. That being said, there have been at least 8 serious powder days so far this season and drifts can easily hit 30-40cm in certain areas. You have to explore and these locations can change every dump, just due to wind and weather conditions. What could be a foot+ of blower pow on one dump, might be crusty and wind affected a different day. If the day is really busy, try and stay off the most popular lifts. These are for sure 7th Heaven on Blackcomb (probably the MOST busy) and The Peak Chair and Harmony on Whistler. For sure, they offer the best access to the best alpine terrain and people will camp those lifts before they open to get the first chair rides up. You either wait at the start and ski fresh tracks or wait later and ski crud. Overall, this review is pretty damn accurate. I would add the following: -since Vail's purchase, food quality has taken a serious nose dive. This is probably the single biggest downside from Vail purchasing the mountain. -Prices are up - day tickets are just insane. Vail doesn't give a sh!t about local skiers - it's all about funneling max profits to shareholders. -Grooming can be extensive, but long time locals complain that the overall quality of grooming has descreased. -And crowds. You have to know how to deal with them. If it's puking on the mountain, you need to either: a) get there super early or, b) just plan to upload mid / late morning and either find secret stashes or have fun skiing crud (which can still be awesome). Stay off the most obvious runs during powder days and don't be afraid to explore. On the deepest days, most people will hit the same lines: explore and maybe hang a right or a left when everyone else goes straight. Have Fun!
Worked at Blackcomb for a season and skid every day of the season. By the end of Spring, I felt like I had only scraped the surface of the mountain. Skiing Whistler Blackcomb ruined every other mountain for me, and I'm trying to move to Vancouver so I can ski there forever. Can't say any other mountain has had this much impact on my life.
If you work for the mountain, you get cheap accommodations, like ridiculously cheap, but they’re definitely not the best. Shared rooms, tiny, cold at times. But it’s right on the mountain and you’ll meet some interesting people so it’s worth it if you have a high tolerance for tomfoolery
I live in Vancouver and know a few other folks who skied at whistler once and fell in love with it so much that they moved here in the 90’s. I don’t think any other ski resort in the world can claim that!
I skied there late March 2023. Stayed at Creekside. Conditions in the Alpine were great. Lower elevation was slushy, but you could ski to the bottom. Skied during the week and never waited in line for a lift. Going back late March 2024. Staying at same location. Would recommend to anyone from beginner to expert
I’ve grown up in Whistler skiing there, and I’ve never really been to another resort. I absolutely love it though. I know both mountains like the back of my hand, yet the place is so freaking massive that nothing ever feels repetitive. I can always just go to an area I haven’t visited in a while!
Thank you so much for the review!!! I was always wondering why Whistler got such a high score especially considering that you are rather harsh with some mountains, now I really want to go out there. Amazing review, love your content!
A skier from Boston, I skied Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire in the 1970's as a teen, skiing is incredible, I miss it so much, thank you for your videos to give me some great views and information.
5 hours from Seattle is only if you don’t hit traffic in Vancouver and you’re almost guaranteed to hit traffic especially on the bridges or at the border crossings. Six hours is more accurate. I agree whistler is top of class in North America and feels like a big resort in the Alps. If you are planning a trip pay close attention to the weather forecast and aim for nice days. Just a few years ago you could buy a $50 (USD) lift ticket at any 7-11 in Vancouver on your way up. Then Vail bought WB.
Back when Hugh Smythe was running blackcomb and competing against whistler in the legendary rivalry that built the mountains. Hugh said that you could ride free if you made it mid mountain, there would be no lift pass checks. So there would be like a thousand people hiking up everyday lolol, looked like a giant Himalayan mountain trek. When whistler was a community ran by the community it was a special place. Vail has definitely changed the vibe.
The review is very accurate, unfortunately the weather was terrible the week in January that we were there. We were only able to ski to the base one time in 5 days due to fog so thick you couldn’t see your skis. Also the lifts to the top were closed due to extreme windy and thick fog conditions. I wouldn’t book a trip to Whistler more than a few days out due to the unpredictable weather.
I feel so sorry for you. The 8 days at the end of January were absolutely brutal: 5C and torrential downpours. 35-40cm of snow base was melted away. It's been a challenging season and climate change for sure is contributing to this. Fortunately, there have been several amazing Pow days as well, including a couple of massive dump blue bird days. Sorry you missed those.
I feel so lucky to only be an hour and a half away and ski at a world class resort every winter. Review was absolutely accurate and I def agree with all those downsides!
decided this based off of one trip with my fam when I was 13. 15 years later and I still haven't forgotten it and still rate it as the best I've ever skiid. helped that we had a fantastic ski instructor who guided us through incredibly advanced backcountry considering our skill level. Our parents almost pulled us from the class when we told them what we'd done that day 😂 that chute footage is making me nostalgic for that week.
same here. went almost 20 years ago for my first ever snow + ski/sb experience. didnt realize how lucky i was until many years later. hopefully ill have the chance to go back at some point now that i have some experience.
You should visit Verbier , Switzerland . It is bigger thand Whisler , better modern lifts , and the largest ski station in the world . Whisler is nothing next to Verbier . I am canadian and from Montreal , it is easier to fly to Verbier , Switzerland for the same time , cheaper and better quality of ski stations , cleaner hotel , better food and so much cultural ... Nothing cultural in British Colombia .
@@randomsockpuppet Soon as I have the money... and maybe in a season or two, once I'm better at skiing and more confident on double diamonds... I'm definitely going for a week trip.
