Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort

Whistler Blackcomb ski resort is consistently ranked the number one resort in North America and it's easy to see why. Whistler has the largest skiable area and the second-biggest lift-served vertical drop on the continent, topped-off with an enviable snow record.

Skiing here dates back to 1966, when the ski area consisted of just four lifts and a day lodge. These days, 5-star hotels and luxury condos grace the foot of the slopes, and the resort attracts more than two million visitors each winter.

The skiing here is spread over two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, and there are three neatly arranged pedestrianised bases - the Upper Village (at Blackcomb), Whistler Village proper, and Creekside.

Along with Vancouver, Whistler was host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, holding the alpine and cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge events.

The resort unveiled a new hydroelectric power plant in the same year, which now generates more than enough green electricity to meet the resort’s entire needs, with any left over being sold back to the grid.