Best Runs at Whistler and How to Avoid Common Skiing Injuries

Dec 19 2017, 5:11 pm

With over 8000 acres of terrain, Whistler Blackcomb is home to the largest ski area of any mountain in North America. But, with over 200 trails available, it’s hard to know which ski runs are the best; what are the quintessential Whistler Blackcomb Runs that you cannot afford to miss?

We have compiled a list of the best runs at Whistler Blackcomb and organized them in different categories so that skiers and snowboarders of all levels can make the most out of their trip to one of the best resorts in the world!

 

Beginner

7th Heaven Green Line – Unbelievable views and a relaxing cruise that will take you to the top of the Wizard.

Pika’s Traverse – An easy green that starts near the top of Whistler and ends at the Roundhouse Lodge.

Other runs to consider: Crystal Road, Burnt Stew Trail.

 

Intermediate

Blackcomb Glacier – Amazing views after a short hike up, with a skill rating of intermediate.

Ridge Runner – Take the Glacier Express or the Crystal Ridge Express to get to this side of the mountain and enjoy an open area to cruise down. Go early in the morning right after it’s been groomed and you will fly down this run.

Harmony Ridge – Accessed from the top of Harmony Express, Harmony Ridge is a great intermediate run that has a few of the easier black diamond runs off the sides for those that want to push their limits.

Other runs to consider: The Saddle, Peak to Creek

 

Advanced

Couloir Extreme – one of the steepest ski runs at Whistler, this double black diamond is awesome – especially after a few days of snow.

Spanky’s Ladder – Quite a steep wall which varies in treacherousness every year, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the Ruby Bowl before moving on to the others.

Cougar Chutes – In good conditions, this run is fun, but beware, there will be rocks and firmer snow if the conditions are bad.

Whistler Bowl – From the top of the Peak chairlift on Whistler mountain, the Whistler Bowl is often filled with moguls and has an un-paralleled panoramic view.

Other runs to consider: Flute Bowl

 

To explore the runs on Whistler Blackcomb, click here to view their interactive trail map.

To help you enjoy your ski trip to its full potential, here is a list of common snowboarding/skiing injuries and how to deal with them:

Common Snowboarding Injuries

When snowboarders fall, they tend to fall on their shoulders, hands or heads. Naturally, the most common injury is a fractured wrist. Other common injuries include concussions, sprained wrists, elbow contusions, rotator cuff injuries, broken collarbones, and other neck-area injuries.

Common Skiing Injuries

Skiers tend to have more knee injuries than snowboarders, due to the twisting motion of the knees while skiing. The twisting of your knees over a long period of time can result in damage to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), or result in damage to your meniscus (cartilage in your knees).

Prevention Methods

  • Although wearing a knee brace may limit the range of motion, it may help with supporting the twisting motion of skiing.

  • Exercise and warm up your joints in advance – if you are an advanced skier, try warming up with a couple of easier, cruiser runs first.

  • Take a break if you feel you are tired; not only do you make more mistakes and thus are more prone to injury when you are tired, fatigue can also wear down your muscles and joints.

  • Wear protective gear, like a helmet, and if you are a beginner or are prone to injury, you should also consider wearing knee pads, wrist guards and elbow guards to help lessen the force of breaking your fall.

  • A tailbone pad for beginner snowboarders can be helpful, since a lot of beginners spend most of their time falling backwards.

What are your favorite runs on Whistler – Blackcomb?

 

This article was written by Michael Cai at Connect the Doc. Connect the Doc is a Vancouver-based technology company that helps people find and book healthcare appointments online, 24/7. Appointments can be booked with a Vancouver chiropractor, dentist, physiotherapist, registered massage therapist, or acupuncturist.

Image: Josef Hanus / Shutterstock
DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

+ News
ADVERTISEMENT