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Snow Seekers: Get Ready For Opening Day at Whistler-Blackcomb


As opening day approaches and we all start dusting off our ski, snowboard, and winter adventure gear, let’s take a look at some of the facts about Whistler’s snowfall and winter weather to help you prepare for the coming season.
 

Whistler Blackcomb Climate Facts

Whistler and Blackcomb are located in the Coast Mountain Range, given that name due to their proximity to the Pacific coast. Being so close to the ocean means Whistler Blackcomb is blessed with moderate winter weather. Temperatures here don’t typically go lower than -10°C (12°F) in the valley and -15°C (5°F) in the alpine during the coldest part of the year.
 
Average Alpine Temperatures for Whistler Blackcomb
 
December to February
Low: -12°C / 11°F
High: -5°C / 23°F
 
March to May
Low: -8°C / 19°F
High: 5°C / 42°F
 
Average Snowfall
465 inches / 38.7 ft / 11.8 m per year on summit
 
Of course, that doesn’t mean it can’t get considerably colder than that, so always prepare accordingly with layers that can be added or subtracted to keep you cozy and well-ventilated on the slopes or on the streets of the village.
 

Snowfall Stats

Whistler Blackcomb consistently offers some of the most reliable snow conditions in the Coast Mountain Range, receiving an average annual snowfall of around 11 meters, and 86 annual snowfall days.

It’s no secret that Whistler is legendary for its powder–but check out the chart below showing a variety of stats that might help you plan your trip around when you’re most likely to get the best conditions for shredding the slopes.

Image source: https://www.onthesnow.com/british-columbia/whistler-blackcomb/historical-snowfall

In spite of its proximity to the coast, Whistler’s snow is known for being fluffy, light, and as you can see from the chart above, plentiful. Snow on these mountains is generally dry and ready to be carved up for your board or skis.

So–itching for opening day, yet?
 

Dress For The Alpine Weather

There are a few main factors to consider when it comes to your winter weather gear. Ideally you want to hit that Goldilocks zone where you’re neither too hot or too cold–just right. 

This means having breathable materials that allow for ventilation and wicking away the moisture from your body. But you also want to have a shell that protects you from the wind if it’s a particularly cold day. 

Staying warm but not too warm is all about layers that you can add or remove as needed. And it’s always a good idea to invest in certain high quality items, especially socks and gloves. 

Making sure you’re properly dressed can mean the difference between a great day or a miserable day, so plan carefully and pack accordingly!
 
Get Your Gear Ready

If you don’t have gear or aren’t sure where to get it, here are a few options to get your gear ready: 

Whistler Winter Wear: They deliver right to your door and you can try on multiple sizes until you have exactly the right fit. They cover clothing, skis, and snowboards. 

Whistler Sport Legacies: Located at the Whistler Olympic Park, they have you covered for your snowshoes and skis, and offer both daily and full-season rentals. 

Black Tie Ski Rental: They have skis (cross country and alpine), boards, boots, and locations on both mountains, and free delivery with custom fitting. 
 

Best Times to Visit Whistler During Winter Season

For maximum excitement, consider coming for your trip in November and December. With activity on the mountains ramping up there can be quiet days with short lift lines and even cheaper accommodations, but this is an exciting time when Whistler is packed with events and holiday activities. So keep that in mind when you plan your trip! 

With events like Wintersphere and The Fire and Ice Show, and a whole lot more, any time through November and December will be a memorable experience filled with excitement for you and your family. 

For powderhounds, January and February bring some of the coldest temperatures and the driest, fluffiest snow of the winter season. Likewise, there’s a slight drop-off in visitors, so you’re likely to have somewhat shorter wait times for the lift and fewer people on the mountain. 

The Village is generally quieter during this time as well–except during spring break–so getting that reservation at your favorite restaurant should be easier too. 
 

Opening Day

For many people the countdown has already started and the date is marked on every calendar they own–November 23, 2023 is the opening day for the 23/24 season at Whistler Blackcomb.

One exciting announcement for those itching to get on the slopes this year is that Whistler-Blackcomb’s Fitzsimmons Express chairlift is being replaced this year with a high speed 8-person lift, which will reduce wait times and get you up the mountain faster.

Just another reason to have your gear ready for November 23! Need Whistler Accommodations? Click here to book your dream Whistler Vacation today!

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Spring Is In The Air at Whistler


Whistler, B.C. – Spring is in the air at Whistler, with fresh snow in the alpine, longer days, a busy events calendar and plenty of activities to enjoy. Spring brings new energy to the resort with events and activities for everyone. Extended daylight hours mean more time to enjoy it all! With plenty of family-friendly activity options, Whistler is the perfect location for a Spring Break holiday.

