Mountain Guide
Whistler Trail Guides
Beginner
Whistler is wonderful for starting out. Green terrain is 20% of the total - plenty to work with given the sheer size. The Olympic chair services a progression of Green runs and is perfect for kids to learn. After warming up, head to the Emerald Express for longer runs. Then head higher and take Burnt Stew and / or Green Acres where you can enjoy breathtaking views, which will no doubt inspire you to take it to the next level. These are not your traditional bunny slopes.
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Intermediate and Expert skiers and riders can stay together in the Flute Bowl,
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There is something for everyone in the Harmony Bowl. Green (Burnt Stew) and Blue (xxx) weave around steeper terrain
Top Trail Picks
We have skied them all. Here are some of our favorites in each category.
Category
Trail Name
Description
Area / Getting There
Starting Out
Chickadee
Dedicated area for novices; short with a gentle pitch, perfect for getting the basics down
Directly in front of Cliff Lodge, a short walk to the left (when facing uphill) from Snowbird Center
Learning
Baby Thunder Area
Larger area for starting out; try Alice Avenue for a longer run, kids will like Mini Miners camp
From Creekside; exit Baby Thunder Lift to your skier's left and follow Easy Street
Road to Provo
Middle / Lower Emma
The steepness here is more like a Blue at most places; work your way up
Exit the Wilbere Lift and follow the traverse to the right
Longest
Upper / Lower Peak to Creek
11 km (6.8miles) from Whistler Peak to Creekside Base, wind around to get a lay of the land and incredible views
Exit Peak Express to the right and follow the ridge past, have a peak into the Whistler Bowl
Warming Up
Jolly Green Giant
Longer run (when you combine Middle and Lower portions) with some steeper sections, generally groomed
Exit Gadzoom to the right and follow Field's Cutoff; or from the top of Gad 2, exit left for direc access
Scenic Cruiser
Harmony Ridge
Gaze directly into the Twin Peaks as you cruise around the outer edge of Hidden Peak and into the Gad Area
From Hidden Peak, stay to skier's far left; or exit Little Cloud directly to the right
Fresh Powder
Claim Jumper
This area, also the connection from Alta, is less traveled and the snow stays soft, make your own path between loosely space trees
Exit Baldy to the let and cut back underneath the chair
Speed
Dave Murray Downhill
Site of the alpine skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympics; carve your way down this long, steep trail to the Creekside Base
Exit the Garbanzo Chair to the right for access to the full run
Fresh Powder
xxx
Mineral Basin is the place to be with fresh snow and good visiblity; its gets steeper as you move away from cetner
From Hidden Peak, stay high and to the skier's left to reach Chamonix Bowl
For White Diamonds, follow Path to Paradise from Hidden Peak and drop in where it looks good
Glades
xxxx
Trees on both sides are tightly spaced, weave through them all the way to Easy Street for a longer run
Exit Gad 2 to the right and stay left past the marked trail to find the best line through the glades
Super Burner
Whistler Bowl to Grande Finale
Expansive area just keeps going
From Hidden Peak, stay under the Tram and drop in on skier's right when you see a good line
Showing Off
The Cirque
Steep with cliffs, perfect for jumping (or watching jumps from the Peak Express Chair
From Peak Express, exit left and look for a good line
Chutes
Gad Chutes
Narrow and steep with lots of trees to navigate
From Hidden Peak, take Regulator Johnson to Cirque Traverse and look out on your skier's right
On Mountain Dining Recommendations
All dining at Snowbird is convenient from the mountain. There are two restaurants on the mountain and many more at Snowbird Center or Creekside Base. For more options see our Alta Dining Guide. Our top picks are below:
The Summit Restaurant
It's hard to beat this location and its breathtaking views (indoors and on the patio). Following a $15mm renovation in 2015, the feel is modern and fresh. The food is elevated with a focus on healthy, organic ingredients. There is a large salad bar, artisanal pizzas, rotating soup choices and a rotisserie station. Only downside is the crowds, go early or late to avoid them.
Mid-Gad Restaurant
Snowbird's only mid-mountain dining option is very convenient and tends to be less crowded than the Summit. This is a great spot for a break, particularly when shredding the Gad Area. The menu is somewhat limited to burgers (of all varieties) and chili. The sundeck is nice on a bluebird day and there may even be some outdoor grilling. It's also easy to pop in for a snack.
Birdfeeder
Ideal for re-fueling between laps on the Tram. Burgers, sandwiches, chili and snacks are all available and made relatively quickly. Grab some food and head back up the tram, or have a seat and relax on the outdoor deck for a bit.
Size / Elevation
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Peak: 11,000ft | 3,353m
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Vertical Drop: 3,240 ft
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Main Base: 8,110ft | 2,472m
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Total Area: 2,500 acres |
(10.1 sq km)
Terrain Overview
Mountain Range: Wasatch
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171 Trails
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Much of Snowbird is above the treeline creating bowl like areas
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Backcountry access from both peaks
Peaks
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Hidden Peak (11,000 ft)
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Gad 2 (8,840 ft)
Bases
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Snowbird Center (Main Base)
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Creekside
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Wilbere
On Mountain Dining
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2 locations (see our guide)
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6 options at Snowbird Center
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Lift Stats
Uphill Capacity: 69,939 ppl / hr
37 Total Lifts
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1 Aerial Tram (125 person)
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6 High speed Quads
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4 Doubles
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1 Minimum lift to access peak from base (Tram)
Terrain Mix
