Ultimate Whistler Ski Trip Guide
Planning The Trip
When we committed to taking our Airstream to Whistler, 6 months before the trip, I had a feeling that we would be out over our skis. I was worried about road conditions, if we should buy chains for the tires, if I would be able to fill propane, how will we keep the trailer clean and dry after skiing, and so on.
Spoiler: roads were fine (they know what they are doing), we bought chains (didn’t use them), never even had to refill the propane tanks, the trailer stayed clean and comfortable. Bonus, our Starlink did a fantastic job of melting snow, during a 3 foot dump in one night. I really overthought everything. The Airstream performed flawlessly. We are already discussing plans to do it again next year.
Whistler was a big trip for us.
When they held the Olympics there in 2010, I had never skied, but I have always remembered the name. Once I started skiing, it was always looming as this magical ski resort that I wasn’t ready for. Similar to playing Pebble Beach as a 25 handicap, you want to be good enough to enjoy the investment.
Fast forward to now, we have skied all of the major EPIC resorts, with Whistler being the final box that we needed to check.
The trip was with 7 other friends. 6 of them skied and one snowboarded, but he’s a good dude. They all stayed at The Aspens on the Blackcomb side, which is a ski-in-ski-out and walking distance to both villages. In addition to being a perfect location, they had 2 generously sized hot tubs, which we all took advantage of.
Listed below are the logistics of our stay, including the RV Park, parking during the day, where we ate and drank, and some information about the actual skiing.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed 9 nights at Riverside Resort, which I cannot recommend enough. The staff was more than helpful with my many questions about the RV park, surrounding restaurants, which gondola to take to avoid some of the crowds, and local knowledge on where to find fresh powder. The resort is less than 2 miles from Whistler Village, making it a great basecamp.
We were able to stay close to the action and still have a peaceful retreat at the end of the day. Plus, if you avoid showers in your rig, like us, I’m pretty sure the floors in the bathroom were heated and the water was always warm after a cold day on the mountain.
Oh, and if you need to dig yourself out of your spot the night before you have to check out, the staff will happily loan you one of their many snow shovels.
Where did we park:
We parked in a few different locations throughout the week.
Before we go too far into the details, remember that people flock to Whistler after fresh powder has fallen and on weekends. The earlier you can get to the parking lot, the better your chance at getting a spot. There is a bus route near the RV Park, but we never used it. Something about walking that far in ski boots made me roll the dice on parking each day.
The Paid Options
The paid options will put you in the middle of the two mountains, with entertainment and shopping at the base villages of each. There are 5 paid lots between the mountains, ranging in prices. The longer the walk, the cheaper the lot, with Lot 1 being the most expensive and first to fill up. On most days, you should be able to find parking until 9:30, but be aware that the mountain can get busy based on weather and day of the week.
The Free Options
There are 3 free lots at the Mid-Load station of the Excalibur Gondola, which will take you to the Whistler Village or to ski runs on Blackcomb Mountain. You will be able to ski straight to your car from the Blackcomb side, and it will be very easy to access your car and belongings throughout the day. Remember it runs until late (6:30pm), so you can always finish the day on the Whistler side, enjoy the after skiing festivities, and still get to your car without having to hike up the mountain.
The free places fill up quickly, so if you are planning on skiing mid-week or getting to the parking lot before 8:30am, you should be able to get a spot in one of the 3 lots (Parking Lots 6-8). A tip for those late to arrive, locals will ski a few runs then head out for the day. Make sure to check people coming off of the mountain and opening spots, even when the lot has a “Full” sign out front.
What did we eat and drink:
This place is the quintessential modern apres-ski bar. This place is Electric. You can hear it coming down your last run, when headed for Whistler village. When we went, there were two DJs, people dancing on wicker tables in ski boots, bros in ski goggles getting hit by champagne guns, and girls dressed as if they were in an Aspen magazine from the 80s. There was a cover $20 to get in, but it was worth every penny. Drinks were expensive, but we didn’t care. The atmosphere was better than I will ever be able to describe. It was a club type atmosphere but in the most welcoming way possible. I’m not sure I would be able to go every night, but it's worth going at least once while on a trip.
Here is a highlight of our time at Longhorn Saloon
On the opposite side, there is Merlin’s. And when I say “opposite”, I mean in just about every way. Merlin’s is in Blackcomb village, they have a super chill ski lodge vibe, fantastic local beers, some of the best wings I’ve had in a long time, and a plate of nachos that will feed the entire group. While the music is playing, it’s all the hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. There is something so nice about walking in, grabbing a beer, being surrounded by the hustle and bustle, but still being able to discuss your favorite runs and dramatic wipeouts.
For dinner, we went to Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, twice. And we never go anywhere twice. While the food was good, it was overshadowed by the atmosphere. Both nights there was live music, dancing, singing, and all the Guiness you can drink.
