Visit Whistler in the Shoulder Season

Ridiculous traffic and long lines at the lifts punctuate the epic ski runs and endless mountain views at British Columbia’s famed Whistler ski resort during peak season. Go to the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics during spring or fall and you’ll find the same great runs, spa experiences and top-notch restaurants with significantly fewer people. Sure, you may find the weather is less cooperative, but if you don’t mind a bit of rain while you ski or hike, you’ll benefit from a significant drop in the number of people competing for limited space.

The high season for skiing is usually late November through March. Whistler sees a lot of visitors around the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, plus President’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout March for spring break. Fewer people visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and most years you can ski well into April (and sometimes even May). Avoid going at the height of the summer, in July and August, if you’re after hiking and mountain biking.

And it probably goes without saying weekday visits are better than weekends, which naturally see more crowds.