Whistler Blackcomb
3,307 hectares, 305 runs across two mountains near Vancouver. 2010 Olympic venue, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, Epic Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
20 Nov 2026
Closes
16 May 2027
Days open
177
Annual snow
11m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Whistler Blackcomb's summit reaches 2,284 metres, dropping 1,609 vertical metres to a base at 675 metres across 305 runs spread over roughly 3,307 hectares near Whistler, British Columbia. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 35 per cent advanced, 18 per cent beginner and 7 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 10.8 metres. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Thirty-seven lifts, including eight quad chairs, four six-person chairs, one eight-person chair and nine gondolas, serve the two mountains alongside three triple chairs, ten surface lifts and two t-bars.
Whistler Blackcomb holds a distinguished place as one of the largest ski resorts in North America, spanning two connected mountains linked by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and served as a host venue for the alpine and freestyle events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. This considerable scale, combined with its purpose-built alpine village, has built the resort's international reputation as a genuine destination for skiers of every ability.
Whistler Mountain was originally developed as part of a bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics, and although that bid failed, construction proceeded regardless, with the resort opening in January 1966. Blackcomb Mountain, initially a separate operation, opened in December 1980, and the two resorts spent the 1980s and 1990s locked in a rivalry of constant upgrades that pushed both ahead of most other North American resorts.
Intrawest bought Blackcomb's assets in 1986, purchased Whistler in 1997, and fully merged operations in 2003, with the combined resort becoming the first in North America to record two million skier visits in a season by April 1999. Vail Resorts acquired Whistler Blackcomb Holdings for 1.39 billion US dollars in August 2016, while Nippon Cable has retained a 25 per cent minority interest throughout. Adult daily tickets run from 150 to 199 Canadian dollars.
1609m
Vertical
305
Runs
8,172 acres
Skiable
11m
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
305 runs across 8,172 acres skiable
Whistler Blackcomb is one resort in Sanity, covering 305 runs across roughly 3,307 hectares between a 675-metre base and the 2,284-metre summit. That is a 1,609-metre vertical spread over two mountains. The grading is 18% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% advanced and 7% expert, so a third of the mountain is advanced, though huge areas of cruising terrain remain for intermediates, and expert-rated runs are relatively scarce. Roughly 10.8 metres of snow falls each winter, and the range of aspects and elevations offers something skiable in almost any conditions.
On Whistler, Harmony and Symphony bowls offer wide alpine skiing above the tree line, with Symphony the gentler of the two. Blackcomb's steeper terrain includes Spanky's Ladder and the Blackcomb Glacier, which is as close to backcountry freeriding as inbounds skiing gets. Couloir Extreme and Saudan Couloir are strictly for experts. The PEAK 2 PEAK gondola links the two mountains, making long mixed-ability days easy. It suits strong intermediates, advanced skiers and groups who want varied terrain without leaving the resort, and new visitors should expect to spend a day or two just learning the layout.
Terrain split
305
runs
305 runs across 4 grades
Beginner55 runs · 18%
Intermediate122 runs · 40%
Advanced107 runs · 35%
Expert21 runs · 7%
Time it right
When to visit Whistler Blackcomb
The 2025-26 season at Whistler Blackcomb ran from 22 November 2025 to 10 May 2026, a roughly twenty-four-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 10.8 metres. This extended season is regularly cited among the longest in North America, reflecting Whistler Blackcomb's considerable elevation range and glacier-fed terrain.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across both mountains. As the flagship Canadian resort within the Epic Pass system, Whistler Blackcomb draws substantial international visitation from Epic Pass holders and destination travellers alike.
Whistler Blackcomb's purpose-built alpine village continues to draw considerable visitation for its dining, shopping and nightlife alongside the skiing itself. School holiday periods and major weekends bring some of the heaviest crowds in Canada, reflecting the resort's status as one of the most internationally recognised ski destinations in the world.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since hosting the alpine and freestyle events of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler Blackcomb has continued building on six decades of history since Whistler Mountain's 1966 founding. The resort's considerable scale and Olympic heritage remain central to its enduring global reputation.
Season 2026 - 2027
20 Nov 2026
Opens
16 May 2027
Closes
177
Days open
11 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Whistler Blackcomb, and where to stay
Whistler Blackcomb sits near Whistler, British Columbia, with a base elevation of 675 metres and a summit at 2,284 metres across a 1,609-metre vertical drop over roughly 3,307 hectares spanning two connected mountains. This setting places the resort within the Coast Mountains, roughly two hours north of Vancouver.
The town of Whistler itself, a purpose-built alpine village established alongside the resort's development, offers extensive lodging, dining, shopping and nightlife directly at the mountain's base.
Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway, provides direct access to the resort from Vancouver, a scenic coastal route that has been substantially upgraded in recent decades. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, particularly at higher elevations, though the well-maintained highway reflects the resort's status as a major international destination.
Vancouver International Airport, roughly a two-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with dedicated shuttle and coach services connecting the airport directly to Whistler for travellers without a vehicle.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Whistler Blackcomb, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
4 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Brian Head First, Eagle Point Out
Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.
4 Oct 2026
Hintertux Glacier Opens for 2026-27 With 12 Kilometres of Piste
Hintertux became Austria's second glacier to open for 2026-27 on Friday 2 October, after the Pitztal Glacier. Twelve kilometres of piste are running around the Olperer and Gefrorene Wand, served by one gondola and two drag lifts, with the Betterpark also open. Lifts officially run 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, but skiing stops at 2 pm for now.
