Although the Whistler expert terrain only “technically” comprises about 27-percent of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain terrain, don’t forget that’s 27 percent of 8,161 acres, or about 2,200 acres solely devoted to expert skiers. And that number doesn’t include the seemingly never-ending sidecountry terrain that experienced backcountry skiers can take advantage of. Because Whistler Blackcomb rises almost 6,000 feet and is located in a coastal climate, expert skiers can take advantage of the resort’s unique winter environment: high alpine, above treeline couloir and chute skiing, to open bowl glacier skiing to lush evergreen powder stashes with fun, hidden cliff drops. Not to mention the expert steeps of the 2010 Winter Olympics Downhill courses. Whistler expert skiing offers an excessive amount of options for a seasoned skier.
For the best Whistler Mountain expert terrain head right up the Whistler Village Gondola, and get yourself on The Peak Lift. You’ll feel like King of the World on Whistler Mountain’s 7,160-foot summit. For an adrenaline rush you won’t soon forget, drop into Whistler Bowl. To really challenge yourself try to ski non-stop to Grand Finale which drops you off at Big Red Express for more laps. Or if you want test your expert mettle, head skier’s left along the ridgeline and drop into double black The Coulior or The Cirque. If you head skier’s right off the ridge, you’ll find yourself in West Bowl or Bagel Bowl. Head to Harmony Express and get the steep goods on Glacier Bowl, or head along Harmony Ridge and drop into any of the short, steep chutes. From the top of Harmony Express you can access Sun Bowl and Flute Bowl. If you’re looking for a powder stash, In-Deep is where you want to be.
Blackcomb Mountain is generally considered to have more “extreme” terrain, so be ready to bring your “A” game. To get to the ultimate Blackcomb expert terrain head up to the Glacier Express, you can opt for the quick hike to Spanky’s Ladder, which access double black Garnet, Diamond, Sapphire and Ruby Bowl, and features everything you can imagine: huge cliffs, chutes, couloirs and open steeps. Or hop on the Showcase T-Bar to access the wide-open splendor of the Blackcomb Glacier. Be sure to read warning signs and obey any marked areas, as glaciers can be unpredictable. Bang out some hot laps on the Hortsman T-Bar and take advantage of all the short and sweet goods in the Couloir Extreme and Secret Bowl zone.