How to Do Spring Break at Whistler Blackcomb
KRISTEN WINT
Nice work. You’re booked for Spring Break at Whistler Blackcomb. The kids are hyped and already packing, albeit a bit early, and Mom and Dad are stoked, too. If you want to know how to get the most out of your trip to beautiful B.C., here’s your how-to guide for an awesome holiday.
How to Get Organized Before You Arrive
Definitely, book lift tickets and equipment rentals before you arrive to take advantage of guaranteed lowest prices. Leave your skis at home so there’s less luggage to juggle and minimal whining from the kids. Besides, renting gives you access to the latest gear and the ability to swap it up day-to-day. Big pow? Grab the fatties and float effortlessly through the snow. Groomer day? Switch the planks up for something skinnier to carve up the corduroy. Also, skis and boards are freshly tuned every day. (That’s not happening at my house!)
How to Explore the Mountains
Photo:
Abby Cooper
There’s so much family-friendly terrain to explore. Start with my family’s favourite, a warm-up lap on Ego Bowl in the Family Zone on Whistler Mountain. There’s tons of room for everyone to spread out and some nice stashes of snow to hit on the sides. For something different, we bring all our family friends to the Magic Castle on Blackcomb and the Tree Fort on Whistler where winding, forested trails lead you to awesome winter playgrounds in the woods.
Photo:
Andrew Strain
For sunny days on Whistler Mountain, take green run, Burnt Stew Trail or blue run, Harmony Ridge for long and scenic cruising with amazing views as far as the eye can see. Hop on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola that connects you to Blackcomb (grab a glass-bottomed gondola if you can) and head over to 7th Heaven for some high-alpine schussing on Cloud Nine for intermediates. Or, take Green Line for beginners. Don’t forget to take photos, and if you need to juice up your phone, there are free charging stations on both mountains.
Wow your friends back home by skiing the two longest runs on Whistler and Blackcomb: Peak to Creek and Green Road to Easy Out, respectively. Both are breathtaking (literally!) and 11-kilometres long, so pack a few treats in your pockets to motivate dawdling family members.
How to Fuel Up
Photo:
Abby Cooper
You need to do a Fresh Tracks Mountain Top Breakfast on Whistler at least once. If a big snow day is in the forecast, (yay!) be sure to buy your tickets the day before and line up early as there is a limit to how many people they can seat. It’s a pretty cool feeling to be among the first skiers and riders up the mountain in the morning for a ginormous breakfast buffet. It's even cooler when you hear patrol announce that the runs are officially open and you can charge the fresh powder or perfectly groomed runs before the rest of the crowd.
When energy is waning and thighs are burning, stop in to the Chic Pea on Whistler for ooey- gooey cinnamon buns and hot chocolate. The runs out here are long, so bribing family members with treats is totally acceptable! Also, check out Raven’s Nest on Whistler for uber-delicious vegetarian fare.
According to my kids, a visit to the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb for all-day Belgian waffles is mandatory. They’ve been doing it since they were three and it’s still a fave activity. We’ve planned entire ski days around it.
“You need to load on as many toppings as possible,” says my now 14-year-old daughter. “And you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.” There’s chili and a few other things if you aren’t waffle-inclined. Head there before 11 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. so you can find seats on a busy day.
How to Relax and Be Dazzled
Après is a must-do after a great day of skiing. It’s the perfect way to kick back by the fire and relive your favourite parts of the day. Local watering holes welcome children until 8 p.m., so order up a giant platter of nachos at the GLC with beverages all around and get comfy. (Parents, ask for the extra-tasty Caesars!) After refreshments, bring the fam to the Whistler Blackcomb Fire & Ice show. Skiers hitting big air and jumping through a ring of fire never gets old. It’s a free event on Sunday evenings. Fireworks end the show with a bang.
With so much to do and explore, be sure to ask a Whistler local for more tips when you arrive. We are friendly and chatty!
If you go
Book a ski and stay package at Whistler Blackcomb.
Click here to learn more about how to plan the ultimate winter, by skiing B.C.’s coast.
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