WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

British Columbia

This off-season, Whistler Blackcomb, already one of the largest resorts in North America at 8,171 acres, received a $50 million upgrade, thanks to parent company Vail Resorts. It was the largest single-year investment in the mountain’s 53-year history, and the results are dramatic: a new, 10-person gondola on Blackcomb Mountain that can whisk 4,000 skiers an hour up the peak. Vail replaced two other chairlifts, too, swapping in larger, high-speed versions that make it quicker and easier to access every corner of the mountain on what’s now the longest continuous lift system in the world. All of the on-mountain improvements only solidify Whistler Blackcomb, which gets hit with an average of 415 inches, as Canada’s best resort—one that’s good for families, thanks to 136 green and blue cruisers, and hardcore skiers alike. It’s an easy two-hour drive from the Vancouver airport (shuttles are available), and once in the village, you’ll never need to call an Uber, because the place has it all, from sushi to ski shops to late-night poutine and champagne sabering at the iconic Barefoot Bistro.

Where to Stay: To keep pace with the resort’s record-setting investment, the Fairmont Chateau, located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, recently finished a $25 million renovation of its own, which added 11 suites to the hotel and completely overhauled the pool complex, turning it into one of the best in the area. —K.D.