Consider this about Whistler;
Often wet wet rain /snow days.
Often fog/clouds rain"
Just remember what happened in the Olympics!
I once guided a group there and for one week it rained rained and rained!
Look up Chinook !
Do not believe me,,but do check weather charts over a 10 year period!
better to ski in the interior in such ski resorts as; Kicking Horse, Panorama, Fernie ( for the hard core powder skiers!
Secrets Whistler will not tell you!
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I have, in Colorado and California/Nevada resorts. As in the "free" Valet ski check, where the Valet takes your skis with one hand and holds out the other one for the cash you are going to give him :roll:
Not experienced this anywhere in Europe.....yet!
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Started by Pavelski in Canada 08-Aug-2011 - 7 Replies
Pavelski posted Aug-2011
Dave Mac
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
Pavel, that is all true. I had good weather for a week, then low cloud and mist for another week. My everlasting memory of Whistler is following two locals straight down the fall line on Blackcomb Glacier, in a white out. It was a full speed run, just as though we could see for miles. I could only see 10 metres, and was following their vague shadows. It was the most amount of trust I have ever had in my skiing life. I wished I could have met them to thank them.
Rideonwhistler
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
WOW - I know I am biased, but I disagree!
Pavelski - you are talking about Vancouver hills, Whistler VILLAGE and snow conditions when we're having a wet April. Over the Olympics we had so much snow on hill that we actually had to delay some of the downhill events and recruit volunteers to side step down the course and remove the fresh pow! When you saw rain on your TV over the Olympics you were watching an event in Vancouver or reporters in the village. Ask anyone who was actually here.
Take a look at the snowfall records for the last 5yrs http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/stats/index.htm.
When it's miserable and wet in the village get up the gondola with your skis/board cause it's more than likely epic up there.
It is true we get alot of white outs... make sure you wear good lenses in your goggles (bright orange or green) and stick to tree runs or gladed runs for best visibility! It's hard to complain about white-out conditions when there's so much snow...
Pavelski - you are talking about Vancouver hills, Whistler VILLAGE and snow conditions when we're having a wet April. Over the Olympics we had so much snow on hill that we actually had to delay some of the downhill events and recruit volunteers to side step down the course and remove the fresh pow! When you saw rain on your TV over the Olympics you were watching an event in Vancouver or reporters in the village. Ask anyone who was actually here.
Take a look at the snowfall records for the last 5yrs http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/stats/index.htm.
When it's miserable and wet in the village get up the gondola with your skis/board cause it's more than likely epic up there.
It is true we get alot of white outs... make sure you wear good lenses in your goggles (bright orange or green) and stick to tree runs or gladed runs for best visibility! It's hard to complain about white-out conditions when there's so much snow...
Pavelski
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
Snowfall records = total snow fallen in one season!
No problem with that however;
where is total snow measured top mid station or base !
Type of snow fallen is key to choice of ski resort
Heavy wet snow from moist pacific currents is one type of snow!
I have been to Whistler 10 times.
2 weeks were great 4 days out of 5.
I week of total wet rain/snow for 5 days
I week of snow rain 2 days and then fog heavy soup conditions
I week of powder snow at top with high high winds, wet snow at mid station and soft wet snow at base!
I bring groups to ski and my pick is now interior BC; Big White Kicking Horse, Panorama
That is just my opinion based on the 10 trips I have done at Whistler and 15 trips in the BC interior!
It is up to each person to decide!
No problem with that however;
where is total snow measured top mid station or base !
Type of snow fallen is key to choice of ski resort
Heavy wet snow from moist pacific currents is one type of snow!
I have been to Whistler 10 times.
2 weeks were great 4 days out of 5.
I week of total wet rain/snow for 5 days
I week of snow rain 2 days and then fog heavy soup conditions
I week of powder snow at top with high high winds, wet snow at mid station and soft wet snow at base!
I bring groups to ski and my pick is now interior BC; Big White Kicking Horse, Panorama
That is just my opinion based on the 10 trips I have done at Whistler and 15 trips in the BC interior!
It is up to each person to decide!
