Whistler Blackcomb 2023 Winter Tip Sheet
THE WHISTLER BLACKCOMB EXPERIENCE
The power of the landscape, the towering mountains, the crisp air and glinting snow all cast the trivial aside and draw your focus to what’s truly important. Whistler Blackcomb is a real force of nature...it manifests itself in our undeniable reputation, our legendary terrain, our reliably deep snow and one-of-a-kind PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. We’re all drawn here for different reasons. Some are attracted to a mountain town with an undisputed atmosphere. Others are pulled in by the pedestrian village with ski-in/ski-out lodging. Many seek our outdoor adventures that range from just-enough to over-the-top. Then there’s the world-famous après, five-star dining, spas, shopping, or nightlife that are hard for anyone to resist. And at the center of it all, the two largest, consistently top-ranked, mountains in North America create a place with limitless possibilities.
SHARED TERRIRTORIES: LIL’WAT NATION AND SQUAMISH NATION
Whistler Blackcomb operates on the shared unceded territories of the Lil'wat Nation and Squamish Nation who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. Our team has deep gratitude for the opportunity to live and work in this beautiful place, colonially known as Whistler. This is a gift that is shared with both the Lilwat7úl and S ̓ ḵwx̱wú7mesh. We encourage all guests of the resort to visit our friends at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for an opportunity to respectfully learn about these lands, their people and culture.
BIG MOUNTAINS MEAN BIG OPPORTUNTIES
What is Big-Mountain skiing + snowboarding? Big-mountain is a style of skiing and snowboarding often seen in ski movies, including deep powder, big turns on long, steep vertical descents and, usually, cliff drops. Powder hounds of all abilities won’t want to miss out on the otherworldly experience Whistler Blackcomb provides.
Looking for expert instruction? Whistler Blackcomb’s world-class snow school instructors can help with tips and tweaks for your turns, while acting as your local guide to the best powder stashes among the 16 alpine bowls and 200+ runs of these dual mountains. An added value is that your guides know all the best food and drink locations when you’re not ripping up and down the mountain. For lunch, the best options are Steeps Grill & Wine Bar on Whistler or fine dining at Christine’s on Blackcomb. After your ski-out, ask guides about après at Dusty’s, Merlin's, or Garibaldi Lift Company. They’ll gladly help you find the right location for unbuckling your boots.
Pro tip: Book a guide and share the cost with up to six of your friends and family, so you all can enjoy the experience together. For a luxury experience, use the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School Concierge service for our exclusive private lesson clientele, who help arrange lessons and reservations at various restaurants, as well as activities outside of snow school.
A NEW SEASON BRINGS ANOTHER NEW EPIC LIFT UPGRADE ON WHISTLER MOUNTAIN THIS WINTER
NEW: Fitzsimmons Express Fitzsimmons Express is being upgraded from a 4-pack to an 8-pack chair. Construction is in the final stages with completion targeted early into Whistler Blackcomb’s 2023/24 ski and ride season. Once completed, this new lift will significantly reduce wait times, improve circulation on-mountain, and increase uphill capacity by 73% in winter.
UNLOCK THE MOUNTAIN WITH THE NEW MY EPIC APP
NEW: This season, the My Epic app is now available to download to help skiers and riders unlock an incredible mountain experience at Whistler Blackcomb. The My Epic app offers a range of exciting features, including:
• Mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and base conditions
• Interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking
• Personalized stats, including vertical feet, number of lift rides and other data
While the My Epic app will also offer a Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets feature at Vail Resorts’ 36 owned and operated U.S. resorts, this feature will not be available at Whistler Blackcomb this season, because the resort’s current gate system is not compatible with the Bluetooth TM technology required for Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets. We expect these features to be available at Whistler Blackcomb in the near future, but in the meantime, US Pass Holders visiting our resort this winter should bring their physical passes with them. If you do not have a physical pass, one can be printed for you at any of our Guest Services locations.
HONE YOUR SKILLS WITH WORLD-CLASS SKI AND SNOWBOARDING CLINICS
RETURNING: Join The Camp for the ultimate multi-day ski experience at Whistler Blackcomb. Our Coaches are classified as a unique breed of awesomeness. Whether you want to develop your skills, discover the secrets of our incredible mountains, or you're just looking for an incredible vacation experience, The Camp is 'here to help...'
