Mother nature dropped 80 centimetres of snow on Whistler-Blackcomb during an intense two-day storm earlier this week, which will allow Whistler Mountain to open Saturday, nearly a week ahead of schedule.
Weather forecasters predict that this week is only the beginning of a period of snowy, stormy weather for the Whistler area. Bestskiweather.com reports low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska, which would lead to more snow in Whistler into next week.
“We have a great leg up on the season,” said Whistler-Blackcomb mountain manager Doug MacFarlane. “Natural snowfall and our snowmaking efforts have allowed for the early opening on Whistler Mountain that skiers and riders have been hoping for.”
As of Wednesday, Whistler Mountain had a base of 108 centimetres.
Whistler Mountain will open Saturday with access from the Whistler Village and Creekside base areas. The Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, the Emerald Express, Franz’s Chair, and the Big Red Express are all scheduled to open on Saturday. A rail park will also be set up in the Emerald Express Habitat Park area. Jumps, more rails and other terrain park features will be added as more snow falls and terrain opens up.
Whistler-Blackcomb is alerting guests that early season conditions will exist both on and off-piste and caution should be exercised. The resort’s grooming machines are hard at work, however, preparing the slopes for skiers and riders.
Blackcomb Mountain will open as scheduled, on Thursday, Nov. 22.
To keep up to date on information on the mountains, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com .
Starting opening day, the Snow Report on the website and the Snowphone will be updated five times daily.