At this time of year, Whistler offers the best of both worlds; bring your bike for a spin on the paved Valley Trail network but don’t forget your skis and snowboards because there are still several weeks of riding left. Biking is ramping up with a variety of cross country trails, road cycling as well as recreational bike trails open and ready to be explored. Offering terrain ranging from beginners to bike aficionados, there’s something for everyone to get excited about.

Spring skiing in Whistler means longer and brighter days and that energetic Whistler vibe throughout the Village. The mountains have received 25 centimetres of fresh snow in the last 48 hours, with more forecast overnight and early next week.

Why not do it all? Only in Whistler can you kick start the morning riding an abundance of sprawling bike trials, upload the mountain just in time to join the ‘crack-of-noon club’ when the sun softens up the snow creating optimal spring skiing conditions, and top it off with a well-deserved après session in town.

With the changing of the season brings the ultimate patio après and no one does après like Whistler. With a plentitude of venues at your fingertips — both on and off the mountains — your options are endless. Spring in Whistler also offers room-only specials & accommodations.

Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totalling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 10,000 permanent residents.

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Whistler Blackcomb GoPro Junior Freeski Challenge


WHISTLER BLACKCOMB GOPRO JUNIOR FREESKI CHALLENGE RETURNS MARCH 19-22, 2015

WHISTLER, BC March 5, 2015 – The next generation of big mountain freeskiers, ages 12–18, will face off at Whistler Blackcomb March 19 – 22, during the GoPro Junior Freeski Challenge. This International Freeski Skiers’ Association (IFSA) sanctioned event will challenge athletes to make their way down a predetermined run while being judged on skiing style, speed and line choice.

“Whistler Blackcomb boasts some of the best big mountain skiing terrain in the world,” says Sebastian Fremont, Whistler Blackcomb’s Events Manager. “We are thrilled to host some of the best up and coming ski talent and give the athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills.”

The location of the competition runs for qualifiers and finals will be kept as a surprise to competitors until the day before the event when athletes check in. Athletes will then have the day to inspect the venue and master their line of choice. On Friday, March 20, the qualifier round for skiers ages 12-14 will take place followed by qualifications for ages 15-18 on Saturday, March 21. After the fields have been narrowed down, qualified competitors will lay down their last runs in the finals on Sunday, March 22, followed by an awards ceremony at 18 Below, at Base II on Blackcomb Mountain.

“GoPro is thrilled to be working with Whistler Blackcomb on this exciting freeski event,” says Dan Kelsay, GoPro’s Resort Marketing Manager. “This competition will generate awesome content with some of the best up and comers in the sport of skiing”

A team of GoPro ambassadors will also be in attendance at the event giving competitors the opportunity to demo the latest GoPro cameras and accessories. GoPro enables users to record life’s greatest moments in the most immersive perspective possible; perfect for capturing on and off mountain experiences at Whistler Blackcomb.

Guests looking to plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages or call 1-888-403-4727.

The 20th annual World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is happening in Whistler, BC April 10-19, 2015. Visit www.wssf.com/Media to register for media accreditation.

About Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,164 centimetres (458 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

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Whistler Blackcomb Opening Ahead Of Schedule Saturday, November 22


WHISTLER, BC November 18, 2014 – Much to the delight of eager skiers and snowboarders, Whistler Blackcomb will be opening five days ahead of schedule on Saturday, November 22. The decision to kick off the winter season early was made possible after natural snowfall at higher elevations was followed by a streak of below average temperatures, providing prime conditions for snowmaking.

“Our snowmaking team has been working hard to take advantage of this early season cold snap in Whistler and has converted over 60 million gallons of water into snow over the past few weeks,” says Doug MacFarlane, Director of Mountain Operations at Whistler Blackcomb. “Their efforts, combined with the natural snowfall we have already received at higher elevations, has enabled us to get things rolling early again this year. And with more natural snow in the forecast for later this week, it should be a fun opening weekend.”

Whistler Mountain will be opening five days ahead of schedule on Saturday, November 22 with five lifts running. Guests will have the option to upload from either the base of Whistler Mountain via the Whistler Village Gondola, featuring brand new cabins, or the Creekside base via the Creekside Gondola. Blackcomb Mountain will open, as scheduled, on Thursday, November 27, 2014.

“With all the excitement of opening day, we want to remind guests early season conditions will apply, especially off piste,” says MacFarlane. “It is important to obey all mountain signage, ski and ride on open runs only and stay within the operational area marked by ‘Temporary Boundary’ signage.”

