It’s that time of the year again. The temperatures are rising, the air is fresher, and you know what that means: it’s ski season!
The ski season in Whistler is one of the longest in Canada. Every year, the cold winter months disappear, and the warm spring weather brings people out for a fun-filled week of skiing and boarding. If you’re looking to make the most of the last bits of winter in Canada and make the most of a wonderful opportunity, read on.
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What Type Of Skiing Is There In Whistler?
Skiing in Whistler means you’re skiing on some of the finest North American ski runs. Some of the most popular ski resorts in North America are located in Whistler, including the U.S.A.’s Mt. Hood, which is the highest ski resort in the country. The locals’ nickname for this ski resort is “The Moutains,” so if you’ve ever watched a Canadian movie, you know what kind of skiing you’ll be in for.
There are other popular ski resorts in Canada, including Whistler’s sister resort, Blackcomb. There’s also a whole other range of ski experiences you can enjoy in British Columbia, including big-mountain adventure parks and some fantastic panoramic views. Whistler is at the heart of it all, though, and during the ski season, it’s almost always busy, bustling with people playing outside on the snow.
Is It Crowded At The Ski Resorts In April?
It doesn’t take a genius to know that the last few months of winter are prime time for a spot of leisurely skiing. The snow is fresh, the mountain air is clear, and it’s warm enough that you don’t feel like you’re in danger of freezing to death. Naturally, with the opportunity to ski comes the crowds. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone wants to get out there on the mountain during the ski season, and it helps to have a large group of people to share the experience with.
The downside to having so many people around is that you’ll probably have to wait a while for someone to free up a space on the chairlift. You won’t have the luxury of being the only person in the lift line, as there will always be other skiers waiting to go up. It’s unlikely you’ll be doing any damage to the environment by traveling in a group, as you’ll be sharing the gas guzzlers with other skiers. But at least you’ll have the pleasure of skiing with everyone around you.
Is It Possible To Ski Sundown In Whistler?
The last bit of winter in Canada means only one thing: it’s possible to ski until the sun goes down. This is made possible by the snowfall and the position of the North American continent with respect to the sun. It gets dark earlier in the winter, so by the time the sun starts descending, the temperatures are already decreasing, and you can start seeing patches of blue on the snow. It’s definitely a magical experience, one that you have to try at least once in your life.
Should You Try The Winter XC Ski Race?
The last two winters have seen the Winter XC Ski Race become a popular addition to Whistler’s skiing program. The Winter XC is an international biathlon competition that takes place every year in the middle of April. It was first held in 2004, and since then, it’s gained in popularity, with the race attracting more and more people each year. It’s even earned the nickname of “The Supertrail,” with some of the most popular runs including Cypress, Green Valley, and Falls Creek making up the so-called Supertrail.
A lot of people have gotten super lucky and won multiple XC Ski Races, with the current record holder, Kjetil Rolighed, nabbing the title four times. So if you’re looking for an opportunity to compete against some of the best skiers in the world, the Winter XC is definitely the race to look out for.
How Is The Snowfall In Whistler?
The snowfall in Whistler is a blessing. During the winter, the resort gets more than 300cm of snow, which is almost entirely made up of winter snow. This is more than enough snow for all the resorts in Canada, including Whistler, and it keeps on coming down every year, with forecasts predicting another 60 to 100cm of snow by next week. It’s rare to find a Canadian ski resort that gets so much snow, and the locals are extremely grateful for all this snow, which they use to make some of the most amazing ski-in/ski-out accommodations in the world. This includes the chairlift, which gives you the convenience of skiing right from your hotel room. It also means the locals can get back on the mountain as soon as the last lift stops running, so they can get their snowboard and skiing equipment fixer-uppers.
It’s an opportunity to get some last shreds of winter in Canada, and with the chance to ski comes the obligation to make the most of it. Naturally, everyone wants to get out there and make the most of this opportunity, with some people traveling from as far away as Japan and Sweden to get some skiing in before the snow melts away. So instead of lamenting the end of winter, you should be looking at it as an opportunity for some much needed recreation, which is exactly what the locals do.