Hands down, Whistler Blackcomb is one of the best ski resorts for families. It’s a place that I continuously want to keep coming back to and make family traditions- it was that special! Not only does it have a mix of terrain for all ages, it has a huge apres ski scene, five-star spas and a village to “WOW” anyone.. Here are the best reasons to head to Canada for your next family ski vacation:
GETTING THERE
Getting there is super easy. We drove up from Seattle, which was only a 2-hour drive up to the mountain. The view driving along the coastline of Vancouver was simply jaw-dropping. It’s definitely worth the drive, but you can also easily fly into Vancouver International Airport, and then it’s about a 1.5 hour drive from there.
THE MOUNTAIN
Host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Ski and bobsleigh events, these two mountains- Whistler and Blackcomb are linked with the Peak2Peak gondolas. It is the longest and highest lift in the world connecting the high alpine terrains for breathtaking views. Whether you ski or not, this an an absolute must-do while visiting Whistler. Whistler offers amazing programs from ages 3 and up for all skill levels, which makes it great for families that may just be learning how to ski.
THE BEST SKI VILLAGE
Whistler Village is enormous and one of the most beautiful ski villages I’ve ever seen! Full of shops, restaurants, a skating rink and more, you will be impressed of this winter wonderland playground perfect for all ages. The best restaurant to eat at in the village is Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar. The most delicious oysters you will eat!
BEST PLACE TO STAY
We stayed at Four Seasons Whistler, which is a great luxury family resort. It’s almost a ski in/out, while they have a ski valet, you still need to take a complimentary Four Seasons shuttle to the slopes. The amenities they offer are perfect for families like miniature robes, fireplaces in each room, outdoor heated pool, complimentary hot cocoa/smores, and kids under 5 get to eat for free at Sidecut. (only if you’re a guest of the hotel) They do have a kids club playroom with an attendant that offers arts and crafts, games, drinks, etc. Kaia loved coming here after a long day of being out in the snow to color and play with other kids her age. At anytime, they have a driver willing to take you to wherever you need to go around the village. This is a great perk for families!
ACTIVITIES THAT DON’T INVOLVE SKIING
You don’t have to ski, to fall in love with Whistler. There are so many other things to do with the family. One of our favorite fun things to do with Kaia was tubing at the Coca-Cola Tube Park. We had a blast here and recommend it for all ages, even adults. You can even go ice skating at the Olympic Plaza, outdoor/indoor playground (indoor playground is only during the holidays), snowshoeing, dog sledding and of course hitting up the spas.
WHAT TO PACK
Good snow boots, warm knits, hats and gloves, lip balm, MUN face oil, hand lotion and good pair of sunglasses. For our ski gear, SPYDER is our go-to. They make beautiful ski wear for the entire family and love their latest winter collection. Kaia is seen wearing their Bitsy Spark Pant and matching puff jacket. It’s a great snowsuit that is easy to put on/off, especially when they are potting training, because it makes bathroom breaks so much easier. I can be seen wearing the falline real fur down jacket in marshmallow, which made me feel like a super chic snow bunny with the fur trim! I wore it with the Kaleidoscope printed pant. Kenji is seen wearing their Zermatt jacket. The one thing that we love about Spyder, is not only do they make great designs, but never once did we feel freezing, because they kept us warm and cozy in the frigid temperatures all week.
I can understand why Whistler Blackcomb keeps getting voted the #1 ski resort in North America. Take a visit, and you’ll be impressed with this winter wonderland.
*Thanks to Whistler Blackcomb for hosting us and Spyder for outfitting our entire family. Read more at Spyder.com.
