This is, in my opinion, the best resort in North America and is the closest you'll get to Alpine size and style of skiing. There is a tremendous variety of runs, from super-expert to gentle beginners' slopes. Huge bowls are powder-heaven after a good snowfall.
A huge plus for an American resort is that there are many slopeside accommodations and the village is all quite close to the lifts.
The main village has several excellent hotels and there is quite a lively apres-ski atmosphere. The restaurants are numerous and encompass the cuisine of many nationalities.
Good intermediates and better will most appreciate this resort, which has the added bonus of two glaciers for late season skiing. Nice trails like Pony Trail and Whisky Jack are good confidence boosters, while the Couloir Extreme (formerly Saudain Couloir) offers you the opportunity to frighten yourself witless. The Seventh Heaven area can provide some great powder skiing, as can the runs on the Blackcomb Glacier.
If you only ever get the chance of one visit to North America, Whistler is the best on offer.