» There’s nothing like spring skiing in Whistler

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There’s simply no better resort in the world to wrap up a ski season than Whistler Blackcomb. And what a sendoff it was — fresh powder, unforgettable après, and the unbeatable perk of Canada’s only true two-for-one: Two world-class mountains on one lift ticket.

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One of the coolest things? You can stand right at the village base and choose your adventure with the lifts basically beside each other. Hop on the Fitzsimmons 8 Express Chair to head up Whistler or take the Excalibur Gondola and start climbing Blackcomb. This time, I was there for the legendary World Ski and Snowboard Festival, a week-long celebration of snow sports, music, art, and mountain culture along with the year ending Whistler Cup for our young up and Crazy Canucks of tomorrow.

Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort, spanning a massive 8,171 acres with 241 marked runs. Globally, it ranks as the ninth largest, offering something for every level — 35 green runs including two learning areas, 110 blue cruisers, 35 black diamonds, and 20 double blacks packed with steeps, chutes, bowls, glades, and glaciers. With three glaciers, a mile of vertical drop, and nearly 40 feet of annual snowfall, it’s a paradise for skiers and snowboarders alike.

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As you’ve read in my previous features, I always suggest booking a guide or instructor for your first day and you can still do that, but the free Mountain Host tours are an excellent way to explore both peaks and scout the best on-mountain lunch spots. And those lunch spots? Outstanding. Seven on-mountain restaurants and five alpine huts serve up everything from delicious burgers and foot long hot dogs at Roundhouse Lodge to smoked meat sandwiches at Chic Pea Hut to famous grilled cheese at Ollie’s. For something truly unique, visit Raven’s Nest atop the Blackcomb Creekside Gondola for Indigenous-inspired cuisine, or Horstman Hut for Bavarian fare with glacier views.

Whistler resort delivers the full mountain experience and then some, with a large European-style pedestrian village that connects the two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Over 200 shops line its paved and cobbled walkways — boutiques, galleries, grocery stores, a liquor shop, and some of the liveliest après ski you’ll ever find.

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Here’s a tip: Skip the long gondola lines and take four chairs to the top. Start with the Fitzsimmons 8 Express (2,214 ft) then I warm up with a quick run on Lower Whiskey Jack to Garbanzo Express at 3,371 ft. The great thing about riding the chairs, you’ll slowly hear and see the snow conditions changing as you move up the mountain. The snow transforms from mashed potatoes to sweet corn then to sugar and onto our favourite BC champagne powder. Emerald 6 takes me to the Roundhouse Lodge at 6,096 ft — a sprawling chalet marked by stunning wood carvings of a 7-feet mountain hiker and two massive bears, including “Urus Intrawestus” inside. Don’t forget to snap a pic with the Olympic rings out front, a proud legacy from the 2010 Winter Games.

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Roundhouse is a perfect spot for lunch or hit the massive sundeck for a sun-soaked lunch. For a finer dining fare grab a table at Steeps Grill and Wine Bar for elevated cuisine with unbeatable views. The Umbrella Bar, shaped exactly like its name suggests, is a great stop for local craft beer and wine. Once again with incredible views reminiscent of European restaurant scenery.

After lunch, you can finally reach the summit with the fourth and final lift, the Peak Express chair with its stunning views of snow-capped mountains and very deep gorges. You’ve arrived at Whistler’s highest point at 7,160 feet — Peak Lookout. Up here, the views stretch endlessly across jagged, snow-draped mountains, valleys, and the distant silhouette of the extinct Black Tusk volcano. Here’s another perfect spot for a photo at the summit with the famous Inukshuk sculpture, a symbol of welcome, strength, and connection. From here, choose your descent: green, blue, or black — including Peak to Creek, a 11-kilometre thigh burning trail.

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Back in the village, après is an art form. From the live DJs and famous champagne showers at Longhorn Saloon to the Ahi Crunch Roll at Garibaldi Lift Co, burgers and Guinness-fueled Irish music at Dubh Linn Gate, it’s a party worth staying for and a perfect way to end a spectacular day of world class skiing.

Accommodation options abound, from five-star hotels to budget conscious hotels or cozy chalets. There’s something for every budget and taste. I stayed at the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa, right in the heart of the village, with huge rooms and my balcony overlooking the driving range (which I enjoyed) on one side and Fitzsimmons 8 Chair on the other. On the main floor I enjoyed dinner at the Cinnamon Bear with perfectly grilled calamari, Caesar salad, and an epic breakfast buffet the next morning. There’s even an in-house rental ski/snowboard shop with overnight ski storage included.

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For an unforgettable dinner, book a table at Bearfoot Bistro in the Listel Hotel. It’s not just a restaurant — it’s an experience. Start in their 20,000 bottle wine cellar with your champagne bottle being opened with a vintage sabre, then brace yourself for the -29°C Grey Goose Vodka Ice Room, before finishing with liquid nitrogen-churned ice cream served tableside. Add an oyster bar, a piano lounge, icy champagne rails, and you’ve got one of the most unique dining spots anywhere in Canada. In my opinion, this is one of the coolest restaurants I’ve ever enjoyed anywhere in the world thanks to marketing guru and host Marc Des Rosiers.

Spring skiing at on Whistler Blackcomb is a bucket-list experience. There’s still time to enjoy it, too — Blackcomb mountain stays open until May 19th, while Whistler mountain closes for annual lift maintenance and summer prep for a very busy biking, hiking and sight seeing season. If you’re a golfer, there’s four world-class courses close to the Village and in May, it’s not unheard of to ski in the morning then golf in the afternoon. But no matter the season, Whistler, B.C. is a four-season playground packed with world-class skiing, scenery, and the all important “soul”. A resort that makes you feel comfortable arriving and one that calls you back year after year.

I look forward to my return visit.

Glenn Crouter, Ambassador, Canadian Ski Council | Ski Lifestyle Reporter, 640 Toronto Radio @glennskigolf

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