4 Oct 2026
Vail Resorts Counts the Cost of a Thin Winter as Pass Sales Slide Further
A historically poor western winter cut Vail Resorts' annual net income from $280 million to $147.5 million and skier visits by 13.4 per cent. Now 2026-27 pass units are down 12 per cent as of 18 September, worse than the 10 per cent flagged in spring. Vail blames the weather and thinks some buyers are simply waiting, and it forecasts a rebound if the snow behaves.
3 Oct 2026
Arizona Snowbowl's $1 Lift Tickets Are Hard to Find, but $9 Days Are Not
Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.
2 Oct 2026
Whitewater Brings Its Short Side Inbounds, With Six New Runs for 2026-27
For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.
1 Oct 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Webcams
7 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Whistler Blackcomb's live webcams
Check live conditions across Whistler Blackcomb with 7 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Whistler Roundhouse Lodge Webcam1850m
- Experience mid-mountain conditions through this essential Whistler webcam positioned at the iconic Roundhouse Lodge at 1,850 meters elevation, where the Whistler Village Gondola delivers guests to this bustling alpine hub. This Whistler Blackcomb webcam provides real-time views of weather patterns, snow coverage, and crowd activity around one of North America's most famous on-mountain dining destinations. Perfect for assessing conditions before your ascent, this live cam shows exactly what awaits as you transition from village to mountain at this strategic mid-station that serves as the gateway to Whistler's upper terrain.
- Whistler Blackcomb Summit Cam2182m
- Witness breathtaking Coast Mountains panoramas through this commanding webcam Whistler positioned at the highest accessible point on Whistler Mountain at 2,182 meters elevation. This Whistler Blackcomb live cam captures spectacular alpine vistas while monitoring snow conditions around the Peak Express chairlift that services the mountain's most challenging terrain. Essential for advanced skiers planning their approach to Whistler's expert runs, this webcam reveals current visibility and weather patterns across the summit zone, helping you time your ascent to North America's largest ski resort's most dramatic elevation.
- Blackcomb 7th Heaven Express Live Cam2240m
- Monitor Blackcomb Mountain's legendary high-alpine terrain through this elevated Whistler Blackcomb webcam positioned at 2,240 meters at the 7th Heaven Express chairlift. Looking down the mountain from this commanding vantage point, this Whistler webcam showcases Blackcomb's diverse upper terrain and provides crucial real-time updates on snow quality and weather conditions. Perfect for powder seekers assessing fresh snowfall distribution, this live cam captures the dramatic vertical drop and varied aspects that make Blackcomb a favorite among expert riders exploring the Coast Mountains' most extensive lift-served terrain.
- Whistler Rendezvous Lodge Cam1860m
- Discover the heart of Blackcomb Mountain's mid-mountain operations through this strategic Whistler Blackcomb webcam at Rendezvous Lodge at 1,860 meters elevation. This essential webcam Whistler feed captures views of the legendary PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connection between both mountains, along with the diverse intermediate and advanced terrain that radiates from this popular alpine gathering spot. Updated in real-time, this Whistler live cam helps you monitor conditions on Blackcomb's extensive trail network while showcasing the engineering marvel that connects these two iconic peaks in British Columbia's Coast Mountains.
- Whistler Blackcomb Village Base675m
- Plan your perfect mountain day through this vital Whistler webcam positioned at the bustling Whistler Village base area at 675 meters elevation, where gondolas whisk guests up to legendary alpine terrain. This Whistler Blackcomb webcam provides essential real-time intelligence on lift operations, queue times, and weather conditions in the pedestrian-friendly village that serves as your gateway to 8,171 acres of world-class skiing. Monitor arrival patterns and operational status through this webcam before making your way to the slopes at the 2010 Olympics venue that defined a generation of winter sports excellence.
- Whistler Glacier Express Webcam2138m
- Experience Blackcomb's spectacular high-alpine environment through this Whistler Blackcomb webcam positioned at the Glacier Express area at 2,138 meters elevation. This Whistler webcam captures the pristine glacial terrain and expert slopes that keep Blackcomb skiing into late spring and early summer when most resorts have closed. Essential for advanced riders assessing conditions on Blackcomb's most challenging terrain, this live cam reveals current snow coverage and visibility across the glacial zones that give Whistler Blackcomb one of North America's longest and most reliable ski seasons.
- Whistler Creekside Live Cam673m
- Monitor conditions at Whistler's alternative base area through this strategic Whistler Blackcomb webcam positioned at the quieter Creekside location at 673 meters elevation. This webcam Whistler feed provides real-time views of the Creekside Gondola operations and local weather conditions at this original access point to Whistler Mountain that many locals prefer for its relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for checking crowd levels and parking availability, this Whistler webcam helps you gauge activity at this scenic base area that offers direct access to Dave Murray Downhill, the legendary Olympic race course that thrilled the world in 2010.
Whistler Blackcomb snow cams FAQ
How often do Whistler Blackcomb snow cams update?
All Whistler Blackcomb snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Whistler Blackcomb.
Which Whistler Blackcomb webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Blackcomb 7th Heaven Express Live Cam webcam at 2,240m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Whistler Blackcomb webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Whistler Blackcomb lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Whistler Blackcomb snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Whistler Blackcomb snow cams?
Check Whistler Blackcomb webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Whistler Blackcomb lift tickets?
Use our Whistler Blackcomb webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Whistler Blackcomb webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Whistler Blackcomb snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Whistler Blackcomb intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.