Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to open on November 22, 2024 (subject to change), and there are a few changes for this season that you need to know about before you hit the slopes, but before we start with what’s new, let’s just recap what’s not. Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort, with 200+ runs over 8,100 acres of terrain. It has reliable snowfall, moderate temperatures and a long snow season (November to May) thanks to its West Coast locale, and has been voted Best Ski Resort in North America multiple times.
Whistler, Where Winter Goes Big
What happens here is big mountain skiing, the kind of skiing and snowboarding you see in the movies. You know, powder in the face, graceful, arcing turns on long, vertical descents and cliff drops with pillowy landings. While that’s simply amazing, it’s worth noting that seventy-five percent of Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain is green and blue (beginner and intermediate), so you can work your way up to those powder turns, or cruise the corduroy at your own pace and take in the incredible views of the Coast Mountains.
Shared Territories: Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation
Whistler Blackcomb operates on the shared territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. We recommend a trip to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre while you’re here to learn about the land, people and culture of the First Nations.
Day Passes for Whistler Blackcomb – Buy Yours Now
All Whistler Blackcomb Pass sales typically end at the start of December including the Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass – these Passes offer some of the lowest rates to ski / ride this season. They aren’t date-specific and don’t have to be used consecutively. After this time, you will only be able to purchase date-specific lift tickets for the mountain and the cost can be more than double (our advice: if you know you’re coming to ski or ride Whistler Blackcomb at some point this season, buy your passes now). Epic Passes also offer significant value, while Edge Cards, available for Canadians and Washington State residents are another great money-saving option.
To prioritize the guest experience and Pass Holders, Whistler Blackcomb is limiting lift ticket sales during the season, yet again another reason to buy your passes early! Read more in Secrets to Whistler Blackcomb Lift Ticket Savings.
Whistler’s Winter Weather
As we’re located in the Coast Mountain Range, Whistler Blackcomb consistently offers reliable snow conditions, with an average annual snowfall of 10.8 metres (426 inches / 35.5 feet) per year. To put this in perspective, that’s the length of a bus or the height of a three-storey building.
This season, a La Niña weather pattern is expected to develop and hang on through the season, which means British Columbia might have a wet winter and we know that means snow in the mountains!!!!
Opening Day
Whistler Blackcomb is due to open on Friday, November 22, 2024. As always, this date depends on Mother Nature and all the operational checks that have to happen before the lifts start to turn. The Roundhouse Lodge, Glacier Lodge and Rendezvous Lodge are all set to be open from day one, as are the GLC, Dusty’s and Merlin’s.
What’s New at Whistler Blackcomb?
New Jersey Cream Express Chairlift
The newly upgraded Jersey Cream Express chairlift will make its highly anticipated debut this winter. This new high-speed, six-person chair will improve uploading capacity, getting guests on the snow faster in the Glacier Creek Zone of Blackcomb Mountain.
It’s one of several lift upgrades Whistler Blackcomb has invested in in recent years, as just last year the Fitzsimmons Express was replaced with a high-speed, 8-person chairlift. The upgrade helped reduce lift line wait times out of the base at Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village, increasing uphill capacity and improving circulation in the mid-mountain area.
Skip the Ticket Line with a Mobile Pass
This year, you can buy your lift ticket or pass online and then activate it in the My Epic app. When you arrive at a Whistler Blackcomb chairlift or gondola you’ll get scanned by Bluetooth ® technology designed for low-energy use. This gives you a hands-free, one-stop app for lift access, real-time resort updates, personalized stats and account info.
To ensure a smooth transition, Whistler Blackcomb will continue to provide and activate physical cards for passes and lift tickets during the 2024/25 season, as requested.
7 On-Mountain Dining Must-Dos
Whistler Blackcomb has 14 on-mountain dining locations, so we thought we’d give you a hit list of some of our favourite things to munch on while we’re on the slopes.
- The Horstman Hut (top of 7th Heaven) is back with a European-style selection of sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels and mustards.
- Japanese Ramen and Indian Curry at Glacier Creek Lodge, Rendezvous and Roundhouse
- Loaded, buttermilk waffles at the Crystal Hut
- Cinnamon buns at Chic Pea
- Indigenous-inspired cuisine at Raven’s
- Flight of BC wines at Christine’s or Steeps
- Caesar at the Umbrella Bar
BONUS: Watching The Hairfarmer’s play at Merlin’s while working on a mountain of nachos (okay, not on-mountain, but worth the shout-out)
Whistler Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School
Ski and snowboard school is available for adults and children aged three and up of all skill levels. Lessons are the best way to get ahead on the slopes, whether you’re on them for the first time, the first time in a while or you’re looking to enhance the skills you already have. One of the big benefits is lift line priority, so you get to skip any queues!
