Excitement is in the air as Whistler Blackcomb Mountain opens its lifts a day earlier than planned, kicking off the 2024/25 ski and ride season on Thursday, November 21. Whistler Mountain will follow suit the next day, November 22, completing the early season debut of North America’s largest ski resort. To celebrate, Blackcomb will offer music, treats, and prize packs for the first guests in line at the Blackcomb Gondola, while the resort’s famous DJ Cat sets the vibe atop the mountain.
On Friday, Whistler will mark its opening with a traditional welcome from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, along with DJs, cookies, giveaways, and sponsored prizes in Skiers’ Plaza.
Carpool Program to Ease Traffic
This season, Whistler Blackcomb is introducing a trial carpool program to reduce traffic congestion during peak periods. Guests arriving with four or more people per vehicle will receive priority parking access at Upper Lot 7 on Blackcomb and level P1 at Creekside Parkade between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on weekends and peak days. After 11 a.m., these lots will open to all vehicles, regardless of occupancy.
Parking always remains free in these lots, with no reservations required.
Skiers and riders will also be greeted with new upgrades, including the enhanced Jersey Cream Express chairlift, now a high-speed 6-person lift. In a press release, the company said the improvement is part of Whistler Blackcomb’s continued investment in lift infrastructure, building on previous enhancements to Big Red Express, Creekside Gondola, and Fitzsimmons Express since 2022.
Whistler Blackcomb will also debut innovative hands-free Mobile Pass and Lift Ticket technology via the My Epic app, allowing guests to skip ticket lines and go directly to lifts. The My Epic Gear membership offers travellers a hassle-free solution with access to the latest ski and snowboard models, daily slopeside pick-up, and no need to haul equipment.
Dining highlights include the return of Horstman Hut’s European-inspired menu, the reopening of the Corona Mountaintop Lodge, and Indigenous dishes curated in partnership with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre at Merlin’s and Raven’s. Guests can also enjoy world-class dining at Steeps Grill and Wine Bar and Christine’s.
The season will be packed with signature events, including the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, the 39th Annual Peak to Valley Race, and the Whistler Cup. Weekly Fire & Ice shows will light up Whistler Village, while the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will bring international competitors to the resort in February for its first-ever winter edition.
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