Whistler and Blackcomb are like beer and peanuts, rock and roll, hot and heavy, puff and pass.
It’s always such a hard decision as you head out for the day. Whistler? Or Blackcomb? But really, when it comes to this decision, the glass is always half full. Blackcomb is known as a better mountain for snowboarders. This has a little less to do with the terrain and a little more to do with the traversing. Traverses on this mountain are shorter and come with more decline so that riders won’t have to hang on to the skier friends or walk back to the lift.
When the snow is abundant, Seventh Heaven’s Lakeside bowl is the crop’s cream. A traverse across the top brings you over to some steeper sections and you can almost always be guaranteed powder over here. The ski-out is a nice long rolling run with some good tree skiing on the side. Also at the top of Seventh Heaven, Spanky’s Ladder. Climb in, just like on a ladder, maneuver past the rocky slope and then drop into the bowl below. And if you continue heading left off the lift at the top, you can find some nice open areas and little bowls to explore.
Like Whistler, Blackcomb has terrain for everyone. With intermediate groomers a plenty, it is easy to cruise through your day. For powder and steep lovers, be persistent, aggressive and determined and you will find it. And if gentle tree slopes are your thing, don’t be afraid to head into the forests. As long as there isn’t a rope and sign predicting certain death, you will probably just come out at the bottom of the lift.
There really are cat tracks everywhere on the mountain, bringing you back and spitting you out. Just follow the tracks or the hordes of skiers in front of you.
While it is possible to ski both Blackcomb and Whistler in one day, especially with the new “super-lift” there is more than enough terrain on both to keep you busy for the day if not the week.
Be sure to head to Crystal Hut to sample the chili or more importantly, the waffles covered in warm, gooey, goodness.
After skiing, go to Merlin’s and order up some nachos. These things are legendary. Piled high like a mountain, they come with so much cheese, peppers, cheese, olives, cheese, and of course salsa, sour cream and guacamole pilled on top with ice scream scoopers. If you are lucky, Guitar Doug will be around. He is the pro when it comes to Après skiing entertainment. He gets the crowd going with everything from ACDC to traditional drinking songs. Some contests, like ‘best tan line’, may even take place. This bar is always full of skiers getting their second wind after an epic day and the good times last well into the night. Seeing ski boots on patrons as the dinner crowd arrives is the norm and don’t be surprised to see some folks stumbling home at 2 a.m., still in their ski boots.
For some more thoughts on the village, check the whistler page. (Not because it’s better, just because its name comes first).
Blackcomb has its own special vibe. It is definitely more modern and manicured than Whistler but it still feels homey all the same. If you come for two days.; Ski Blackcomb than Whistler or vice versa. Just don’t miss out on the opportunity to ski both apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
