Skiers and riders have an official date for opening day at Whistler Blackcomb.
In a release Wednesday, Whistler Blackcomb announced Thursday, Nov. 23 as the first day of the ski season.
“Guests have much to look forward to this winter, both on and off the mountain, including Whistler Blackcomb’s signature Fire and Ice spectacle, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, and the annual Peak to Valley Race,” the release said. “More information on these events, along with new product offerings and what to expect for the season ahead, will be shared closer to November.”
The ski resort said construction continues on the Fitzsimmons Express life upgrades, and the new high-speed eight-pack is slated to be ready in time for the ski season. Replacing the previuosl four-person lift, the new Fitz Express is intended to improve wait times and increase out-of-base uphill capacity by 73 per cent in the winter.
“We’ve had an incredible summer here at Whistler Blackcomb, but our excitement for winter is building,” said Belinda Trembath, Whistler Blackcomb’s new COO and VP. “We look forward to welcoming skiers and riders back from all over the world to the largest ski resort in North America. The magic of these mountains is something that must be experienced firsthand to truly be appreciated, and I have no doubt that our passionate, world-class team will deliver an unforgettable experience for each of our guests—whether they’re first-time visitors, newcomers to skiing and riding, or long-time locals.”
The public has until Sept. 4 to purchase an Epic Pass before prices increase. The price is set at USD$929 until that time, which works out to about CAD$1,256. A Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited Season Pass, meanwhile, is $1,325 until Sept. 4, while Edge Card pricing starts at CAD$236. An Adaptive Epic Pass is $651 until the cutoff date, while an Epic Military Pass is USD$163.
Lift tickets will be limited every day during the season to “preserve the guest experience for Pass Holders,” Vail Resorts said in a separate release about pass pricing on Tuesday, Aug. 15. None of the dozens of resorts accessible via the Epic Pass require reservations, except Telluride, Colo., which will be available to book through the Epic Pass website.
Pass products are available for purchase online.
