Whistler Extends Ski Season
Whistler Extends Ski Season
Published : 22-Mar-2016 09:30
Whistler Blackcomb is the latest North American West Coast ski area to announce it will be extending its ski season on one of its two mountains.
The resort says it has now passed its 10 year average annual snowfall of 1,163cm (458in) figure, having received 1,177cm (463in) of snow so far this winter.
It now says it will keep the ski lifts running and slopes groomed on its Blackcomb Mountain for another 10 weeks through to Monday May 30, 2016. Whistler Mountain's last day of winter operations will remain April 17.
This takes it past the date currently given by Sunshine ski area near Banff in Alberta which says it will close a week earlier on May 23rd when it also plans to stage the first World Pond Skimming Championships.
Whistler's current snow base is 339cm (133in), marginally the deepest in the country, just ahead of fellow BC resorts Fernie (330cm), Red (312cm) and Big White (303cm).
"We couldn't be happier with how the season has unfolded," says Doug MacFarlane, Director of Mountain Operations at Whistler Blackcomb. "We have received consistent consecutive storm cycles combined with low temperatures, creating great conditions for skiing and snowboarding. So far in March alone we have seen 292cm or 115 inches of snow, which is well above the March average of 241cm (95in). We are thrilled the conditions have allowed us to offer our guests an additional seven days of great spring skiing and snowboarding."
Whistler Blackcomb will actually only close for skiing and boarding for one weekend after May 30th as it will re-open for five weeks of summer glacier skiing and boarding on Friday 10th June.
(Image above taken on Saturday 18th March by Mitch Winton of Coast Mountain Photography)
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