@@josiahsimmons9866 that’s exactly how I feel about Jackson- it’s an ultimate bucket list item for me, but I’d rather wait until I’m good enough to get the most out of the mountain before I go
I had this on my bucket list to do and went here for a week in march 2024. It was beyond amazing. Cheaper also than snowboarding in Australia. It's so good.
Went to Whistler almost 20 years ago for my first snow/snowboarding experience... Didnt realize how lucky i was until many years later. I hope im able to go back at some point now that i have some experience.
It’s an amazing resort. Such great diversity and the snow whilst not the dry champagne of Alta or Niseko, is pretty nice for someone who grew up skiing in France and Switzerland. We were there for a week in our honeymoon in March 2010 and then two weeks in January 2013. Very accurate report. I reckon the FL hovered between 1000-1200m most of the times we were there and the trail map shows you they know it with the vast majority of terrain above that level. I guess it comes down to what you want from your holiday/vacation. We wanted our kids to have a winter wonderland resort experience for their first time on skis so we went to Big White this Feb/March. Whistler is a whole different affair, but just a great all round mountain. This footage brought back a lot of great memories. With how poor the Aussie Dollar to US dollar exchange rate is at the moment, next time we head back to ski in NA, it’ll almost certainly be to Canada, and it’s almost certainly be Whistler Blackcomb.
@@dootdoot1867 Haven't been the Silverstar, but I was really impressed by Big White although we did get Big White Out for most of the 10 days we were there.
@@bigslydoc If you have the time I'd do all three of Sun Peaks, Big White, and Silver Star all are great mountains with close proximity. I'd also throw Revelstoke in there but its a bit further.
Whistler is definitely my favorite place I've ever been. I couldn't recommend it anymore. Thank you for continuing to make many amazing videos and I hope we can see eroupen videos within the next few years.
definitely get the Mountain Guide when there. They used to be free, but I still tipped the French-Canadian guide who skiied us safely down the long, long Olympic run on Blackcomb. Tipped her and thanked her a lot. It saved my life more than once. Like when there was 18 inches of powder coming down, and I heard this fearless skier say,: "uh-oh, flat light. stay close and ski only in my tracks folks." Believe it. Worth the trip, but they lost someone that night and had 5 helis out the next day with heat-seeking gear. Someone skis into a tree hole upside down and is not found until next spring.
I went to Whistler 3 times last year, all non holiday weekdays, and the crowds were simply unbelievable. They hadn't opened the upper lifts and there was no way to escape the largest crowds I've ever seen at a ski resort. I'd MUCH rather go to Revelstoke.
Whistler-Blackcomb are awesome mountains with spectacular terrain, but also unbelievably busy with poor lift logistics and marginal snow quality. If we're considering ranking based on "on it's best day" I get it. But on an average day Whistler is kind of brutal.
If I'm going to make one big ski trip a year, book in advance for thousands of dollars, I'd easily choose Alta, Aspen, Revelstoke, etc.. before Whistler.
Funny, I went to WB last January, all non-holiday weekdays, and never waited more than 2 minutes to catch a lift. Did you go during March when different provinces have school breaks?
Never had a bad time here. Only downside is that its on Epic and my home mountain is Ikon, so I'll have to plan a year with two Epic trips to make it make sense.
I personally put snowbird and kicking horse tied as my number 1 but I understand they aren't everyones cup of tea lol. WBC is like a jack of all trades in my eyes so i totally see why people put it as their favorite
Whistler/Blackcomb definitely has fantastic scenery. I’ve been to the majority of destination resorts in western North America, and WBC tops my list for aesthetics, with Lake Louise a close 2nd. In the US, Snowmass was probably my favorite for scenery, but there are many others which are nearly on par (I’ve heard Telluride is amazing for scenery, but I haven’t been there yet). The drive from Vancouver to WBC, the “Sea to Sky Highway”, is also the most beautiful approach drive of any major resort. I think this review is spot-on. We visited in the spring, late March IIRC, and I was surprised how quickly the snow at the bottom melted. Our condo was ski in/ski out on the first day, but shuttle dependent by day 4. Still, a great trip.
Telluride gives WB a run for its money on scenery especially on the surrounding highways towards Ouray or to the south towards Cortez. Nothing beats Lk louise tho (at least in North America)
Whistler blackcomb is my happy place. When the conditions aren’t good or the crowds are large I am able to get as equally excited for a day spent roaming the village. But when the conditions are good… there is simply no place I’d rather be
I've been lucky enough to spend two weeks there in 2017 and 2019 but watching this made me realize it's been too long. There really isn't anything like Whistler in the world. It's just the definition of epic. Weather can be tricky though. Don't go in early season if you can help it - it gets COLD. My very first day there was New Years Day and it was -30 at the base. Too cold to ski. Probably mid-late February is the best starting point. Do the Blackcomb glacier! It's as close as you'll get to an EU Alps experience without actually going there.
Great video, Whistler is definitely on the bucket list. Would be great to see a comparison with some of the very large European resorts (Chamonix, St. Anton, etc.).
Chamonix isn't very big, but it's an epic resort for hot skiers if the conditions are good. For large resorts, Val d'Isere/Tignes and the 3 Valleys are the ones to compare.
I will have to disagree, which I hate to say it. It's very, very big, which is a big plus and has a nice ski town. But, its major drawback, which it really can't help, is that it's near the coast and that its base receive many days of rain. (low elevation) You can put many rocky mountain ski resorts ahead of it, because of having better snow conditions and more clear days. P.S. I do realize you mentioned it in the video.
