Whistler in December
Discussion
Right then, which of fancy sods has done Whistler in December before? By some quirk of life, the universe, fate, BA I can somehow get the middle week of Dec at the Fairmont cheaply. Whats the snow and skiing and stuff in general like then? It’s not the week before Xmas, I know that is all magical, but the week before that.
Been twice, once for 10 days, once for 2 weeks. Both times it rained - not every day, but enough for the town to be fairly snowless. People skiied in ponchos. On the non rainy days it was of course great, with very well groomed runs, and a few amazing powder days.
Eating and drinking was very "American" in content style and service, with some fairly posh eateries available, often South Asian cuisine. People were generally very friendly.
I'd not return - If I were to return to NA it would be to Aspen (well, Snowmass to be honest) - the powder there is so light you can blow it out of your hands, and the grooming was next level. The altitude did hit me hard - walking up stairs was exhausting!
Eating and drinking was very "American" in content style and service, with some fairly posh eateries available, often South Asian cuisine. People were generally very friendly.
I'd not return - If I were to return to NA it would be to Aspen (well, Snowmass to be honest) - the powder there is so light you can blow it out of your hands, and the grooming was next level. The altitude did hit me hard - walking up stairs was exhausting!
I love Whistler, but as it's on that side of the Rockies you do have the chance of warm air.
I've been 3 times I think, March time every time. Once we had heavy rain for days, no snow in the village and the mountain closed with the option of a lift pass refund or free food/drink on the mountain plus free lessons.
The other two times it's been perfect, fresh powder every day, feet of the stuff.
The village is great, lots of choice for food/drink, it's quite a walk if you are not near either Whistler or Blackcomb lifts/gondola's though.
I've been 3 times I think, March time every time. Once we had heavy rain for days, no snow in the village and the mountain closed with the option of a lift pass refund or free food/drink on the mountain plus free lessons.
The other two times it's been perfect, fresh powder every day, feet of the stuff.
The village is great, lots of choice for food/drink, it's quite a walk if you are not near either Whistler or Blackcomb lifts/gondola's though.
I was there over Xmas about ten years ago, the powder was as good as anything I’ve experienced but it was fffing cold, -30 or so with the wind chill and people were being sent off the mountain if they showed signs of frostbite.
It’s a typical NA resort, for me one big plus is it’s only a couple of hours from Vancouver, a city I like to visit and know well.
It’s a typical NA resort, for me one big plus is it’s only a couple of hours from Vancouver, a city I like to visit and know well.
Mountain will be rammed during the Christmas / New Year period. There is always snow up high on Blackcomb. If you have a cold patch, make sure you have neoprene face covering and proper warm gear.
Was there in March and a day lift ticket was C$300+ each. Plan ahead for early deals or season pass.
Was there in March and a day lift ticket was C$300+ each. Plan ahead for early deals or season pass.
December appears to be really good according to this history
Have you been recently? It’s not cheap these days to eat and drink but not too crazy, I still managed to drink my own weight in Guinness at Dubh Linn Gate without bankrupting myself. Hys is still good, the Brickworks was quite nice for a few drinks and pizzeria antico offered the best budget friendly feed that I experienced.
Enjoy
Have you been recently? It’s not cheap these days to eat and drink but not too crazy, I still managed to drink my own weight in Guinness at Dubh Linn Gate without bankrupting myself. Hys is still good, the Brickworks was quite nice for a few drinks and pizzeria antico offered the best budget friendly feed that I experienced.
Enjoy
DeejRC said:
I was asking for snow/weather conditions really. Have done Whistler before, so know what it’s like as a place. Went previously in March and the weather was glorious blazing sunshine, that started to turn the lower slopes to porridge, but up top was just fine.
Variable. They’ve had years with massive early season dumps and years when the snow hasn’t come in big volume until January. In an average year you’ll have good coverage over the mountain but there will be more exposed bits of rock, esp lower down, than in say Feb. Temperature - again, a bit of a dice roll. Typically it should be -3 to -10 at a guess, but could be +/-10 off that range.
DeejRC said:
2019 was our last visit.
We don’t tend to eat/drink out in town much - that’s what booking Fairmont gold is for!! Though my wife does like the Buddha bowl place in the centre of the village near the rings.
Well that’s fortunate because prices have doubled since then. Tipping has gone all American too so be ready for that!We don’t tend to eat/drink out in town much - that’s what booking Fairmont gold is for!! Though my wife does like the Buddha bowl place in the centre of the village near the rings.
Green moustache? If you like tacos La Cantina is just round the corner and is reasonably priced.
Skied in Whistler for Christmas & New Year for 2012/3 and 2015/6.
We were told nay the locals that we picked the seasons well, both times, as the snow had been terrible in the seasons around the years we went.
As a family of 4, we did AirBnB both with rental car on both occasions.
IME, lift queues were the politest ever experienced.
Snow, both times we went, was AMAZING.
Powday after powday.
Mountain catering is off the charts in terms of quality and choice. Far, far better than anything experienced in Europe.
I do recall The Fairmont staff bringing out a cart for you to put your skis on when you finished at the end of the day. They'd cart them back to the hotel so you could get on with your apres ski. All very civilised.
If I had the means, we'd go to Whistler every Christmas!
We were told nay the locals that we picked the seasons well, both times, as the snow had been terrible in the seasons around the years we went.
As a family of 4, we did AirBnB both with rental car on both occasions.
IME, lift queues were the politest ever experienced.
Snow, both times we went, was AMAZING.
Powday after powday.
Mountain catering is off the charts in terms of quality and choice. Far, far better than anything experienced in Europe.
I do recall The Fairmont staff bringing out a cart for you to put your skis on when you finished at the end of the day. They'd cart them back to the hotel so you could get on with your apres ski. All very civilised.
If I had the means, we'd go to Whistler every Christmas!
RC1807 said:
Skied in Whistler for Christmas & New Year for 2012/3 and 2015/6.
We were told nay the locals that we picked the seasons well, both times, as the snow had been terrible in the seasons around the years we went.
As a family of 4, we did AirBnB both with rental car on both occasions.
IME, lift queues were the politest ever experienced.
Snow, both times we went, was AMAZING.
Powday after powday.
Mountain catering is off the charts in terms of quality and choice. Far, far better than anything experienced in Europe.
I do recall The Fairmont staff bringing out a cart for you to put your skis on when you finished at the end of the day. They'd cart them back to the hotel so you could get on with your apres ski. All very civilised.
If I had the means, we'd go to Whistler every Christmas!
The catering on the mountain is ok but quite expensive. I never starved but I also never looked forward to lunch.We were told nay the locals that we picked the seasons well, both times, as the snow had been terrible in the seasons around the years we went.
As a family of 4, we did AirBnB both with rental car on both occasions.
IME, lift queues were the politest ever experienced.
Snow, both times we went, was AMAZING.
Powday after powday.
Mountain catering is off the charts in terms of quality and choice. Far, far better than anything experienced in Europe.
I do recall The Fairmont staff bringing out a cart for you to put your skis on when you finished at the end of the day. They'd cart them back to the hotel so you could get on with your apres ski. All very civilised.
If I had the means, we'd go to Whistler every Christmas!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff