Whistler Blackcomb at a Glance
Whistler Blackcomb is located in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, and the resort is made up of two side-by-side mountains that are linked by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Together they form one of the largest ski resorts in all of North America.
With 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a wide variety of runs, Whistler Blackcomb is a great option no matter your level of experience. From beginner trails, to high alpine bowls and glaciers for expert skiers and snowboarders, Whistler truly caters for any and all visitors.
About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is synonymous with winter sports, most famously hosting the Winter Olympics back in 2010. It is a vast resort, with experts claiming it to be the largest in all of North America, and it draws visitors with its scenery and variety of activities, across not only the winter but also the summer.
The resort also has an authentic, fun alpine village, home to both fine dining and casual restaurants, as well as boutique shops, art galleries, and a vibrant après-ski scene complete with pubs, bars and distilleries. Its also a great option for guests traveling with children, with an array of kid-friendly experiences on offer.
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A Brief History
While originally conceived as part of the bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics, after the bid failed the resort opened as an entirely separate entity. Shortly after, an intense rivalry between Whistler and Blackcomb developed, and ran for nearly two decades. In 1997 developers struck a deal and Blackcomb Mountain resort made a bid for Whistler, with operations fully merging in 2003. Of course, 1968 wouldn’t be the end of the Olympic dreams. With Vancouver winning the 2010 bid, Whistler Blackcomb went on to host all of the alpine skiing events, including downhill, Super-G, slalom, giant slalom, and ski jumping.
Since then, Whistler Blackcomb has undergone several rounds of redevelopment, including the installation of a third gondola to connect the two resorts, as well as major lift and new accommodation renovations. In 2016 another major upgrade, called “The Renaissance,” took place. This involved not only further chairlift and gondola improvements, but also innovative additions to the resort such as a 163,000-square-foot water park, a suspension bridge over Whistler Mountain’s peak, and a mountain roller coaster. Later that same year, Whistler Blackcomb was sold to Vail Resorts, resulting in its inclusion on the Epic Pass.
MTB Whistler
Whistler in Summer
As winter rolls into summer, the fun isn’t nearly over in Whistler Blackcomb. With 360 degree views of bounteous nature, enhanced by a trip on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, guests won’t tire of the views of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The summer months are also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous activities available. These include the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, 30kms of hiking trails, ATV and side-by-side tours, river rafting, mini golf, heli-yoga and black bear tours.
Whistler Village
The central hub for a Whistler vacation is Whistler Village. Home to the vast majority of Whistler Blackcomb lodging, shopping, eating and drinking, the village is situated at the base of both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains which, during the winter, is ideal for those skiing and snowboarding.
As a pedestrian-only village, guests staying in a Whistler Village condo or hotel are able to fully explore everything the village has to offer, unencumbered. Due to its proximity to the slopes, visitors are treated to an almost ski in ski out Whistler experience, no matter where they stay.
The Heart of Whistler Blackcomb
Home to the Whistler Olympic Plaza
Village North
Whilst Village North may be Whistler Blackcomb’s furthest village, guests need only walk 15-20 minutes or utilize the bus network to reach the slopes. Village North is home to an array of Whistler vacation rentals, from self-catered condos to high-end hotels.
The main hustle of Whistler Village is itself only 5 minutes walk away, so you still enjoy the sights and sounds of its epic nightlife, safe in the knowledge that you have somewhere quiet and reclusive to retire to afterwards. Village North’s most unique feature is that it is home to the Whistler Olympic Plaza, which plays host to an ice rink, kids play area, concerts and events.
Upper/Blackcomb Village
Blackcomb Village, AKA Upper Village, can be found right at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. The village is home to an array of Whistler Blackcomb lodging, including self-catered condos and apartments, as well as luxury hotels like the Fairmont Chateau.
For those looking for a Whistler ski in ski out experience, many of the apartments are situated on the mountain. The village is more quaint than the others, with only a few restaurants, bars and shops. Guests can also find a small supermarket, ski rental and ski school in the village.
Ideal for Ski-in/ski-out
Whistler’s original ski village
Creekside Village
When Whistler ski resort first opened, Creekside Village was the original ski village. Creekside retains all of its authentic, local ski town vibe, and is home to a supermarket, restaurants, a couple of late-night venues and a lift pass window, where guests can collect Whistler lift tickets.
Much the lodging in Creekside is in close proximity to the gondola, making it a great ski-in/ski-out option, although its important to remember that this terrain is best suited to intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders and not beginners.
Our Services
The Travel Whisperer is here to take the hassle out of booking your winter vacation. We have extensive knowledge of our resorts, and will work with you to create a customized itinerary based on your wants and needs, including:
Testimonials
Beautiful home!
Beautiful home in an ideal setting for village activities.
William
Location was perfect!
It was a wonderful family weekend and the location was perfect.
Ann
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