Imo Whistlers terrain is so good it makes up for it, I’ve skiied Les Trois Valles in France and WB is still my favorite mountain period, imo it’s that good
@@PeakRankingsI’ve started to use a personal weighting system where certain categories don’t exist. Facilities mean nothing to me as I’m there to ski and not eat $20 hamburgers and navigation can be figured out if it’s worthwhile. It’s the first five categories that I focus on. Snow/resiliency are mostly what I care about. I love Telluride and Crested Butte but rarely go because it’s hard to plan for months in advance since there may be an off year. Where WBC seems to stand out is lifts. Getting a 10 is something I may have to see for myself. From this list Lake Louise and Snowbird would be my standouts. Going to have to put LL on my bucket list.
Entertain the idea of possibly working and living in the Whistler blackcomb Vancouver area. I have lived in Colorado Springs and Keystone Ski Resort in the 90s... VFS also
Great honest review of an incredible resort. The above treeline skiing is mind-blowing. Always variable conditions top to bottom make it an adventure. The village is so much better than almost any resort in the US. There are so many different restaurant options. I think it's the closest North American resort you can compare to the great European resorts based on all-around vacation satisfaction. 🍻
Another thorough and detailed review from you guys. However, I thought Powder Mountain was the largest ski resort in North America as determined by in bounds skiable acreage. Anyways, the big vertical drop is misleading, as it is at Revelsoke as well. You normally ski with a 2000-2500 vertical drop which is very similar to other ski mountains. Also, it is annoying that there are normally 2-3 climate zones to the mountain that can make skiing the bottom half of the mountain miserable in the rain.
Thanks Michael! Powder Mountain’s 8,400-acre footprint claim is significantly misleading, as 3,200 of those acres are not open to the public (only accessible via guided tours) and an additional 2,000 acres are not lift served. So in reality, Whistler is a lot bigger.
You can ski the whole 5600 foot vertical at revelstoke in one go. I’ve done it. I think it can be done at whistler as well although it might me trickier to link runs. Re acreage, most ski areas measure it by their permitted acreage which is usually more than what they actually use.
@@dhowe5180 Easy to link top to bottom runs on WB: with three different bases, there are many ways to get from the alpine to the different areas of the village.
It's a great place, but can get extremely crowdy with multiple choke points lifts and a relative short day skiing. If possible, avoid busy times, or prepare to wait up to 30 minutes for lifts multiple times a day (my longest wait ever skiing was there, 50 minutes to get onto 7th heaven.) It's almost cheaper to go skiing in the Alps, even in France you pay less than half price, and get more than double the acreage.
I lived in Van for 12 years and the decline in the snow conditions and the increase in price killed it for me. Ticket prices at US$200+ are inexcusable. Even on a good/powder snow day, getting fresh tracks was only available till about noon..the best parts for newbies was the free guided tours to the hidden places, available to all levels, and the variety of terrain is great. But if you want more reliable, and drier, snow and less crowds, (and far cheaper prices), Kickinghorse and the interior mountains are way better. Alta, JH and Crested Bute are also better for real snow hounds. One rarely mentioned place is Taos, with a 14k ft mountain, it is amazing when you get the snow.
Whistler Blackcomb is too close to the coast, as such it can get some very wet and heavy snow and it can get icy due to the warm temps during the day and freezing at night, or the snow can get wiped out by rain storms. Secondly, the crowds can be horrendous. When we were there, there was so little snow that we had to ride the chair back down to the bottom and ski off onto an astro-turf mat. It wasn't too bad at the top as long as we stayed in the sun, in the shade it was very icy.
WB only drawback is those days when it is raining at the bottom 1/3 of the mountain. Otherwise, this place is a winner. It also has heli-skiing, which it is worth every penny.
I disagree. I live in the PNW and and visited multiple times. I do not enjoy Whistler on weekend days with good conditions or around long Canadian or US weekends. I have routinely waited 30-45min and sometimes close to 1h at Glacier or peak express. Even intermediate lifts get big lines on those days. Sure, if you come on the weekdays for a long vacation, sure, whistler is the best resort in America. But for the weekends, go to Alta instead. Same situation with the other flagship Epic resort, Vail. On paper looks amazing, un skiable on long weekends or when conditions are good on the weekend.
Honestly so true about the lack of a lift or t-bar between 7th Heaven and Glacier. This needs to be addressed. 7th is out of control most days and a lot of the best terrain from 7th sends you down to Glacier... doesn't make a ton of sense, the way it's currently set up... 🤔
My elbow hurts watching this. The only time I ever broke any bone doing snowboard was in Whistler. One of those drizzle days turned the lower mountain into ice but the slope still filled with people and got someone smacked right into me from behind and I landed on my elbow
I learned how to ski for real there. I wish I remembered the instructors name. He taught us hooligans, completely out of our element, how to ski backcountry. Parents were terrified when we told them what we'd been doing all day (in his defense, we begged nonstop for like three days before he finally let us do it).
I love the terrain at Whistler, and often visit when conditions are good. However, I would never commit to a Whistler trip well in advance. The risk of being rained out is just too high.
Something not talked about regarding their mountain design.... There is a green or VERY easy blue off of every single chair. There is no experts only chair on the mountain, which makes riding with a mixed ability group all that much easier
Showcase was last operated & closed at 2:46pm Sunday, Apr 16, 2023. They close it due to avalanche activity in the Spring, but I assure you it will be open again this season when weather permits. You can also hike into Blackcomb glacier when it's closed, but you need to have a trip plan & avy gear.
