Glad I bought a couple of those $100 lift tickets Buller was offering up every time an Australian medalled at the Winter Olympics. Which, as it turns out, are only valid for mid-week skiing during the 2026 season…
Will be lucky to use them… 
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I wouldn’t be heading into the Interior to ski past mid March.
This year, Big White was so-so but tailed off sharply by late March.
If you have the ability to do so Big White/ Silver Star/ Revelstoke- and even across to Fernie/Nelson will get you arguably better skiing at a far cheaper price.
I lived in Nth Vancouver in the early/Mid 90s, and Whistler Blackcomb was awesome back then. But Vail resorts took it over a little while ago and pooched it.
Overpriced overcrowded and understaffed.
I live in Kelowna so Big White is the “local” mountain.
I said last season was so so- but my eldest daughter still managed 20 days.
Average base was around 130cm and we wete complaining. Used to 200-ish.
It’s a great mountain to ski- far better than anything you’ll find back in Oz in both snow quality and the runs/terrain in general .
By all means, do a day trip to Whistler- bit 5 days couldbe an expensive disappointment.
And you may get lucky and get good snow in the local Nth Van slopes.
If Grouse has snow- it’s a bit like Buller- it’s a cracking mountain to ski. If its marginal –avoid.
The Cut is one of the most scenic runs in the world - especially at night. You ski.down viewing the lights of Vancouver and English Bay.
If you do head out this way, give me a yell.
Be great to catch up with a fellow Blitzer!
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Oh, and your idea about getting gear over here- good move.
It isn’t just the prices, its the pure range/volume of options and brands available.
We’ve had a couple of groups from home pop over to say G’day, and each time they bought gear here and took it back to Oz. Bear in mind that you’d almost need 2 different types of gear. The Coast mountains, ( Whistler/Vancouver) receiver wetter, heavier snow- and are not as cold. Having goretex or similar with a high moisture resistance as an outer layer is pretty important. Once you get into the interior, its WAAYY colder, ( more powder) and so waterproofing is important- but warmth is paramount. I have skiied the last few seasons at Big White, and its usually minus 5-minus 10, especially on clear days, ( or late in the day). And if it gets windy…….
I have night skiied at Biggie around minus 12-15c
The coldest I ever skiied at Whistler?Blackcomb was maybe minus 8 with a nasty wind chill making it feel far colder, ( top of Blackcomb).
Vancouver is most likely your best bet for gear. Lots of options.
Hope that helps.
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I have been over here for a while now, so this is relative. Still a damn site colder than any day I’d experienced at Buller/Falls/Hotham
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We get a season pass, season mountain access pass, lodge accom etc. every year for 2 adults 2 kids at Buller. Still haven’t made it up to the mountain yet, might be a very expensive few runs in August and that’s it.
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Flights will be arrive 11 Feb, depart 13 March, so (Super El-Nino aside) there should be some snow at least. Military Epic pass covers Whistler, so no payment for lift tickets required as I’ve already got that covered. It will also provide 20% discount at other Vail resorts. Ikon covers Cypress, Revie, Sun Peaks, Banff3, Red, Pano and Silver so all up both passes will mean we average just over $100 per day for lifts. Ironically, Big White is just about the only mountain not on either pass.
I did Whistler, Big White and Banff 20 years ago on my honeymoon, so it’s been a while but I really want Furious Jnr to see the big resorts as he’s only done Falls Creek here in Aus, and Hakuba/Myoko in Japan. The idea of pushing Whistler to the back end of the trip is because we’d be landing in Vancouver on the Thursday before the Family day long weekend and I imagine that the liftlines and general busyness at Whistler will be insane over that weekend and the following week. Accommodation is also significantly cheaper in March, with more options currently available. We’ll probably spend 2 days in Vancouver shopping for gear, and then try to do Cypress or Grouse on the long weekend to blow out the cobwebs. I’ve also had the recommendation from others of Grouse night skiing for the view. I had an absolute blast at Big White when I travelled there with my brother way back in 2003 (pre Mrs Furious and kids), so very much looking forward to going back.
I have a tradition of writing the names of the mountains I’ve ridden on my helmet, so this is a chance for me to add a bunch more. I’m also hoping we can line our road trip up with catching a hockey game in one of the interior towns. It would be good to catch up, so I’ll keep you in the loop once we know when we’ll get to Kelowna.
Also, full respect to Mrs Furious for agreeing to letting me go to Canada over the 20-year anniversary of our wedding and honeymoon.
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Buller. Fill your hip flask with rum and drive up there. Hire a pair of skis and head out onto the nursery slope. Fall over a few times. When you get tired of that and your hip flask is empty, make for the bar to get a refill. It’s too effing cold outside, so stay in the bar sinking expensive, quality pish there. Maybe the odd snow bunny too ? Rinse and repeat the next day. It’s a good weekend. Make sure you’re sober for the drive home, but - the bulls are everywhere up there.
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One can only imagine how high the lift pass prices will be jacked-up next year to recoup their losses from this (so far) very ordinary season…
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And Snow Complications!
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Serves you right for using “medalled” as a verb.
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Yep, fair call.
I regret this incidence, will give myself a stern talking to and change tact in future…
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Good call. Mind you, that is Big White’s busiest weekend of the season as well…
Your idea of doing Grouse/Cyprus/Seymour to blow the cobwebs out is a good one, (as long as there is snow) Your pass sounds like a beauty- any way of avoiding the “Vail” profiteering is good in my books! And if you are spending any time in Vancouver, bring a good outer layer. The Winters tend to be wet
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I’m thinking Thursday/Friday is shopping for gear in Vancouver, Saturday/Sunday Grouse and Cypress, Monday hit the road with maybe a half day at Sasquatch then on to Kamloops (road conditions dependent). Start at Sun Peaks and progress from there. We wouldn’t reach Kelowna until first week of March.
I’m not a fan of Vail Reorts, but a $199USD season pass is just too good to pass by.
I’m not sure I can resist the chance to have “Sasquatch” added to my helmet…
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Flights are now booked via Air New Zealand, Whistler accommodation booked as well. Can’t wait!
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Looks like we will be getting a fair bit of snow next week up at Hotham.There saying between 50 to 60 cm
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We need it!
You should look a Chile.
It’s all time at the moment.
Can’t see it at the moment.
The models are all over the place.
I wish I could. To put it in context, I’m taking Furious Jnr for a four week trip to Canada and leaving Mrs Furious at home. The trip to Canada coincides with our 20th wedding anniversary. And our honeymoon involved Canada. So I’ll be in Whistler on the 20th anniversary of my honeymoon to Whistler… without my wife.
I think I’ve pushed the goodwill of “I wants to go overseas to snowboard and it will cost heaps” about as far as I can at this point.
I chatted to the reps of a couple of South American resorts at the Snow Travel expo earlier this year and it does look pretty impressive.
You better bring back some very nice duty free for Mrs Furious.
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