How to Plan the Perfect Ski Day at Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler is not a cheap place to ski, in fact, it’s probably the most expensive resort in Canada. However, if you do it right, you can make your money back tenfold with a killer day on the hill.  A great day at Whistler is all about knowing where and when to go and how to navigate the mountain. There are so many unbelievable spots to check out and areas to ski.

Any legendary day at a mountain as big as Whistler Blackcomb always starts with a plan. I’ve created this guide so you can be equipped with a plan before you hit the hill and be able optimize and enjoy every single minute of the ski day. If you follow my simple advice I can guarantee an exponentially improved experience when you visit Whistler.

I’ve also written a complete review and guide of Whistler Blackcomb here, which you can also find in video form on my YouTube channel. 

Here’s how to plan the perfect day at Whistler Blackcomb! 

 

Lift Tickets

Before you can even get on the chairlift you are going to have to trade some cash for a lift ticket. Single day tickets are not cheap. In past years, buying a single day ticket meant handing over two crisp hundred dollar bills to Vail Resorts (Yuck). My personal recommendation, if you really want to experience Whistler and get the best bang for your buck is to purchase an edge card. They come in two, five and ten day options.

If you just want to experience whistler for a weekend getaway, opt for the two day pass. Otherwise, I would recommend committing to a five or ten day edge card. Whistler allows unlimited early season riding with the purchase of a five or ten day edge card so if you’re eager you’ll be able to take advantage of enjoying many more exhilarating runs down the mountain.

For Beginners

For complete beginners, to be brutally honest, paying the full price of a lift ticket is not worth it. The best part of Whistler is the more challenging terrain and it’s tough to explore if you can barely make it down the hill and don’t have the basics down. Fortunately, Whistler offers $40 Adult & $20 Children day lift tickets for the Magic Chair (Blackcomb) and the Olympic Chair (Whistler). This are ideal spots for first timers to get a feel for skis and enjoy the whistler atmosphere without burning a hole through their wallet. The views on the mountain are unforgettable. Please note that these discounted beginner tickets need to be purchased at the ticket window.

Once you’re linking turns down the magic chair you can give the Emerald chair on the Whistler side a go. There is a great beginner zone under the chair that has a mellow slope and fantastic views. It’s worth it to go up at least to the mid mountain to see the views alone. The beginner terrain on the Whistler side is much more manageable than the Blackcomb side. If you don’t want to ski you can always purchase a sightseeing ticket and ride the gondolas to check out the Peak 2 Peak and views! If you want to learn more about where to ski as a beginner at Whistler Blackcomb, I’ve created a guide explaining the best runs and zones for you to hang out in until you’re ready to progress! 

 

Weekdays Over Weekends

If you have the ability to ski on a weekday, capitalize on this. Most people have to work on weekdays and although lots of people will be out enjoying the hill, it will be significantly less busy, unless it’s a powder day. On powder days, rules cease to exist and people from across the province flock to the gondola for a chance at fresh lines and face shots.

 

Check the Weather

If you are only going to ski Whistler once or a handful of times during the season then you want to ensure that you are going to have a solid weather day. Good weather really depends on your style/skill/preference of skiing. If you are a powder fiend then be on the watch for storms. If you like carving, keep your eye out for clear skies and cold temperatures.

Overall, the ideal day at Whistler is one with clear sunny skies, reasonably cold temperatures and low wind. Nothing beats skiing down and enjoying endless mountain views.

Sometimes weather will not cooperate with your schedule. It can be a bummer if weather turns bad but don’t worry too much. Whistler is so gigantic that there will always be good snow tucked away somewhere on the mountain, you just have to find it. As always, if its foggy play in the trees, if it’s bluebird, go wild!

