This Canadian Ski Town Is the Perfect Winter Vacation Destination

The magnitude of Whistler first hits you during the scenic 75-mile drive from Vancouver. As the Sea-to-Sky Highway weaves through British Columbia's Coast Mountains and rain turns to fluffy snow, it becomes clear: you've arrived in ski and snowboard heaven.

Whistler is home to one of North America's largest ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb. Its two mountains, connected by the highest and longest continuous lift system of its kind, offer thousands of acres of varied terrain for every skill level.

The town's charming pedestrian-only village, complete with winding stone walkways, wooden bridges, and meticulous landscaping, was initially designed with the 1968 Winter Olympics in mind. Its bid for that event didn't succeed, but Whistler did host some of the events of Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics. After that, it became even more renowned for its off-mountain attractions and cultural highlights, like the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, a focal point for the First Nations communities that have stewarded this region for millennia. Today, the Olympic legacy is still omnipresent. You can even ski or ride with an Olympian at the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, where you'll spend a full or half day getting pointers from pros.

The excitement for winter sports is palpable in the bustling restaurants and bars helmed by local characters in flannel. Just remember that a laid-back West Coast attitude comes with the territory. Here, the "20-centimeter rule" applies — if there are more than eight inches of snowfall, you'll likely catch your bartender on the slopes before they pour you an après-ski drink.

In the mood for mountains? Here's how to plan the perfect trip to Whistler, no matter your travel style.

When to Go

Whistler Blackcomb claims to have the longest ski season in North America, lasting almost 200 days. The resort typically opens around mid-November and doesn't close until May.

January ("deep winter," the resort calls it) is arguably the best time to go. The first month of the year sees an average of 74 inches of snowfall, and this is one of the few times during the season when all the terrain is open. It's also quiet immediately after New Year's, so you won't have to battle crowds on the slopes.

Where to Stay

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

This luxurious hotel makes the most of its prime location at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, offering guests ski-in, ski-out access and the chance to leave their gear with a valet at the end of the day. With its own art gallery and fine-dining restaurant, the 519-room hotel has no shortage of amenities. Between ski sessions, relax in the outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, and saunas.

Nita Lake Lodge

Those looking for accommodations in the laid-back Creekside area will find a tranquil escape at Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler's only lakeside boutique hotel. Highlights include basalt gas fireplaces in each of its 77 rooms and rooftop hot tubs to warm you up after a day on the slopes.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler

The Whistler outpost of Four Seasons Resort is only half a mile from the ski area. Here, you get high-end accommodations that often come with mountain views as well as access to a heated pool and a lively après scene at the on-site Braidwood Tavern. The hotel can even arrange an unforgettable experience in which you're helicoptered to a glacier for "mountaintop afternoon tea."

Where to Eat

Christine's on Blackcomb

For lunch on the slopes, book a table with a view at Christine's. Located at the top of the Blackcomb Gondola, this mountaintop haunt has a seafood-forward menu but serves a bit of everything, from burgers to curry.

Purebread

This family-run bakery is always a good choice for a grab-and-go artisan pastry. You might see the name all over Vancouver now, but Purebread started right here in Whistler. Find a location on Main Street and in the hip shopping and dining enclave Function Junction.

Alta Bistro

For dinner, Alta Bistro specializes in seasonal local fare — even going so far as to pickle its own Pemberton vegetables — and dishes inspired by the forest and ocean. For the full experience, order the five-course tasting menu (which includes wine pairings) for the table.

Where to Après-ski

Merlin's Bar & Grill

At Blackcomb, Merlin's is famous for its giant nacho plates, rowdy ambience, and karaoke nights. The après spot regularly hosts live music and DJs who perform in a suspended gondola car. According to the website, "dancing on the bar and any other flat surface is encouraged."

Bar Oso

For a fancier après option, head to Bar Oso in the Village Square. This is where you'll find alpine-themed craft cocktails including a whole menu of gin and tonics, many made with British Columbia-distilled gin. The Spanish tapas are as good as the drinks.

Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill

The GLC, as the locals know it, makes the most of its convenient perch above the Whistler Gondola building. Its all-season patio and massive stone fireplace invite you to grab a local brew and put up your boots. And with a view of skiers ripping down the mountain, it takes Whistler's favorite powder-day farewell — "see you at après" — to a whole new level.

Off-mountain Activities

Whistler has plenty of activity options beyond its alpine adventures — from snowshoeing at Whistler Olympic Park to bobsleigh rides at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Art lovers can use the Go Whistler Tours app to take a self-guided walk along the Cultural Connector, a scenic trail that links six cultural institutions. Stops along the way include the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and the architecturally stunning Audain Art Museum, a 56,000-square-foot gallery with an impressive collection of British Columbian art.

In the evening, head to Vallea Lumina for a multisensory stroll through the forest, complete with music, immersive storytelling, magical lighting, and even s'mores and hot chocolate by the fire.

After all the action, spend a morning relaxing with a massage and hydrotherapy circuit at Scandinave Spa Whistler, a serene Nordic spa with hot pools, eucalyptus steam baths, Finnish-style saunas, cold plunges, and fireside lounges embedded in the forest.

How to Ride

Tickets

For the most savings, book lift tickets at least seven days in advance. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, starting at the CAD equivalent of about $85 USD per day for adults and $45 for children. Two ticket options are available — the best deal is the Whistler Blackcomb day pass, which is purchased before the season starts. You can buy this pass for one to 10 days (i.e., 10 "day passes"), and the more you add, the lower the price per day. The pass can be used on any dates throughout the season, or any off-peak dates if you opt for a restricted pass.

There's also a one-day lift ticket, available throughout the season. It costs around $300 and, unlike the day pass, must be used on a specific date that can't be changed once selected. The Epic Pass is valid to use as well.

Rentals

Renting your ski and snowboard equipment from the resort itself will give you the largest selection of gear and the most pickup and drop-off locations in Whistler. If you want to have your gear delivered, choose a third-party outfitter like Black Tie Ski Rentals or Ski Butlers.

Skiing and Snowboarding Info

Whistler Blackcomb has a good mix of beginner (20 percent), intermediate (50 percent), and advanced (30 percent) terrain among its 8,171 acres. Between its two mountains, there are more than 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, and 32 lifts.

Newbies wanting to experience Whistler's ski-in, ski-out allure can take Lower Olympic, a mellow run that begins at the Whistler Village Gondola mid-station and ends at the village. Seasoned skiers looking for a challenge will be glad to find more than a mile of vertical rise and 2,000-plus acres of black-diamond and double-black-diamond runs. For even more intensity, the Whistler Bowl has everything from chutes to drops.

Programming

Anyone looking to level up can join a group class or arrange a private lesson at the Snow School. After brushing up on the basics, you and your instructor can cruise down monitored slow skiing zones like Lower Whiskey Jack.

For those who want to explore untracked terrain, Extremely Canadian leads introductory and adventurous backcountry tours, during which you'll scale mountains and accomplish impressive runs with knowledgeable guides.