I just paid ~$450 US for 6 days skiing in the Alberg region of Austria. A larger area with more consistent conditions. And this is one of the most expensive lift tickets in Europe…I live on East Coast but North American prices are ridiculous
I got 6 days at Whistler in late January last year for $415 and everything is basically 25% off in Canada if you’re coming from US with the exchange rate so not sure what your point is.
@@alabmourdinson2131 my point is that for the same six days skiing at whistler, the price on their website is just under $1200 US. That’s almost three times the cost of Ski Arlberg in Austria. And I’m comparing one of the most expensive resorts in Europe to Whistler, which is not one of the most expensive in North America. It is a shame that skiing here is so ridiculously expensive
No, with the most minor amount of planning where you buy a 6 day pass that you can use any days at Whistler it's ~$400. Or you can just buy the epic pass for $900 and ski as many days as you want. Yeah you're right though about one thing - if you want to act like a total gorb (which seems to be your mindset) oblivious to Vail/Alterra business model then you can just pay the in season window ticket prices and get your head busted. @@ajf0092
Let me save everyone some time. Perpetual long lines, 720 feet of vertical takes 2 minutes to ski down, half the people who go there can't ski/board well, unvarying and boring terrain, man made snow quickly turns to sheets of ice, and ski passes cost more than at Whistler (excluding regular lift tickets). Why bother making a video about such an unremarkable ski destination?
Special SHOUTOUT to @sorenjones for providing much of the clear footage in this video! Give his channel a follow!
Glad I could provide all the footage, this video turned out amazing!
THANK YOU!!
As someone who moved to colorado from the east coast, whistler blackcomb was the first resort out west I went skiing at and it still is probably the best resort I've been to.
Finally, after a year of waiting, we have it. The ultimate review.
The drive from Vancouver is also an absolutely gorgeous one that’s well worth it.
The sea to sky is an absolutely fantastic drive
Can't wait, doing it for opening week. Never been
Outstanding review as always. This place is flat out special. I grew up in NYC, and this place feels like something out of a movie, especially the drive up from Vancouver, and the incredible views from the peak.
The Whiskey Jack birds that fly right up to you on some lifts are also memorable.
I've skiied here my whole life, plus many other places. This is a very accurate review. The conditions are never great (powder here is still typically heavy compared to inland snow) but the range of terrain makes up for it. One thing this review misses is 1) the quality of skiers at the resort which adds to the vibe, and 2) the number of secret/hidden areas accessible to top skiers.
I’m headed there this week for the first time! Where should I head to get to these secret spots for the more advanced skiers?
@@RainTheYounglook for any snow, there's little to be found. Let everyone know when you find it.
I skied there once. It was actually May 1st. They only had the top of the mountain open but it was great. I thought the facilities and food were great. The scenery was gorgeous. What I thought was really cool is how the lift takes you to the top of the mountain. There is a lot of cool terrain there. The snow was very heavy.
@@RainTheYoung haha - that's a bit of a loaded question. The resort is HUGE.
You're probably already done your trip, but hopefully this helps a bit for the next time...
I'm a pass holder and have been skiing at this mountain all of my life. I'm still surprised when I find areas I've just either forgotten about, or just didn't know about. Plus, there is a whole new generation making goat track lines that didn't exist before, all as the upper limits of the sport progress.
As the video states, you really need to try and follow the conditions. This year, snow coverage was lean at the start of the season and then a huge part of the base was wiped out by rain in late Jan (I can't imagine how bad the people who showed up had it for those 8 days - ug...). So, coverage is still thin. That being said, there have been at least 8 serious powder days so far this season and drifts can easily hit 30-40cm in certain areas. You have to explore and these locations can change every dump, just due to wind and weather conditions. What could be a foot+ of blower pow on one dump, might be crusty and wind affected a different day.
If the day is really busy, try and stay off the most popular lifts. These are for sure 7th Heaven on Blackcomb (probably the MOST busy) and The Peak Chair and Harmony on Whistler. For sure, they offer the best access to the best alpine terrain and people will camp those lifts before they open to get the first chair rides up. You either wait at the start and ski fresh tracks or wait later and ski crud.
Overall, this review is pretty damn accurate. I would add the following:
-since Vail's purchase, food quality has taken a serious nose dive. This is probably the single biggest downside from Vail purchasing the mountain.
-Prices are up - day tickets are just insane. Vail doesn't give a sh!t about local skiers - it's all about funneling max profits to shareholders.
-Grooming can be extensive, but long time locals complain that the overall quality of grooming has descreased.
-And crowds. You have to know how to deal with them. If it's puking on the mountain, you need to either: a) get there super early or, b) just plan to upload mid / late morning and either find secret stashes or have fun skiing crud (which can still be awesome). Stay off the most obvious runs during powder days and don't be afraid to explore. On the deepest days, most people will hit the same lines: explore and maybe hang a right or a left when everyone else goes straight.
Have Fun!
6000 football fields really puts the resort into perspective that’s insane
now imagine chamonix
Worked at Blackcomb for a season and skid every day of the season. By the end of Spring, I felt like I had only scraped the surface of the mountain. Skiing Whistler Blackcomb ruined every other mountain for me, and I'm trying to move to Vancouver so I can ski there forever. Can't say any other mountain has had this much impact on my life.
