About Whistler Blackcomb

About Us

Whistler Blackcomb is a premier ski resort located in Canada's Coast Mountain Range. A two hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia, the resort is a major year-round tourism destination.

With a mile of vertical and an incredible backcountry, Whistler Blackcomb has been consistently ranked the No. 1 ski resort by ski industry and travel magazines. The mountains receive an average annual snowfall of 10.22 m (33.5 feet). Meanwhile, outside of the Himalayas, the Coast Mountain Range is one of the most heavily glaciated mountain ranges in the world. On Whistler Blackcomb alone, there are three glaciers to choose from: Blackcomb Glacier, Horstman Glacier, and Whistler Glacier.

The twin mountains offer 8,171 acres (3,307 hectares) of skiable terrain, ranging from beginner to expert slopes. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains also boast world-class terrain parks, a Superpipe and Family Zones. The regular ski and snowboard season lasts from mid-November to early June, with glacier skiing running until the end of July.

While winters at Whistler Blackcomb are undeniably amazing, the mountains offer exciting activities year-round. From mid-May to early-October, the groundbreaking Whistler Mountain Bike Park kicks into full gear. The world's best lift-accessed downhill bike park features 200 kilometres of trails for all ability levels. Meanwhile, sightseers can beat the summer heat as they hike in the high alpine, passing colourful wildflowers, glacier-fed lakes, wildlife and mountain peaks as far as the eye can see. Whether winter or summer, visitors young and old will catch a bit of that magical Whistler Blackcomb energy.

Weather

The old mountain adage, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" is certainly applicable at Whistler Blackcomb, but another apt saying would be, "If you don't like the weather in the valley, head up the mountain."

Whistler Blackcomb is located in the Coast Mountains about 50 kilometres (30 miles), as the crow flies, away from the Pacific Ocean. This proximity to the ocean greatly influences the weather, sometimes giving rainy weather in the valley which turns to plentiful powder in the alpine. A low cloud ceiling will often trick skiers and riders into thinking they're in for a grey day, until they pop through the clouds into bluebird skies in the alpine.

Summer in Whistler is beautiful – temperatures are warm and the resort receives little precipitation. Temperatures can reach above 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) making a ride into the alpine a welcome respite from the heat. Average temperatures in Whistler Valley can range through the summer months from 9 Celsius (48 Fahrenheit) to 27 Celsius (81 Fahrenheit). Average temperatures in the alpine during the summer months can range from minus 1 Celsius (30 Fahrenheit) to 16 Celsius (61 Fahrenheit).

Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report

Five times a day during the winter season, the Whistler Blackcomb communications team collects the latest in weather reports from Environment Canada and the Weather Office in the Whistler Alpine. The information is then used to update the Snow Report website and the Snow Phone powered by TELUS (604-932-4211). All of the necessary info is included, such as snow fall, temperatures, freezing level, wind speed/direction and grooming, as well as daily events happening on the mountain. Whistler Blackcomb keeps their guests informed wherever they are, so each day, along with local updates, websites around the world are simultaneously updated with the same information.
Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report

Web Cams

Web cams allow guests to see the weather and various events for themselves. Whistler Blackcomb's web cams are located on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains as well as in the Village and Bike Park. Each camera has a 360-degree view that can be seen by clicking on the arrows at the bottom of the picture. Web Cams

Snowfall

Whistler Blackcomb is blessed with an average of 10.22 metres (402 inches/33.5 feet) per year on the summit, as measured at the Pig Alley Weather Station on Whistler Mountain (elevation 1,660 metres/ 5,445 feet).

