Family Holidays: Whistler family skiing holidays
Take the Family holiday rating 
Why
Whistler is currently regarded as the best ski resort in the world and it's not just for hardcore skiers or snowboarders. The English speaking ski school has a fantastic reputation for helping kids learn to ski or improve their skills. Childcare is available for ages 3 months to 12 years, with lessons starting at around 3 years. There are also special teenage classes available too.
Parents with small children at the resort kindergarten are given optional pagers so they are contactable anywhere at the ski resort. When you combine this with the spacious accommodation and pedestrianised centre of the resort you have one of the world's best family ski resorts.
It's a long flight and you'll need to take a two hour transfer from Vancouver into account. So think twice about taking very young kids. Otherwise, a Whistler family skiing holiday is great value for money all things considered and will prove a memorable break.
- Top left: Dramatic ski scenery
- Top right: Whistler ski valley at dusk
- Bottom left: Skiing in action
- Bottom right: Kids enjoying the snow
When
Whistler has a long season with good snow from early December through until early May. February half term is normally quieter than the equivalent week in the French Alps unless the half term coincides with the Presidents weekend in February when many Canadian families go skiing. The best snow is between January and March but it's worth remembering the short days earlier in the winter.
How
take the plane
There are daily direct flights with British Airways and Air Canada between London and Vancouver. From Vancouver airport it's a two hour drive along a beautiful fjord to the resort. Vancouver is an obvious stopover destination if you want to break the long journey for the children.
Stay
If you're looking for value for your family then choose an apartment, or 'condo'. There are also plenty of hotel options. Popular choices at the high-end include the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Four Seasons and the Westin. You'll also find plenty of good value budget options, both belonging to chains and independent properties.
Do
The ski school is very family friendly and caters for all standards of skier. Advanced skiers will enjoy expert off piste training in some of the worlds best powder. Children are accepted in the ski school from the age of three, whilst toddlers can be looked after in the resorts kindergarten or by UK tour operator’s nannies. There are a lot of mountain restaurants but we would recommend eating early because they can get busy over lunch time. Vancouver is a comfortable day trip from Whistler with a good range of shops for a change of scene for the family.
Eat
87 restaurants serve at least a dozen different kinds of cuisine. All standards and price ranges are catered for with a good standard of food still available at the lower end of the price range.
Cost
Adults should expect to pay £800 – £1,200 for a week in a catered chalet with flights and transfers during February half-term. Ski packs on top and reductions are generally available for kids. In contrast to the European alps, February half-term actually works out a little less expensive than Christmas or Easter (because it's not Feb. half term in North America!).
Travel reading
by Dorling Kindersley
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This guide provides practical advice and pictures revealing the large and cosmopolitan cities and the beautiful terrain stretching west from the Pacific to the arctic realms of the north.