Hi, I'm thinking of doing the same, how was finding accommodation? I heard it can be pretty bad
If you work for the mountain, you get cheap accommodations, like ridiculously cheap, but they’re definitely not the best. Shared rooms, tiny, cold at times. But it’s right on the mountain and you’ll meet some interesting people so it’s worth it if you have a high tolerance for tomfoolery
I live in Vancouver and know a few other folks who skied at whistler once and fell in love with it so much that they moved here in the 90’s. I don’t think any other ski resort in the world can claim that!
I skied there late March 2023. Stayed at Creekside. Conditions in the Alpine were great. Lower elevation was slushy, but you could ski to the bottom. Skied during the week and never waited in line for a lift. Going back late March 2024. Staying at same location. Would recommend to anyone from beginner to expert
I’ve grown up in Whistler skiing there, and I’ve never really been to another resort. I absolutely love it though.
I know both mountains like the back of my hand, yet the place is so freaking massive that nothing ever feels repetitive. I can always just go to an area I haven’t visited in a while!
Thank you so much for the review!!! I was always wondering why Whistler got such a high score especially considering that you are rather harsh with some mountains, now I really want to go out there. Amazing review, love your content!
Insightful guide! Whistler's colossal terrain and lifts make it a skiing paradise. The size, diversity, and scenery are unmatched!
A skier from Boston, I skied Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire in the 1970's as a teen, skiing is incredible, I miss it so much, thank you for your videos to give me some great views and information.
5 hours from Seattle is only if you don’t hit traffic in Vancouver and you’re almost guaranteed to hit traffic especially on the bridges or at the border crossings. Six hours is more accurate. I agree whistler is top of class in North America and feels like a big resort in the Alps. If you are planning a trip pay close attention to the weather forecast and aim for nice days. Just a few years ago you could buy a $50 (USD) lift ticket at any 7-11 in Vancouver on your way up. Then Vail bought WB.
It’s really wild - lift ticket prices increased by ~35% vs. last year alone!
Back when Hugh Smythe was running blackcomb and competing against whistler in the legendary rivalry that built the mountains. Hugh said that you could ride free if you made it mid mountain, there would be no lift pass checks. So there would be like a thousand people hiking up everyday lolol, looked like a giant Himalayan mountain trek. When whistler was a community ran by the community it was a special place. Vail has definitely changed the vibe.
But to be fair. Selling tix so low (for local privilege) means can’t make investments into mtn. Granted, no excuse to piece gouge either.
The review is very accurate, unfortunately the weather was terrible the week in January that we were there. We were only able to ski to the base one time in 5 days due to fog so thick you couldn’t see your skis. Also the lifts to the top were closed due to extreme windy and thick fog conditions. I wouldn’t book a trip to Whistler more than a few days out due to the unpredictable weather.
Doh!!!
Whistler Mountain used to be named London Mountain because of the fog.
I feel so sorry for you. The 8 days at the end of January were absolutely brutal: 5C and torrential downpours. 35-40cm of snow base was melted away. It's been a challenging season and climate change for sure is contributing to this. Fortunately, there have been several amazing Pow days as well, including a couple of massive dump blue bird days. Sorry you missed those.
I feel so lucky to only be an hour and a half away and ski at a world class resort every winter. Review was absolutely accurate and I def agree with all those downsides!
decided this based off of one trip with my fam when I was 13. 15 years later and I still haven't forgotten it and still rate it as the best I've ever skiid.
helped that we had a fantastic ski instructor who guided us through incredibly advanced backcountry considering our skill level. Our parents almost pulled us from the class when we told them what we'd done that day 😂 that chute footage is making me nostalgic for that week.
same here. went almost 20 years ago for my first ever snow + ski/sb experience. didnt realize how lucky i was until many years later. hopefully ill have the chance to go back at some point now that i have some experience.
You should visit Verbier , Switzerland . It is bigger thand Whisler , better modern lifts , and the largest ski station in the world . Whisler is nothing next to Verbier . I am canadian and from Montreal , it is easier to fly to Verbier , Switzerland for the same time , cheaper and better quality of ski stations , cleaner hotel , better food and so much cultural ... Nothing cultural in British Colombia .
@@Swiss2025 I don't like the alps mountais i've skiid as much, and i refuse to give switzerland any of my money specifically
@@Swiss2025”nothing cultural in BC” yeah that sounds like an easterner
its the perfect ski resort when its summer for mountain biking
Absolutely huge on my bucket list. This and Alta
I’ve skied every major resort in North America (western NA) and IMO whistler and altabird are at the top of the league table.
Never been to whistler but AltaBird is life changing
@@randomsockpuppet Soon as I have the money... and maybe in a season or two, once I'm better at skiing and more confident on double diamonds... I'm definitely going for a week trip.
@@josiahsimmons9866 that’s exactly how I feel about Jackson- it’s an ultimate bucket list item for me, but I’d rather wait until I’m good enough to get the most out of the mountain before I go
Absolutely agree - if I had to choose one resort, whistler hands down. Absolute GOAT.
Now you need to review Sun Peaks & Big White!
I concur, Whistler Blackcomb rocks.
I had this on my bucket list to do and went here for a week in march 2024. It was beyond amazing. Cheaper also than snowboarding in Australia. It's so good.
Been here 5 times. Had fun every time. I feel the ratings given here are appropriate.
Thank you Ryan!
Great review, extremely well polished. Very helpful for people like me who haven't made it yet. You better believe I'm headed up there someday though.
Went to Whistler almost 20 years ago for my first snow/snowboarding experience... Didnt realize how lucky i was until many years later. I hope im able to go back at some point now that i have some experience.
