Whistler and Blackcomb are two separate mountains, side by side, and since 2008 they have been joined at the top by the Peak 2 Peak gondola: a 4.4-kilometre span between them with an unsupported stretch of just over three kilometres and a drop of 436 metres beneath the cabins. It holds records for both.
What it means practically is that the two mountains function as one ski area of about 3,300 hectares, the largest in North America, and you can ski Whistler in the morning and Blackcomb in the afternoon without going back down.
One village, two bases
The other thing Whistler got right is the village. It was purpose-built from 1978 as a pedestrian centre between the two mountain bases, and it works: no cars, a stroll of a few minutes from most hotels to either gondola, and restaurants and bars along the way.
Whistler Village is the main one, at the base of the Whistler gondola and the Excalibur gondola up Blackcomb.
Upper Village, five minutes north across a bridge, sits at the Blackcomb base and is quieter.
Creekside, four kilometres south, is the original 1966 base with its own gondola, far fewer people and a small collection of hotels.
The nine below are grouped that way.
Whistler Village
The pedestrian centre, between both gondolas.
Four Seasons Resort Whistler occupies a site a short walk from the village with the largest rooms in Whistler, a spa, a heated outdoor pool and ski valet at the gondola. It is the best hotel in the resort.
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
Upper Village edge · 5★ · $$$$
Largest rooms in Whistler with ski valet at the gondola
Check availabilityPan Pacific Whistler Mountainside sits directly at the base of the Whistler gondola with an all-suite layout, kitchens, a pool and the shortest possible walk to a lift.
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
Whistler gondola base · 4★ · $$$
All-suite directly at the base of the gondola
Check availabilityThe Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler occupies a position at the Whistler village gondola plaza with ski-in ski-out access, a rooftop hot tub and a good restaurant.
The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler
Whistler Village gondola plaza · 4★ · $$$
Ski-in ski-out with a rooftop hot tub
Check availabilitySundial Hotel sits in the middle of the village with a heated outdoor pool, straightforward rooms and a position that puts every bar and restaurant within two minutes.
Sundial Hotel
Whistler Village centre · 4★ · $$$
Every bar and restaurant within two minutes
Check availabilitySummit Lodge Boutique Hotel by Paradox occupies a building in the village with a Scandinavian-influenced interior, a small room count and the most design-led rooms here.
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel by Paradox
Whistler Village · 4★ · $$$
Small with the most design-led rooms in the resort
Check availabilityAdara Hotel sits in the village core with a spa, a garden and a quieter tone than its neighbours.
Adara Hotel
Whistler Village core · 4★ · $$
Quieter tone with a garden in the middle of the village
Check availabilityDelta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites occupies a position on the village stroll with suites, kitchens and rates below the ski-in properties.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites
Village stroll · 4★ · $$
Suites with kitchens below the ski-in rates
Check availabilityUpper Village, at the Blackcomb base
Five minutes north, at the foot of Blackcomb.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the castle-style landmark at the Blackcomb base, with a golf course in summer, a large spa, several restaurants and ski-in ski-out access. It is the most complete resort in Whistler and the most family-capable.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Blackcomb base, Upper Village · 4★ · $$$$
Castle at the lift with a golf course in summer
Check availabilityCreekside
Four kilometres south. The original base, its own gondola, far fewer people.
Nita Lake Lodge occupies a lakeside site at Creekside with a spa, a rooftop garden and a train platform on the property. It is the quietest hotel in the resort and a shuttle or a short drive from the village.
Nita Lake Lodge
Creekside · 4★ · $$$
Lakeside with a rooftop garden and its own train platform
Check availabilityWhat we have left off
The condominium and townhouse rentals across Whistler are excluded, and they are how a large share of visitors stay, particularly families and groups wanting kitchens. They are apartments rather than hotels.
What to do
Ride the Peak 2 Peak, which runs in summer as well and is worth doing even if you do not ski.
Ski both mountains. The alpine bowls on Whistler and the glacier on Blackcomb are different terrain, and the pass covers both.
In summer, Whistler is one of the best mountain-bike destinations in the world: the lift-served bike park runs from May to October and the valley trails are extensive. Rates are far lower and the village is still busy.
Drive the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver, which is among the great coastal drives, and stop at Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola at Squamish.
Walk or cycle the Valley Trail, which links the lakes on the valley floor, and swim at Lost Lake or Alta Lake in summer.
Practical notes
Vancouver airport is about two hours by road up the Sea to Sky Highway. There is no train and no airport at Whistler.
The ski season runs late November to April, with Blackcomb's glacier occasionally open into summer. Christmas, New Year and Presidents' week are the peaks. Whistler is lower than the Colorado resorts, so early and late season snow at village level can be marginal while the alpine is fine.
Whistler is in British Columbia and it rains at village level when it snows above. Bring proper waterproofs rather than only ski gear.
Explore 4 & 5 Star Whistler Hotels
Questions people actually ask
Is one pass enough for both mountains?
Yes. Whistler and Blackcomb are one ski area on one ticket, joined at the top by the gondola.
Village or Creekside?
Village for the restaurants and both gondolas. Creekside for quiet and its own lift, at the cost of a shuttle to dinner.
Is Whistler good in summer?
Very. The bike park, the lakes and the hiking, at a fraction of the winter rate.
How many nights?
Six for skiing. Three or four in summer.