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Take back your winter at the iconic ski resort

The days are getting shorter, the nights are crisper, and at any moment now Christmas decorations will be on full display. The countdown to ski season is on. For many of us who had to miss a vacation or two last year, now is the time to take back our winter. Call it a "powder payback," if you will. And if there’s one place that neatly ticks all the boxes to do it, it’s Whistler.

Can you feel it?

Whistler is ready to welcome visitors to a new season of snowy adventures, fresh-air experiences and wide-open, natural spaces to explore. This year's opening day is scheduled for Thanksgiving — Nov. 25. Read on for more about this winter wonderland and considerations to keep in mind when planning your visit.

Words by Dean Seguin

The legend of Whistler Blackcomb continues

There’s a reason why Whistler tops best-of lists and keeps faithful skiers and snowboarders returning every year for more. The twin mountain hulks of Whistler and Blackcomb together create a singular experience in the coastal range of British Columbia that’s unlike any other resort on the continent. More than 200 runs offer a wide range of difficulty levels for beginners, adrenaline junkies, and everyone in between. Perfect-pitch bowls, pillowed boulders and snow-draped trees beckon the adventurous. Long, meandering green and blue runs etch the faces of both mountains for those who want an easier cruise.

Pacific-powered snowstorms dump more than 37 feet of snow on average over the winter and with 8,171 acres to explore — the most in North America — there’s easily enough terrain to keep you roaming new trails for a season let alone a holiday. That’s if you can keep up. Its vertical drop, the second largest in North America, gives skiers and snowboarders thrilling descents that not only test the quads but sear the big-mountain experience into the psyche in a way that other mountains can’t.

Best of the best

This year's opening day is scheduled for Thanksgiving — Nov. 25

The inside track this winter

To help keep locals and fellow guests safe this winter, visitors are asked to enjoy Whistler responsibly and respect COVID-19 protocols in place. No reservations are needed at Whistler Blackcomb and lifts will be running at normal capacity. After all, there’s more than enough fresh air and wide-open slopes, trails, bowls, cruisers, gullies, trees and all manner of epic terrain features to go around. Masks won’t be mandatory in lift lines or on chairlifts, but you will need to don one (or a ski buff) for gondola rides and when you head into on-mountain lodges and restaurants, plus in all hotels, shops and other indoor settings off the slopes and around the Village. Proof of vaccination will also be required for guests 12 and older at restaurants, bars and quick-service cafes, both on and off the mountain, for indoor seating and on the patio. Reservations will also be required at on-mountain restaurants using Whistler Blackcomb’s Time to Dine service, though seating and overall capacity has increased.

Know before you go

Class is back in session

If you’re new to the slopes or want to sharpen your alpine skills, Whistler Blackcomb is resuming more of its lesson-based programs this season. Lessons are a good way to boost your confidence, improve technique and challenge your personal boundaries, not to mention it’s a ticket to see more and do more on the mountain and you can skip the lift line to max out your time on the slopes.

Ski school

Whether you’re looking for one-on-one instruction, group clinics or ski school for the little ones, the resort offers a variety of ski and snowboard lessons taught by top-level instructors for every ability, from park to steeps and racing to freestyle. You can even bubble with up to five people of the same ability for a private lesson. Make advance reservations to confirm your spot and check in ahead of your lesson regarding any special protocols.

This year's opening day is scheduled for Nov. 25

Group lessons (for ages 3+) get lift line priority and a hot lunch

There's so much more than skiing

Whether hurtling down a mountain is your version of fun or you’re more into it for the après game (no shame), you might be wondering how best to spend your off-slope time. Good news is that Whistler offers skiers not only a big mountain experience, but also one of the best Village scenes of any mountain town. Soothe in a bit of retail therapy shopping in Whistler’s myriad stores, including city chains, designer boutiques, equipment outlets, art galleries and more.

Off the slopes

View B.C. art from the 18th century to present at Audain Art Museum

Most shops are clustered in the Village, a short stroll away in the Upper Village and at the base of Creekside, where you’ll find a more intimate shopping experience along the cobblestone paths of Franz's Trail. And when you’re ready to drop, take a load off on one of the many patios and let the action unfold in front of you. In Whistler, people-watching is a sport in its own right. Where there's skiing, there are spas, and Whistler has several outstanding sanctuaries of relaxation, including the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Whistler, where its signature treatment features a scrub made with Canadian maple syrup. Vida Spa at Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a menu of Ayurvedic therapies, while you can get traditional Javanese treatments at Lotus Spa at Summit Lodge. Connect with nature and invigorate your body and mind in a cycle of hot baths, refreshing rinses and relaxation at Scandinave Spa.