First upload on the Whistler Village Gondola and Creekside Gondola will begin at 8:30am, with last upload at 2pm on November 22, with mandatory download off the mountain. Emerald Express, Big Red Express and the Franz Chair lifts will be running, allowing access to 1800 vertical feet of skiing and riding terrain. Runs set to open include Upper and Lower Ego Bowl, Upper Whiskey Jack, Upper Franz’s, Papoose, Orange Peel and Pony Trail. There will also be a small terrain park accessible from the top of the Emerald Express chair and green learning terrain serviced by a Super Carpet at Olympic Station. Guests can keep updated on the most current lift status information at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/lifts-and-grooming or from mobile devices via the Whistler Blackcomb LIVE app, powered by TELUS.

Opening day guests will have the first chance to experience the brand new Whistler Village Gondola cabins installed this fall. The new Sigma “Diamond” level walk-in cabins dramatically improve the experience for skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers with eight passengers able to sit comfortably on bench seating. The new cabin configuration also gives guests the option of bringing their ski/snowboard equipment inside with them or storing it themselves in the outside racks provided.

Opening day will be the first time skiers and riders at Whistler Blackcomb will experience the benefits of the newly introduced RFID technology around the mountains, including mountain access gates at most lifts. Guests are reminded to store their new RFID Access Cards in a left-side pocket away from cell phones, credit cards and foil in order to reduce signal interference at the access gates. For more information about RFID at Whistler Blackcomb, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/rfid.

Whistler Mountain dining locations set to open on November 22 include Essentially Blackcomb Cappuccino Bar and Garbo’s Grill in the Carleton Lodge, Dusty’s Bar & Grill and Dusty’s Backside in Creekside, the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, and the Garibaldi Lift Co., Whistler’s world-famous location for après.

Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations in Whistler Village is currently operating daily from 9am to 5pm. The Blackcomb Day Lodge and Creekside Guest Relations will also be open from 9am to 5pm daily beginning Wednesday, November 19. All three locations will be open from 9am to 7pm on Friday, November 21 and from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, November 22. From November 23 onwards only the Village and Creekside Guest Relations will operate daily from 8am to 5pm until Wednesday, November 26 when the Blackcomb Day Lodge will open again in preparation for Blackcomb Mountain opening for skiing/riding on November 27. The Hours of Operation for all Guest Relations locations can be found at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/hours-of-operation.

Ski and snowboard rentals will be available at the base of Whistler Mountain at Gondola Rentals, from 8am – 5pm, Essentially Blackcomb from 7am – 5pm, the Salomon Store from 8am – 8pm, and the Fairmont and Can-Ski Westin from 8am-6pm. Can-Ski Creekside will be open at the Creekside base from 8am – 5pm.

Private and adult Max 4 ski and snowboard lessons will be available on Whistler Mountain, and can be booked online or by calling 1-800-766-0449. Discover Whistler Days are on now through to December 14 offering 25 per cent off select group snow school lessons.

Beginning November 22, Whistler Blackcomb’s Snow Report will be updated daily throughout the season and can be accessed online or by calling 604-932-4211 in Whistler, 604-687-7507 in Vancouver, or toll-free at 1-800-766-0449.

For Canadian and Washington State residents, Whistler Blackcomb offers the EDGE Card, allowing guests to ski/ride from $69 (CDN) a day. EDGE Cards are valid for use all season long, and are available at early bird pricing until November 30, at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/save.

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Not your average Triathlon!


The month of May is a very interesting time in Whistler. The sun is shining, the temperatures are soaring, the snow is melting, the beaches and golf courses are open, and the mountain bike trails are getting prepared for an opening in the very near future (May 17th, to be exact).
With temperatures reaching the 30’s (Mid 80’s for my American friends), it’s not uncommon to see the general population in Whistler wearing shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops, while standing beside a skier or snowboarder who’s fully decked out in gear which looks WAY too warm.

(Case in point. PS, retro one-piece suits NEVER go out of style in Spring time)

That being said, the end of May brings about a new sport – the Whistler Triathlon (I wonder if we can turn this into an Olympic sport). The Whistler Triathlon isn’t your regular run of the mill triathlon. In fact for a very short period, between May 17th (opening of the Bike Park) until May 27th (last day of spring skiing on Blackcomb) opens up a window for the die-hards. Start the day off skiing or snowboarding, followed up with a downhill mountain bike ride in the afternoon, and topped off with a round of golf or a wakeboard at Green Lake in the late afternoon. Or for those feeling VERY adventurous, you can even possibly make it to Vancouver Island in time for an evening surf session.

You know you’re in a sports oriented town when these are serious discussions, of how many different sports you can accomplish in one day!

Maybe this is why no one seems to age in this town 😉

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No. 1 again. And again. And again!


It seems like the never ending accolades keep rolling in!