Rideonwhistler
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
You didn't even click the link did you Pavelski :lol: it will take you to a a month-by-month breakdown of how much snow fell each year since 2003. It is measured from Pig Alley Weather Station on Whistler Mountain (elevation 1,660 metres/ 5,445 feet), which is about half way up Whistler (highest lift accessed point 2,284 metres/7,494 feet).
Whistler does get heavier snow than the interior - our powder is still awesome though, just look at the hundreds of online videos of Coast mountain powder skiing to see what it's like!
Interior resorts are famous for their super light champagne powder. Downside is your snowpack lacks stability and makes avalanche risk much higher & so you have to ski tamer terrain.
I've done a few weeks riding in interior resorts: I LOVE Revelstoke for it's terrain and the powder that seems to last weeks after it's fallen. Big White was a bit flat for my tastes. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try a few more resorts this year! But Whistler Blackcomb's the resort that's held my attention for 4years so far...
Whistler does get heavier snow than the interior - our powder is still awesome though, just look at the hundreds of online videos of Coast mountain powder skiing to see what it's like!
Interior resorts are famous for their super light champagne powder. Downside is your snowpack lacks stability and makes avalanche risk much higher & so you have to ski tamer terrain.
I've done a few weeks riding in interior resorts: I LOVE Revelstoke for it's terrain and the powder that seems to last weeks after it's fallen. Big White was a bit flat for my tastes. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try a few more resorts this year! But Whistler Blackcomb's the resort that's held my attention for 4years so far...
Pavelski
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
I did forget one major reason I DO NOT like to ski at Whistler!
It has nothing to do with snow conditions, since yes skiing can be great there!
It is the Interwest Formula! It was a success in the booming days of 1980s to 2000!
It goes something like this;
Take a good ski center
Get foreign investment money ( and some government money) to "create" a self-enclosed ski resort which has one goal. Take money out of ski tourists while they; ski a little, party a lot, eat a lot, massage a lot, drink even more, finally the prize,,,,"invest in ski home" !
That is the secret,,,,the condos, homes and hotels that all must have!
Not my type of skiing "experience" !
But then, that is my opinion! I just love skiing for its own sake, not the drinking ( I live in a town that has the very best clubs),,not the high end restos ( I live in a town that has world class chefs),,,
I look for those "hidden jewels" in Montana, in Utah, in New Mexico ( yes one of the very best USA ski resorts is called Taos). great skiing, great skiers and better still real ski villages with restos own by ski bums who have settled down and ski only 100 + days per season!
That is my opinion. my kind of skiing!
Pavel
It has nothing to do with snow conditions, since yes skiing can be great there!
It is the Interwest Formula! It was a success in the booming days of 1980s to 2000!
It goes something like this;
Take a good ski center
Get foreign investment money ( and some government money) to "create" a self-enclosed ski resort which has one goal. Take money out of ski tourists while they; ski a little, party a lot, eat a lot, massage a lot, drink even more, finally the prize,,,,"invest in ski home" !
That is the secret,,,,the condos, homes and hotels that all must have!
Not my type of skiing "experience" !
But then, that is my opinion! I just love skiing for its own sake, not the drinking ( I live in a town that has the very best clubs),,not the high end restos ( I live in a town that has world class chefs),,,
I look for those "hidden jewels" in Montana, in Utah, in New Mexico ( yes one of the very best USA ski resorts is called Taos). great skiing, great skiers and better still real ski villages with restos own by ski bums who have settled down and ski only 100 + days per season!
That is my opinion. my kind of skiing!
Pavel
Dave Mac
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
I also really disliked the practically mandetory 15% expected for a tip. Have never experienced that anywhere else.
Bandit
reply to 'Secrets Whistler will not tell you!' posted Aug-2011
Dave Mac wrote:I also really disliked the practically mandetory 15% expected for a tip. Have never experienced that anywhere else.
I have, in Colorado and California/Nevada resorts. As in the "free" Valet ski check, where the Valet takes your skis with one hand and holds out the other one for the cash you are going to give him :roll:
Not experienced this anywhere in Europe.....yet!
Topic last updated on 15-August-2011 at 08:05