Snow Update for Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb - Holiday Snow & Terrain Update

Whistler is enjoying a great holiday season with local and destination guests alike enjoying the magic of play with friends and family on our snow covered mountains.

At this time Whistler Blackcomb has over 7,000 acres of terrain open for skiers and riders out of 8,171 –more terrain than any other mountain resort in North America!

Between both mountains all major express chairlifts and gondolas are in operation, weather dependent. Our guests have been skiing and riding groomed, snow covered trails suitable for all abilities, and the ski outs to all base areas - Blackcomb’s Upper Village, Whistler Village and Creekside Village - are providing one vertical mile of skiing from top to bottom. Check out the grooming report, updated daily as well as live lift status here: whistlerblackcomb.com

The snow in the forecast later this week has everyone drooling with anticipation and colder temperatures will enable Whistler Blackcomb’s large team of snowmaking experts to get into high gear to lend a hand to cover the slopes with even more snow.

FAST FACTS ABOUT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB’S TERRAIN AND SNOW NOW

·         7000+ acres of terrain open -  the most terrain on offer in North America

·         All major express chairlifts and gondolas are currently open including the NEW Harmony6 and the Crystal Ridge Express

·         Top to bottom skiing - 5,280 vertical feet on Blackcomb and 5,000 vertical feet on Whistler

·         Snowmaking: 250 snowguns on both mountains have converted over 230 million gallons of water into snow since the beginning of November

·         Over 800 acres of terrain is groomed on average each night

·         There is over 20cms of snow and colder temperatures forecasted for later this week

o   Call 604-932-4211 or check whistlerblackcomb.com for the latest forecast and snow stats

TIPS FOR SKIERS AND RIDERS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR DAY AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

·         Best snow is in the high alpine and head up early for less crowds and the best grooming.

·         Fresh Tracks Mountain Top Breakfast lets guests head up extra early to take advantage of pristine grooming.

·         Horstman and Blackcomb Glaciers offering great conditions for Intermediate and Advanced skiers and riders.

·         Whistler Blackcomb Snow School can guide to the best runs for conditions and abilities levels while giving lift line priority.

·         Don’t forget to cap the day with legendary après at Merlin’s Bar & Grill, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ or the Garibaldi Lift Co.

WinterPRIDE is now less than a month away and still time to secure your ski package deals.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or book online at whistlerblackcomb.com/gaywhistler

75 Santas Open new Harmony6 at Whistler

OVER 75 SANTAS SWARM WHISTLER BLACKCOMB FOR THE OPENING OF THE HARMONY 6 EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT

WHISTLER, BC December 14, 2013 – As it turns out Santa likes to snag a few fresh ski laps as a warm up before getting on the sleigh for the big present drop. Over 75 Santas descended on Whistler Blackcomb Saturday dressed head to toe as either Mr. or Mrs. Clause for the annual “Dress Like Santa Day”. The first 75 guests outfitted in full costume were given a free lift ticket and escorted to the front of the line to ride the first chair for the grand opening of the brand new Harmony 6 Express chairlift.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Whistler Blackcomb’s president and CEO Dave Brownlie, cut the ribbon to officially open the first six-seater chairlift installed on the mountain. The new Harmony 6 Express, located on Whistler Mountain, replaced the old Harmony high-speed quad chairlift and has dramatically improved uphill capacity by 50 per cent compared to the old chair; going from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600.

With 14cm of fresh snow in the past week, and an 85cm base; Whistler Blackcomb is now offering the most vertical and open terrain compared to any other resort in North America with 5,280 vertical feet of descent spread over 5,050 acres.

About the Harmony 6 Express:

The Harmony 6 Express is the first six-pack chairlift at Whistler Blackcomb and will service terrain spanning from the edge of the Symphony Amphitheatre all the way over to Glacier Bowl, adjacent to the Peak Express. This area, known as the Harmony Zone, makes up over 485 hectares (1,200 acres) of Whistler Blackcomb’s 3,306 hectares (8,171 acres) of total terrain. With a wide variety of beginner to expert terrain options, the Harmony 6 Express will ensure skiers and riders are able to spend more time on the mountain exploring the spectacular, powder-covered alpine that Whistler Blackcomb is celebrated for.

The Harmony 6 Express has the same alignment as the old Harmony quad; spanning 1,729 metres (5,672ft) in length, with a vertical rise of 525 metres (1,722ft). The top elevation of the lift is 2,107 metres (6,912ft); the bottom elevation is 1,582 metres (5,190ft).

The new chair is part of Whistler Blackcomb’s $18 million investment into infrastructure upgrades for the two mountains. As part of the capital expansion, Blackcomb Mountain’s new Crystal Ridge Express chairlift was unveiled to the public for the first time last Saturday.

Construction on the two new lifts began in the spring of 2013 and was completed in time for winter. Excluding the opening of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in 2008, these two new lifts are the first lift installations at the resort since the Symphony Express chairlift was opened on Whistler Mountain in 2006. The last time Blackcomb Mountain underwent a lift expansion was for the Excalibur Gondola and the Excelerator Express quad chair in 1994.

Whistler's 22nd annual Gay & Lesbian ski/snowboard week is posed to be another epic year with this year's Christmas presents of the new Harmony6 and the Glacier Express Chairs.  WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 1st, 2014.  For reservations and packages call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com

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