There are a few great ways you can check the weather for Whistler. I use snowforecast.com to check out the weather at different elevations and find this to be quite accurate. The Whistler Snow and Weather Report on their website also does a reasonable job. The third thing I would recommend to check is the Whistler Webcams and the Snow Ruler. The Snow Ruler shows the amount of snow that falls every single day at 1600m elevation on the hill. If you are a powder junkie, keep your eyes on the ruler and double check it in the morning to ensure you don’t get duped by the weather report. Also remember that even though there may not be loads of fresh powder, wind moves snow around and windswept snow on higher elevation alpine runs can feel just as soft and floaty as fresh powder. If you want to dive even deeper into Whistler weather and become an amazing powder predictor, I reccommend you read my step by step Whistler weather prediction strategy! 

 

 

Get A Good Sleep and Be In Good Health

A full day riding at Whistler is going to take a lot out of you. You are going to want to be well rested, healthy, and feeling energized. To experience an optimal day at Whistler you don’t want to waste a single minute, so be ready to be your feet all day.

I know how tempting the Whistler apres and nightlife can be. However, if you want to charge hard you are going to have to resist FOMO and the urge to throw back beers. Skiing with a hangover is absolutely horrible and will completely destroy you chance at enjoying the ultimate Whistler Day. If you luck out and wake up to a bluebird day you don’t want to be waking up with a foggy head and weak legs.

Honestly, If your priority is to party, don’t waste your money on a lift ticket or plan to go out at night if you are not paying to ski or ride the next day. There are loads of people who head up to Whistler just to party and not ski at all, although I think it’s a tad crazy, at least they’ve got their priorities straight. Also, the more people drinking equals less people on the lifts. That’s a win for us.

 

 

Early Start

Getting out there early can make or break your day at Whistler. It’s notoriously busy and if you don’t get a head start on the vacationers and hungover lifities you’ll surely be waiting in gondola lines when you could have been shredding fresh lines in the morning.

I cannot stress how important getting after it early is. If you are staying in Whistler this means waking up around or before 7am, having a quick breakfast, and getting out to the lift lines. I would recommend aiming to be in the gondola line for around 7:45-8am, if it’s a powder day you are going to have to be in the line by 7am if you want to have a chance at fresh tracks on the main runs.

 

The Game Plan

One Day Lift Ticket

If you only have one day at Whistler Blackcomb my recommendation would be to ski both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, and eat your lunch on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. This way you will waste no time sitting in the chalet and will be able to experience a large majority of the terrain on either side of the mountain.

 

Two Plus Days Lift Ticket

If you have more than one day I would dedicate separate days to the Whistler side and the Blackcomb side of the mountain so you can really explore the terrain. I’m a bit of a lunatic and would still recommend popping a lunch in your pocket so you don’t waste any time in the chalet and can enjoy your PB&J with a view.

I’ve written a detailed guide to teach you how exactly you should ski Whistler if you only have one day, it’s also in a video format here. 

And of course, I’ve also written a guide on how to ski Blackcomb if you only have a single day and have made this into a video as well!

 

Getting Up The Gondola

Getting up to ski areas in Whistler Blackcomb involves riding up 1800m vertical on gondolas or chairlifts. You will have 3 uploading options from the Whistler Village, One From The Blackcomb Village, an option from mid-mountain on the Blackcomb side and a gondola from Creekside.

Choosing which gondola/chair you upload will depend on where your accommodation is located, if you need to park a vehicle, and which mountain you want to ski. Figuring out which gondola to take can be confusing and intimidating for first timers. All of the options below will get you up the mountain. Here are the pros and cons of each upload option.

