Day Trip to Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler, BC is one of the most inspiring destinations to visit in Canada. The village is nestled in the valley of the beautiful Garibaldi Mountain Range just 1h 30 mins from downtown Vancouver on Canada’s West Coast. The town really comes alive in the busy ski season, attracting visitors from around the world for winter holidays, day-trips and longer-term working holidays. Start the day with a welcoming “Gooddday Mate” from one of the many rad Australians on the gondola ride up the mountain and seek out the freshest powder along the 200+ kms of trails.
Day lift tickets are available online and it’s absolutely worth the hefty price-tag. Whistler sees endless amounts of fresh, light, powdery snow in peak season, making skiing the steep slopes and groomed trails an amazing experience. After a long day, visiting one of the many local pubs to eat, drink up and warm up by the fire. Travelers can hitch a ride directly by either renting a car, or catching a shuttle bus from Vancouver or the YVR Airport.
Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America and sees over 2 million visitors a year. Whistler village, is the ultimate ski town, packed with great bars, wooden lodges, so many Australians, and fun events!
The one thing that hurts about Skiing at Whistler is the price of a lift ticket. Season passes go for $1400 CAD ($1,100 USD) if you buy early. A day’s lift ticket can cost up to $140+tax CAD ($107 USD). Most of the major Ski Resorts in Europe charges less than half that! Add in a hotel or Airbnb, food, restaurants and possibly equipment rentals on top!
The town of Whistler, was really developed in 1965 after a failed bid to host the Winter Olympics. The second mountain, Blackcomb, opened for skiing in 1980 and the two mountains merged into one ski resort in 2003, the same year they officially won the bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics Games.
Whistler is even worth a visit for those that aren’t big into skiing. The town is located in the stunning Fitzsimmons Range of mountains the seemingly extended forever into the horizon.
There is no greater way to experience the view than a helicopter tour, which is way too expensive for the average traveller. Luckily for us there is the Peak2Peak Gondola, a 4.4 km ride from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb!
Despite living in Vancouver and visiting Whistler frequently to ski, I never did take the gondola ride. I usually stayed on one mountain all day riding between the top and mid sections rather than switching between the two mountain peaks. It’s something I regret, but I’m sure i’ll get the chance to experience it eventually.
The gondola holds the record for the longest unsupported distance between two cable-car towers. Very specific but aren’t all records these days oddly specific.
Today, tourists and locals can ski all day on over 200km of trails that stretch over 8,000 acres of mountainside terrain. There are over 26 ski lifts that’ll bring you up to 2,284 m in elevation.
I loved Whistler. Working in Vancouver, I spent my weekends waking up early and hitting to road for the 1.5 hour drive to Whistler in time for the first lift at 8:30 am. The first lift is a special experience, the first to lay down tracks in the early morning on the fresh powdered snow!
Luckily at Whistler there are many back-country trails that aren’t groomed, so even towards the end of the day you can find some fresh powder. On Blackcomb there are spot that require a little extra hiking but reward you with pristine untouched slopes.
Daily Equipment Rentals
Tourists visiting Whistler, BC during the winter ski season have a handful of local shops nearby that rent ski or snowboard equipment. Daily rentals range from $40 to $100 CAD per day for adults and $20 to $50 CAD for kids. If you bring your own boots or helmet, it’s slightly less.
The obvious choice is the in house rental shop: Whistler Blackcomb Rentals, located at the based of the mountain near the gondolas. The other shops are located around Whistler Village and offer slightly better rates, or even deliver and fit your rentals at your hotel.
- Whistler Blackcomb Rentals
- Black Tie Skis – Delivered
- Spicy Sports
- Affinity Sports
- SkiValet Whistler – Delivered
Full Rentals
- Ski or Snowboard
- Ski Poles (for Skis)
- Boots
- Helmet
Other Equipment
- Goggles
- Balaclava/ Face Mask
Eye masks/Goggles seem to never be included in the standard rental packages but are really essential. If you aren’t bringing your own, ask to rent them.
