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Whistler Blackcomb

4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, V0N 1B4
Phone: 800-766-0499 Snow Report: 604-932-4211 (snow report)
Whistler Blackcomb Website

by Crai S. Bower

The first question I used to ask myself each morning in Whistler, British Columbia was whether to spend my day on Blackcomb Mountain, sluicing among the glades below the 7th Heaven chair or venture up Whistler Mountain to splash around in Bagel Bowl. I’ve certainly chased the sun or followed a rumor of untracked snow from one hill to the other on a single day, but I couldn’t help but feel I’d let 45-minutes of potential skiing drop into a crevice. Today, to quote an old SNL Jesse Jackson skit, the question’s moot, because the “Peak 2 Peak” Gondola now connects the two mountains in just 11 minutes flat.

4,100 skiers every hour can admire the views as the (mysteriously unsupported) gondola cable bends above Fitzsimmon’s Creek, at 2.7 miles the longest such conveyance in the world. But Peak 2 Peak is really last year’s news. All the talk this year is the 2010 Winter Olympics, though the gondola means Games goers can ski Blackcomb in the morning, then slip over to Whistler for an afternoon on the ropes watching the Downhill or Super G.

As expected at North America’s perennial #1 ski resort, Whistler’s on-slope offerings are just part of the fun. This is a patio town, the village stroll feels like a red carpet parade between numerous heated porches bustling with après ski energy. Whistler’s dining options change annually but the superior Bearfoot Bistro is not to be missed, the menu’s imaginative, the wine list outstanding. Quattro, Araxi and Trattoria Di Umberto round out the Fab Four dining destinations.
Whistler’s upscale accommodations continue to grow as well, the Whistler Four Season’s townhome rentals are the best of their kind in the entire Pacific Northwest and Fairmont Chateau Whistler caters to myriad families without losing it’s luxurious ambience. Boutique hotels are relatively new to the village, but Nita Lake Lodge, Adara and Aava hotels compare favorably to their downtown Vancouver brethren.

Set among the grand Garibaldi Mountains of the Coastal Range, Whistler takes its environmental stewardship seriously as it works to become the first carbon neutral ski resort on the planet. The city mandates a “Green Checklist” for future development, the entire ski area runs from a Fitzsimmons Creek hydro plant and the new library and Spring Creek Fire Hall are model green structures.

Vibrant living infuses the atmosphere here and visitors can’t help but soak up the vibe, whether descending a mile of powdery vertical, gazing over the valley from a private home rental or sabering a bottle of 1990 Nicolas Feuillatte Palme D’or in the Bearfoot cellar.

*main photo courtesy of Whistler Blackcomb and Coast Mountain Photography (www.coastphotography.com)

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

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Forecast:
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SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20100601T09:50:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
May 09 - 2"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
200
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 38
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
7494 ft 2284 m Vertical:
5280 ft 1609 m Base Elevation:
2214 ft 675 m		 Total Acres:
8171 Total Miles:
N/A
Longest Run:
Easy Out on Blackcomb
7 miles		 Easiest Run:
Olympic (Upper & Lower)		 Steepest Run:
The Cirque
Best Bumps:
Harmony Bowl		 Best Trail Name:
Doom 'N Gloom		  
 

Air Travel

Getting to Whistler Blackcomb is easy...the distance between Vancouver International Airport and Whistler is a short 2 hour drive along the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway, one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the area. Currently, The Vancouver International Airport is served by more than 40 air-carriers, operating 17 International and 22 US scheduled flights, and a broad array of Canadian destinations.

Driving Directions

Whistler-Blackcomb’s gateway city is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The 115km drive north to the resort takes about 2 hours.  Follow highway 99 out of Vancouver (it merges with highway 1 for a while) and exit at no. 2 where the highway splits off to Whistler.

Ground Transportation

Various perimeter shuttle buses operate from the airport or from various hotels in Vancouver, with transport nine times a day. Reservations are required.  For luxurious transport, limousine and helicopter transfers are also possible.

By Train
The Whistler Mountaineer provides train travel from North Vancouver daily at 8:30am for a three-hour scenic journey along the Ski-to-Sky route. Reservations are required.

Walking around the villages is fairly easy as there are walkways that are pedestrian-only. With all the shops, the walk offers a feast for the eyes. 

Another option is to use the various shuttle buses to get around. One of the main routes is a loop from the village to marketplace in the village north, and the Blackcomb mountain base lodge. If you’re staying at Creekside, you need to change buses to get onto this loop.

Some of the upmarket lodges provide their own complimentary shuttles.