It’s an amazing resort. Such great diversity and the snow whilst not the dry champagne of Alta or Niseko, is pretty nice for someone who grew up skiing in France and Switzerland. We were there for a week in our honeymoon in March 2010 and then two weeks in January 2013. Very accurate report. I reckon the FL hovered between 1000-1200m most of the times we were there and the trail map shows you they know it with the vast majority of terrain above that level. I guess it comes down to what you want from your holiday/vacation. We wanted our kids to have a winter wonderland resort experience for their first time on skis so we went to Big White this Feb/March. Whistler is a whole different affair, but just a great all round mountain. This footage brought back a lot of great memories. With how poor the Aussie Dollar to US dollar exchange rate is at the moment, next time we head back to ski in NA, it’ll almost certainly be to Canada, and it’s almost certainly be Whistler Blackcomb.
Big white/silverstar are the best value proposition resort experience in North america imo.
@@dootdoot1867 Haven't been the Silverstar, but I was really impressed by Big White although we did get Big White Out for most of the 10 days we were there.
@@bigslydoc If you have the time I'd do all three of Sun Peaks, Big White, and Silver Star all are great mountains with close proximity. I'd also throw Revelstoke in there but its a bit further.
Great review! It's awesome to see how wide a range of skiing facilities Whistler-Blackcomb has.
Whistler is definitely my favorite place I've ever been. I couldn't recommend it anymore. Thank you for continuing to make many amazing videos and I hope we can see eroupen videos within the next few years.
Try Japan
i really love that u did this!! can u pls do stratton review next?
Stratton is coming soon!
thx!!
I learned to ski at Whistler and I’ve been chasing that high ever sense ❤️
Great review. I was just at WBC this past winter. One huge perk to the area is great accessibility to heli skiing.
Thank you!
definitely get the Mountain Guide when there. They used to be free, but I still tipped the French-Canadian guide who skiied us safely down the long, long Olympic run on Blackcomb. Tipped her and thanked her a lot. It saved my life more than once. Like when there was 18 inches of powder coming down, and I heard this fearless skier say,: "uh-oh, flat light. stay close and ski only in my tracks folks." Believe it. Worth the trip, but they lost someone that night and had 5 helis out the next day with heat-seeking gear. Someone skis into a tree hole upside down and is not found until next spring.
I went to Whistler 3 times last year, all non holiday weekdays, and the crowds were simply unbelievable. They hadn't opened the upper lifts and there was no way to escape the largest crowds I've ever seen at a ski resort. I'd MUCH rather go to Revelstoke.
Whistler-Blackcomb are awesome mountains with spectacular terrain, but also unbelievably busy with poor lift logistics and marginal snow quality. If we're considering ranking based on "on it's best day" I get it. But on an average day Whistler is kind of brutal.
If I'm going to make one big ski trip a year, book in advance for thousands of dollars, I'd easily choose Alta, Aspen, Revelstoke, etc.. before Whistler.
@@jeffreyk4345 its not worth going on the weekends anymore, that alone makes it impossible to rank as a top resort
Funny, I went to WB last January, all non-holiday weekdays, and never waited more than 2 minutes to catch a lift. Did you go during March when different provinces have school breaks?
Went last year and liked it a lot only downside was the lift lines over the weekend on the weekdays it was fine however
OMG thanks so much for this video! I’m going super soon, and had been looking for a WB review on this channel for weeks. 🎉
I hope you had fun despite the crummy weather!
wondering when this video would drop, super excited its finally here!
I've been WAITING for this one!
Never had a bad time here. Only downside is that its on Epic and my home mountain is Ikon, so I'll have to plan a year with two Epic trips to make it make sense.
I personally put snowbird and kicking horse tied as my number 1 but I understand they aren't everyones cup of tea lol. WBC is like a jack of all trades in my eyes so i totally see why people put it as their favorite
Thank you Peak Rankings for this video, and merry Christmas everyone!!!
Went there at the end of January last year and it rained the entire time.
Finally the review of the number 1 resort!!
Whistler/Blackcomb definitely has fantastic scenery. I’ve been to the majority of destination resorts in western North America, and WBC tops my list for aesthetics, with Lake Louise a close 2nd. In the US, Snowmass was probably my favorite for scenery, but there are many others which are nearly on par (I’ve heard Telluride is amazing for scenery, but I haven’t been there yet).
The drive from Vancouver to WBC, the “Sea to Sky Highway”, is also the most beautiful approach drive of any major resort.
I think this review is spot-on.
We visited in the spring, late March IIRC, and I was surprised how quickly the snow at the bottom melted. Our condo was ski in/ski out on the first day, but shuttle dependent by day 4. Still, a great trip.
Telluride gives WB a run for its money on scenery especially on the surrounding highways towards Ouray or to the south towards Cortez. Nothing beats Lk louise tho (at least in North America)
Personally, I think the drive to Lake Louise, or sunshine is nicer and easier drive
Excellent content.
Whistler blackcomb is my happy place. When the conditions aren’t good or the crowds are large I am able to get as equally excited for a day spent roaming the village. But when the conditions are good… there is simply no place I’d rather be
I've been lucky enough to spend two weeks there in 2017 and 2019 but watching this made me realize it's been too long. There really isn't anything like Whistler in the world. It's just the definition of epic. Weather can be tricky though. Don't go in early season if you can help it - it gets COLD. My very first day there was New Years Day and it was -30 at the base. Too cold to ski. Probably mid-late February is the best starting point. Do the Blackcomb glacier! It's as close as you'll get to an EU Alps experience without actually going there.
it's not usually too cold at whistler usually due to the maritime influence you must have caught it on one of the coldest days of the season
Great! If you all keep going to whistler, then I’ll keep going to the smaller, quieter and better resorts in bc
Great video, Whistler is definitely on the bucket list. Would be great to see a comparison with some of the very large European resorts (Chamonix, St. Anton, etc.).
