Umbrella Bar on Whistler MountainJusta Jeskova/Supplied
Whistler Blackcomb needs little introduction. This Coast Mountain mecca, the largest ski resort in North America and one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics, draws skiers and snowboarders from around the world to its massive snowfall, varied terrain, plentiful adventure activities and vibrant village life.
With 37 lifts and more than 200 trails across its two towering peaks, it’s no surprise Whistler Blackcomb is a popular destination during spring ski season. The average snowfall in March is 2.4 metres.
“What you get here is literally everything: the most complete big mountain experience there is, winning No. 1 outright for terrain,” gushed Ski magazine in naming Whistler Blackcomb on its list of top North American ski resorts for 2020, based on reader surveys.
But the resort offers much more than epic snow. With more than 200 shops and 200 restaurants, cafes, lounges and bars, Whistler Blackcomb is as much about the après-ski atmosphere as it is the slopes themselves.
Skiing Blackcomb Mountain with Black Tusk in the backgroundEric Berger/Supplied
Come for the snow, stay for the spas. Or experience five-star dining in the pedestrian-only village with ski-in, ski-out lodging. Take a break from skiing and visit the captivating Audain Art Museum. At Whistler, there is something for everyone.
Adventurous visitors can take in dog-sledding, snowmobile or snowcat fondue tours. Heli-skiing tours offer a bucket-list opportunity to carve untracked powder through untouched terrain as well as breath- taking scenery.
Whistler Heli-Skiing, celebrating 39 years this year, provides exclusive access to 175,000 hectares of big mountain terrain that includes 173 glaciers and 475 runs in an area 50 times the size of the resort itself.
Another major attraction is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the largest lift of its kind in the world, which transports visitors across the top of the world with stunning views of the village, glaciers and forests below. Meantime, Ziptrek Ecotours offers closer but equally stunning views from its network of ziplines and suspension bridges on a treetop walk to remember.
There’s skating, cross-country skiing, snow school and a tube park, to name a few more of the activities at Whistler Blackcomb.
All-day Belgian waffles at Crystal Hut on BlackcombJusta Jeskova/Supplied
While the sports are great, spring also ushers in patio season in this resort community, where dozens of cafes, bars and other eateries await. In fact, foodies can enjoy the resort as much as any powder hound.
On the mountains enjoy the Crystal Hut, Horstman Hut, and the Umbrella Bar at the Roundhouse Lodge, or stop in at Whistler familiars such as the Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill, Dusty’s Bar & Grill or Merlin’s Bar.
Whistler is a “cultural metropolis packed into a pedestrian village,” says Ski magazine, noting the many dining and entertainment options.
Whistler Blackcomb is slated to remain open until April 25, 2020.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.