Whistler - Blackcomb Crowds during MLK week (Jan 16-Jan 22)

I've skied there over the MLK weekend.  It's a college weekend for US students from WA.  There are a lot of people, but the lines didn't seem to be super bad.  It definitely was more crowded than at other times, but not to the max.  Remember that it isn't a Canadian holiday and Whistler is in Canada, so there is some insulation there.

Edit:  A good number of those US students come from Oregon too.

We were in WBC over MLK in 2007.  I didn't think the lines were really that bad at all.  The mountain is so big that is handles crowds pretty well...especially as you go higher up.  We rarely came down to the base except at the end of the day.  Definitely do a day in both Seattle and Vancouver but get up to WBC as quickly as you can!  They place is truly spectacular.  I hope the weather cooperates...we were very cold and sunny the whole week we were there which is rare for the area.

Despite having awesome early season conditions, many BC resorts seem to be getting off to a slow start.  It might be because now that the Olympics are over, a true picture of the global economy is showing through.  

If lift lines were not too bad in 2007, chances are they'll be less crowded this season.  I was in Whistler this weekend just passed and it was pretty quiet for this time of year compared to the last two seasons.  In the short term it's great for riders and skiers but not so good for the ski industry and our business - LOL.  Get out there and enjoy it!  And keep us in mind if you're booking your trip ;-)

http://www.powderrangers.ca/

Hey Mike,

MLK weekend can be busy, but usually you find it is only the initial upload that has a long line - so get up early and once up the mountain don't ski back down (the best skiing is up top anyway).

I would say MLK would rank as one of the busiest weekends of the year (in a normal year) but this year seems to be looking quieter than normal. Either way, if you plan to do something else, do it on the Saturday - it will be the busy day.

I know I mentioned in another thread of yours, but check out my 3D trailmap - in my signature. 

A lot can depend on the weather.  I was in Whistler during presidents weekend a few years ago.  It was raining at the bottom and the alpine up top was closed.

The lift lines mid mountain were the biggest I've ever seen.  I ended up booking a clinic with Extremely Canadian,  just to cut the lines.  It was a trip saver.  I had a fantastic time and skied a lot of terrain that I would never have found on my own.

http://www.extremelycanadian.com/

Out of curiosity, why do people plan trips to the world's largest destination resorts on Christmas/MLK/President's Day and then ask if there are going to be crowds? MLK probably is the least of your worries, but still, if you're worried about crowds either go a different week with no holiday issues or go somewhere other than Whistler Blackcomb (ie somewhere with a reputation for no crowds), especially if you're driving from Seattle. I'd imagine a lot of resorts in Washington would be less crowded than WB at pretty much any time of year. Or, if you have to go MLK week, and you have to go to WB, don't even worry about the crowds and just do it.

Not criticizing you for asking, just curious about that mentality. It seems like if you hate crowds, there are plenty of options that are multiple times better than WB, even if you are locked into a Seattle flight.

I haven't been there over MLK but was over President's Day week several years ago.  During the week wasn't very crowded but the weekend picked up considerably.  It is amazing that they celebrate US holidays at Whistler...by celebrating I mean they charge holiday rates for lodging!

 Washington ski areas are also a fraction of the size of W/B and are reliably packed on MLK weekend.

I wouldn't avoid W/B that weekend because of fear of crowds. Sure, it's probably going to be more crowded Sunday than Tuesday, but it's big. Take the free mountain tour--you'll learn where the crowds aren't. But, if you want to check out Vancouver that weekend, I wouldn't discourage you from doing that either. It's a great city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christy319 

 

 Washington ski areas are also a fraction of the size of W/B and are reliably packed on MLK weekend.

 

This is true for most areas.  However, Mt. Baker's lines are never very bad, even on MLK Day, but you have to get there to ski it.  Should you decide to wait before going to WB and you stay in Bellingham you would be closer to Whistler than if you were in Seattle, and you would be within a reasonable drive to Baker.