Whistler 3/17 - 3/24

Ahh Whistler...I remember going there when I was Noob! I definitely need to head back now that I've gotten better. Enjoy it!!!

RIDING

General

As for good spots to hit up, just follow the weather. The mountain is huge and you could probably be there 5 days without doing the same run twice. Back side Blackcomb is a ton of fun if the weather cooperates, but it does involve a bit of hiking. If anything I'd say go high up on one of the two mountains. It'll seem packed at first, especially with the spring break crowd, but as you move up further in the mountain the conditions get better and the crowds die down.

Both mountains offer complimentary tours for intermediates and experts, which may be the best way for those new to this resort to learn their way around. Tours meet outside the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler (at the top of the Village Gondola) and at the Rendezvous on Blackcomb (at the top of the Solar Coaster) at 11:30 a.m. The tour guides are seasoned skiers at both mountains so you'll get some history with your adventure.

Whistler
My key snowboarding tip for Whistler is when it's a powder day, always start on the left of the mountain and move to the right during the day. That's simply because that's where the wind blows it.

Whistler mountains skiable vertical elevation is 1530 metres(5020 feet) from the pique of 2182 metres (7160 feet). There is a skiable terrain of over 4500 acres making sure you always have a new run to discover no matter how long you are here for. That is just about the entire skiable area of Vail, Colorado in just half of what Whistler Blackcomb has to offer.

Also residing on Whistler mountain is the Whistler Pipe and Chipmunk Rail Park for beginner/intermediate freestyle boarders. The pipe has relatively low walls making it a good way to start your freestyle learning experience. The park is divided into an easy beginners side and a side for intermediate advanced boarders. Expect to see some relatively easy low rails and big boxes in the beginners park making it easy to get started without having to hit those intimidating big ones in the advanced parks.

Access the 16 lifts via either the Village or Creekside gondola and make your way to the pique to ride the longest run of 11km (7miles) back down to the village. After a few of these giant runs the legs should be burning and it will be time time to get some lunch or a cold beer in one of its eight mountain restaurants. By far the most popular of these is The Roundhouse located at the top of the village gondola offering the largest range at surprisingly competitive prices. It is just as cheap to eat up the mountain as in the village which is unheard of in alpine restaurants.

When there's plenty of fresh snow (quite often considering Whistler has just had the snowiest January on record- 461cm!), take the peak chair and ride the peak-to-creek run taking the 'Khiber's Pass' line down to creek side, this run is unpisted and is pretty much the most fun you can have on a board!

Beginner

The good news on the Whistler side is that there's plenty of green-rated skiing higher up on the mountain. The bad<