Vail or Whistler? The Verdict...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 09:21PM 
Half of Team Whistler...Having just returned from Canada I can finally answer my own question, Vail or Whistler? Well, I should be able to but it's harder than I thought!
They are both fabulous ski resorts with a huge variety of terrain to suit all abilities from beginner to advanced. Here are my thoughts:-
Both villages are easy to walk around with a good selection of restaurants. I know some people find Vail Village false but I actually think it's very pretty.
I think the Vail ski area is better connected and the lifts are quicker. Having said that, the new Peak to Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is an amazing spectacle and the views are breathtaking.
For me, Whistler wins on the accommodation front with a real variety of places to stay from top class hotels to self catering chalets but Vail is now not far behind. Having always stayed in a chalet in Vail we decided to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler this year which I have to say was an excellent experience and the whole ski in/ski out access pure luxury.
From my experience the snow in Vail has always been superb but this year in Whistler there wasn't enough of it, and it was getting very patchy towards the end of the week. We seem to have a problem with Canada and snow, we skiied in Fernie a couple of years ago and there wasn't enough snow there either!
So which would I choose? To be honest I'm struggling and would have to call it a draw, sounds lame I know, but both resorts are (in my opinion) equally as impressive!
To finish....
Can't believe my nephews (aged 13-18) all leave me standing on the ski slope!
Loved Fairmont Chateau Whistler, rooms are a little tired but the ambience, service and location are excellent. (Check out website for $99CAD rooms, sale kicks off today).
Had a memorable steak at Hy's Steakhouse (and I do love my steak!!)
Some of the family went to the Rimrock Cafe and raved about it...
Look out for the new Four Seasons Resort coming soon to Vail.
Having also visited both resorts in the summer, I can honestly say they are just as stunning without the snow.
Ski
Reader Comments (3)
Hi Lisa,
I really enjoyed this piece. Whistler wins hands down for me, I loved it there (although it has been a few years!).
I heard that the new Whistler / Blackcomb gondola is amazing too. We did a piece on the iloho blog about the number of people who have found love on that gondola - must be the fresh air and the views!
Yeah, generally, don't go to Whistler until mid-march. I Just got back a week ago, and it would not stop snowing!!! We were getting worried that their would not be enough snow, but just as we got there, literally the day we got there, there was a ridiculous amount of snow coming down. Family who owns a place there said the same thing: Usually you gotta wait until mid march to get the better snow.
Thanks Jeff! Now I know....