Outside of the villages, we went to Tacos La Cantina. They have one of the best burritos that I’ve had since being in the Southwest. Their quesadillas aren’t bad either. Both will top you off after a long day on the mountain, giving you the fuel to get back out there the next day.
When you are on Blackcomb Mountain, the Crystal Hut is a must visit. It is located at the top of the Crystal Express chair. Go in the afternoon, around 2:30. The crowds will have cleared and you will not have to wait too long for your waffle. Pick a waffle, potentially grab a coffee and Bailey’s, and enjoy.
Grocery Option
Outside of going out to eat, Nesters Market had everything we needed for a week’s worth of groceries and one pharmacy run. It is just across from Riverside Resort. Also, Nesters Liquor Store is below, making this a one stop shop.
Pros and Cons of Whistler
PROS
This is the largest resort in North America, consisting of two mountains and over 8,000 skiable acres. If you can’t find numerous runs that fit your abilities and desires, I don’t know what to tell you. Whistler has everything, from great groomers, tons of moguls, fun tree runs, almost endless number of bowls, and extreme terrain that will make even the best skiers think twice. We skied 9 days and there are still areas that were not explored.
While Whistler is huge, it's surprisingly easy to navigate. While some large mountains require you to choose a side for the day, you can get to just about anywhere on Whistler fairly quickly (assuming lift lines aren’t too long). Both mountains are well organized and both have nice lodges in the middle that feel like a basecamp for just about any lift. Plus the Peak 2 Peak gondola allows you to jump from mountain to mountain in 11 minutes.
CONS:
As stated above, Whistler is amazing. Due to this, it can get crowded. When we were there, we received the largest snowfall of the season, leading to a ton of people flocking to the mountain. It was difficult to find a lift line that was under a 15 minute wait, until late in the day. Some of the most popular lifts had waits of 45+ minutes. I’m talking about you, Seventh Heaven and Symphony.
Due to the location of the mountain, the weather can vary drastically from day to day or even run to run. Actually, one run can feel like you are on 3 different mountains. I highly suggest packing low-light goggle lenses. Because the weather changes so often, The mountain can feel very different throughout the week. This can also be seen as a pro, because the runs will feel very different throughout the week.
Getting to Whistler, like most ski resorts, can be a challenge. If the conditions are nice, the mostly two-lane winding road shouldn’t be an issue. If conditions are difficult for driving, which typically means conditions are great for skiing, it can make for a long trip from Vancouver.
WHISTLER VS BLACKCOMB
Whistler Mountain
Whistler is made up of two separate mountains, operated as one. Each has their own base and gondola/lift system, but they are connected with the Peak 2 Peak gondola.
Whistler Mountain has incredibly long runs, a picturesque peak, arguably the most fun lift (Symphony), and the most energetic base after your last run. Each day, I was literally dancing down the last drop into the village. It has the famous ski racing runs, Olympic rings for beautiful photo opportunities, and Peak Express.
Peak Express is worth the wait, every time. It will lead you to the longest run at the resort (Peak to Creek), Whistler Bowl, which drops you right under the lift in front of what feels like the whole resort, and terrifying runs that will keep your fingers tingling if you don't know where you are going. Getting on the lift gave me that ‘climbing a roller coaster’ feeling. Such a great feeling.
Symphony is much more relaxing, with incredibly fun blue bowls, glades that are spaced far enough apart for even novice tree skiers, and what seems like an endless number of options, if you want to keep lapping the chair. Keep an eye on lift times, they can get pretty long.
Blackcomb
The Blackcomb side is more challenging. It felt steeper in most locations, the trees were tighter, the runs were more moguled out, and there was a feeling that the more advanced skiers were on that side. Just about every lift had blue, black and double black runs. There were cliffs everywhere.
The temptation to push yourself past your limit is constantly nagging, and often indulged. One of the most famous “Hike To” terrain of any resort, Spanky’s Ladder, is about a 50ft hike off the Glacier Express. This is well worth the investment. It will test your nerves, especially after watching people “cliffed out” on YouTube. But fear not, there will be plenty of experienced skiers to point you in the direction of a safe route down.
While I loved them both, if I had to choose a favorite side, I would probably choose Blackcomb. Even without the waffles, Blackcomb had my favorite runs and the runs I still regret not getting to ski.
Overall Thoughts
Whistler is properly rated as one of the best ski resorts in the world. The group I went with has already discussed going back either next year or the year after, and the two of us have discussed staying for at least 2 weeks next time.
The entertainment off the mountain is better than any other resort that we have been to, and 2nd place isn’t even close. The villages are so simple to navigate and the parking isn’t a nightmare, looking at you Park City.
As for skiing, I’m still watching YouTube videos of runs, checking my GoPro footage, and planning how I would attach the mountain on a trip that hasn’t been planned yet. Whistler will make you a better skier. The advanced terrain is easy to access and comes to you in spades.
