Whistler in Early January

jfang2799What type of conditions should I expect?
Powder?

expect anything and everything. On a pow day you can rent or bring beefier skis

jfang2799Is Whistler way too packed around this time of year and should I go somewhere else on the Epic Pass?

Everywhere is packed on the epic especially around your time frame.

I mean if Sunday Jan 5 is your first day on the slopes you are doing pretty well to avoid the absolute apex of shitshow crowds. Have fun the night before and get a late start and ski till last chair it will be empty by then.

Let the olds figure their own shit out to do. Scandanave Spa is a hit with everyone its outdoors and like 12 hot tobs and saunas.

Rent fatties the night before if its gonna dump like crazy. Buy 'first tracks' so you can get up the Gondi before everyone else if its a pow day. Stay anywhere in the village. Just use Hotwire for the cheapest price. Obviously don't book some shit in Pemberton. Creekside is an OK comprimise but you wanna be in the Village if pricing is the same.

Whistler isn't as cold as most other places in general. Gets a lot of snow. They have outlier bad years. Nowhere is a lock. You should know this. Ideally you would wait until after Christmas to book and see where is fully open and where has a storm coming up but chances are if you leave it this long your family isn't gonna be up to go spur of the moment.

There is so much terrain you will see minimal crowds up on the glaciers when skiing down. Ive been there during christmas week and waited maybe 15 minutes for lifts. If it dumps you'll see larger crowds though. I recommend getting over the 7th heaven or peak express early for the goods. Making your way back to symphony and flute bowl is also a good idea.