Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Skiing
No matter what your skill level, the skiing at the Whistler and Blackcomb Moun-
tains—consistently rated as North America's number-one ski destination—makes for a
winter holiday you won't forget in a hurry. The two lift-served mountains are separated
by a steep-sided valley through which Fitzsimmons Creek flows, with lifts converging at
WhistlerVillage.Skiingcoversalmost3,000hectares(7,400acres),comprisingmorethan
200 groomed runs, hundreds of unmarked trails through forested areas, three glaciers, and
12 bowls. The lift-served vertical rise of Blackcomb reaches 1,609 meters (5,280 feet),
the highest in North America, but Whistler is only slightly lower at 1,530 meters (5,020
feet). In total, the resort has 34 lifts, including 3 gondolas, 12 high-speed quad chairlifts, 5
triples, 1 double, and 12 surface lifts. The terrain is rated Intermediate over 55 percent of
theresort,withtheremaining45percentsplitevenlybetweenBeginnerandExpert.Snow-
boarders are well catered to with four terrain parks and numerous half-pipes. The length
of the season is also impressive, running from November to early May, with the Horstman
Glacier open for skiing for a few weeks of summer.
For many visitors, the resort can be overwhelming. Trail maps detail all of the marked
runs, but they can't convey the vast size of the area. An orientation tour, An orientation
tour, included with your lift pass, offers a great way to get to know the mountain skiers
and boarders; these leave throughout the day from various meeting points (ask when and
wherewhenyoubuyyourskiliftpass).
Whistler Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School
(604/932-3434,
www.wbsss.com
), based beside the ticket office, is the country's largest
skischoolandoffersvariouslessonpackagesandprograms,suchastheEsprit,athree-day
women's-only “camp” that provides instruction in a variety of disciplines.
Lift tickets are priced as follows: adults $108, seniors and youth $86, children $54, and
those under seven ski for free. The resort's website (
www.whistlerblackcomb.com
) con-
tains everything you need to know about the resort and booking winter accommodation
packages, or you can call the general
information desk
(604/967-8950 or 866/218-9690).
Cross-Country Skiing
Many kilometers of trails wind through snow-covered terrain in the valley, but the main
destination for cross-country skiers is
Whistler Olympic Park
(5 Callaghan Valley Rd.,
