This sign indicates the edge of the Whistler Blackcomb’s patrolled area. Skiing or riding outside the area is done at your own risk and it is strongly recommended that you have the essential personal safety gear. Education (avalanche courses), information (Avalanche Advisory), and a qualified guide are also a must! People requiring rescue from the backcountry can be charged for their rescue. In early season, “Ski Area Boundaries” often exist within the ski area. These boundaries denote parts of the hill that are not yet ready to open. As a result, there is no hazard marking, no patrol and no sweep. Can you go there? Yes, but be prepared!

TEMPORARY BOUNDARY

This sign indicates a non-permanent boundary line to denote areas that are considered unsafe to open up to guests due to snow conditions and natural or man-made hazards. Guests will see these TEMPORARY BOUNDARY signs most often during early and late season. Major hazards within the temporarily boundarized area may or may not be marked, and the area is considered to be not skiable in its entirety. The TEMPORARY BOUNDARY will be denoted by bamboo poles, rope and the new red signs; there will be no gates. Guests should not proceed under the ropes. If guests choose to duck under the ropes, they do so at their own risk. This area is not patrolled.

MARGINAL SKIING

Marginal Skiing signs are used to identify runs that have limited snow cover, but are still determined “skiable”. These runs may have exposed rocks, grass and dirt. Incurring damage to your skis or snowboard on these runs is likely. It is best to avoid these runs or at the very least ski/ride with extreme caution. Ski Patrol may mark some hazards on these runs and perform a sweep at the end of the ski day.

UNMARKED ROCKS & OBSTACLES

This warning is posted at the top of a chairlift or trail to warn skiers that many natural hazards exist and are not marked. These hazards can cause damage to skis and snowboards or injury to riders. Ski and snowboard with caution.

PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Permanent closures at Whistler Blackcomb are areas of the mountain that are NEVER open. These are areas within the Ski Area that are not suitable for Guests or Employees. The danger of entering these areas often extends beyond the risk to the skier/rider as they threaten skiers on runs below. Cliffs, crevasses, and avalanches are the main hazards in permanent closed areas. Can you go there? No. Lift access privileges will be revoked. It is your responsibility to know where you are at all times.

CLOSED AVALANCHE HAZARD

The Avalanche Closure is used for temporary closure of areas within the ski area. Avalanche Closures are used to keep Employees and Guests out of harm’s way while active avalanche control, often times with explosives, is taking place or when the hazard is too high and control is not possible. Can you go there? No. Lift access privileges will be revoked. It is your responsibility to know where you are at all times

AVALANCHE PRONE AREA

Avalanche prone areas within the boundary can be accessed when our Avalanche Forcaster determine signs that delineate this terrain may be opened.

CLOSED

When a run or area is marked with closed signs it is for a specific reason. The danger in that area is too great. Runs are closed for several reasons: trees have fallen onto the run, ditches or holes have rendered the run unsafe, race or other events are taking place, Terrain Parks are not yet ready to open, or perhaps snow making or other machinery is operating. Can you go there? No.

EXPERTS ONLY

This sign indicates that the terrain beyond it is not suitable for intermediate or beginner skiers even if blue and green runs exist. This sign is posted at the base of a chair lift in the event that weather has made the runs more diffi cult and/or grooming is non-existent. Poor visibility will also result in this type of warning. At the bottom of the Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain, a flashing orange light will be activated when only advanced and expert conditions can be accessed by the lift.

INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS TO GARIBALDI PARK VIA WHISTLER MOUNTAIN TENURE

Please note that access to Garibaldi Park via the Symphony Chair road will no longer be available during times when avalanche closures are in place at the bottom of Harmony Chair. The Singing Pass Trail will be the alternate access. Backcountry access tickets will only be sold if the avalanche signs are open or if there is a strong likelihood that they will be opened after avalanche control is conducted. There may be times when the avalanche closures remain in place all day. Whistler Blackcomb has unfortunately been forced to adopt this policy due to the increasing numbers of guests who are using the park access route to enter into closed avalanche terrain that is within the ski area boundary.

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