Winter in Whistler Blackcomb is every exciting seasonal and alpine stereotype rolled into one. You’ll see fir trees straining under the weight of heavy powder, snowy walkways winding past gabled buildings, and a glowing, fresh blanket of white under a crisp morning sun. It’s not all about communing with nature or enjoying the architecture. There’s plenty of partying going on as well. After you’re done shredding the slopes, enjoy the wide variety of equally exhilarating nightlife.

Staying for Special Events

Fear not if you’ve arrived in the busy winter season. Although staying in Whistler Blackcomb can be expensive, finding out where to stay without blowing your budget is easier than it looks. Packages that include lessons and equipment rentals, along with access to seasonal special events and accommodations, are a convenient and economical option. Plan as far in advance as possible to snag these deals and enjoy the local celebrations along with some stellar skiing and boarding.

Such special events abound in the winter and many are free of charge to anyone and everyone in the Village. The Fire and Ice Show is the most famous of these. Every Sunday evening, between the resort’s official opening day in November and the end of the season in April or May, you can enjoy dancing, music, spinning fire and some of Whistler’s most talented boarders and skiers strutting their stuff.

Snow School

Acclaimed as one of the best ski and snowboard schools on the North American continent, the Snow School at Whistler Blackcomb is worth a visit no matter your skill level. Whether you’re a snowboarder who wants to try some new moves in a terrain park, or a new skier who is interested in practicing their skills along with communing with nature, there’s a snow school lesson here for you.

Take private or group lessons from a trained professional who is also a skilled naturist. You’ll enjoy advance placement on lifts and narrated excursions of scenic trails and terrain parks. Other than the wide variety of lessons on skis or boards offered, you can also take a guided ski tour or learn advanced tips form an Olympic skier. You’ll find few other ski resorts or hills with similar options.

Daily Diversity

Start with long, slow slopes to warm up and enjoy the view before switching over to the more advanced hills and even the challenging black diamonds. There are various peaks with platforms built for sightseeing and refreshments when you want to take a moment to enjoy the view and re-hydrate.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola holds the record for being the longest and highest chairlift in the world, and it can take you all the way between the peak of Blackcomb to Whistler Mountain in a single trip. This is just one part of a modern and fast transportation network, a sophisticated transportation hub of gondolas and chair lifts. Virtually every single one of the 200 runs on Whistler Blackcomb is open to you, no matter what your departure point.

Emilio Thompson combines his work in tourism with a passion for the mountains. He loves sharing his Whistler insights and experiences online and writes about all aspects of winter fun on several different travel websites.

Featured Image by False Positives under creative common license