• Who: Adults (19+); Intermediate to Advanced
• What: Four Full Day Group Ski Program, racecourse training, video analysis and giveaway opportunities
• When: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Arrive and be ready to start by 8:45 AM
• Where: At Pika's inside the Roundhouse in Whistler Alpine
Kids Adventure Camp: The Kids Adventure Camp has returned to Whistler Blackcomb and will be running out of all three base areas for the 2023/24 season. The five-day program is offered from the Whistler base and Blackcomb base, and the three-day program is offered from the Creekside base.
Women’s Only Options: Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of ski and ride camps for women. Whether you picked up the sport last year or enjoy a double black diamond with your morning coffee, this resort offers clinics to help hone your skills under top female coaches. Options:
• The Helly Hansen Women’s Ski Camp—two days of skiing instruction with a variety of options for firsttimers, beginners and advanced skiers. Your instructors will assess your ability and help place you at the right skill level to ensure you feel comfortable.
• Showcase Women’s Snowboard Camps—expand your access to terrain, meet new people and grow your love of snowboarding in this two-day intensive.
Extremely Canadian: For those truly keen to take on a big mountain adventure, Extremely Canadian’s ski and snowboard clinics will maximize what the Coast Mountains have to offer. Take one of their highly-sought after Steep Skiing Clinics to unveil untouched powder, chutes you didn’t know were there and the technical skills to confidently challenge tough terrain. Select from one or two-day clinics led by an instructor skilled at placing students in classes appropriate to their skill level to ensure everyone is charging lines they didn’t know they could. If you want the mountain to yourself with a guide, private clinics are also available to give skiers and riders focus. Ex-Can also offers technical education for avalanche skills training, crevasse and glacier travel, and big mountain awareness classes designed to ensure you arrive home safely after a long day of big mountain skiing.
Ski with an Olympian: Want the most exclusive ski lesson at Whistler Blackcomb? Try our Ski with an Olympian program. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from the best that this sport has to offer. While skiing with the Olympians, they’ll share tales of their glory, what it took to get them into the upper echelon of the sport and why they’ve made Whistler Blackcomb their permanent home. This exclusive ski lesson can be done with a group or as a private one-on-one lesson.
MAKE THE MOST OF OUR RETAIL AND RENTAL SERVICES
This season, guests can maximize their time enjoying our mountain with equipment rental delivery through Epic Mountain Rentals with fittings available at a location of choice. When looking for gear customization options, be sure to check out CanSki and Showcase Snowboards in Whistler Village for bootfitting services. Guests can also enjoy cutting edge tuning at Blackcomb Daylodge, newly installed summer.
FIRST TRACKS BY TELUS
A popular option among visitors and locals, this unique product allows skiers and riders to get an early gondola upload and the first turns of the day. This program includes a $17 CAD one-time voucher to be used at any time throughout the day with light refreshments available at the top. Please note, the voucher will be valid at any Whistler Blackcomb Food & Beverage location.
ON-MOUNTAIN DINING RETURNS
We strive to provide a variety of options for all our guests who wish to dine with us! There’s so much to look forward to this winter, with robust on-mountain dining options in our quick-serve lodges. Glacier Creek, Rendezvous and Roundhouse will continue to offer more diverse food options. Japanese ramen, fresh grains and greens bowls, Indian curry, Thai and Mexican-inspired options will be on the menu alongside the staple burgers and fries.
Elsewhere on our mountains, the famous, fully-loaded buttermilk waffles will return at the Crystal Hut this season. At the top of Garbanzo Express, be sure to stop by Chic Pea Hut for freshly made cinnamon buns. After reaching the top of the new Creekside Gondola, stop into Raven’s Nest for Indigenous-inspired cuisine.
For those interested in a more high-end experience, we recommend visiting Steeps Grill and Wine Bar in the Roundhouse or Christine’s fine dining in the Rendezvous. They are Whistler Blackcomb’s two premium Alpine full-serve restaurants and both set to open in early December with unique contemporary cuisine. There’s nothing like savoring a glass of B.C. wine while you look out over the Coast Mountain range!
APRÈS EVERY DAY!
In the valley, Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC), Merlin’s Bar and Grill, and Dusty’s will all return with their famous après and great menu selection. Our team is working on more activations with DJs, bands and entertainment to bring them back to life for this upcoming season. Already confirmed for this season are local-favourite band, The Hairfarmers, performing at Merlin’s Mon, Wed and Fri and at Dusty’s on Tues & Saturdays.
CLASSIC ON-HILL EVENTS ARE BACK IN FULL FORCE
Whistler Blackcomb hosts a large variety of events each year – both on-and-off the mountain. We’re excited to see these return again for the 2023/24 season. Some major things to look out for are the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, as well as local favorites including weekly Fire and Ice Shows in Whistler Village, the 38 th Annual Peal to Valley Race, Whistler Cup, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, and Creekside Classic. To stay in the know, keep an eye on our events page.
