Natural History

Set in the Coast Mountains, the landscape of Whistler has been carved by the pass between the headwaters of the Green River and the upper-middle reaches of the Cheakamus River. Whistler is flanked by glaciated mountains on both sides. The Garibaldi Ranges are on the side that contains the mountains utilized by the ski resort. On the other side is a group of mountains which are part of the larger Pacific Ranges and are fore-ranges of the Pemberton Icefield.

Glaciers formed this foundation of ancient metamorphic rocks which are between 100 and 200 million years old. Blackcomb Mountain is a ridge of metamorphosed granitic rocks and the town of Whistler is built on strongly layered mica-rich metamorphic rocks.

Whistler Mountain has a top elevation of 7,160 ft (2,182 m) and Blackcomb Mountain has a top elevation of 7,494 ft (2,284 m.)

The area has reliable snow conditions, with an average annual snowfall of 33.5 ft (10.22 m.) Due to coastal proximity, temperatures are moderate through the winter season, rarely dipping below 12°F (-10°C) in the valley and 5°F (-15°C) in the alpine during the coldest part of the year.