Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort

Whistler Blackcomb: Two Mountains, One Legendary Ski Resort

Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America and one of the best-known in the world, about two hours north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Two side-by-side mountains, linked by the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, offer more than 8,000 acres of terrain, over 200 marked runs, glaciers, alpine bowls and a car-free village at the base.

The mountains

Whistler and Blackcomb mountains each rise more than 1,500 metres from the valley, with everything from wide groomed cruisers and beginner zones to steep chutes, tree skiing and huge alpine bowls. Terrain parks, ski and snowboard school, adaptive programs and sightseeing round out the offer. The resort is owned by Vail Resorts and is included on the Epic Pass.

What's new for 2026–27

• Opening day: Whistler Blackcomb is targeting Friday, November 20, 2026, conditions permitting.
• New Showcase Chair: a new fixed-grip quad chairlift replaces the old Showcase T-Bar on Blackcomb, improving access to the Horstman and Blackcomb glacier terrain.
• Early-season lift hours: from opening day through January 15, 2027, most lifts are planned to run from 9 am to 3:30 pm, before returning to the usual schedule later in the winter.
• Dining: refreshed food and beverage options on the mountain.

Tickets and passes

Lift tickets are priced dynamically, and the cheapest way to ski is to buy ahead. The Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass include Whistler Blackcomb, and the Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass (one to ten days) offers big savings over buying a single-day ticket at the window. Check the official website for current prices.

Getting there from Vancouver

Drive about two hours on Highway 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, through Squamish. Winter tires or chains are required on the highway in the season. Coach services run from downtown Vancouver and YVR airport if you would rather not drive. Weekend traffic heading home on Sunday afternoons can be heavy, so consider staying for dinner or an extra night.

Good to know

• Best for: every level, from first-timers to experts, and multi-day ski trips.
• Season: typically late November into May, conditions permitting.
• Base village: Whistler Village and Upper Village, with hotels, restaurants and après.

Comparing mountains? See our full guide to ski resorts near Vancouver for 2026–27, with opening dates, passes and where to stay.

Photo: 2010-4 Whistler-Blackcomb day trip (16127495416) by Murray Foubister, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.