Whistler (BC), Canada – Thanks to cold temperatures, snowmaking and natural snowfall, Whistler Mountain will open thirteen days ahead of schedule this Saturday. With five lifts running, guests will have the option to upload from either the Whistler Village Gondola or the Creekside Gondola.
“Early season snowfall, combined with our snowmaking team converting over 60 million gallons of water into snow the past few weeks, has allowed us to get things started early again this season,” says Doug MacFarlane, mountain manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “With all the excitement of opening day, we want to remind guests early season conditions will apply, especially off piste. It is important to obey mountain signage, ski and ride on open runs only and stay within the operational area marked by ‘Temporary Boundary’ signage. Guests should be aware there will be rocks and other hazards below the snow surface; we do not recommend skiing and riding outside the temporary boundary in any circumstances.”
First upload on the Whistler Village Gondola and Creekside Gondola will begin at 8:30 a.m., with last upload at 2:30 p.m. on November 16. Emerald Express, Big Red Express and the Franz Chair lifts will be running, allowing access to 1,800 vertical feet of skiing and riding terrain. Runs set to open will include Ego Bowl, Upper Whiskey Jack, Upper Franz, Papoose, Orange Peel and Pony Trail.
Whistler Mountain dining locations will also be open on Saturday, including Essentially Blackcomb Cappuccino Bar in the Carleton Lodge, Dusty’s Bar & Grill in Creekside, the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, and the Garibaldi Lift Co., Whistler’s most famous location for après.
Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations will operate from the Blackcomb Day Lodge, Creekside and Whistler Village on Friday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from all three locations from 7 a.m.to 5 p.m. From Sunday onwards only the Village and Creekside Guest Relations will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day until Blackcomb Mountain opens as originally scheduled on Thursday, November 28 and the Blackcomb Day Lodge opens again.
Ski and snowboard rentals will be available at the base of Whistler Mountain at Gondola Rentals, Essentially Blackcomb and the Salomon Store. Can Ski Creekside will be open at the Creekside base. Adult Max 4 ski and snowboard lessons will be available on Whistler Mountain.