Chamonix isn't very big, but it's an epic resort for hot skiers if the conditions are good. For large resorts, Val d'Isere/Tignes and the 3 Valleys are the ones to compare.
went there week of march 4 -10th 2024...insane
Moving there in 6 months 🔥
I will have to disagree, which I hate to say it. It's very, very big, which is a big plus and has a nice ski town. But, its major drawback, which it really can't help, is that it's near the coast and that its base receive many days of rain. (low elevation) You can put many rocky mountain ski resorts ahead of it, because of having better snow conditions and more clear days. P.S. I do realize you mentioned it in the video.
You have to watch the weather. But if you hit it on the right days WB is insanely good
@@dhowe5180 Just like a lot of west coast ski resorts. Just hope a warm air mass from the pacific doesn't come in on the days you're planning to ski.
Imo Whistlers terrain is so good it makes up for it, I’ve skiied Les Trois Valles in France and WB is still my favorite mountain period, imo it’s that good
Thanks for the comment! If snow quality and weather consistency are your priorities, there are better options out there.
@@PeakRankingsI’ve started to use a personal weighting system where certain categories don’t exist. Facilities mean nothing to me as I’m there to ski and not eat $20 hamburgers and navigation can be figured out if it’s worthwhile. It’s the first five categories that I focus on. Snow/resiliency are mostly what I care about. I love Telluride and Crested Butte but rarely go because it’s hard to plan for months in advance since there may be an off year. Where WBC seems to stand out is lifts. Getting a 10 is something I may have to see for myself. From this list Lake Louise and Snowbird would be my standouts. Going to have to put LL on my bucket list.
First time I have to go during a peak weekend, had very limited flexibility next season. How bad is whistler during peak weekend?
Finally, good stuff
Bobsled in Vancouver also
You should set the text from Snow to Total to the right of the column so that the text and numbers align.
Needs good weather. Been twice. Once -20⁰C and the other time it was so warm runs were slushy below 2000m.
Entertain the idea of possibly working and living in the Whistler blackcomb Vancouver area. I have lived in Colorado Springs and Keystone Ski Resort in the 90s... VFS also
6:01 Why did you say Snoqualmie? Am I missing something?
We said “snow quality” lol
Great honest review of an incredible resort. The above treeline skiing is mind-blowing. Always variable conditions top to bottom make it an adventure. The village is so much better than almost any resort in the US. There are so many different restaurant options. I think it's the closest North American resort you can compare to the great European resorts based on all-around vacation satisfaction. 🍻
Have you been to Telluride?
@@PaulMader-w3x yes I skied there in 2021. Awesome mountain and town with incredible views.
Whichever mountain has the snow is the best. I skied Whistler and it was slush. Not the best that week.
FINALLY!!!!
Another thorough and detailed review from you guys. However, I thought Powder Mountain was the largest ski resort in North America as determined by in bounds skiable acreage. Anyways, the big vertical drop is misleading, as it is at Revelsoke as well. You normally ski with a 2000-2500 vertical drop which is very similar to other ski mountains. Also, it is annoying that there are normally 2-3 climate zones to the mountain that can make skiing the bottom half of the mountain miserable in the rain.
Thanks Michael!
Powder Mountain’s 8,400-acre footprint claim is significantly misleading, as 3,200 of those acres are not open to the public (only accessible via guided tours) and an additional 2,000 acres are not lift served. So in reality, Whistler is a lot bigger.
I guess there is some trickery in play. Some ski mountains are more tricky than others, especially when ity comes to reporting snowfall.@@PeakRankings
You can ski the whole 5600 foot vertical at revelstoke in one go. I’ve done it. I think it can be done at whistler as well although it might me trickier to link runs. Re acreage, most ski areas measure it by their permitted acreage which is usually more than what they actually use.
@@dhowe5180 Easy to link top to bottom runs on WB: with three different bases, there are many ways to get from the alpine to the different areas of the village.
Great video! Now the question is, which is better - Whistler or Blackcomb 😂
I value snow ski, ice skate, scuba diving training learning, flying drones commercially using part 107 to be compliant with the FAA for flying drones
wb on top forever
It's not great right now. Would wait till mid January
Thats the case in all of the west
It's a great place, but can get extremely crowdy with multiple choke points lifts and a relative short day skiing. If possible, avoid busy times, or prepare to wait up to 30 minutes for lifts multiple times a day (my longest wait ever skiing was there, 50 minutes to get onto 7th heaven.) It's almost cheaper to go skiing in the Alps, even in France you pay less than half price, and get more than double the acreage.
I grew up in skiing in ontario with little "hills". Seeing stuff like this makes me so jealous of people who live in the west coast
How is it looking this season?
Maybe but check the snow condition at the xmass period ….not always best ski conditions ( see dec 19, 2023 for example
You need to do nakiska in alberta
I lived in Van for 12 years and the decline in the snow conditions and the increase in price killed it for me. Ticket prices at US$200+ are inexcusable. Even on a good/powder snow day, getting fresh tracks was only available till about noon..the best parts for newbies was the free guided tours to the hidden places, available to all levels, and the variety of terrain is great. But if you want more reliable, and drier, snow and less crowds, (and far cheaper prices), Kickinghorse and the interior mountains are way better.
