Whistler 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 one of the longest vertical drops 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, five-star hotels and luxury condos grace the foot of the slopes, and the resort attracts 2 million visitors each winter.

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

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

Resort elevation: 675m (2,214ft) (Whistler Village).

Top elevation: 2,284m (7,494ft).

Base elevation: 653m (2,140ft) (Whistler Creekside).

Number of lifts: 38.

Number of runs: 200+.

Average annual snowfall: 10m (33ft).

Whistler is situated in the Coast Mountains in Canada's westernmost province, British Columbia. The resort is 125km (77 miles) north of Vancouver just outside Garibaldi Provincial Park.

The season runs from November to June (only one mountain usually remains open from the end of April), with summer glacier skiing on Blackcomb from late June until the end of July.

Whistler mountain has the edge over Blackcomb when it comes to beginners' terrain. There's a good learners' area under the Olympic chairlift by the gondola midstation, while higher up, the Emerald Express chairlift serves a nice range of wide green runs.

Intermediates have an enormous choice of cruisy tree-lined runs and more challenging powder bowls - 55% of the ski area falls into this middle classification. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of the terrain is graded advanced/expert. Several heart-stopping drop-ins lead to steep chutes, bowls and mogul fields. Blackcomb's Couloir Extreme is a must-do.

The tree skiing is out of this world too - there are a number of marked gladed trails, and plenty of widely spaced trees between runs as well.

For freestylers hoping to catch some air, there are terrain parks for all levels. The easiest features are in the Terrain Garden on Blackcomb, while the Highest Level park supplies mammoth jumps for the experts.

Whistler has an efficient, modern lift system, although queues at popular lifts tend to build up over holiday periods. Ever keen to stay one step ahead of its competitors, Whistler continues to add to its inventory. In 2006, the Symphony Express high-speed chairlift increased lift-serviced terrain by over 400 hectares (1,000 acres). Now owners Intrawest have taken the bold move of installing a gondola connecting the two mountains at altitude. The PEAK 2 PEAK gondola opened in December 2008 and travels 4.4km (2.7 miles) in 11 minutes, carrying passengers up to 436m (1,430ft) above the valley floor.

Whistler Blackcomb's ski school offers private and group lessons. Equipment hire is available from numerous locations in the village.

Whistler has a veritable A to Z of off-slope activities, from aerial sightseeing to ziplining. The latter, run by Ziptrek Ecotours, involves criss-crossing Fitzsimmons Creek via a series of suspended cables. Other options include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing in Whistler Olympic Park, spa treatments or a day trip to Vancouver. The multi-screen Village 8 Cinema, Village Stroll, shows all the latest releases. The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, 4584 Blackcomb Way, provides a fascinating insight into Canada's indigenous population.

The ski school offers lessons for children aged three to 18. In the five-day adventure camps (or ‘ride tribe' camps for teenagers), kids ski or ride with the same instructor and group each day. Discounts of 40% are available during Discover Whistler Days (select dates outside peak periods). Childcare is available for children aged 18 months to four years.

Easy ski runs for little skiers include Pony Trail and Bear Cub on Whistler which meet at the incredible Treefort, and Easy Out on Blackcomb, which passes the Children's Adventure Park (complete with castle to explore). There's also a fun tube park near Blackcomb's base.

Shops selling everything from high-street fashion to stuffed mooses line the pedestrianised streets of Whistler Village, with a handful of shops springing up in the redeveloped Creekside area.

Popular Canadian clothing shop Roots, 4245 Village Stroll, is a great place to buy branded T-shirts, hoodies and so on. In the Upper Village, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel, 4599 Chateau Boulevard, has an arcade hosting upmarket boutiques.

Unsurprisingly, there's no shortage of places to snap up the latest ski gear. Showcase Snowboards stocks all the top brands and houses the Burton Women's Store, 4340 Sundial Crescent. A good bet for skis, boots and jackets is CAN-SKI, 100-4253 Village Stroll and other locations.

Whistler has a good selection of lively après joints, including the legendary Longhorn Saloon and the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) at the main base, Merlin's at the Blackcomb Day Lodge and Dusty's at the foot of the Creekside gondola.

The partying continues into the night at several clubs. The free Pique newsmagazine lists all the best deals and gigs.

On the mountains, there's a mixture of large canteen-style restaurants serving typical North American fare (burgers, pizza, pasta, salads etc), and a clutch of smaller huts with hot drinks, soup and snacks. There are also a couple of full-service restaurants.

Whistler's village eateries cater to all budgets and tastes. For fine dining, try Araxi, 4222 Village Square, or the Bearfoot Bistro, 4121 Village Green. Sachi Sushi, 106-4359 Main Street, is a popular Japanese restaurant with inventive sushi rolls. The chefs at the Mongolie Grill, 201-4295 Blackcomb Way, whip up your choice of stir-fry ingredients. Elements Urban Tapas Parlour, 4359 Main Street, offers a Canadian-inspired small-plate menu.

For snacks, Moguls, 203-4204 Village Square, serves up enormous fresh muffins and wraps the size of a small house. Essentially Blackcomb, 4282 Mountain Square, opposite the gondolas, is the place to go to kick-start your day with coffee and tasty baked goods.

Pedestrianised Whistler Village is easy to explore on foot. The Valley Trail is a 30km (19-mile) footpath/cycling track connecting the main village with several other neighbourhoods. Public buses travel to Creekside and the outer areas (although it should be noted Creekside has direct lift access to the slopes). The village shuttle is a free bus service around the village centre. Some hotels offer transport to the lift base.

Head to a remote backcountry log cabin for a fondue dinner with Blackcomb Snowmobile (offices in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Hilton Whistler Resort). To reach the cabin, drive your own snowmobile or travel in the luxury snowcat, complete with flatscreen TV, DVD and PlayStation.

Luxury

The Westin Resort & Spa
This all-suite hotel (including the decadent two-level 140 sq m/1,500 sq ft penthouse suites) sits in the ultimate slopeside location right next to the Village gondola.

4090 Whistler Way
Tel: (604) 905 5000 or 1 888 634 5577 (reservations only).
Website: www.westinwhistler.com

Moderate

Adara Hotel
Tucked in behind the Village Square just minutes from the slopes, this stylish boutique hotel has 41 rooms and suites with contemporary design features. In another resort, the Adara would fall into the luxury category.

4122 Village Green
Tel: (604) 905 4009 or 1 866 502 3272.
Website: www.adarahotel.com

Budget

Delta Whistler Village Suites
Whistler doesn't really do budget, but the Delta offers good value for families and groups, with comfortable studios and suites as well as an outdoor pool. There's a free shuttle to the slopes.

4308 Main Street
Tel: (604) 905 3987 or 1 888 890 3222.
Website: www.deltahotels.com

Nearest airport: Vancouver (YVR).

Distance to resort: 140km (87 miles).

Driving time: 2 hours 15 minutes.

www.whistlerblackcomb.com or www.whistler.com

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