 

Whistler Mountain Upload Options

Gondola Name	Location	Pros	Cons
Whistler Gondola	Whistler Base	- the fastest way to get up the mountain - enclosed gondola	- longest lineup (best to arrive early)
Fitzsimmons Chair	Whistler Base	- shortest line in all of whistler	- slower than a gondola - involves 2 lifts (garbonzo and/or red/emerald chair) to arrive at roundhouse - not protected from elements
Creekside Gondola	Creekside Village	- Free underground public vehicle parking	- line can be long and there is no alternative option up at creekside - cannot access Blackcomb from creekside base

 

Blackcomb Mountain Upload Options

Gondola Name	Location	Pros	Cons
Blackcomb Gondola	Upper Village/Blackcomb Base	- fastest way up blackcomb - enclosed gondola up to rendezvous chalet	- line can be long - only way up from blackcomb base
Excalibur Gondola	Whistler Base	- only way up blackcomb from Whistler village - shorter line than Whistler Gondola	- slower than Blackcomb gondola
Excalibur Gondola Mid-station	Mid-Station Blackcomb	- Free public outdoor parking in Lots 6,7,8 - Medium sized gondola line	- parking can fill up quickly - if you go to whistler you will have to upload back the gondola to your vehicle before closing

 

The Best Runs To Ski On Whistler

Once you are up on the Whistler side the world is your oyster. There is so much new and exciting terrain to explore your brain is going to implode. Depending on your level and style of skiing there is something for everyone. I would recommend getting a little bit familiar with the Whistler map a night before so you don’t feel too overwhelmed up there. Make a goal at the very least to ski the three alpine chairlifts, Peak Chair, Harmony Chair, and Symphony Chair. These three chairlifts are situated at the highest elevation, hold the best snow, and have amazing terrain.

If you want more more detailed guides on the best runs on the mountain check out my posts on the best Groomed Runs on Whistler and the Best Tree Runs on Whistler. 

If you’re looking for a guide to the unmarked, gnarliest and steepest runs on Whistler Mountain, I’ve got you covered with this detailed guide of some of the steepest and scariest inbounds terrain on Whistler. 

 

Click Here For The Full Trailmap with Zoom 

 

Peak Chair

Peak chair is the trophy chair of Whistler, and was quite the engineering feat when it was first built. The view at the top is unbeatable and all the runs that stem from it will make big mountain skiing lovers salivate.

 

Intermediate: The Saddle

• The saddle is quite steep at the top. It is usually groomed and is a go-to for any speeders who like ripping down the mountain or people who want some steeps without the bumps
• The saddle leads you right back down to the base of the peak chair

 

Advanced: Whistler Bowl

• This one is a total classic and is the huge open bowl you see to the right when looking up at peak chair
• On a good snow day the Whistler Bowl is amazing to ski
• When its been tracked out the moguls get huge making it pretty brutal
• Whistler Bowl also provides access to legendary free ski routes like ‘The Coffin’

 

Expert: West Bowl, West Cirque, Or Bagel Bowl

• Amazing steep snow filled bowls
• Keep in mind that all of these runs will take you down to the bottom of the red chair, but they are absolutely worth it. You will have an extremely long run down and really be able to enjoy yourself

 

Harmony Chair

A six person chair that offers some killer access to wide open powder filled bowls, steep chutes and great tree skiing.

 

Intermediate: Harmony Ridge 

• This is a fantastic run with a mellow slope you can carve down all while enjoying the insane mountain views around you

 

Expert: Horseshoe Ridge

• There are loads of steep options for dropping in off of the ridge, these runs are all double blacks and open up to a fantastic open bowl for extra shredding at the bottom

 

Symphony Chair

Symphony chair was created in order to give skiers easy access to the flute bowl. It is also one of the most scenic spots in Whistler as you get an insane view of Cheakamus lake when skiing down from the Symphony chair. Symphony has some great beginner glades at the bottom where you can whip through the trees with a mellow slope angle

 

Intermediate: Jeffs Ode to Joy & Adagio 

• a great carver finished with a little bit of easy glade skiing

 

Expert: Flute Bowl 

• This one requires a hike but is so worth it
• This is avalanche controlled area and is considered on resort
• Hike up into flute bowl and choose your own adventure down
• Here’s a full Flute Bowl guide to make your life even easier 

 

The Best Runs To Ski On Blackcomb

The Blackcomb side otherly known as the ‘dark side’. I prefer the Blackcomb side as it has some seriously steep and complex terrain. It usually tends to be a bit quieter than Whistler mountain which is a great bonus.

