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Jackson Hole or Whistler

15K views 61 replies 19 participants last post by  slowmkv 
#1 ·
Whats up everybody, Im looking to book a trip this year either Jackson Hole or Whistler. Im leaning towards whistler but a couple of my buddies want to head to Jackson. Just want to hear some pro's and con's from your trips. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Above and beyond everything I hate crowds so I say J-Hole, but if you want teh ultimate resort experience(Shopping, restaurants\bars, spas, entertainment) then you might be better off at Whistler...... personally I could care a less about all that shit, I want long steeps, deep snow and no lift lines.
 
#5 ·
Never been to Jackson so I can't compare, but I can speak to Whistler since I've been there several times.

Depending on when you go, especially over weekends, it can be crowded so the main lifts can get pretty big lines. However, the two mountains are huge so there is a lot of terrain to explore. I always enjoy riding Whistler even when it is crowded.

The Village can be crowded as well which is good or bad depending on what you are looking for. Like the last post mentions, if you are young and like the nightlife, Whistler can be REALLY fun. I have been to Whistler as a college guy and as an old married guy with two kids (never brought my kids though) and I always enjoy the village.

It can be expensive, but again, depending on when you go, you can find rooms for a decent rate espcially if you are willing to pack a few guys into the room to reduce the costs.

Summary - Whistler can be super fun especially if you want a big ski village experience. Don't go expecting you will definitely get epic powder for days (you might) but go expecting to have a fun trip with lots of other people around with two really big mountains to explore.
 
#8 ·
Thank you very much for your input it was very helpful. Whistler sounds like the right mountain for me, obviously I want to experience the best riding possible but I also want to have fun at night (Im only 23) and try some good food. Ive never left the east coast for a snowboarding trip so I want to go somewhere epic. The long lines are expected with a big mountain such as whistler and its bearable if I can get some long runs in. One thing I am really looking for are glades, by far my favorite to ride. As per cost I have been finding rooms from $600 - $1000 depending where we stay. I was looking at the Westin but not sure yet, most likely going to use a travel agent for this trip. Overall im looking for the big ski village experience. I was also looking at the size of the two mountains and they are huge looks like it could take a while to get down the mountain as I am only used to riding at Peak and PA mountains.
 
#28 ·
I was also looking at the size of the two mountains and they are huge looks like it could take a while to get down the mountain as I am only used to riding at Peak and PA mountains.
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.
 
#29 ·
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.
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.
 
#7 ·
I've been to Whistler for 20 ish days and Jackson Hole once for 10 days. Whistler is way more touristy, way more people, bumps everywhere if there is no fresh snow, and not once did I experience a big dump while I was there. I know it happens, and there was some snow, but it gets tracked out so damn quick with all the traffic it's near impossible to get to the good stuff without a guide taking you to the local spots.

Jackson was less busy, never waited in a line (this was over Christmas) and it has more of a "we know you are here to ride" vibe and less touristy. Food wasn't insanely priced either. I was staying off mountain, so I can't comment on lodging.

Based on last season, Jackson was the place to be but it seems like the PNW is getting pounded this season, but so it J-hole.

I did get fucked over for a college pass at Jackson this year (called 12 hours after the sale ended, they told me too bad, I would have to pay $1000 more if I wanted a pass), but they do have damn good snow, and an amazing grooming fleet. That is what really impressed me (similar to Colorado mtns) they have the whole grooming thing down and it doesn't get icy until like 3PM.

At Whistler I felt like it is so big they don't groom anything except the most major trails, and it was just bumps and ice everywhere.
 
#11 ·
Hey OP, since this is your first trip out west from the east I would strongly recommend you pick different resorts. You are going to be overwhelmed. Like others have suggested, Utah might be a good choice. Whistler is overkill and WAY more expensive. I've been both places and am completely in love with Utah.
 
#33 ·
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.
 
#36 ·
By the looks of it whistler keeps getting dumped on. I got a report this morning 71 inches in the last week, thats insane I wish I was there right now. My buddy went to whistler last year as his first big mountain expierence and absolutely loved it not one negative comment. Ive been looking at flights to BC and its not that bad.
 
#35 ·
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
 
#42 ·
How much do you weigh? Regardless, a 147 isn't going to be a great powder board, but the rocker helps it float a little.

I wouldn't buy a board for powder just for this trip unless you really think you'll use it at other times as well. Especially since you don't know if there will be massive amounts of powder when you're there.

Worst case scenario, if you board isn't cutting it, you could just rent a nice board for the days that you need something bigger. You can get a pretty good board for about $50 a day which is better than dropping $500ish on a board you may not need.

There are also places to demo boards so you could try that as well.
 
#48 ·
Ive been to whistler and currently looking into goin to J-Hole sometime in early Jan. If u are down for jackson then PM me and we can maybe set something up.

Whistler is the mother of all resorts. Im also from the east and if u want to go to whistler, then i highly recommend staying for AT LEAST a week. 5-6hr flight PLUS another 3hr bus trip from the airport to whistler village. Whistler is super expensive. One should def have whistler on his bucket list after a year of saving up lol
 
#49 ·
My $0.02 on Whistler is it's not that overwhelming having a big ass mountain to explore, besides you want to ride on the blackcomb side anyway so there goes 50% of your choices anyway.
If you want to also check out Baker stay a night or two in Vancouver. Baker is actually closer to Van than Whistler is.
Plus if you puff you wont find better weed anywhere then Vancouver.
 
#54 ·
Picking between Whistler and Jackson is a nice problem to have. I still haven't visited J-Hole, but its quality is legendary. I spent nine days at Whistler in 2011 and the place blew my mind. Exploring it was a lot of fun and I spent most days on Blackcomb. Like any big mountain, you need to talk to the locals and learn about the dangers; lots of places to cliff out if you like to hike to steeper terrain. Its biggest issue, in my opinion, is not the crowds or price but the reliability of quality powder. Whistler can get great snow but they also suffer from a lot of heavy/wet snows like CA and WA... not that light powder you'll find in Utah or WY.
 
#59 ·
Well unfortanetly things arent looking to good for Whistler due to the fact of a friend not getting a passport. Currently looking at other resorts still havent decided where to go. Jackson is still on the list but looking into other options as we do want some kind of nightlife after riding. Whats the best way to book these trips any websites or do you guys use an agent? I want to pay for everything at once. (Flight, stay, ground transportation, and lift tickets). One of our buddies recently moved out to CO so we were looking into visiting him, so Breckenridge is on top of the list now.
 
#60 ·
Compare prices on flight+shuttle+lodging package among Expedia, Travelocity, FlyCheap and the likes.

Looks like you're not gonna be going to Jackson Hole because you're looking for night life in addition to good snow and it's understandable cuz you're young and have the need to party too ;). But, for those who plan to visit JH, be sure to get up to Grand Targhee too, which is about 80 mins away. It's gotta be my favorite mountain of all that I've boarded at (Whistler/Blackcomb, Mammoth, Powder Mountain, Solitude, Brighton, Snowbird, PMCR, and Aspen/Snowmass). You get great powder without the crowd. And it's big enough that you can easily find wide open untracked areas.
 
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