Whistler Snowboarding : Whistler, Alberta Canada
Whistler Blackcomb is a ski resort located in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. It is consistently rated the in the top five ski resorts in North America by Ski Magazine, due to the combination of extensive terrain, good snow, and a highly-rated nightlife.
| Location: | British Columbia, Canada |
| Nearest city: | Whistler, Pemberton |
| Vertical: | Whistler: 1561 m (5120 ft) Blackcomb: 1609 m (5280 ft) |
| Top elevation: | Whistler: 2182 m (7160 ft) Blackcomb: 2284 m (7494 ft) |
| Base elevation: | Whistler: 652 m (2140 ft) Blackcomb: 675 m (2214 ft) |
| Skiable area: | Whistler: 19.25 km² (4757 acres) Blackcomb: 13.82 km² (3414 acres) |
| Runs: | >200 |
| Longest run: | 11 km |
| Lift system: | 38 (3 gondolas, 19 chairlifts, 16 surface lifts) |
| Lift capacity: | Whistler: 32,295 skiers/hr Blackcomb: 29,112 skiers/hr |
| Snowfall: | 10.1 m/year (396 in./year) |
| Snowmaking: | Whistler: 0.87 km² (215 acres), 4.5% Blackcomb: 1.42 km² (350 acres), 10.3% |
| Night skiing: | Limited, 1 lift, 3 days/week |
| Web site: | Whistler Blackcomb |
The two previously separate ski areas of Whistler and Blackcomb have been systematically integrated into one mega-resort since 1997 when Intrawest finally completed the addition of neighboring Whistler Mountain to their Blackcomb ownership. Combined ticketing, pass, and access control systems for the two ski areas were finally integrated in 2003.
Together, Whistler and Blackcomb form the largest single ski area in North America at 8,171 acres (33.07 km²), over 50% larger than that of Vail, the runner-up, with 5,289 acres (21.41 km²). Their combined areas also boast the highest "vertical drop" in North America, with Blackcomb being the highest at 1564 m (5,133 ft), but often rounded to one mile for marketing purposes. Whistler is only slightly "shorter", at 1530 m (5,018 ft), making it the second highest vertical drop. The highest lift elevation, on Blackcomb, is 2240 m (7347 ft).
The mountains are accessed primarily by two gondolas, one for each mountain, meeting at the base of Whistler in Whistler Village. A third gondola, serving Whistler only, is located some distance to the south at the Creekside base. Traversing from one mountain to the other is currently possible only at the bottom, via the gondolas. To address this problem, the "Peak to Peak Gondola" connecting the two mountains at their mid-levels has been in planning and construction since 2007, and is currently planned for completion by December 2008. When completed, the lift will have a total length of 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) and the longest unsupported span for a lift of its kind in the world at 3,024 metres (9,921 ft), while also being the highest lift of its kind, 415 m (1,362 ft) above the valley floor.
The primary skiing terrain starts about mid-mountain, with the lower sections open only as the weather and snow cover permit. A ski-out is typically kept open for most of the season. The mid and upper areas are served primarily by high-speed detachable chairs of various sizes, with a small number of older yan type lifts and a few t-bars servicing the glacier on Blackcomb and on Whistler where winds make chair operations difficult. The overall lift capacity, over 61,400 skiers per hour, is the highest in North America, although only slightly greater than Vail.
The well-developed village contains several large hotels, restaurants and bars, condominiums, and vacation homes. The village is 675 m (2,214 ft) above sea level, and is located approximately 126 km (78 miles) from Vancouver, and the Vancouver International Airport. Whistler Village serves as the model for Intrawest's other properties, such as Solitude Ski Resort in Utah. A new village, Creekside, is currently being developed several kilometers away from the main village, and is served by the third gondola.
Whistler Blackcomb will host events for the 2010 Winter Olympics, including the men's and women's slalom, giant slalom, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events.