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Trip Report - Whistler Blackcomb, April 30th - May 7th 2011

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Date: April 30th-May 7th, 2011

Our mob: 3 addicted skiers

Website: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

pics: here

Basics: Whistler closes one of its mountains at the end of April, and keeps the other open until, this year, May 30th. It’s Blackcomb’s turn this year. Access is via the Blackcomb gondola from Whistler and the majority of the mid and upper mountain lifts are open every day. For Edge Card holders, a $79 Spring Season Pass is available. Yep, 7 days skiing for $79 bucks on this trip Wink

The skiing: It’s been a record-breaking La Nina year at Whistler, and the snow depth was still like mid-winter, with skiing all the way down to the village. When the weather was good, the place to be was up high in Glacier Bowl and off 7th Heaven. The mid mountain runs got slushy later in the day, but rarely sticky, rather with fun, sugary snow prevailing all the way down the village. Groomers like Cloud 9, Ridge Runner and Zig Zag were at various times in perfect condition, fast and carvable. In the alpine, Pakalolo, Cougar Chutes and the bump runs off the Jersey chair were epic as long as you timed it right. The only downer was 3 foggy days, occasionally reducing the visibility to levels similar to Donald Trump’s credibility for President. This was the time to hit the tree runs, with Bark Sandwich, In the Spirit and Outer Limits being places to lay tracks in great spring snow.

Lift lines. Er … none.

Off-piste : There was so much snow you could basically ski anywhere. We had runs off Spanky’s Ladder, which were superb, and explored some precipitous lines off the cat track just past Heavenly Basin. Again, as long as you were smarter than the average bear with your timing, there was some really great off-piste skiing. Talking of bears, we saw some pretty big tracks in the trees below Crystal Chair Wink

The resort: Whistler Village is fantastic in spring. It’s not too busy, even at weekends, and there are bargains galore to be had eating, drinking and shopping. I invested in a new Salomon jacket for half price that should suffice for next season. So many bargains, so little budget ;(

Food: We deliberately explored new eating options, and exploited a few of the many special deals available throughout the village. Huge prime rib and lamb shanks for less than $20 each were excellent at Wildwood. We had good food in the Aubergine Grill, respectable bar food in Earls (perched at the bar watching ice hockey), and, the discovery of the week, great Japanese ‘pub food’ at Izakaya Harajuku. There’s some genuine, excellent Japanese food in Whistler, and Harajuku is up there with the best. A special 3 course menu for $19 per person was a great deal. So good, we went twice.

Hotel: We booked a 2 bed/2 bathroom condo in Bear Lodge from ownerdirect.com for C$900 for a week. What a bargain. A 5 minute walk to lifts, spacious and comfortable, and entertaining views of the (small) crowds outside Garfinkels at weekends as a bonus!

Costs: A helluva lot cheaper than in winter. Get the weekly paper and follow the nightly specials in all the restaurants and bars, and there’s serious money to be saved.

Conclusion: I love Whistler in spring. The skiing is still extensive and superb, the slopes are quiet, prices low, and the weather generally excellent (less so on this crazy La Nina year though, where spring skiing everywhere is as elusive as an Alex Ferguson apology). One day I’ll spend all May there. One day …

Skiing stats:

7 days: 11900m, 7900m, 10200m, 12200m, 8900m, 9200m, 7900m vert
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
gortonator, I've been to Whistler twice now and your report just makes me want to go back again! snowHead
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Been watching Whistlers late season tweets with envy. When you see the MTB trails they've dug out there's boardwalk trough a snow tunnel! I like the idea of doing a self booking but the flights are just toooo expensive. You've already forked out £750 (USD 1,200) before you've sorted accommodation, transfers, and lift pass. We did the full package for a little over £900 with Inghams in Jan but their 2012 early bookings are already above that figure without pass.

Booked the family into the Delta Suites next half term. Hoping it's not too near to Garfinkels (probably bigger) Queue
Puzzled
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gortonator, great report snowHead
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
gortonator, great. Thanks. More pictures of the terrain next time please. Work is so boring here Smile
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You'll need to Register first of course.
gbium, delta suites are ace stayed there during olympics good position for every thing.gortonator, good report just been talking to a pal about booking for next year such a great place when its quiet.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Great reports, thanks for posting. We were there from the 1st-1th April and it was brilliant. Already booked next year too and counting the days !!!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
due to popular demand (!), added several skiing pics clipped off HD vid camera. Fine things HD cameras Wink

pics at http://gortonator.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/blackcomb-in-may-2/
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Great report. We were there for four weeks 22 January - 19 February and I still gaze at the pictures on a weekly basis. Harmony Ridge on a clear day is about as good as life gets snowHead
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