Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding in Whistler and Blackcomb

Whistler/Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School. The school offers lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. 4545 Blackcomb Way. 604/932-3434 or 800/766-0449. Ultimate Ski Adventures. This company will help you achieve your goals, whether they be to gain confidence and control on all the runs or to ski in the best places the mountain has to offer. 7273 Fitzsimmons Rd. S. www.ultimateski.com. 604/263-2390.

Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau. These expert mountain guides offer group tours, instructional clinics, and customized one-on-one trips to get you shredding untouched backcountry powder. 113-4350 Lorimer. 604/938-9242. www.whistlerguides.com.

Mountain Adventure Centre. Get your high-performance gear rentals here—and if you want to swap equipment during the day, no problem. The center also has two alpine locations, one in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and another at Blackcomb Day Lodge (you can return or swap equipment here, too). Pan Pacific Lodge, 4320 Sundial Crescent. 604/905-2295.

Whistler/Blackcomb Hi Performance Rentals. They provide equipment rentals at the Whistler gondola base and at several outlets in the village. 3434 Blackcomb Way. 604/905-2252.

Why do beginners love Whistler?

For a primer on the ski facilities, drop by the resort's free Whistler Welcome Night, held at 6:30 every Sunday evening during ski season at the base of the village gondolas. First-timers at Whistler, whether beginners or experienced skiers or snowboarders, may want to try Ski or Ride Esprit. Run by the resort, these three- to four-day programs combine ski or snowboarding lessons, après-ski activities, and an insider's guide to the mountains.