Introduction
Lodging
Resort
Skill levels
Transportation
Itinerary
Backstory
Pricing
Site of the 2010 Olympics, Whistler remains one of the most popular resorts for many good reasons: its brilliant layout, its huge terrain and its charming village. The new "Peak to Peak" gondola makes it even easier to travel between the two sides of the resort. And, we'll be visiting in late January, an ideal time for peak conditions!
Click on the tabs at right to learn more about our trip to Whistler.
SKI BUMS looks for hotels that offer great amenities, yet present the kind of casual, comfortable atmosphere that puts you at ease. It doesn't get much more comfy than the Westin, which is located literally steps from the Whistler gondola. At the end of the day, the Westin offers ski valets at the base of the hill; they'll take your equipment for you and check it overnight, freeing you up to go enjoy some après-ski. They've got an indoor-outdoor pool, two spacious hot tubs, and a full-service spa with everything you could imagine, from facials and body wraps to hot rock massages. Tour the Avello Spa >
Access to slopes:
- Located beside the Whistler Gondola
- Complimentary valet and overnight ski / snowboard check
Amenities include:
- Gas fireplace
- Kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, wet bar
- Concierge desk
- Fitness room / Spa / Health Club
- Indoor & outdoor hot tubs, and indoor / outdoor pool
- Sauna and steam room
- High-speed in-room WiFi for approx. $12 per day
- Luggage storage
- Complimentary overnight ski / snowboard check
Roommates & single occupancy
If you've got a roommate in mind, you may sign up with another member and share a room. Or, SKI BUMS can easily match you up with someone. (About half of our trip participants sign up without a specific roommate in mind). Single occupancy rooms are also available; to inquire about the single occupancy upgrade, simply email us.
Lift tickets
- 4 day lift ticket to the Whistler / Blackcomb resort
Whistler / Blackcomb stats
- Combined skiiable acres: 8,171 acres*
- Summit Elevation: 7,494’
- Base Elevation: 2,2140’
- Mapped Trails, Bowls, Chutes, & Glades: More than 200
- Vertical Descent: 5,280’
On equipment
- About half our participants will bring their own skis / snowboards. If you'd like to rent equipment, we have a discounted offer from a partner rental shop. Inquire about rental rates >
What you'll love about Whistler
Whistler's really got it all. There are two gigantic mountain areas -- aptly named Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain -- that are loaded with a tremendous variety of terrain. The village at the base is laid-out brilliantly, and stocked full of sports shops, tasty restaurants and cute cafes. You never need a car; everything is within walking distance. The Canadians are especially gay-friendly, and the dollar buys you more here than it does back home. The real stars, though, are those mountains. As the largest resort in North America, there's just so much fun stuff to ski and ride that it's always hard to leave.
Click on "Skill Levels" to learn more.
We do not recommend this trip for beginner skiers or snowboarders. Only 15% of Whistler's terrain is rated for beginners, and its intermediate terrain is considerably more difficult than the beginner terrain at ski resorts in the East. It'll kill you to see what a huge, amazing mountain Whistler is, yet know that most of it is out of your reach. We'd recommend our trip to Big Sky instead.
Intermediate skiers and riders will love -- and we mean love -- Whistler. With a vertical drop of 5,280 feet, both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer the kind of long, quad-burning blue runs that make people fall head-over-heels for this terrain. This isn't an easy mountain, however; Whistler will challenge you and improve your skills on the slopes. You won't want to miss Whistler's most famous run, known as "Peak to Creek," a top-to-bottom stretch that's more than four-miles long.
If you're a strong skier or snowboarder and you've never been to Whistler, we have one word for you: go. Take a look at the trail map to see for yourself; this is the kind of mountain with so much terrain above the tree line that you'd be hard-pressed to ski or ride the same line twice. You'll especially love the Whistler Bowl, Glacier Bowl and Seventh Heaven areas, but the biggest thrill may come from a ride down 2010 Olympics downhill course, a run that's about as fun as they come.
Experts who enjoy giant bowls, expanses of backcountry, and ungroomed bump runs will go hog-wild at Whistler. If you enjoy tree skiing, you'll especially appreciate how easy it is to get off the beaten path, yet empty into an area that's easily lift-accessible. Whistler / Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America, and you might feel like you've barely scratched the surface once you begin to explore Whistler's expansive glacier areas.
Skill level groupings
On every SKI BUMS trip, we begin by introducing you to other skiers and boarders who enjoy the same type of terrain that you do. For this trip, we expect that about half our group will identify as intermediates, and the other half will be eager to explore more challenging terrain. You'll get to meet everyone at our Meet & Greet, on the first night of our arrival.
