Why spring is the new winter for families visiting Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb is the mountain resort that just keeps on giving for Australian families wanting to get the most time on snow. While many other resorts have packed up shop for the winter, Whistler and Blackcomb stays open until late April and late May which means more fun for you.
But don’t stress about snow levels in spring, March is traditionally the snowiest month in Canada’s favourite big mountain resort. Last season the resort scored over three metres of snow in March alone, in 2012 they got over four metres and in 2011 the March snowfall total was 315 centimeters. This means metres and metres of spring snow well into April plus a glacier to ensure year round skiing.
The Aussie Easter School Holidays are a great time to visit Whistler. You'll have your choice of free family entertainment including snowman building, tobogganing, storytelling, mini hockey and more on Mondays and Wednesday evenings throughout March in the Whistler Olympic Plaza. Then in April, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival takes over Whistler for 10 days with a plethora of family entertainment including the Whistler Dog Festival. This canine centric festival has been held annually since 1998 when Whistler pooches and their humans celebrate the doggone greatness of being a dog. Expect doggy dress up, agility demonstrations, competitions and more.
Feeling up for some halfpipe family fun? The Halfpipe Fam Jam takes pipe skiing back to the good old days with fun pipe spring sessions for all levels and ages.
With Spring comes longer days and more time to explore more than just skiing and snowboarding. Take in a Ziptrek Ecotour and sore high above the tree line, sit back and let the husky sled dogs do the running on a dog sled tour through snow lined ancient forests, check out the Nintendo Gaming Lounges at Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain and Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. Head up early for Fresh Tracks with the kids including a big mountain breakfast and first tracks down the mountain or hit up the Coca Cola Tube Park for hours of inflatable riding fun.
Come April and most Whistler restaurants are offering serious discounted dining, two for one deals, family options and more. Try the locals go to website, www.whistlerbites.com, for the latest deals at a plethora of seriously good dining destinations.
But wait, there is always more when it comes to North America’s largest ski resort. Try out the Scandinave outdoor hot springs, take the kids for a ski or board through the Magic Castle and Tree Fort on the mountain or step into some skate boots and hit the outdoor ice rink.
There’s a reason that Whistler is consistently named North America’s #1 Ski Resort, we think they should add #1 Spring Ski Resort to their impressive award list too. Spring is the new winter in Whistler.
