Whistler ranks behind Deer Valley, Utah and Vail, Colorado in Ski Magazine's annual ranking of mountain resorts.
Deer Valley claimed top spot for the fourth year in a row. Immaculate trail grooming and impeccable service were two of the key points that pushed Deer Valley ahead of others.
The ratings, which are determined by readers of Ski , were published Oct. 8.
Whistler Blackcomb earned praise for its vast and varied terrain but the "notorious Pacific Northwest weather" isn't to everyone's liking.
"While the uncertain weather and newly biting sales tax can be discouraging - and a ski vacation this cosmopolitan is not for everyone - this is a winning destination for those in search of bold experiences," wrote Susan Reifer.
Vail, which has topped the Ski rankings more often than any other resort, "gives almost everyone almost everything."
