Whistler Blackcomb is the biggest ski area in North America, with 8,171 skiable acres, 36 lifts and over 200 marked runs. But don’t let that intimidate you. There are ski runs for every skill level, whether you’ve never skied before or are at an expert level.
With so many runs to choose from, it can be overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed it down for you with this roundup of our favourite ski runs in Whistler.
Peak to Creek is hands down our favourite run on Whistler mountain. It is 11km long, making it the longest run on the mountain and also the longest consistent run in North America. Get ready for a thigh burner! Peak to Creek begins at the very top of Whistler Mountain and ends at the Whistler Creekside gondola. There are two ways to get to the start of the run. One is by taking the Whistler Village Gondola and then the Peak Express. Or you can take the Creekside Gondola, then Big Red Express, then the Peak Express.
We would rank the run intermediate, so while it isn’t the most challenging run on the mountain, you will still need to be relatively comfortable on your skis or snowboard.
The views from this run are some of the best that you will get in the entire resort, looking out over the coastal mountains, so make sure you have your phone ready to snap some pictures. There are some benches where you can stop and rest along the way, but there isn’t anywhere to grab a drink or food, so be aware of that before you start the run. The good news is that there are tons of options to refuel once you get to Creekside Village.
You can hit up BrED for a sourdough loaf, the best coffee, the perfect cinnamon buns, flatbread or other baked vegan treats. Or head to Dusty’s for beers and nachos.
Blue Line is located on Blackcomb Mountain and is a comfortable 3km blue run. It’s a perfect run to start your day, offering gorgeous views out into the valley. It starts from the top of Blackcomb Mountain, at the Horstman Hut, which you can access via the 7th Heaven Express chair. It’s a cruisy run, taking you across Horstman Glacier to the base of the Glacier Express chair.
From there, you can take the Glacier Express and traverse to Blue Line via Crystal Traverse to do it all over again and explore the bowls and chutes on each side of the run. Or, you can take the Jersey Cream Express to Rendezvous Lodge and access the rest of Blackcomb Mountain.
If you have never skied or snowboarded in your life, you will want to start in the Beginners Area, located at mid-station on Whistler Mountain. This is where you’ll find the ski school lessons and some bunny hills that you can learn and practice on.
That said, if you have skied or snowboarded before but consider yourself a beginner, there are many green runs that will suit your level. Our favourite is Ego Bowl. As the name suggests, Ego Bowl is a great run to boost your ego. It isn’t very steep, and it’s super wide, so you can work on your turns without worrying about running into someone else or not having enough space.
You can access Ego Bowl from the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of Whistler Village Gondola. The run ends at the bottom of the Emerald 6 Express chair, which you can take back up and do it all over again.
Just off of Ego Bowl, you’ll find Enchanted Forest, which is the easiest tree run on the mountain and a great place to practice and hone your skills. In general, this is an excellent area for beginners, with other green runs like Upper and Lower Whiskey Jack and Pony Trail all accessible from the Roundhouse Lodge.
To access Sapphire Chutes, you’ll have to do a bit of work. But it’s worth it if you want to push your skills to their limits and access some of the most challenging terrain in Whistler Blackcomb. Only the most serious adrenaline junkies will feel comfortable bombing over the knife-edge ridge and into the chutes.
Head to the top of Glacier Express and hike up Spanky’s Ladder to access the expert, ungroomed terrain, which includes Ruby Bowl, Diamond Bowl and Sapphire Bowl. You’ll find the chutes on the shaded side of the ridge. Sapphire Chute is the most challenging because the only way down is through narrow rock crevices, and it’s a straight line down.
Once you hike up Spanky’s Ladder, there is no way back down, so make sure you’re prepared for the challenge and ready for some serious speed
Tree runs are an excellent opportunity for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders to test their tactical abilities. Plus, they are a ton of fun, especially after a big snowfall! One of the best tree runs in the Whistler Blackcomb resort is Everglades, located on Blackcomb mountain.
It is quite a popular tree run, for a good reason. It’s easy to access, and the trees are decently spread out, making it less treacherous than others on the mountain. Try to hit this run early in the day if you want to snag some of the fresh snow before it gets tracked out by other skiers and snowboarders.
To access Everglades, take the 7th Heaven Express to the top of Blackcomb Mountain, then make your way down either Green Line or Hugh’s Heaven until you see the entrance into the trees. Keep in mind that Everglades is considered a black diamond run, so you should be able to ski at an intermediate level at the minimum.
Do you have a favourite ski run in Whistler that wasn’t mentioned in our list? Pop into BrED in Creekside Village and let us know and have some organic vegan treats while you’re at it!