Facts and Stats

Whistler Blackcomb Combined
Average Snowfall	402 inches/33.5 feet 10.22 metres per year
Total Terrain	8,171 acres/3,307 hectares
Trails	200 +
Longitude/Latitude	50° latitude, 122° longitude
Mountain Restaurants	17 with a total of 6,540 restaurant seats
Highest Lift Accessed Elevation	2,284 metres/7,494 feet
Whistler Village Elevation	675 metres/2,214 feet
Creekside Base Elevation	653 metres/2140 feet
Number of Lifts	38
Hourly Lift Capacity	65,507 skiers per hour

Individual Mountain Stats	Whistler Mountain	Blackcomb Mountain
Vertical	1,530 metres 5,020 feet	1,609 metres 5,280 feet
Top Elevation	2,182 metres 7,160 feet	2,284 metres 7,494 feet
Skiable Terrain	4,757 acres 1,925 hectares	3,414 acres 1,382 hectares
Terrain Type (beg/int/adv)	20%/55%/25%	15%/55%/30%
Trails	100+	100+
Parks & Pipes	2 parks	3 Parks, 1 Super Pipe, 1 Snow Cross Track
Total Number of Lifts	20 (plus PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola) including; 2 high-speed gondolas 6 high-speed quads 2 triple chairs 1 double chair 9 surface lifts	17 (plus PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola) including: 1 high-speed gondola 7 high-speed quads 3 triple chairs 7 surface lifts
Total Hourly Lift Capacity	34,345 skiers per hour	31,162 skiers per hour
Longest Run	11 km/7 miles Burnt Stew to Side-Winder, Upper and Lower Olympic	11 km/ 7 miles Green Road down Easy Out
Mountain Restaurants	8	9
Snowmaking	215 acres/87 hectares	350 acres/142 hectares
Season Dates	November 27, 2008 – April 26, 2009	November 27, 2008 – June 14, 2009
Mountain Bike Park	May 16, 2008 to October 12, 2009
Summer Glacier Dates	n/a	June 15, 2009 to July 26, 2009

Season – Whistler Blackcomb enjoys the longest season in North America
Whistler Mountain winter:	November 27, 2008 – April 26, 2009
Blackcomb Mountain winter:	November 27, 2008 – June 14, 2009
Blackcomb Mountain summer:	June 15, 2009 – July 26, 2009

Environment

Whistler Blackcomb entrusts its Environment Team with the responsibility of spearheading sustainable initiatives with a focus on the areas of Climate Change, Waste Management, Land Use and Water Quality and Conservation. The team also develops programs to educate both employees and the public about how they can make a difference.

Thanks to the ongoing commitment to mountain stewardship from staff Whistler Blackcomb has been recognized by 18 national and international associations since 1998. Most recently, Whistler Blackcomb was recognized by Canada's Greenest Employers competition of 2009 which is organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., the nation's largest publisher of employment-related periodicals and online directories, and published in Maclean’s Magazine. This special designation recognizes the employers leading the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations. For the last 2 years Whistler Blackcomb has been the only Canadian ski resort to receive an 'A' grade on the Ski Area Environmental Scorecard, issued by Ski Area Citizens' Coalition (SACC). Prior to this award, Whistler Blackcomb earned the 2007 Silver Eagle Award for Fish & Wildlife Habitat Protection for the development of the Symphony Amphitheatre, which opened on December 16, 2006.

Whistler Blackcomb placed habitat protection at the centre of its 2006 Symphony Project, which involved expanding its terrain into an alpine area known as the Piccolo Peak/Symphony Basin. A team of planners and engineers, which included a bear biologist, foresters and mountain planners, developed a minimalist design that kept wildlife habitat intact. Ultimately the project's footprint was reduced from an original estimate of 40 per cent down to less than five per cent. Whistler Blackcomb also received the 2007 BC Tourism Award for Environmentally Responsible Tourism for its work on the Symphony project.

Initiatives

Although Whistler Blackcomb has won 18 awards for its programs since 1998, much more needs to be done to become truly a sustainable operation. The real reward is a sustained and protected mountain environment, and a community that continues to responsibly preserve the natural environment. With the goal of becoming a world leader and educator in conservation, Whistler Blackcomb's initiatives continue to set the standard in environmental responsibility.