Floating in a pool at Scandinave Spa

Rejuvenate your muscles at the spa before another day on the slopes

For those who prefer to stay active without the fast inclines, Whistler Olympic Park boasts over 70 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails to explore. For bigger thrills, there’s snowmobiling, bobsledding, bungee jumping and ziplining — nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like soaring over the snow-capped old-growth forest. Or, feel the rush of excitement as you glide along snowy trails and across winter meadows on a Whistler dog-sledding tour, a one-of-a-kind Canadian experience.

Afterwards, check out the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a First Nations’ gallery and museum showcasing West Coast Indigenous art, culture and historical artifacts. The three-story building showcases Douglas fir and glass in a modern architectural take on traditional dwellings.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre offers guided tours on the hour every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dining is on par with the powder

Dining in Whistler starts with the après experience to celebrate the "best day ever!" on the mountain. Whether that entails kicking back with a cold beer or soaking in a hot tub with a glass of Champagne, Whistler’s end-of-day caters to all tastes.

Eat, drink and après-ski

Whistler offers both budget-friendly bites and fine-dining fare

There’s perhaps no better way to après than by sliding right off the slope, and several mountainside bars let you seamlessly transition from skiing to socializing (with your ski boots on, of course). The Longhorn Saloon has been ground zero for après festivities for decades, and with a patio that faces Whistler Mountain, thumping music and flowing drinks (Champagne showers, if you’re lucky) are a familiar sight on your way down the slope. At the bottom of Blackcomb, Merlin’s has an expansive patio for enjoying local craft beer and nachos. Dusty’s, at the base of the 2010 Olympic downhill runs in Creekside, is a local favorite to soak up late-day sun.

You won’t want for good food and drink while in Whistler. You will, however, want to make reservations and bring along proof of vaccination to get in on the fun. At many of the venues, you'll have the option of outdoor seating to admire the mountains or spaced-out indoor seating to cozy up to a crackling fire. When you're in the mood for a comforting dinner, Red Door Bistro offers fine French cuisine with fresh West Coast ingredients. Dishes like B.C. halibut, wild boar and a saffron-spiced bouillabaisse helped earn the Creekside restaurant a spot on Yelp’s list of Canada's 100 Top Places to Eat in 2021. New this season, Vancouver institution Joe Fortes has opened a Whistler outpost for its steak, seafood and classic cocktails. For a sophisticated culinary experience worth the trip to Whistler in itself, reserve an evening at Bearfoot Bistro for upscale local fare, Champagne sabering and a sub-zero tipple in the coldest vodka tasting room in the world. Seriously, it’s kept at -25 degrees Fahrenheit and shelves some 50 spirits from around the world. Don’t worry, puffy coats are provided.

Plan ahead for the best vacation experience

Start prepping for your trip now with deals on hotels, lift tickets, snow school and more. Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are welcome to come to Canada either by air or by land. Those 12 and older must show proof of vaccination to access certain businesses and services and businesses in B.C. View details on Canada’s entry criteria and requirements for returning home from abroad to ensure you’re informed and prepared. As a bonus, the Canadian exchange rate will get U.S. travelers about 20 extra cents on the dollar to help the stretch the value of a ski vacation. The mountains are calling but it’s more important than ever to plan ahead. After a year of challenges, Whistler businesses are working hard to welcome visitors in a safe way, so it’s best to confirm hotel, activity bookings and restaurant reservations, as well as opening hours and other logistics, to make for an easy experience.

Hit the slopes

Knowing what you want to get out of your trip will also help maximize the fun so be sure to check out the Whistler Insider blog, a great resource with helpful information to start planning your winter adventures. To find out what else you need to know before you go, visit whistler.com/winter for what to do, where to stay and winter vacation deals.

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Credit: Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson

Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mitch Winton

Credit: Tourism Whistler/John Entwistle

Credit: The Adventure Group

Credit: Tourism Whistler/John Entwistle