Whistler: Why North America’s Biggest & Best Ski Resort Ticks Every Box

In my 20+ years working here, I've sent thousands of happy skiers to Whistler and the feedback is the same year after year: “Whistler has everything”... “It has it all”... “Everything you could want on your doorstep”... “Loud or quiet, couples, families, groups - it caters for everyone”... “Whistler has it all full stop.”

With such a huge variety of terrain, accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops and activities, the cliché is true that there’s something for everyone.

Based on my own personal experience, plus that of my colleagues and customers, I'm going to tell you exactly why Whistler ticks every ski holiday box. If you have any questions or you would like a tailor-made quotation, please chat to me or any of our friendly team on 01273 224060 or enquire online.

By Rupert Hatfield, Canada Product Manager

Whether you travel as a couple, family or group of friends, it's unlikely that you'll all ski or snowboard at the same level. Good resorts have terrain for everyone from complete beginners to pro skiers. Great resorts have enough terrain that nobody will get bored, no matter their ability.

With North America's biggest ski area, comprised of 8,000+ acres, 200+ runs, 37 lifts, 16 alpine bowls and a 5,280 ft vertical drop, Whistler has more than enough.

The terrain is well divided between abilities with 20% green, 35% blue, 25% black and 20% double-black diamond runs. Beginners learn mid-mountain and can ski green runs from most of the highest lifts for a full-mountain experience from week one; experts have access to some of the best off-piste in the world and a whopping 432,000 acres of heli-ski terrain.

There's more than enough snow to cover all that terrain too, averaging more than 11 metres of snowfall throughout the long season from November to May. Even in a "bad" year for snow, Whistler almost always receives metres more than the European Alps.

I've been skiing in Whistler for decades and I still find new areas to enjoy each time I visit, as do colleagues who've lived there for years and still go back for more regularly. We have had customers ski Whistler as many as 13 times and stay as long as three months on a single trip. You just can't get bored there!

For more on Whistler's epic terrain, including the best runs and areas for all abilities, read our guide on Where to Ski in Whistler.

Dotted across the three ski bases of Whistler Village, Upper Village (Blackcomb) and Creekside, there are 150 hotels, 200 restaurants, cafes and bars, and 200+ shops to choose from. So every taste and budget is catered for.

We offer 25 of the best hotels in Whistler based on our personal experience - I'm lucky enough to have stayed in most of them over the years! They range from 3* comfort to 5* luxury, slopeside convenience to tranquil seclusion, cosy hotel rooms to spacious suites and condos.

It's hard to pick favourites and we will always provide a variety of options to match your budget and preferences, but I would recommend the 3*+ Listel Whistler Hotel for best value, the 4*+ Delta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites for mid-range and 5* The Westin Resort & Spa for high-end luxury.

The hotels in Whistler offer some fantastic early booking incentives when you book by 31 August, including up to 40% off, free room upgrades and food & beverage credits.

To learn more about the accommodation options in Whistler, read our guide on Where to Stay in Whistler or for an idea of options within your budget, see our Whistler Ski Prices & Offers.

When it comes to eating and drinking, you are spoiled for choice on and off the mountain and you don't need to worry about even the fussiest eaters.

You could easily have breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks in a different establishment every day for your whole holiday. I don't know if it's harder choosing where to eat or stopping yourself from returning to favourites!

There are a few signature Whistler experiences that I'd recommend for everyone visiting:

• Coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Lift Coffee Company - perfectly positioned at the bottom of the lifts in Whistler Village, serving our team's favourite coffee and a hearty breakfast sandwich that will see off any sore heads from the night before.
• Waffles at the Crystal Hut - legendary waffles smothered in maple syrup and anything else you can imagine - bacon and banana anyone? - found at the top of the Crystal Ridge Express on Blackcomb.
• Sharing nachos at GLC, Merlin's or Dusty's - found at each base area so it doesn't matter where you're staying, you can still enjoy a huge sharing plate of nachos while you relive the day's skiing with a beer or cocktail.
• Dine around on a Whistler Tasting Tour - a great way to sample some of Whistler's best restaurants on a shorter stay (and without breaking the bank). Choose from the 'Finer Things' or 'Hidden Gems' tours and you'll learn not just about the food but about Whistler itself as you explore the Village.
• Dance the night away at the Dubh Linn Gate - although Whistler is home to a few lively bars and late-night clubs, we choose the Dubh Linn Gate every time. An iconic Irish bar by the Excalibur Gondola with craft beers, the best Guinness in town and live music daily from 9pm.

For more tips from our team, read Where to Eat & Drink in Whistler - we've personally tried every recommendation! Book a 10 night stay in Whistler by 31 August and receive a $250 restaurant voucher.

I'm more of a first lift to last lift every day kind of skier, but for most people, activities are a core part of any ski trip - and Whistler has some of the best in the world! Perfect for exciting evenings, rest days off the slopes, non-skiers or just for an all-round winter holiday that's not just about the skiing.

You'll find all the classics including dog sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and tubing, plus museums, galleries, escape rooms and cultural tours for poor-weather days. But you'll also find a few experiences that set Whistler apart from the rest...

• ZipTrek Ecotours - fly through the air above Fitzsimmons Creek between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains on a series of ziplines and suspension bridges. Not for the faint of heart, but a must for thrill-seekers as you can spin around and even fly upside down in your harness.
• Scandinave Spa Whistler - one of the best spas I've ever visited, if not the best. Indulge in the hot baths and refreshing waterfalls, then book in for a massage. All with incredible mountain vistas and no phones allowed!!
• Snowmobiling - there are a variety of tours to choose from. Journey into the beautiful Callaghan Valley and let it rip or drive up winding trails to the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb for a traditional fondue dinner with wine, dessert and live music.
• Heli-skiing/boarding/sightseeing - Whistler Heli-Skiing has exclusive rights to 432,000 acres of big mountain terrain and offers packages for a variety of levels. If you've never tried it, there is nothing else like it for experienced skiers and snowboarders. You'll rack up a huge amount of vertical on untouched powder. If that's not your cup of tea, sightseeing tours of the surrounding mountains with Blackcomb Helicopters are also available.
• Vallea Lumina - magical for kids, beautiful for adults, join a twilight expedition through Whistler's forests as they're brought to life by video, lighting, sound and special effects, telling an enchanting tale along the way.

There's also bungee jumping, bobsled rides, fire and ice shows and so much more to discover.

Read our Whistler Activities Guide for more tried and tested recommendations from our team.

Call our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01273 224060 (Monday to Friday) or request a quotation online and we'll help you plan and book your perfect Whistler ski holiday.

Our team visit every year and are ready to help using their own personal experience.

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