Despite a slow start to the season, things are looking up on the hill, with Whistler Blackcomb receiving over two metres of snow in the last seven days.
With pent-up energy and plenty of fresh snow, many Whistlerites are pining for some hard-charging powder lines.
But given a marginal base and the glut of new, unconsolidated snow, Whistler Blackcomb officials are urging caution.
"It's super enticing, because you're looking out and you're looking at some spots, and you just want to charge," said Whistler Blackcomb communications director Marc Riddell.
Skiers and riders are being reminded that there may be rocks or trees lurking just below the fluffy new white stuff.
"When you get a lot of snow in a short period of time, the snow doesn't quite have the chance to settle out like it would mid-season," explained Seamus Frew, safety manager at Whistler Blackcomb.
Frew also warned against the risk of falling into tree wells, the depression that forms around the base of a tree when snow accumulates on its branches. Tree wells are considered a safety hazard because riders can fall into them head first and suffocate.
To stay safe, Frew is calling on people to ride in groups when hitting up tree runs.
"If (you're) going off-piste—or off the groomed path—you want to ride with friends, and stay in close contact," said Frew. "And yip and holler, just to let everyone know you're safe."
He also underlined the importance of abiding by signage—to not poach runs, no matter how good they look.
"If you see any closures on the mountain, whether they be permanent closures or avalanche closures, they are there for a reason," explained Frew, adding that disobeying them can lead to one's pass being revoked.
The strong snowfall of late has led Avalanche Canada to rate avalanche danger as high in both the alpine and treeline areas for the Sea to Sky region.
Frew said that ski patrol is working "flat out" to mitigate any avalanche risk in ski area boundaries.
"Our patrol team is doing whatever they can to mitigate the hazard on a daily basis," he said.
According to Riddell, Whistler Blackcomb has been working hard to open up terrain as quickly as possible.
"Our guys live and work in the community," he said. "They want to get everything open. It's a point of pride for us to be able to make sure we have everything open."
That said, there were some grumblings on the mountain over last weekend, with some complaining that Harmony and Symphony chairs along with terrain off the Peak Chair should have been open.
According to Riddell, the recent weather was a factor in that—not some desire to safeguard it for weeks to come.
"It's not just the amount of precipitation we've received. It also has to do with the wind speed," he said.
Saturday, Dec. 15 was the official opening of Whistler's newest marquee attraction, the Blackcomb Gondola.
Riddell said he was struck by how quiet the ride is and how quickly it can move the lineup along. (The 10-person gondola has a capacity of 4,000 people an hour.)
"We probably had a lineup out almost to the Whistler Grill (on opening day), and I would say that within 20 minutes, we were able to blow through that whole maze," he said adding that it may change the dynamic of skiing on the mountain by enticing some Creekside faithful to give it a try.
"What I would say is it might even change how people approach the mountain," said Riddell.
"So instead of everyone—or locals uploading at Creekside—you (may) want to get up quick and spread the wealth.
"Why not head over to Blackcomb base and hop on the new gondi?"
