Canada:

Whistler/Blackcomb

If there were only one success story among ski resorts in the world over the past decade, Blackcomb would have to be it. Blackcomb is now attracting visitors from around the globe, and for good reason. It is one of the best ski destinations to be found anywhere on the globe. It offers the highest vertical rise of any ski mountain in North America. It lies beside Whistler Mountain, the second highest mountain on the continent. At the base of the mountains lies a stunning village, complete with hundreds of hotels, shops, restaurants, services and aprés ski pursuits.

Opened in 1980, Blackcomb vertical of 5,280' is serviced by seven high speed lifts and 6 other lifts. Between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains combined, you'll find the largest high speed lift system in the entire world. Blackcomb offers 3,340 acres of ski terrain, and over 100 marked trails, as well as unlimited options on 5 bowls, two of which lie on glaciers and are thus kept dry and cool well into the spring and summer, where Blackcomb stays open for skiing into August. Combined, Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain offer 7,000 acres of ski terrain, a total of 27 lifts, 12 of them high speed and over 200 marked runs for skiing.