WINTER SIGHTSEEING
At 436m/1,427ft above the valley floor, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is the world’s highest lift of its kind and a marvel of engineering linking Blackcomb Gondola to the Village Gondola in one continuous lift system. Explore the mountains free from the weather outside and stop in Whistler’s Roundhouse for access to Steeps and the Umbrella Bar or enjoy a fine dining experience on Blackcomb at Christine’s Restaurant. All this is available while taking in beautiful 360-degree views of the Coast Mountain range.
FUN FILLED ACTIVITIES THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY
A variety of kids and family-friendly ski activities will be open for the 2022/23 ski and ride season.
On the mountains, Whistler Blackcomb’s specially designed family zones, amazing Whistler Kids Snow School, enchanted Tree Fort and Magic Castle are guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s faces. The bubly™ Tube Park will be open this winter, offering great fun for the young and the young at heart. Guests can feel the wind in their face as they cruise down an exhilarating tubing hill. Located in the Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb Mountain.
Down in Whistler Village, there’s no shortage of things to do. Fire and Ice is a free, family-friendly event returning this year. Every Sunday night during winter, guests can see a spectacular display of ski and snowboard skills in Skier's Plaza. Additionally, free ice skating will be open in Whistler Village – a great option for families in the evening.
WHISTLER HELI SKI
Can you imagine carving turns down majestic mountains with just you and your friends? Imagine having an area 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb to do it in? How would you choose where to go next? At Whistler Heli Skiing, our guides have been making these tough choices for our guests for 43 bliss-filled years. An exclusive heli ski tenure that covers 432 acres and holds more than 173 glaciers, we do high alpine heli skiing and riding better than anybody.
Don’t leave Whistler without this experience of a lifetime! Call to book your adventure today: 1-888-HELISKI
Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass Holders receive 20% OFF single day Whistler Heli-Skiing Packages by calling 1-888- 435-4754 or 1-604-905-3337 or emailing Whistler Heli-Skiing to book. To enjoy your 20% savings, please reserve your trip by December 18, 2023. Bookings made after this date, must be purchased 30 days or more in advance to qualify for the discount. Don't miss this chance for your experience of a lifetime.
NEW: Dawn Patrol is a new offering exclusive to guests of Whistler Heli Ski when we are unable to fly. It is a First Tracks Experience made possible by the unique proximity of our heli ski operation to Whistler Blackcomb. When unable to fly, guests will meet their guide and load ahead of regular opening, being the first to access Blackcomb Mountain for the day! The group is led by our experienced guides, skiing and riding runs before anyone else. Once the crowds arrive, guests enjoy lift line priority for the rest of the tour – a great opportunity to learn favourite local stashes, improve technique ahead of heli skiing, and have a unique and elevated experience on Whistler Blackcomb.
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
Dates and Hours:
2023-2024 Season: Thursday November 23, 2023 – Monday, May 20, 2024 (dates are subject to change and are conditions dependent). Hours of operations (PST) variable depending upon time of year (always check WhistlerBlackcomb.com for the latest, including the lifts and terrain page).
Elevations:
Whistler Village: 675m / 2,214ft
Creekside Base Area: 653m / 2,140ft
Whistler Highest Lift Elevation: 2182m / 7,160ft
Blackcomb Highest Lift Elevation: 2284m / 7,49ft
Ski Area:
Together, Whistler and Blackcomb form the largest ski area in North America at 8,171 acres (33 km2) with more than 200 runs to choose from!
Trail Difficulty:
Whistler
• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 25%
Blackcomb
• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 30%
Lifts:
Whistler Blackcomb is served by 16 lifts; 2 gondolas, 6 high-speed quads, 1 fixed-grip triple and 7 surface lifts (2 T-Bars and 5 carpet lifts), as well as the end-station for the PEAK 2 PEAK.
Snowfall:
Over the past ten years, Whistler Blackcomb has received an average of 10.8 metres (35.5 ft) of snow a year. All this natural bounty is supported by extensive snowmaking infrastructure. A 270-strong fleet of state-of-the-art snow-guns ensures increased snow coverage in the early and late season and boosts the quality and coverage of our snow all winter long.
MEDIA RESOURCES
Please email Nick Voutour (nicholas.voutour@vailresorts.com) for image and b-roll requests to use in editorial pieces. Please credit the photographer listed and Whistler Blackcomb in a visible location near the image.