Sustainability at Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb launched a very exciting green energy project this September. Construction is underway on the Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project, which will offset the total annual energy consumption at Whistler Blackcomb. The project, located entirely within Whistler Blackcomb’s operating area, will produce 33.5 gigawatt hours of hydro electricity per year – the equivalent of powering the year-round resort’s winter and summer operations, including 38 lifts, 17 restaurants, 269 snowguns and countless other buildings and services. The 7.5 megawatt hydro project is being developed by Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Limited Partnership, part of a joint venture between Innergex Renewable Energy and Ledcor Power Group.

Whistler Blackcomb has also completed two large Power Smart projects in partnership with BC Hydro, resulting in over 4.5 million kilowatt hours of power savings annually. This saves enough electricity to power 450 homes in British Columbia for a year. We have changed out more than 11,000 light bulbs to more efficient models and continue to pursue energy saving opportunities.

Through reduction, reuse and recycling measures, we have reduced our waste by more than 60% since 1998. We recycle more than 800,000 beverage containers each year, which represents 74% of the total purchased. We have cut emissions through the purchase of low emission snowmobiles, building retrofits and our employee carpooling program. Our building retrofits have saved over 850 tonnes of emissions and our employee carpooling reduces greenhouse gases by 617,000 kgs per year.

Habitat Improvement Team (HIT)

Mountain-facilitated and community-involved, this environmental team is dedicated to improving the wildlife habitat in the Resort of Whistler. Hit’s inception was in 1997 and since then 89 projects have been completed.

Operation Green Up

Established in 1998, this $1.5 million mountain restoration enhancement program is designed to enhance and restore the mountain ecosystems. Primary objectives include erosion control, applying planting strategies/seed mixes that enhance wildlife populations, enhancing visual appeal, and utilizing native species wherever possible.

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund

With contributions from both staff donations and the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, the fund supports community environmental projects as well as providing expertise and resources to see the projects through to successful completion. To date, the WBFEF has raised contributed more than $220,000 to 46 local projects.

Village

Whistler Village

Whistler is nestled in the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia, Canada, 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, BC, 354 kilometres (218 miles) north of Seattle, WA, USA.

Accommodations

Resort capacity of 150 hotels, condos, chalets, pensions, and bed & breakfasts offering more than 10,000 rooms. There are an additional 230 hostel beds and 118 campsites for a total of approximately 24,000 visitors.

Restaurants and Bars: 90+

Retail Shops: 200+

Whistler Residents:
9,595 permanent residents (2006 Census adjusted)
2,266 seasonal (est.)
11,522 second-home owners (est.)
79% of the people working in Whistler live in Whistler

Tourism Whistler, which represents businesses in the Whistler community, is an excellent source of information on dining, activities and accommodation in and around Whistler Village.

Making a Difference

Whistler Adaptive Sports Program

The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program is a non-profit organization aiming to make snow sports accessible to people of all physical abilities. With the support of Whistler Blackcomb, the program caters to a full spectrum of skiers and snowboarders from beginner through advanced. Trained and certified instructors, guides, and assistants help the disabled access the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. Lessons provided include sit-skiing, stand-up skiing, and skiing for the visually or hearing impaired, and developmental learning disabilities

Zero Ceiling

Zero Ceiling is a registered charity based in Whistler that believes in the promotion of equality, the intrinsic worth of all people, and the value of diversity. In partnership with Whistler Blackcomb, the organization operates innovative, progressive and sustainable programs that inspire and educate disadvantaged youth in BC's Metro Vancouver.

Zero Ceiling's flagship program is the "Work to Live" Program where up to ten carefully selected youth participate in a weeklong training course in December. During this course the youth are trained to become Whistler Blackcomb snowboard instructors and are also trained to work in the Whistler Blackcomb food and beverage department.

