Where to Ski And Snowboard - Whistler announces massive investment

Whistler announces massive investment

7th April 2016, by Abi Butcher

Whistler Blackcomb has announced a $345million plan to become “weather independent”

Hot on the heels of plans to improve its beginner skiing experience, Whistler Blackcomb has announced an enormous $345million three-phase plan to make the Canadian resort “weather independent” during all four seasons.

The project, dubbed “Renaissance”, aims to ensure Whistler Blackcomb’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest four-season mountain resorts — 50 years after it first began to operate.

Among the plans, for which construction is estimated to start within four or five years, is the complete revitalisation of the base area at Blackcomb Mountain (at a cost of $145-150m), a new high-speed lift to replace the Magic Chair and connect Blackcomb’s upper and lower bases, new school learning zones and a night-skiing zone.

During phase one, a new 163,000sq ft year-round, indoor adventure centre called “The Watershed” will be built at Blackcomb’s upper base, featuring waterslides, a surf simulator, cliff jumping and rock climbing experiences, a wave pool, hot and cold pools and bowling, as well food and drink facilities. A new snow school facility will be built within the Watershed, along with 60 new high-end, ski-in ski-out townhouses nearby.

A year-round mountain coaster will be built, as well as treetop ropes course, and ATV and snowmobile activities for kids. There will be major improvements to Whistler Blackcomb’s existing sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking experiences, with the addition of a suspension bridge and viewing platforms at the peak of Whistler Mountain, and an expansion of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park including 50km of new downhill mountain biking trails.

“Whistler Blackcomb Renaissance is the most progressive investment in our history … and will further diversify our revenue and enhance the activities available for our guests while elevating Whistler Blackcomb’s core skiing, mountain biking and sightseeing experiences and continuing our evolution as one of the industry’s leading four-season mountain resorts,” says Dave Brownlie, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Whistler Blackcomb Holdings, which owns the resort.

“This is a very exciting growth initiative that, we expect, will increase year-round visitation to Whistler, insulate our resort from variable weather conditions, and strengthen Whistler’s position as one of the premier mountain resort destinations in the world.”

For more information on the plans, visit renaissance.whistlerblackcomb.com