Avalanche Safety
Recently I was talking with my sister about bear safety since she is currently working in the Canadian Rockies, the heart of grizzly bear territory. Being family, we are worried for her safety. To reassure us, she said she was far more likely to die in an avalanche than from a bear attack… Sure enough according to National Geographic roughly 150 people die each year worldwide from avalanches, most of them being snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders.
For most readers who ski regularly, this following information is something probably already know. But it’s worth providing some basic safety tips and resources for travellers visiting from areas with either small ski hills or none at all.
Whistler and Blackcomb are not just perfectly groomed trails from snow-machines. Towards the outer edges of the mountains are many back-country trails, wooded areas and steep rocky cliffs. I nearly flew off a rocky cliff midway down Blackcomb by accident while in a wooded section.
Workers actively use explosives in the mountains to trigger avalanches safely when snows starts accumulating dangerously. While the fresh snowfalls are usually managed this way, and rocky cliffs visibly roped off, some snow cornices may be too fresh to notice. A cornice is a large mound of snow over-hanging a cliff or steep slope. The snow collects to several meters thick but nothing is underneath! As a general rule, don’t approach the edge of a steep slope or cliff unless you know for certainty what’s beneath!
The other danger is tree wells… sounds innocent but I assure you it isn’t. I got stuck head first in the gap around a tree trunk at Whistler and had to shimmy my board loose and use my arms to push myself out feet first. Tree wells can be several meters deep and difficult to get out of should you accidentally fall in. Always ski with a friend or in a group, keeping track of your partner through the more challenging sections of the trails. Stay close, waiting at the chairlift isn’t helpful if you’ve lost sight of your partner on a 30 minute run… They could be anywhere.
Hardcore back-country mountaineers and skiers will carry a variety of safety equipment such as avalanche transceiver (rescue beacon), a small shovel, whistle and first aid equipment. At the major ski resorts, there are ski patrols and first-aid centers, but a whistle is always a good idea! Especially for children, tie one to their jacket and teach them how to use it. Conditions on a ski hill can deteriorate fast, from clear blue skies to snowstorms with low visibility. Always keep an eye on the weather. Avalanche alerts are posted online daily.
Whistler Ski Village
Whistler is a destination, more than a simply ski resort. The village is a lively place to party and drink after a long day on the mountain slopes. Young Canadians, Australians and Kiwis flock to Whistler for a great time and social atmosphere.
It may be cold outside, but inside the restaurants have fireside seating, hot chocolate, cold brews and superb Canadian cuisine! After dark, the clubs come alive and the layers of clothing come off to accommodate. World Crawl operates a pub crawl to 4 bars & clubs, a great opportunity socialize with people coming from all around the world.
For more things to do, check out Keep Exploring Canada, they have a great nightlife guide on Whistler.
Local Hostel Fireside Lodge
- Location Score: 7/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: Yes, 1 Double Bed, 1 Loft Sleeps 5
- Bunks to a Room: 18 Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: No
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: Yes
- Price: $27+ USD for a single dorm bed and $82+ USD for a private room
Fireside Lodge is a member’s owner hostel that rents out bunks. The location is great between Whistler Village and Creekside. A bus stop is down the street to take you to the village. There is a fully equipment kitchen for your use in the common room. Lots of games, fireplaces and very hygge!
There is a storage room for boards and other ski equipment that is locked at night for security purposes. This is not a party hostel, as many of the members are older so expect relatively quiet evenings. Bathrooms are shared and there is a sauna on site!
Airbnb Rentals
When it comes to accommodations, Airbnb reigns supreme in Whistler. For solo travelers, a hostel is still the cheapest accommodation, but for couples or a group of friends looking for a private room, Chalet or Villa to rent out, Airbnb has it all!
Prices range from $125 CAD ($95 USD) to $300+ CAD ($224 USD) for a private Villa. Many of the condos in Whistler village have private outdoor hot tubs which I really recommend!
