Originally Posted by schmitty34

From what I hear abaout "mountains" on the east coast, you are going to be completely shocked at how long it takes to ride from the peak of Whistler to the base. I've actually rarely done it because it takes so long and the runs/snow are better near the top so the bottom is just a waste of time.

When you ride whistler/blackcomb you typically ride only the top half, but if you want to go from the top to bottom, it probably takes 20 munites unless you are trying to haul ass.

There's a lot of good advice on this thread so definitely do a lot of research before spending a ton of $. I've been to Whistler often because I am only a 5 hour drive away. I have an amazing time everytime I go, but a lot of that is just the fun times with friends on the mountain and in the village. I've had better pure snowboarding days at smaller/cheaper resorts closer to Seattle, but Whistler has always been a fun all-around trip.

Originally Posted by Penzer

20 minutes top to bottom for Whistler is if you're a strong rider and you're bombing the whole time without needing to stop to catch your breath. Your first trip up the lift will blow your mind how insanely big it is.

3D Map of Whistler is a great way to wrap your head around whistler, I wish there was something like that for every mountain.

Originally Posted by slowmkv

I was on their site and they also have a feature to compare the size of the mountain to others and OMG its huge. The 3D Map is what sold me on the resort the riding looks insane. But you guys are right I could see myself getting overwhemled with excitement and not having enough time to do everything.

Originally Posted by SnowRock

FWIW my first big mountain experience was Whistler and we got absolutely dumped on. So was definitely a new experience. I had been riding for a while and was about your age. It was huge, expansive and overwhelming... but it was a blast.

Now of course the snow had something to do with it.. but we brushed up pretty hard on the mountain before hand, read everything we could and as a friendly affable bunch, chatted up with locals in the least possible annoying manner to seek advice on best way to tackle the mountain.

I thought we managed fine.. our last day we even had a dude bring us to the peak chair perfectly timed before word spread that it was opening.

The only other thing I would mention is getting there... direct flights out of newark to jhole this year, not bad. Looking into heading that way for the first time myself.. just wish i was completely healthy.

Originally Posted by Lamps

That's why you should go to whistler twice or three times or every weekend all winter

Originally Posted by Lamps

But seriously you don't have to be overwhelmed, there's tons of intermediate terrain at whistler if that suits, and plenty of helpful staff as well as free guided tours of the hill if you want to get shown around.

There are also two really good guidebooks written by locals and available through amazon I think

My first time out west was at whistler for a weekend and I knew after the first morning that I'd be back many times.

I am curious to go to Jackson sometime, and BC interior too

Originally Posted by Penzer

20 minutes top to bottom for Whistler is if you're a strong rider and you're bombing the whole time without needing to stop to catch your breath. Your first trip up the lift will blow your mind how insanely big it is.

3D Map of Whistler is a great way to wrap your head around whistler, I wish there was something like that for every mountain.