November 21, 1960: Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) is incorporated and directed by the company's President, Franz Wilhelmsen
The goal is to develop a ski area capable of hosting a Winter Olympics. The GLC proposes to lease the northern part of London Mountain, but it is rejected as mining claims are already staked. This forces the GLC to move their plans to the southwest side of the mountain, known today as Creekside.
June 6, 1964 - June 9, 1966: Construction of Highway 99 to Whistler
The gravel road between Squamish and Whistler, originally a hydro service road, is notoriously rough and hard on vehicles. The Garibaldi Lift Company and the town of Pemberton join forces to lobby the government for a better road. Construction of Highway 99 begins, and by 1966, the road is paved to Whistler, with Pemberton following in 1972.
1965: London Mountain becomes Whistler Mountain
To avoid confusion with the famously foggy city of London, the mountain’s name officially changes to Whistler Mountain. Locals already call it Whistler, inspired by the whistling sound of hoary marmots greeting summer hikers.
1965: First gondola, chairlift, and two T-bars installed on Whistler Mountain
A four-passenger gondola - the first in British Columbia - starts transporting skiers from Creekside to mid-mountain. The Red Chair double lift carries skiers to the upper tree line, much like today. T-Bar 1 in the alpine and a valley T-Bar also begin operating.
January 15, 1966: Whistler Mountain officially opens
With the biggest vertical drop in North America and a ski season stretching from early November to late May, Whistler Mountain celebrates its official opening at the base. Unofficially, skiing begins just before Christmas in 1965. The first runs are named:
- Chunky’s Choice (after director Chunky Woodward)
- Gondola Run
- Franz’s Run (after Franz Wilhelmson)
- Pony Trail (named for the Pemberton pack horses that delivered supplies during a fire hazard)
- Jimmy’s Joker
- Ego Bowl
December 1, 1966 - March 1, 1967: Roundhouse Lodge opens mid-mountain
Construction begins on the Roundhouse Lodge at 1,850m (6,069ft). It opens during Whistler Mountain’s second ski season.
December 15, 1966: First lift in Emerald Zone opens - Blue Chair
A double chairlift begins operating from the bottom of what is now Harmony to the top of Emerald.
1968: Bid for the 1976 Winter Olympics proposed
Vancouver/Garibaldi wins Canada’s nomination to host the 1976 Winter Olympics. However, when Montreal is awarded the Summer Games, the bid ends - IOC rules prevent both games from being held in the same country that year. This marks the first of four unsuccessful Olympic bids.
1968: Jim McConkey arrives in Whistler
Heli-skiing pioneer and Snow School Director Jim McConkey introduces heli-skiing on Whistler’s glaciers, opening up new terrain for adventurous skiers.
1969: Whistler hosts its first international ski race
The Garibaldi Canadian Championship ski race brings international competition to Whistler.
1969 - 1974: Ski bums discover Whistler
Drawn by deep snow and a laid-back lifestyle, ski bums flock to Whistler. Freeskier Dag Abbey pioneers lines both on and off the mountain.
1969 - 1974: Whistler becomes the unofficial capital of the counterculture movement in southwestern BC
Free-spirited hippies settle in Whistler, famously captured in the iconic Toad Hall naked photo of the town’s early residents.
1969 - 1974: Whistler experiences rapid, unplanned, and somewhat chaotic growth
Fueled by the ski area’s success, condo developments spring up around Creekside and throughout the valley.
