North America’s Best: Whistler Blackcomb Freeride Guide

With 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a vertical rise of 5,280 feet, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. Imagine being able to find every snow condition, difficulty level, and type of terrain possible in one place.

“If you can’t find your favorite terrain here, you can’t find it anywhere,” the editors at Ski Magazine wrote when they crowned it North America’s best in 2017 for the third year in a row.

Generally, Blackcomb is populated with more locals and expert riders than Whistler, but both peaks showcase a wide range of terrain and are actually laid out in similar ways. Between the two peaks, there are five terrain parks (three on Blackcomb, two on Whistler), and the Nintendo Highest Level Terrain Park has hosted the Association of Freeskiing Professionals World Championships in recent years.

If you’re on Blackcomb, keep an eye out for the legendary “Spanky’s Ladder,” off of which you can access “Garnet Bowl,” “Ruby Bowl,” “Diamond Bowl,” and “Sapphire Chutes.” “Crystal Zone” is another sweet spot to check out on Blackcomb. Meanwhile, some highlights on Whistler Mountain include “Whistler Bowl,” “Tiger’s Terrace,” and “Christmas Trees.”

Sources:
https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/skitouring-and-freeride-spot-whistler
https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/how-ski-whistler-blackcombs-spankys-ladder
http://theliftiereport.rentskis.com/tlr/the-6-steepest-ski-runs-at-whistler-blackcomb/
https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/2013/03/07/unplugged-pillows-a-plenty-in-whistler-blackcombs-crystal-zone/
https://freeskier.com/resort-guide/whistler/whistler-blackcomb-trail-map
https://www.whistler.com/blog/post/2011/12/05/whistler-skiing-secrets-7-top-spots-and-stashes/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2018/11/30/whistler-blackcomb-ski-resort-canada/2077748002/