Whistler Blackcomb is looking forward to the 2015.2016 winter season for many reasons, not the least of which is an upcoming 50th anniversary. The resort has been lauded for advancements in the skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking industries over the years; but this year, Whistler Blackcomb will let the accomplishments speak for themselves.
“Whistler Blackcomb has always been about pushing the envelope,” says Dave Brownlie, President and CEO of Whistler Blackcomb. “We like to be first, to go big, and to surpass guest expectations over and over again. This season we want to showcase what we’ve achieved over the past 50 years while looking forward at what is yet to come.”
Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day is scheduled for November 26, 2015. Here is what guests can expect this season:
50 Years of Going Beyond
Originally opening for skiing in the winter of 1965-66 and founded on the dream of one day hosting the Olympic Winter Games, Whistler Blackcomb has been going beyond to leave its mark on the ski and snowboard industry since day one.
This will be a celebratory winter season with a number of activations lined up to give Whistler Blackcomb the acknowledgment it deserves for 50 years of striving to be the best, including a 50th anniversary party at the Roundhouse Lodge on December 12 and a 30 minute short film documenting Whistler Blackcomb’s colourful past titled, 50 Years of Going Beyond. To learn more about Whistler Blackcomb’s 50th anniversary, please visit whistlerblackcomb.com/50.
Newly Renovated Rendezvous Lodge
Guests visiting Blackcomb Mountain this winter season will notice the Rendezvous Lodge has had a facelift. The Rendezvous Lodge underwent a massive renovation this summer and will open its doors with an increased capacity and improved functionality.
The building has a brand new look to complement the new and fresh customizable menu options in the food court, including Japanese ramen bowls and a Thai inspired wok station where flavourful rice or noodle dishes are finished with authentic sauces and garnishes. The Mexican taqueria will offer made to order burritos, tacos and salads; and the grill is serving up naturally raised, hormone and antibiotic-free chicken and beef burgers, Ocean Wise salmon sandwiches, as well as a plant-based option.
The New Christine’s Restaurant on Blackcomb Mountain
A total revamp of Christine’s restaurant was included in the Rendezvous Lodge renovation this summer, and it has elevated the fine dining experience on Blackcomb Mountain. Christine’s will open for the 2015.2016 winter season with a fresh new look, a new menu and a new chef, coming to Whistler Blackcomb this winter from Hawksworth Restaurant in Vancouver. Steve Ramey, an avid climber, hiker, and snowboarder, is well suited to life in the mountains and will use his culinary prowess to reimagine the menu for Christine’s.
WB+
Whistler Blackcomb will be introducing WB+ this winter season, a new online interactive platform connected to the ski resort’s RFID technology introduced last year, giving guests the option to create a personal profile in order to collect stats and data about their days on the mountains.
By scanning lift passes at the RFID chairlift access gates located around Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, guests will be able to keep track of personal stats including their number of days on the slopes and total vertical ridden. Customized privacy settings will allow users to make their WB+ profiles accessible to friends, family members and work colleagues, allowing groups to create goals and fun challenges throughout the winter. WB+ profiles will also allow visitors the option to reload winter lift passes and EDGE Cards online throughout the year to avoid line ups and better manage their remaining days on passes and cards.
New Snowmaking on the Horstman Glacier
This winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will conduct a new snowmaking pilot project aimed at preserving the Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain. The pilot project will involve the testing of four low-energy consumption snowmaking guns in the Horstman Hut area to determine if a full-scale snowmaking system is an option to prevent further recession of the Horstman Glacier.
A snowmaking system on the Horstman Glacier could improve the early season access to glacier skiing and snowboarding during the winter and preserve our summer glacier experience for guests to enjoy in the future. If the pilot project is conclusive, this unique project will become a significant addition to Whistler Blackcomb’s list of adaptations to ensure long-term resilience against climate change.
New Whistler Blackcomb Website
Whistler Blackcomb will head into the coming winter season with a brand new website. This is the biggest overhaul whistlerblackcomb.com has ever seen and features a whole new look and feel with some exciting enhancements, including a new booking engine to enhance the guest experience, an improved photo, video and blog section, and a new winter/summer toggle so users can easily flip between seasonal content. The new site is also responsive, making it mobile and tablet friendly.
Rossignol Dynastar Lange (RDL) Rental Boutique
Located in the Blackcomb Daylodge at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, the new RDL premium rental boutique offers guests a unique rental experience and exceptional service. The rental boutique offers personalized service from specialists who will guide guests through Rossignol, Dynastar and Lange ski equipment tailored to suit every need.
The product offering is diverse and tuned to perfection, including race, powder and backcountry skis, and junior and high-end ski boots that offer support and comfort. The RDL premium rental boutique offers guests the flexibility to try different skis to suit various conditions and terrain.
Early Booking Offers
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Whistler Blackcomb is offering early booking Ski & Stay Packages; guests can save up to 40% off before November 15, 2015. Learn more here: whistlerblackcomb.com/bookearly.
Whistler Blackcomb continues to offer early bird family pricing; for example, kids are FREE this winter. Children 12 and under stay, ski, rent and transfer free as long as they are with a paying adult. For more information and other family friendly deals, visit whistlerblackcomb.com/family.
Visitors from across Canada and the world can access early booking deals with discounted flights from Toronto, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and more. For more information, visit whistlerblackcomb.com/flights.