The youth that pass the course then take the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors Level I qualification and Food Safe Course (if they choose to work in the Food and Beverage department). They are given a key to their new staff housing accommodation and a full-time job at either Whistler-Blackcomb or Cypress Mountain Snowboard School and receive ongoing training and support from Zero Ceiling for the duration of the winter season. They are also supported for summer employment opportunities

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is dedicated to providing support by way of cash grants to registered non-profit organizations whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts and culture and the environment. Special emphasis is placed on children, youth and family programs.

Since 1992 the Foundation has raised and donated over $4.8 million for registered non-profit programs throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, making it the largest fundraiser for the area. Funds are primarily raised through our founders pass program and our two major events - the TELUS Mountain Valley Golf Classic and the TELUS Winter Classic. Check out whistlerblackcomb.com/wbfoundation for more information.

History

It was fishing that drew the first tourists to Whistler. To Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake to cast for trout with legendary guides Alex and Myrtle Philip. By the early 1920's, Rainbow Lodge was the most popular summer destination west of the Rocky Mountains.

Then winter hit. In 1960 a group of Vancouver businessmen, led by Franz Wilhelmsen, formed Garibaldi Lifts Limited with the aim of developing an alpine ski area on London Mountain (just across the lake from Rainbow Lodge). Their dream: to host the 1968 Olympic Games. Though their Olympic plans never came to fruition, Wilhelmsen and his cohorts pursued their ski area plans.

London Mountain was soon renamed Whistler Mountain (in honour of a local alpine marmot, who "whistles" when it communicates) and officially opened to the public in February 1966. Boasting the biggest vertical drop in North America and a ski season that stretched from early November until late May, Whistler Mountain virtually re-invented the modern ski experience.

But there was still more to come. When neighbouring Blackcomb Mountain opened for business on December 6, 1980, it featured 5 triple chairs and an additional 1,240 vertical metres (4067ft) of skiing. Whistler responded by developing a whole new network of runs on its north flank. Meanwhile, a modern, new community, Whistler Village, had sprung up on the bench between the two areas.

Independently owned, the two mountains cultivated a healthy rivalry. When Blackcomb installed the 7th Heaven T-Bar, for instance, providing visitors with a vertical mile (1609metres/5280ft) of skiing, Whistler Mountain responded with the Peak Chair, a high alpine lift that increased its vertical to 1,530 metres (5020ft). Suddenly, big-mountain skiing was no longer exclusive to the European Alps.

In 1991, Whistler Resort became the first mountain resort outside of the USA to be named #1 by a major American ski magazine. Five years later, in 1996, it became the only resort in history to be simultaneously named #1 by Snow Country, SKI and Skiing Magazines. But the biggest news was yet to come. In March 1997 Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation (which owned Whistler) merged with Intrawest Corporation (which owned Blackcomb) to create one of the biggest and most exciting mountain resort complexes in the world.

As if to underscore that claim, local rider Ross Rebagliati become the world's first snowboard gold medallist at the Nagano Olympics in 1998. He joins snowsport heroes such as Steve Podborski, Rob Boyd, Eric Pehota, Brian Savard, Victoria Jealouse and Britt Janyk to call Whistler Blackcomb's slopes home.

Whistler Blackcomb is appreciated as much for its cosmopolitan charm as for its alpine pleasures. But it's certainly not resting on its laurels. A whole new village at Whistler Creekside, the original base area, began in the spring of 2000. Last season saw the launch of a new day lodge there and the long anticipated reopening of Dusty's Bar – now as famous for its BBQ offerings as it is for its sun-splashed après-ski parties.

But Whistler Blackcomb is not only about development any more. In recent years, the company has quietly incorporated the award-winning Natural Step (NSF) framework into its daily operations. An internationally recognized program that helps guide individuals and organizations toward social and environmental sustainability, the Natural Step will be fully adopted. In addition to the Natural Step, our environmental warriors are working on the proposed "Run of the River" project, an environmentally-clean, power-generating hydro plant that would create enough energy to offset the power needs of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. And that's just one of many environmental initiatives at Whistler Blackcomb. By the way- the fishing here is still great!