It’s a big season ahead for Whistler Blackcomb.
The famous Canadian resort celebrates its 50th winter as a ski resort and a meteoric rise to global fame which shows no sign of abating.
Whistler Blackcomb has just been voted the best resort in North America, again (it’s the third time in the past 4 years), by the continent’s biggest annual reader poll, organised by the US magazine SKI, and while there’s some excitement south of the Canadian border about some ski areas merging to increase their ski area size, Whistler Blackcomb remains the continent’s number one for size.
“Whistler Blackcomb offers today’s skiers and riders one of the finest resort experiences anywhere,” said SKI Magazine publisher, Allen Crolius. “From big-mountain skiing to a base village that sets the standard for mountain resorts, Whistler Blackcomb earned its top ranking from our readers.”
Originally opening for skiing in the winter of 1965–66 and founded on the dream of one day hosting the Olympic Winter Games (a dream it finally realised 45 years later in 2010, of course), Whistler Blackcomb has been going beyond to leave its mark on the ski and snowboard industry since day one.
“Whistler Blackcomb has always been about pushing the envelope,” said Dave Brownlie, President and CEO of Whistler Blackcomb. “We like to be first, to go big and to surpass guest expectations over and over again. This season we want to showcase what we’ve achieved over the past 50 years while looking forward at what is yet to come.”
Credit – P-David McColm
That huge ski area – which according to independent assessment is also one of the world’s largest – coupled with a massive vertical and containing pretty much every type of ski experience imaginable, all served by one of the world’s most extensive and impressive high-speed lift networks, is a key draw for skiers from around the world who’ll happily cross oceans and continents to reach Whistler Blackcomb.
But it is just part of the picture – the resort itself is a vibrant, year-round community, as busy in summer as in winter, with a large and eclectic collection of accommodation, restaurants, shopping and 101 other services and activities besides.
Then there’s the snow. Whistler typically gets a lot of it and is normally open from November to May, before, unique in Canada, reopening for summer skiing in June and July. Its glacier ski area helps ensure that there’s always going to be skiing available here, whatever the prevailing weather conditions. Happily this coming season all the forecasters are predicting a very snowy winter for western North America.
There are other big draws. The 2010 Olympic legacy is a big one – you can ski the Olympic downhill, tour facilities, even brave the ice tracks in the Olympic sliding centre if you wish. Those Olympics are also responsible for another big positive point – the ease of access from Vancouver on a fast, modern highway built as part of the Olympic investment.
But despite its existing status and reputation, Whistler Blackcomb is certainly not resting on its laurels and is instead investing in improved facilities and all-new services to make visiting the resort even better.
Improved On Mountain Dining
Credit – Amy McDermid
The resort has made a multi-million dollar investment over the summer in upgrading the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain ready for the coming winter.
Guests visiting Blackcomb Mountain this winter season will notice the Rendezvous Lodge has had a facelift. It underwent a massive renovation this summer and will open its doors with an increased capacity and improved functionality. The building has a brand-new look to complement the new and fresh customisable menu options in the food court, including Japanese ramen bowls and a Thai-inspired wok station where flavourful rice or noodle dishes are finished with authentic sauces and garnishes. The Mexican taqueria will offer made-to-order burritos, tacos and salads, and the grill is serving up naturally raised, hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken and beef burgers, and Ocean Wise salmon sandwiches, as well as a plant-based option. Yummy.
The investment also includes a total revamp of Christine’s Restaurant within the Rendezvous Lodge renovation and that has elevated the fine dining experience possible on Blackcomb Mountain. Christine’s will also open for the coming winter with a fresh new look, a new menu and a new head chef.
Hi-tech Tickets
Credit – DavidMcColm
Whistler Blackcomb will be introducing its all-new WB+ programme this winter season. This new online interactive platform connected to the ski resort’s RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology, which was first introduced last year, will give guests the option to create a personal profile in order to collect stats and data about their days on the mountains.
By scanning lift passes at the RFID chairlift access gates located around Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, guests will be able keep track of personal stats, including their number of days on the slopes and total vertical ridden.
Customised privacy settings will allow users to decide whether to make their WB+ profiles accessible to friends, family members and work colleagues. If they decide to, it allows groups to create goals and fun challenges to tackle together.
At the same time as introducing WB+, Whistler Blackcomb have invested in their biggest-ever upgrade of their website, introducing a host of new interactive features and seamless booking options, and making it more mobile and tablet friendly.
Smoke-free Whistler Blackcomb
Credit – Blake Jorgenson
This winter will mark the first smoke-free ski season at Whistler Blackcomb. The smoke-free policy, originally introduced in May this year, was implemented to preserve the pristine alpine environment for all guests. The policy prohibits smoking anywhere on Whistler Blackcomb property, including lift lines, chairlifts, gondolas, ski runs, valley base areas, parking lots and all Whistler Blackcomb bar and restaurant locations, including patios. It is important to note the smoke-free policy does not apply to ALL of Whistler. Smoking is still permitted in areas that are in compliance with the municipal tobacco control laws.
Rossignol Dynastar Lange (RDL) Rental Boutique
New in the Blackcomb Daylodge at the base of Blackcomb Mountain is the RDL premium rental boutique which offers a unique rental experience, with personalised service from specialists who will guide guests through Rossignol, Dynastar and Lange ski equipment.
The product offering is diverse and will be tuned to perfection, including race, powder and backcountry skis, and junior and high-end ski boots that offer support and comfort. The RDL premium rental boutique also offers guests the flexibility to try different skis to suit various conditions and terrain.
Snowmaking On The Horstman Glacier
Whistler Blackcomb has been a leading campaigner for the environment and in the battle against climate change for many decades. Its Fitzsimmons Creek hydroelectric plant generates more green energy than the resort uses, exporting excess to the grid.
This winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will conduct a new snowmaking pilot project aimed at preserving the Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain. The pilot project will involve the testing of four low-energy-consumption snowmaking guns in the Horstman Hut area to determine if a full-scale snowmaking system is an option to prevent further recession of the Horstman Glacier.
A snowmaking system on the Horstman Glacier could improve the early-season access to glacier skiing and snowboarding during the winter and preserve the summer glacier experience for guests to enjoy in the future. If the pilot project is conclusive, this unique project will become a significant addition to Whistler Blackcomb’s list of adaptations to ensure long-term resilience against climate change.
Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day is scheduled for 26 November 2015. A 50th anniversary party will be staged at the Roundhouse Lodge on 12 December and many more celebratory events are planned throughout the season.
Book Early And Save
Credit – Paul Morrison
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Whistler Blackcomb is offering early booking Ski & Stay Packages; guests can save up to 40% off before 15 November 2015. Learn more here: whistlerblackcomb.com/bookearly
Whistler Blackcomb also continues to offer early-bird family pricing; for example, children aged 12 and under stay ski, rent and transfer free as long as they are with a paying adult. For more information and other family-friendly deals, visit whistlerblackcomb.com/family
Whistler In Numbers
200+ Marked runs
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games staged
16 alpine bowls
125 kilometres from Vancouver
3306 ha of terrain
3 glaciers
1163 cm average snowfall annually
whistlerblackcomb.com
