When it comes to beginner ski runs of Whistler, there are plenty of options to choose from. That’s the magic of having 8,171 vast acres of stunning skiable terrain! Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains beckon with endless greens and safe, comfortable access to it all thanks to a comprehensive network of gondolas, chairlifts, and conveyor belts.
So strap on those boots and stash some hand warmers in your pocket – here’s our Top 10 of the Best Beginner Ski Runs Of Whistler Blackcomb.

PC: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Beginner Ski Runs From Creekside Gondola: Expressway
A great option for those starting from Whistler Creekside, Expressway is a popular route to traverse to reach Olympic Chair (a designated beginner zone). Expressway itself is very straightforward, wide, and with plenty of options to pull to the side and have a rest as required. Expressway leads directly to another beginner ski called Lower Olympic.
Lower Olympic From Whistler Village Gondola Mid-station
Skiers and snowboarders love Whistler because it’s ski-in/ski-out. This essentially means that the ski area begins and ends right at the Village. Experience it for yourself thanks to Lower Olympic, which begins straight from the Whistler Village Gondola Mid-station. This run is super cruisy and you can treat yourself to a drink at the end of it!

Green Line From 7th Heaven
For access to some incredible views (and great beginner ski runs), we recommend venturing up to 7th Heaven. It can be reached by taking Expressway from the Rendezvous Lodge and then riding the 7th Heaven Express. Once at the top, get a snap of the inuksuk or take a moment to take in the breathtaking views of the iconic Black Tusk. From here, take Green Line back down to the Rendezvous Lodge.
Beginner Ski Runs For Advancing: Upper/Lower Whiskey Jack From Whistler Village Gondola
A popular route with ski instructors, Upper and Lower Whiskey Jack are both great beginner ski runs to hone your skiing or snowboarding. There’s plenty of space and the run plateau nicely at several points to help you manage your speed and get your bearings. The full route will take you to Emerald Chair, which brings you back to the start. Perfect if you’re keen to do laps and get some mileage under your belt.

Papoose To Franz’s Chair
Another nice option for easy, breezy laps is Papoose. You’ll find it on Whistler Mountain and signposted from the bottom of Upper Whiskey Jack (The Chic Pea hut) and it winds it’s way nicely down to Franz’s Chair. Papoose is graded perfectly for beginners and there’s very little room for error. This part of the mountain provides access to quite a few great beginner ski runs and tends to see less traffic, too, which means you have all the space you need to nail those turns.
Burnt Stew Trail From Harmony 6 Express
Accessed from the top of Harmony 6 Express, Burnt Stew Trail offers magnificent views of Blackcomb Mountain and (quite often) some of the best snow on the mountain. The trail will bring you back to the bottom of the Harmony 6 Express or you have the option to connect on to Sidewinder to Emerald Express Chair. To get the thighs really burning, you can follow on from Sidewinder to Upper Olympic and then onto Lower Olympic to Skiers’ Plaza. A pretty mammoth undertaking when it comes to beginner ski runs, but lots of ground covered!

Bear Cub To Red Chair And The Tree Fort
If you have little legs skiing/snowboarding with you, a great option is Bear Cub. You’ll find it on Whistler Mountain and it’s accessed via Upper Whiskey Jack and Papoose. Part-way on the trail, keep your eyes peeled for signs to the Tree Fort playground. It provides a great distraction for tired kiddos and gets them revved up ready to ride Pony Trail down to Red Chair/Creekside Gondola.
Beginner Ski Runs for Absolute Newbies: Upper Fantastic From Olympic Chair
If you’re just starting out on planks, a great place to learn the basics is the Olympic Beginner Zone. It’s accessed from the Olympic Mid-station on the Whistler Village Gondola or by taking Expressway from the Creekside Gondola. The Olympic Beginner Zone is home to only beginner ski runs and fenced off from the rest of the resort. This means that you don’t need to necessarily worry about people zooming by you, and you can relax and enjoy your experience. There are several conveyor belt-type lifts here and a slow and steady chairlift called Olympic Chair.

PC: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Pony Trail From Whistler Village Gondola
‘Pony Trail is the oldest run on Whistler Mountain. When the ski hill was being built in the summer of 1965, workers would take materials and supplies up the mountains by packhorse. The pony trail was the route cut for the horses to use. Because it took the easiest route possible, it was the perfect candidate to become Whistler’s first green run.’ Source: Pique Newsmagazine
Easy Out From The New Blackcomb Gondola
Back over on Blackcomb, a great option for those accessing the mountain from the Upper Village is Easy Out. You’ll find it by initially taking Expressway from the Rendezvous Lodge and then keeping skiers’ right. Easy Out winds its way down the mountain and delivers you to the mid-station of the new Blackcomb Gondola. If you’re ready to call it a day, continue on to Green Line, Sideline and then Yellow Brick Road to ski out to the Upper Village.

PC: Tourism Whistler/Vince Emond
Beginner Ski Runs For Absolute Newbies: Yellow Brick Road From Magic Chair
Accessible via the Magic Chair in Whistler’s Upper Village, Yellow Brick Road is one of the best beginner ski runs for newbies venturing beyond the bunny slope for the first time. It’s the perfect preparation for some big mountain adventures.
The Best Beginner Ski Runs Of Whistler Blackcomb – Progression
For many, simply skiing in Whistler is a check on the old bucket list. However, for some, North America’s largest ski resort beckons with the challenge of self-improvement. Whistler Blackcomb is the perfect place to push some boundaries and work on your technique. Here are 5 ways to improve your skiing in Whistler.
Ready to hit some blues? With more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 200 marked runs, there’s more than enough space to explore on Whistler Blackcomb. With that in mind, we’ve compiled five of the best Whistler Blackcomb runs – as chosen by Whistler locals. Add them to your checklist and have the best day ever!
