A Complete Guide Of The Best Time To Ski Whistler

Whistler is one of Canada’s most famous ski resorts, known for its huge slopes and amazing terrain. It’s a dream spot for many skiers and snowboarders.

But to make the most of your trip, it’s important to know the best time to visit so you don’t end up there when there’s little snow or only a few runs open. You’ll also want to avoid big crowds and high prices.

Having skied at numerous resorts across North America, I’m well-versed in the ideal time to hit the slopes at Whistler. Read on as I guide you through the best time to experience this legendary resort.

The Peak 2 Peak gondola at Whistler with partially cloudy skies.

The Best Time To Ski Whistler

The resort is the largest in North America, boasting an incredible 8,171 skiable acres. While this is its standout feature, it’s also backed by an impressive 408 inches of annual snowfall and a long ski season, making it tough to decide when to visit.

The best time to ski Whistler is from January to late March. During this period, most slopes are open, and snowstorms are common. Unlike many ski resorts that have one peak month, Whistler’s prime season lasts for a full three months, which I find amazing.

Continue reading below as I outline the best times to ski Whistler.

A mountain at Whistler covered in snow with partially cloudy skies.

December

While Whistler usually opens in November and gets a good amount of early-season snow, I prefer to wait until at least December when the base layer has built up and more runs are open.

December is a great time to ski at Whistler, with an average of 89 inches of snowfall. If you’re planning a trip, I suggest visiting in late December when the base layer is likely to be deeper and more runs are available. Just keep in mind that prices might be higher due to the holidays, but there’s something magical about spending Christmas at a snow-covered ski resort with festive holiday decor and lights!

January

January marks the beginning of prime skiing conditions at Whistler. By this time, most if not all of the runs are open, the base layer is well established, and snowstorms are common. With an average of 74 inches of snowfall during this month, it’s an excellent time to hit the slopes.

It’s also an ideal destination for the MLK holiday weekend since it’s a U.S. holiday and not a Canadian one, meaning you won’t encounter the same lift lines and crowds typically seen at American ski resorts!

A skier carving new tracks on a powder day at a ski resort.

February

February is another excellent month to visit Whistler. While it typically sees slightly less snowfall, with around 62 inches, that’s still impressive. You can expect most runs to be open, a solid base layer, and frequent snowstorms.

Similar to MLK weekend, Presidents’ Day weekend is a great time for Americans to visit Whistler. Since it’s a U.S. holiday and not a Canadian one, the crowds are smaller than what you’d find at resorts in Colorado, California, and other U.S. locations.

March

March is when the ski season typically starts winding down, but Whistler is an exception, especially for spring skiing.

Unlike many resorts that get a mix of light snowfall and sunny bluebird days, Whistler gets hit with heavy snowfall during this time, averaging 98 inches. This makes it an ideal destination for powder days and late-season skiing.

April

April brings the more traditional spring skiing experience to Whistler. Temperatures begin to rise, and snowstorms become less frequent. However, with an average of 33 inches of snowfall, it’s still a great time to visit the resort.

Whistler on a partially cloudy day with mountains off in the distance.

The Worst Time To Ski At Whistler

Honestly, you can’t go wrong skiing at Whistler; it’s one of the most iconic ski resorts in the world. But if I had to choose the least ideal times to visit, I’d say November, when not many runs are open and the base layer isn’t fully established, or May, when snowstorms are less frequent, temperatures are rising, and runs are starting to close.

A snowboarder shredding on a groomed run in Whistler.

Best Place To Stay At Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the largest ski resorts in the world, so you’ll find plenty of great places to stay. To help you decide, I’ve listed some of my favorite options

Budget: HI Whistler Hostel – If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind staying in a hostel, this is a great choice. It’s affordable, just a short drive from the slopes, clean, and offers excellent service. What more could you want?!

Mid-Range: Whistler Village Inn & Suites – This is the perfect mid-range option. It has a year-round heated pool, a good restaurant, a fitness center, and is a short walk away from the gondola. It’s the perfect place to stay for a good price, solid amenities, and prime location.

Luxury: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – This is the top luxury hotel in Whistler! It’s famous for its fantastic hot tubs, saunas, pools, and sophisticated atmosphere. It’s the ideal spot for a lavish Whistler getaway, offering world-class amenities, roomy accommodations, and stunning views.

A gondola moving over the ski slopes in Whistler.

FAQs About The Best Time To Ski Whistler

Keep diving in below as I answer a few frequently asked questions about the best time to ski Whistler.

What are the best months to ski at Whistler?

The best months to ski at Whistler are January, February, and March.

What is the snowiest month in Whistler?

November and March are the snowiest months in Whistler tied with 98 inches of snowfall.

What is the busiest month in Whistler?

The busiest month in Whistler is December.

Snowy trees and partially cloudy skies in Whistler.

Final Thoughts On The Best Time To Ski Whistler

Whistler is an incredible resort, famous for its abundant snowfall, expansive terrain, vibrant ski town, and much more. To make the most of your visit and enjoy plenty of powder days, I recommend planning your trip between January and late March. I hope this guide helps you plan your next ski or snowboarding adventure!