If you want more more detailed guides on the best runs on the mountain check out my posts on the best Groomed Runs on Blackcomb and the Best Tree Runs on Blackcomb.

If you’re looking for a guide to the unmarked, gnarliest and steepest runs on Blackcomb Mountain, I’ve got you covered with this detailed guide of some of the steepest and scariest inbounds terrain on Blackcomb (and probably in the world).

 

Click Here For The Full Trailmap with Zoom 

 

Glacier Chair

Home to some of the steepest terrain at Blackcomb including the legendary Spanky’s Ladder. If you want to access the Glacier T-Bar you will have to head up the glacier chair.

 

Intermediate: Horstman Glacier & Blueline

• Ski right down the Horstman Glacier and connect with blueline. When the snow pack is good this is an awesome open area to shred freely to your hearts desire

 

Advanced: Spankys Ladder

• An absolute alpine playground, you have three different bowls, garnet, sapphire and ruby to choose from
• My personal favourite
• A short bootpack for an absolutely massic reward
• Here’s a complete guide to help you navigate Spanky’s and avoid falling off any cliffs 🙂 

 

7^th Heaven Express

Seventh heaven is truly one of the most heavenly areas in all of Whistler. It is a wide open snow covered alpine paradise. There are open powder bowls, great groomers and tree runs near the bottom.

 

Advanced: Lakeside Bowl

• Great big open wide bowl for huge powder turns

 

Expert: Suadan Couloir

• For steep skiing lovers, offers the steepest sustain pitch out of both mountains and has awesome snow at the bottom

 

Intermediate: Hughes Heaven to Upper/Lower Panorama

• This one in absolute banger for carving and will get all you groomer lovers hearts pumping

 

Crystal Chair

The Crystal chair is the go to zone for great glade skiing and awesome carving groomers.

 

Advanced: Outer Limits

• steep and tight tree skiing, lots of fresh snow to be found

 

Advanced: Arthurs Choice

• amazingly spaced out glades
• is bumpy when there isn’t much fresh snow

 

Intermediate: Ridge Runner

• one of my favourite carving runs on the mountain

 

Visit The Ice Cave!!

• If you’ve never visited Whistler its always a blast skiing the Blackomb Glacier and checking out the ice caves CLICK HERE FOR A FULL GUIDE TO FINDING THER ICE CAVE 

 

Peak 2 Peak

The Peak 2 Peak is a massive gondola that taxi’s skiers and riders between Whistler and Blackcomb. If you are just doing one day at Whistler then this should be your lunch spot. The gondola itself is an insane feat of engineering and you are not going to believe how high it travels over the valley below.

 

Chairlift Lines

Chairlift lines are inevitable at Whistler, especially if there is fresh snow or you are skiing on the weekend. One of the best strategies to avoiding lift lines is to make use of the Epic Mix app to see what spots have shorter lift lines. Although the estimations are wildly off, the app can give you a good indication as to whether or not a chairlift is super busy. The runs at Whistler Blackcomb are extremely long so even if you get punished with lift lines, if you put in a full day, you are going to be exhausted.

 

Ski Until Closing

The last piece of advice I can give you is to ski until closing. The upper chairlifts close at 2:30 with the lower lifts and gondolas closing at 3:30 or 4pm depending on the time of the year. Once the upper lifts close a lot of skiers will call it a day. This is a great chance for you to pump out as many laps as possible before the lifts close, you’ll get a second wind and be especially eager if you’ve been standing in lines all day. Also, early morning and closing are my two favourite times to carve groomers because way less people are on the runs making it much more enjoyable.

 

Just Go For It!

If you check the weather, plan ahead, and ski from opening to close there is a good chance you are absolutely going to love your experience.

Hopefully these simple tips and recommendations have helped you have the best Whistler ski or snowboard day ever.

 

See You On The Next Pow Day!