The best season for visiting Whistler

Whistler is internationally renowned as a year-round resort, with recreational activities for all the family available at any time of year. So if you are planning to come to Whistler, what is the best time of year?

Let's take this question step by step. If you are coming for the skiing on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, you can really only choose sometime between November and April. Although skiing is available up until July, it is not for the serious skier, due to the combination of marginal snow cover and limited terrain availability. Within this time, don't bother with November, when the risk of little or no snow will be considerable. So your choice is effectively between the months from December to April. What are the main pros and cons of each month?

December is a curate's egg. The early part will find empty slopes, great deals on lodging and in the restaurants, but a bit of a gamble with respect to the snow. If the snow gods are smiling on you, this will be an excellent time to visit. If not, bring your oldest skis and set aside some time for treatments in some of Whistler's legendary spas. Later in the month, and especially over Christmas and New Year, you will pay the highest prices of the season, have to fight for a table in any of the most sought-after restaurants and stand in some very long queues on the Harmony Chair. However you will experience the adrenalin which goes with the height of the season in Whistler: the buzzing atmosphere, the parades, the firework displays etc. If you can afford it, this is a wonderful time to come.

January frequently offers the heaviest snowfalls of the year (in 2006 January was the snowiest month since record-keeping began). It also offers great prices on accommodation (you can safely wait to the last minute to look for deals), and no lift lines, except perhaps on weekend powder days, when the cognoscenti will queue up early to leave their mark on the mountain. On the other hand it can occasionally be extremely chilly, and it tends to get dark very early. If you are a true enthusiast, January may be the month for you.

February and March see bigger crowds, but are more laid back. You might want to avoid both Presidents Week in February and Spring Break in March; if your family schedule will allow this you could have the best of all worlds: lots of snow on the ground, a good chance of sunshine and easier access to the best restaurants in town.

April appeals primarily to the British and Mexican markets, who come over for their Easter vacations. However, take care on your accommodation choice if you come in April: there may be lots of snow at the top but a shortage at the bottom of the hill, so don't bother to pay the premium for ski-in, ski-out accommodation.

As far as the non-skiing season is concerned you can write off the fall if you are interested in any form of watersports: the lakes are too cold. On the other hand the restaurants offer some great deals. A meal that would set you back $60-$70 in February can be had for $29. May and June can offer great weather; the conditions are ideal for white-water rafting in the snow melt and lovely cool, temperate days for golf. But if you want to swim in Lost Lake or sunbathe on your deck you should probably leave your trip until July or August.

About the Author: Henry Schlee is the owner of skiwhistler.co.uk; visit his site if you are looking for a Whistler chalet.

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