Ski Whistler with the Family!

Whistler is well known for providing some of the best skiing in the world. With its vast ski area covering the two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, it offers such a variation in terrain it is impossible to cover, even in a 10 day trip! Whether you are an expert looking for some challenging double black diamonds or a complete beginner, there is something for every level of ability. Since the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler has expanded from the small village it was 17 years ago when I first skied there. It is now a large resort offering an exceptional variety of accommodation to suit all requirements and a host of restaurants and bars for some of the best apres ski. A visit to the renowned Long Horn Bar at the Whistler Base for some of the best post ski fun, is a must. Whistler offers an excellent free shuttle bus service, which is very regular during peak times, so regardless of where you are staying it is extremely easy to move a around the resort. Accommodation situated around the Blackcomb base is generally quieter with much of it being ski in/ski out. Here you can experience 5 star luxury at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler or the Fourseasons Resort Whistler, both of which have stunning mountain views and cater very well for children and families, with many different room types. Hotels such as these offer their own private shuttle service which enables guests to easily take the 5 minute journey to Whistler Village, to sample the shops, restaurants and bars. Our choice with the family, was to stay at the all suite, Coast Blackcomb Suites at Whistler. This is actually situated on the edge of the Blackcomb mountain towards the bottom of the Blue Merlins Run so has a great ski in/ski out location. Coast Blackcomb Suites, offers excellent 3 star all suite accommodation and is also one of the few accommodations in the resort to include breakfast as standard. With the family this was perfect, as it meant everyone was very well fed at the start of a busy day. We stayed in one of their 2 bedroom suites, which was extremely comfortable and spacious, providing simple but excellent self catering facilites. The ski rental is on site and the free shuttle stops right outside the hotel. The ski school in Whistler is excellent for all levels of ability, offering private or group lessons. These are age specific so children are grouped according to their age and ability ensuring maximum enjoyment. Most suppliers offer discounts for pre booking lessons and also ski hire and ski passes. We sampled both private and group lessons with the 'Ski Whistler Kids' and within a week we were all skiing together. All the instructors are great and work on ratios of 1 instructor to 6 children, meaning more individual attention for a better learning experience. So, ski the Symphony Back Bowl and select one of the magical routes through the trees; feel the burn as you take the Black Diamond Dave Murray Downhill and then reward yourself at the bottom with some spicy wings at Dustys's, Whistler Creekside; and to top off the trip of a lifetime, why not spend a few days in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Ski Whistler and you will never want to ski anywhere else again.