The Whistler Blackcomb downhill ski experience comes at you full throttle while on the slopes. With Whistler boasting a vertical of 1,530 metres (5020 feet) and Blackcomb 1,609 metres (5280 feet) you can better believe there is plenty of speed and many thrills involved. So much so, it has caught the attention of the world as the sister mountains are the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The ski area encompasses two world class mountains intertwined with over 200 ski trails. Whistler Mountain's trail system is comprised of 25% beginner, 55% intermediate and 25% advanced adventurer. Blackcomb Mountain caters a bit more to the experienced skier with only 15% of its trails designated at the beginner level, 55% intermediate and 30% advanced.

The snow trail system is accessed by over 30 gondolas, chairlifts, quads and surface lifts. Whistler has two gondolas and 6 high speed quads. Blackcomb has 1 gondola and the same number of high speed quads. Each mountain when all lifts are operating at full capacity can move just under 30, 000 skiers and boarders each per hour. The highest elevation reached by any one lift is 2,284 metres (7,494 feet). That lift to the top would be found on Blackcomb Mountain.

Get this! The longest run on Whistler Mountain is clocked at about 11 km ( 7 miles) in distance. It runs, basically from Burnt Stew to Green Line where you continue downhill skiing into the Upper and Lower Olympic. Blackcomb Mountain's longest run is also measured at 11 km (7 miles) in length by taking Green Road to Easy Out. What ever run meets your thrill, always expect heavy skiing traffic in the morning after a new snowfall. Downhill skiing in powder - like clear the way, 'cause there are only a few things in life that will come between a skier and his or her powder snow.