SKI BUMS trips do not include air transportation (except when we're traveling overseas). You'll need to book your own flight. Most visitors to Whistler fly into Vancouver, and arrange a ground transfer for the 2 hour ride to the Whistler resort. You may want to schedule your flight to join our private shuttle bus; see "ground transfers," below.
Driving
SKI BUMS members in the Seattle / Vancouver area may prefer to drive; the Westin offers convenient parking for all hotel guests.
Travel planning
Wednesday and Sunday are considered travel days. The first item on our itinerary will be a meet & greet at Whistler on Tuesday evening. Plan to be checked-in at our lodging by 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday; the room will be reserved under your name.
We'll ski / ride on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and travel home on Sunday.
Ground transfers: Optional Add-on
SKI BUMS will offer an optional add-on for those who want to participate in a private ground transfer shuttle bus to / from Whistler
- SKI BUMS private shuttle bus details:
- Pick-up at Vancouver International Airport: Tuesday at 4:30 P.M.
- Drop-off: Sunday at 12:00 noon
- Cost per person: TBA., approx. $50 per person for round-trip service
After our participants have booked their flights, we'll collect payment from those who would like to join the SKI BUMS private shuttle bus to / from Whistler.
Transportation at the resort
Everything at Whistler is within walking distance; we'll have easy access to shops, restaurants, bars and rental shops. If you're in the mood to explore the further reaches of the resort, there's a complimentary shuttle bus.
As with all SKI BUMS trips, we'll begin with a comfortable, casual meet & greet, where you'll have the chance to meet the other trip participants, get your lift tickets, and receive a thorough itinerary and information packet with everything you'll need for a well-organized trip. That happens on Tuesday night, and from there, we'll dine together at one of the restaurants within walking distance of our hotel.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
We've got a four-day lift ticket to take advantage of Whistler / Blackcomb's massive slopes. We'll begin our days bright and early; this trip is all about the skiing & riding! After a morning meeting at the lifts, we'll have pre-planned meet-ups for lunch and aprés-ski. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, we'll have a group dinner reservations at one of Whistler's casual eateries; but Friday night's dinner plans will be up to you and your new friends. :)
On all SKI BUMS trips, you can join our planned itinerary, or break away from the group to do your own thing. It's your vacation to relax and have fun!
Tuesday and Sunday are travel days
Check-in on Tuesday begins at 4 P.M. To join our Tuesday night meet & greet, you should plan to check-in at our lodging by 6:00 P.M. The room reservation will be waiting under your name. On Sunday, check-out is at 11 A.M., and they'll gladly hold on to your luggage if you'd like some extra time at Whistler. See "Transportation" for more info about planning your travel for Tuesday and Sunday.
Get the backstory -- the "inside scoop" on SKI BUMS planning!
For many skiers and boarders, Whistler / Blackcomb is a bit of a dream destination. An easy stroll through its beautifully-designed village will reward you with fun discoveries, and as the largest resort in North America, its terrain is gargantuan. Once you visit, it's not hard to see why it consistently earns the top spot in Ski Magazine's annual rankings for ski resorts.
Whistler's only liability, really, is that its weather can be a bit more temperamental than the big resorts in the American West. Whistler's a moody place when fog moves in, and at some times of the year, visibility can keep the upper reaches of the mountain closed off for a day. Conditions change quickly, though. When the sun opens the skies, skiers and boarders make a dash into its big stashes of powder, and areas like Seventh Heaven completely live up to their name. Late January is precisely the best time to enjoy peak conditions, and that's why we're heading there from January 27 to February 1st.
We lucked out with a great offer from one of Whistler's top properties: The Westin Resort and Spa. It's comfy and well-appointed -- with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and ski valets who will take your equipment for you at the end of the day -- without being stuffy. More than anything, you'll dig its location. Being immediately next to the Whistler Gondola means you can comfortably walk to the lift with your boots on.
After a long day on the slopes, you can relax in the Westin's indoor / outdoor swimming pool or take your pick of the indoor or outdoor hot tub. The full-service spa is one of the best in Canada. If you're looking for a real vacation --with enough time away to recharge and connect with great new friends -- this is the SKI BUMS trip for you.
- 5 night double-occupancy accommodations at The Westin Resort and Spa, a slopeside hotel at the base of Whistler Mountain
- 4 day lift ticket to Whistler - Blackcomb Resort
- 3-course gourmet dinner on Saturday evening at Bearfoot Bistro (drinks not included)
- Optional add ons: shared ground transfer, single occupancy
Payment schedule:
- $450 desposit
- $809 due December 22
Price for this trip: $1259
Cancellation policy:
- On or before November 31: $40 fee
- On or before December 14: $200 fee
- On or before December 22: $300 fee
- After December 23: No refund
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