Alta, JH and Crested Bute are also better for real snow hounds. One rarely mentioned place is Taos, with a 14k ft mountain, it is amazing when you get the snow.
Need to rank Park City, UT!
I want to go back to whistler but its 3 hours away which is close ig ;o
Whistler is insane
Whistler Blackcomb is too close to the coast, as such it can get some very wet and heavy snow and it can get icy due to the warm temps during the day and freezing at night, or the snow can get wiped out by rain storms. Secondly, the crowds can be horrendous.
When we were there, there was so little snow that we had to ride the chair back down to the bottom and ski off onto an astro-turf mat.
It wasn't too bad at the top as long as we stayed in the sun, in the shade it was very icy.
Whistler in 2 week of january is too crowded?
7 for snow is very very generous
it may not be the best quality but the base is usually deep and it snows all season not unusual to get snow in March
@@keithscothern3398 not usual to get snow in April / May! Last year, two massive dumps late April and early May!
WB only drawback is those days when it is raining at the bottom 1/3 of the mountain. Otherwise, this place is a winner. It also has heli-skiing, which it is worth every penny.
Hmmm, same score as Vail eh? We have questions ;)😊
100% AGREE
Seems like this this the name brand version of park city/ canyons
I disagree. I live in the PNW and and visited multiple times. I do not enjoy Whistler on weekend days with good conditions or around long Canadian or US weekends. I have routinely waited 30-45min and sometimes close to 1h at Glacier or peak express. Even intermediate lifts get big lines on those days. Sure, if you come on the weekdays for a long vacation, sure, whistler is the best resort in America. But for the weekends, go to Alta instead. Same situation with the other flagship Epic resort, Vail. On paper looks amazing, un skiable on long weekends or when conditions are good on the weekend.
Honestly so true about the lack of a lift or t-bar between 7th Heaven and Glacier. This needs to be addressed. 7th is out of control most days and a lot of the best terrain from 7th sends you down to Glacier... doesn't make a ton of sense, the way it's currently set up... 🤔
My elbow hurts watching this. The only time I ever broke any bone doing snowboard was in Whistler. One of those drizzle days turned the lower mountain into ice but the slope still filled with people and got someone smacked right into me from behind and I landed on my elbow
Whistler also has the best kids program IMO.
I learned how to ski for real there. I wish I remembered the instructors name. He taught us hooligans, completely out of our element, how to ski backcountry. Parents were terrified when we told them what we'd been doing all day (in his defense, we begged nonstop for like three days before he finally let us do it).
My son absolutely loves Whistler Kids in Creekside!
I love the terrain at Whistler, and often visit when conditions are good. However, I would never commit to a Whistler trip well in advance. The risk of being rained out is just too high.
I love skiing half a mountain in cold rain!
Something not talked about regarding their mountain design.... There is a green or VERY easy blue off of every single chair. There is no experts only chair on the mountain, which makes riding with a mixed ability group all that much easier
some nice terrain unless your in the lift lines on a powder day
THEY SHUT DOWN THE SHOWCASE TBAR??!!!! WTF?!! WHY??!!! How the hell do you get into glacier bowl and the ice cave now?
They closed the horstman T bar, not showcase
Showcase was last operated & closed at 2:46pm Sunday, Apr 16, 2023. They close it due to avalanche activity in the Spring, but I assure you it will be open again this season when weather permits. You can also hike into Blackcomb glacier when it's closed, but you need to have a trip plan & avy gear.
Ohh my bad. The first thing i saw on the map image was the showcase when he mentioned t bar and i jumped. Thx for clarifying
I would mostly agree, but mammoth is the best, most consistent without needing a passport.
Number one you say.....Need a car to get from Seattle to you say. Well good thing I live in Seattle.
3:40 “couloir” pronunciation fixed let’s gooo
I just paid ~$450 US for 6 days skiing in the Alberg region of Austria. A larger area with more consistent conditions. And this is one of the most expensive lift tickets in Europe…I live on East Coast but North American prices are ridiculous
I got 6 days at Whistler in late January last year for $415 and everything is basically 25% off in Canada if you’re coming from US with the exchange rate so not sure what your point is.
@@alabmourdinson2131 my point is that for the same six days skiing at whistler, the price on their website is just under $1200 US. That’s almost three times the cost of Ski Arlberg in Austria. And I’m comparing one of the most expensive resorts in Europe to Whistler, which is not one of the most expensive in North America. It is a shame that skiing here is so ridiculously expensive
No, with the most minor amount of planning where you buy a 6 day pass that you can use any days at Whistler it's ~$400. Or you can just buy the epic pass for $900 and ski as many days as you want. Yeah you're right though about one thing - if you want to act like a total gorb (which seems to be your mindset) oblivious to Vail/Alterra business model then you can just pay the in season window ticket prices and get your head busted. @@ajf0092
I speak some English, French, Thai, Cantonese, Español, Swahili, German, Greek and some Russian
Cold showers help immensely with reducing inflammation in our physical and mental health.
Navy Seals make use of cold water immersion
Do a review for Blue Mountain in ontario
🤣
Let me save everyone some time. Perpetual long lines, 720 feet of vertical takes 2 minutes to ski down, half the people who go there can't ski/board well, unvarying and boring terrain, man made snow quickly turns to sheets of ice, and ski passes cost more than at Whistler (excluding regular lift tickets). Why bother making a video about such an unremarkable ski destination?
@@KolendoTV facts