Working the Ski Season
One of the coolest parts of Whistler is the opportunity to spend a winter working the ski-hill resort. Canada has a working holiday program for young adults under 30-35 depending on your country of origin. Many many Australians choose to spend November to April working at Whistler Blackcomb, skiing everyday and enjoying the chill lifestyle.
A friend, Greg from the Uk, even started his online Youtube channel while working on the slopes and living in one of the company provided dormitories.
I’ve been skiing since I was 10 years old and never got into it so much that I went all the time, all season. Working at Whistler, you get the chance to ski everyday, or close to it! For many people, like Greg, they start from complete beginners and end up pretty awesome in just one season on the slopes. I had a tough time keeping up him near the end of the season!
On the last day of the ski season, all the employees not on work shift gather on the slopes to party and dress in summer clothing and costumes; swim trunks, bikinis, sunbreros, and water floaties everywhere! Luckily temperatures can be as high as 30 C degrees in May.
Interested in spending a winter season in Whistler, I recommend checking out these blogs:
Getting to Whistler, BC
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes you on the major 99 highway locally known as the “Sea to Sky” highway. The drive takes 1h 30 mins in good weather and little traffic. Expect none of that on friday-saturday-sundays. Likely, the drive will take just over 2 hours with the last 30 mins in bumper to bumper traffic in something between either light rain or icy-snowfall.
Of course, expect the drivers on the sea to sky to be just as dangerous. Most of the cars are coming from Vancouver (that doesn’t get snow in the winter) and are an affront to decent drivers everywhere. Except Victoria which is even worse.
That being said, the morning drive is wonderful! The views of the mountains and sea in the rising sun is worth bringing your camera out. The windy road is soothing and every new hill crest is a new stunning view.
If you are driving for a day trip, head out early in the morning before 6 am. Pick up a coffee in Squamish, 1 hour into the drive. The traffic in the last leg is awful regardless of the time so having a hot coffee is nice! After 9 am you’ll spend most of the morning staring at tail-lights. Whistler is only open until 3:30-4:00 pm and the best skiing is always in the early morning.
Getting around in Whistler is pretty easy, the municipality operates their own public transit network between the village, Creekside and other outlying areas. A single ride is usually $2.50 CAD ($1.99 USD).
Modo Car Rental
Modo Car Share is a Co-op for people living in lower mainland Vancouver and Victoria. It’s a great service for people staying in the region for longer, such as working holidays, university students, or longer-term vacations.
For travellers visiting Vancouver and Whistler for only a few days to weeks, I’ll include a list of traditional car rental services. Keep in mind car rentals in Canada are more expensive if you are under 25 years old.
Vancouver is the car-sharing capital of North America with over 4.4 car-share vehicles per 1,000 residents. Basically, you sign up online and pay a $500 CAD refundable deposit. Then anytime you need a car, pay an hourly, daily or overnight rate to rent a car, truck or SUV. The cars are parked everywhere around the city, just walk over and pick one up.
Car-sharing services like Modo are great because of the convenience and fair rates. It’s only $50 CAD per day plus $0.30 CAD per Kilometer. Driving to Whistler for a full day of skiing is $80 CAD, split 4 ways was $20 CAD each. You don’t pay for any gas, there is a pre-loaded gas card in the car. Modo isn’t a sponsor, just a good service I used reliably time and time again to visit Whistler.
Whistler Shuttle Buses
Getting to Whistler as a solo-traveler is easiest through a shuttle bus service. The buses bound for Whistler are designed to carry your board and ski equipment, and make the round-trip from Vancouver to accommodate day-trips.
The buses usually leave from downtown Vancouver at 6 am and go directly to Whistler for $15-25 one way or $35-40 round trip. Leaving from YVR airport will cost more. Here is a list of available shuttle bus services:
More Info for Travel to Canada
For your pre-trip downtime, check out our List of Recommended Books, Movies and Podcasts all featuring Canada! Lastly, I recommend picking up a Prepaid SIM Card for your own hotspot device or mobile phone. You can order in advance on our Tallypack Store and have delivered to your hotel upon your arrival!
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