This year Whistler Blackcomb takes another six “Best Overall” winsfrom some of the top ski websites and publications in the world,like SKI Magazine, and Freeskier Magazine.
WB has also received another 15 category wins from “Best In SnowBusiness” from the Canadian SkiCouncil to “Best Off-Piste” from Powderhouds.com

As well, SPIKE Marketing out of the UnitedKingdom ranked Whistler Blackcomb as the Highest Rated Resort inthe World for their customer satisfaction and performance or theirso-called Net Promoter Score.

SPIKE surveyed 18,000 U.K respondants who ranked WhistlerBlackcomb as THE top resort in the world they would recommend theirfriends or collegues based on quality of skiing, accommodations,value for money, restaurants and bars, lifts and activities outsideof skiing.

With all these awards and accolades, there has never been a bettertime to come find out what all the hype is about!

Contact us now to see for youself just whatmakes Whistler so special!

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How are you getting ready for Winter?


New Freestyle Ski legends Tanner Hall and Sammy Carlson arebeefing up their stock for this winter.
And they’re letting us watch.

Not going to lie, I’m a little jealous of their trampolinesession!

*All filmed with the GoPro Hero3

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Rain in the Village, means snow in the Alpine


Our long, long summer seems to finally be coming to an end, andwith it the valley and village have been getting a littlewet.
However, there is a marked upside to all this rain. It means onething right now: Snow in the Alpine!

Freezing levels are already dropping off to 1,500m (around PigAlley) by the weekend, and with up to 30 cm’s forecasted betweennow and then, you can guarantee all the locals who’ve beensnow-dancing these past few weeks, are finally seeing the fruits oftheir labour pay off!

You can even see our snow line creeping down the mountain in thepicture above!
Thank ULLR!

*Photo courtesy of Chris Starck | Coastphoto.com

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Whistler Blackcomb is #1


BOOM!
According to over 20,000 readers of SKI Magazine, WhistlerBlackcomb has been ranked No. 1 Overall Ski Resort in North Americain their 26th annual survey.

We at Aloha Whistler, send out our most sincere congratulations toeveryone across Whistler involved in making this happen!

From on-mountain staff, to lodging and restaurant staff, to thevillage hosts, everyone combined make this resort such a vibrant,fun loving resort to be at. And it shows in the results!

The President and COO of Whistler Blackcomb himself, Mr. DaveBrownlie had this to say about the honour

“It’s an incredible honour to be ranked the No. 1 overallmountain resort by the readers of SKI Magazine. SKI Magazine’srankings come as very high accolades because they reflect thediscerning views of skiers from across North America. Ourconsistent and reliable snow fall, and size and variety of ournatural terrain combined with first-rate customer service make ourguests’ experiences at Whistler Blackcomb one of the best in theindustry. We are looking forward to delivering another awardwinning experience again this winter.”

And we couldn’t be happier to be a part of the whole thing!

Not only were we ranked No. 1 Overall, but we also rankedextremely high in a few other categories as well:
No. 1 overall in Terrain Variety,
No. 2 overall in Service, Lodging, Après, Off Hill Activities, andDigital Presence,
And top 5’s overall in Challenge of Terrain, Lifts, On-MountainFood, Dining, Scenery, Terrain Parks, and Overall GuestSatisfaction.

Pretty impressive stats for this wonder of a mountain we call ourBackyard.

Now is THE perfect time to start planning yourvacation to Whistler, and find out why we always have a smileon our faces, and what makes the Whistler Experience THE best inthe world!

Remember, by booking before November 15th, you’re on your way togreat savings on tickets, rentals,and more!

*Photo Courtesy of WhistlerBlackcomb.com
Location: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

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Whistler Opening Day


Mark it on your calendars, November 22nd Whistler mountain willbe opening it’s Gondola doors once again to usher in a new seasonof amazing winter fun and memories!

The countdown is also on to see who can be the first ones up themountain and be granted the magical first carve of the year. Thisis definitely one of the biggest bragging rights anyone canclaim!
There’s only one way to take a shot at that title, and that’s bybeing here bright and early. In fact, some people camp overnight,just to make sure they’re first in line. Now THAT’S dedication tothe sport!

Fortunately, there’s a whole bunch of dealsgoing on right now to make it easier for you to take a shot at thattitle. From Early Bird lift ticket deals tosubstantial savings (up to 43%) on all your ski rentals through AffinitySports.
Make sure you take advantage of this, and enjoy some of thesplendours that the early season has to offer.

Whistler Blackcomb has also posted their Hours OfOperation for the upcoming season, just to make it easier foryou to plan your vacation!

Please feel free to contact us to book your upcoming (maybe early)vacation!

Aloha!

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