Whistler Blackcomb ranked best ski resort in North America

A skier plows though the snow during a powder on Whistler mountain in Whistler, B.C. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Whistler Blackcomb has been named the best overall ski resort in North America by SKI magazine, the resort announced Tuesday.

The annual poll asks 20,000 readers to rank the top 50 ski resorts in North America. Whistler Blackcomb ranked highly in other categories as well, placing first for terrain variety, and second for service, lodging, après, off-mountain activities and digital presence.

“Our consistent and reliable snow fall, and size and variety of our natural terrain combined with first-rate customer service make our guests’ experiences at Whistler Blackcomb one of the best in the industry,” said Dave Brownlie, president of Whistler Blackcomb.

Whistler was the only Canadian ski resort to make the cut this year. Last year, the B.C. ski and snowboarding Mecca placed third behind Deer Valley, Utah and Vail, Colarado, resorts that placed second and third this year respectively.

Tourism Whistler said more than two million people visit the resort a year -- 1.25 million in the winter and 1.46 in the summer.