The adult, four-day program called The Camp is a good option and for the kiddos, there are the Kids 3 and 5 Day Adventure Camps (there’s consistency in them having the same instructor for the 5-day camp). Read what it’s like to join one of the all-women camps in Confidence Boost: Women’s Ski Camps in Whistler.
We strongly recommend making a booking well in advance of your lesson date to ensure availability. Making advance bookings during peak periods, like the festive season and school holidays, is a must to guarantee your preferred lesson type and time.
Whistler Blackcomb First Tracks
Want to get on the slopes before the majority of other riders? Grab yourself some First Tracks tickets. These tickets allow holders up the mountain early, but that does mean you’ve got to be at the Whistler Village Gondola at 7:30 AM and one of the first 600 people to make it up there.
Your ticket also includes a $17 voucher to be spent at Whistler Blackcomb on-mountain locations that day. Take a coffee for the initial lineup and then reward yourself after those fresh laps with a gooey cinnamon bun or waffle breakfast!
Family Certified Zones on Whistler Blackcomb
The Family Certified Zones include the Magic Castle and Tree Fort. Check the Whistler Blackcomb website for updates throughout the season.
Sightseeing on Whistler Blackcomb
You don’t need to be on skis or a snowboard to enjoy the incredible alpine views. The PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience will be open for sightseeing daily, beginning opening day, November 22. Find out more about this experience in our blog, Mountain Sightseeing for Non-Skiers.
Whistler Blackcomb Fire & Ice Show
The Fire & Ice Show returns once again this season to the base of Whistler Mountain on Sunday nights. This spectacular display of pyrotechnics, music, live entertainment and world-class freestyle skiing and riding happen on Sunday nights during the winter season. Learn about the legend of Spo7ez, a village shared by the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation and see a performance by world champion hoop dancer, Alex Wells. Dress warmly, grab a hot chocolate and prepare to be amazed.
Fire & Ice is presented by Whistler Blackcomb, in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler.
Whistler Heli-Skiing
Whistler Heli-Skiing typically starts flying in early December (weather dependent). Their exclusive tenure consists of 432,000 acres of classic, big mountain terrain. This includes 173 glaciers and 475 runs in an area 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb. If heli-skiing is on your bucket list book in and make it happen!
IF guests of Whistler Heli Ski can’t fly they offer Dawn Patrol, where guests meet their guide and load ahead of the regular opening, being the first to access Blackcomb Mountain for the day! The group is led by experienced guides, skiing and riding runs before anyone else. Once the crowds arrive, guests enjoy lift line priority for the rest of the tour – a great opportunity to learn favourite local stashes, improve technique ahead of heli-skiing, and have a unique and elevated experience on Whistler Blackcomb.
bubly Tube Park
The family-favourite bubly Tube Park (opening TBD) is accessible by taking the Excalibur Gondola out of Whistler Village (it’s free for foot passengers) or by driving and parking in Lot 8. There’s 1,000 feet of sliding bliss to be had on the multiple lanes and there’s no slogging it back to the top thanks to the handy conveyor belt.
It’s typically open nightly to around 8 PM (always check times) and is a great après ski or evening activity. The ride is family-friendly although children must be three years old and taller than 36 inches (91 centimetres) to partake. We advise wearing your snow boots!
Events on Whistler Blackcomb
Mark your calendars for Whistler Blackcomb’s classic events like the Peak to Valley Race, Whistler Cup, Creekside Classic, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, and World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 comes to Whistler this February for the first-ever winter edition featuring Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb (minimal terrain impacts). It’s an international adaptive sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and Veterans, bringing together over 500 competitors from over 20 nations. These Games are a demonstration and celebration of the human spirit and you’re invited to be part of the journey.
Keep an eye on our Local’s Lists for smaller, on-mountain events that are happening in the month.
If you want help navigating some of this information just connect with the locally-based team at Whistler.com or use the Ask Whistler live chat service for quick questions.
Winter lives longer here – we’ll see you soon!
Book your winter trip with Whistler Blackcomb Day Passes starting from $94 CAD per day, 30% off lodging and 40% off rentals (free kids' rentals). Epic Coverage is included for free so you can plan ahead with peace of mind.
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