A small fire led to the evacuation of the Roundhouse Lodge on Friday, Jan. 3, confirmed Whistler Blackcomb (WB).
In a statement, WB said the fire at Pika's Restaurant was safely extinguished at around 2 p.m. by staff. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the Roundhouse was evacuated, and the Whistler Village Gondola stopped loading guests up Whistler Mountain, the release continued.
After the fire was investigated by the Whistler Fire Rescue Service, staff and guests were allowed to return to the building at about 3:15 p.m.
It was a day of limited terrain at WB, with all upper alpine terrain remaining closed. The risk of avalanche after a recent heavy snowfall combined with a weak snowpack and strong winds lead to the closure of the Peak 2 Peak and the upper portion of the Blackcomb Gondola as well.
Avalanche Canada also took the rare step of raising the danger rating to extreme on Friday, advising the public to avoid all backcountry avalanche terrain.
