Whistler, Ski Resort > Reviews > Whistler on the cheap

Author's product rating:   

Is it worth visiting?	Excellent
Transport links	Good

Advantages:	Awesome skiing, on and off piste
Disadvantages:	Relatively expensive, variable weather, crowded on weekends

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Whistler in terms of sheer scale has to be the best ski resort I've yet visited. Between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, the skiable area is simply vast. On the right day, skiing in Whistler can beat anything anywhere in the world.

For beginners, Whistler mountain in particular is easily accessible, with easily found green runs running from top to bottom. They tend to be well groomed and thanks to pistes hugely outnumbering lifts, sparsely populated. The ski school too is effective for most levels, and offer several courses at quite reasonable prices.

For more advanced skiers though, Whistler comes into it's own. Seventh Heaven, Peak and Symphony chairs offer access to some awesome bowls and powder fields, as well as easy hikes to remarkable off piste.

There are disadvantages however. On weekends and public holidays, queues can be quite ridiculous, especially in the mid morning. Lift tickets are also hardly cheap if one is staying for a week or more.

The weather can also be very variable - the mountains are subject to coastal weather patterns, so what brings powder one day can bring zero visibility and rain the next. You really can't bet everything on the weather forecast.

All in all I'd recommend Whistler immensely - it is a huge ski resort that caters to pretty much all the skiing you can imagine. Visitors however should be properly prepared - goggles are essential, as is a reasonable selection of clothing. Whistler is not really a resort for casual lounging in the sun.