Snowsure: 4.1
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Whistler Blackcomb is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
February 05, 2014
Tim
Tim
January/February 2014, in Whistler; nothing short of horrific snow wise.
Having flown halfway around the world on the back of glowing reviews. The reality of Whistler snow this year is nothing but disappointment.
I would compare Whistlers conditions this year to Perisher, in Australia, in 2014. Ice, ice, manufactured snow and then more ice. The terrain could be fantastic if there was actually any real snow anywhere. The runs are nice and wide, the only problem is you can hardly get an edge in on any of them.
Blackcomb is significantly worse than Whistler itself for some reason, so we have spent most of our time forced on to green runs as there aren't enough snowmakers anywhere on blue or blacks.
Add all that to the fact you are paying 2xJapanese lift ticket prices when booked weeks in advance, with no refunds, and it makes for people not being overly happy about having sunk $2k on air tickets.
There is a reason the slopes are empty this year and a reason that the lift queues are short: the snow plain sucks.
February 05, 2014
Anglo-Canadian
Anglo-Canadian
Grew up on European skiing, learnt real skiing in Canada. Skied at least 10 ski holiday in Trois Vallee (plus a number of other resorts). Skied 20+ days in Whistler. I prefer Whistler. It's less crowded. There are huge tree lines to ski (if you can't or don't like skiing trees then stick to Europe). I've skied Blackcomb glacier a number of times. Even in December, with poor snow, this last year I loved it; great views, a sense of majesty with a degree of remote that you just don't achieve in Europe (save perhaps for Vallee Blanche). April 8 2013, bluebird, 30cm of fresh and no one around; fresh lines everywhere. Yes, it's a hyped resort, they're there to make money, but it remains the best place I've skied in the world bar none. Lets hope this climate change pattern is a one off that isn't a sign of times to come.
February 04, 2014
Do Your Research
Do Your Research
Some of the recent comments on this site are so uninformed it is rediculous. First of all, it should be noted that WB purchases their weather forecast from a 3rd party forecaster: MWS (look up shredfx). They report it as MWS calls it. Secondly, the size of WB means the variation in snow measurements can be huge. Yes, they may say one thing and a groomed lower mountain run will have less snow. But if you can't find the snow, you need to pick up a guide and go search, not complain online. And lastly, this is a brutal year for all PNW resorts. Blaming WB staff for being unprepared to handle these conditions is ridiculous, and comments about making snow in extreme cold temps shows a lack of understanding of snow making process.
WB has lots of pros, and it's share of cons too, as do all resorts. It's crazy how fast people are in a bad snow year to criticise the resort and the people who run it for variables that are outside of their control.
And full disclaimer - I do not work for WB but, like most people in this town, I rely on the economic impact WB has here.
[note from the editor: names of individuals not included in reviews.]
January 30, 2014
somebodysgettinpaid
somebodysgettinpaid
I'm lead to believe something I've been wondering for a while. Does Whistler Blackcomb, in some way, control these other websites? I know their weather (WB) is out to lunch, but do they make sure that buddy who mentioned that January of 2014's conditions were crap doesn't get displayed on the forecast for Whistler on this website? I've been looking at this guy who ripped on the guy who gave his honest opinion of Whistler Blackcomb for months now, but this other guy has given the best review yet based on being the most current (still not being displayed where most people look). Yet we still got troubles, up there, with personnel defending WB. Suspicious...like some of the weekend forecasts and the snow that is forecast and never comes. Funny how forecasting snow for Friday will fill up hotels on the weekend. 30cm..20cm..10cm..what do they get after the hotel is booked? 5cm in Pig Alley, 2cm-4 everywhere else. Far cry from the 100cm a week ago, the 25cm 3 days ago and the 10cm forecasted for 2 days ago. Funny 5-10cm never ends up being 20-30cm -_-
[note from the editor: some text edited for the sake of relevance. We try and exclude the names of individuals.]
January 05, 2014
No Snow
No Snow
Whistler measures its snowfall at Pig Alley and should be taken with a pinch of salt as far as indicating the general amount of snow on the runs. If they say 1m most runs probably have half that if you are lucky, with a lot of rocks to navigate and the bottom is probably 5-10cm of slush. Piste condition is supposedly soft as I write but in reality most of the mountain is ice. In a good year all this doesn't really matter as it gets so much snow it is epic. In a bad year such as this where snowfall is less than half average (third of a good year) it has really shown the shortfall in experience of the mountain team with lots of runs not groomed (despite being advertised as such) and snow machines not being switched on despite being -11. They are used to snow every few days and not having to do much most seasons. They just aren't used to having to manage the snow so I would stay away this season and hope it is business as usual next season as this is the worst start to a season in over 30 years based on the amount of snowfall.
December 29, 2013
Troubles with Trout
Troubles with Trout
Have you ever been flying down the mountain full speed and hit a rock? While soaring through the air like a turbo charged eagle, you have never felt more alive, especially as you come crashing down in a glorious tornado of skis and poles destroying all in your path.
This comment is about as useful as another Aussie's review of Whistler. With no description of the runs, the snow or any other comment of merit. Post reviews that are useful, helpful and informative.
PS. Whistler village has more soul than James Brown.
March 27, 2013
Graeme
Graeme
It's big but only by North American standards. There are lots of areas in Europe that make Whistler Blackcomb look tiny. The terrain is wonderful but again there are a lot of places with fantastic terrain both in Europe and North America with much better lift systems and far better snow. Even in mid winter the snow just doesn't compare with the better European resorts, much less the sublime fluff you get in North America away from the coastal ranges. Add to all this a completely soulless village and high prices, and dreadful food; we won't be back. There are far better skiing experiences to be had in plenty of other places.
February 17, 2013
Charles Kosina
Charles Kosina
I first skied Whistler in 1991. Then after a long gap I was here in mid Feb 2011. The snow that month was fantastic, and we had mostly sunshine during the day and temperatures in the valley never got above 0C, mostly -5C whilst on the peak we had down to -27C. But don't expect this all the time. I am writing this on 16 Feb 2013 and this is the first of my 12 days here. After a great Nov/Dec there have been only light falls for the last 6 weeks. The base is around 180 cms. So what are conditions like? Being an Australian skier, by our standards it is still excellent skiing. You can ski top to bottom, with some powder near the summit, but still quite nice skiing right down the bottom.
This is President's week so lift lines can be long. The wait at the base gondola today was 13 minutes, and up to 7 minutes at some others. But some lifts I skied straight on. The Symphony bowl was superb and no lift lines in the afternoon. Picking the right lifts at the right times, and using the Singles line helps a lot.
There are pluses and minuses at all resorts. I have skied at Vail, Aspen, Park City/Deer Valley, Snowbird, Copper Mountain, Mammoth Mountain and in New Zealand: Cardrona and Treble Cone and in Australia: Hotham, Falls Creek, Buller and Thredbo. But for me Whistler is by far the best in terrain, facilites and the scenery at the top is stunning.
I will update this towards the end of my stay here and see if my opinion has changed.
January 23, 2013
Rafal
Rafal
January 06, 2013
John Stacey
John Stacey
Hahahaha, sounds like that guy's vacation landed on a bad week. For the last 3 years we got double our yearly snowfall. Last year I got 80 days and 60 of them were when I got the day off work (20 cm rule) - fresh pow. But I also understand the mountains are so big, my first 2 seasons I was riding all the tourist stuff with all the gordons but now I ride the shiz! Hard if you're not shown, I'll give you that, but through the week lifts are basically ride on no line.
Nearest