Whistler Blackcomb Opening Day November 24, 2022

Whistler Blackcomb will open for skiing and snowboarding on November 24, beginning one of the longest ski resort seasons in North America, running until May 22, 2023. Long-term weather forecasters are predicting that it will be another great winter for skiing and snowboarding, as we head into our third consecutive La Niña weather pattern. This is on top of Whistler’s reliably deep average snowfall of 10.8 metres (35.5 feet) every year and extensive snowmaking infrastructure. whistlerblackcomb.com

Covid Restrictions Lifted

Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to provide proof of vaccination, be required to use the ArriveCAN app, nor be required to wear masks on federally regulated modes of transportation. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for full details. British Columbia has lifted its public health mask mandate and Proof of Vaccination program. Learn more.

Vail Resorts Announce New Chairlifts to Enhance Guest Experience for the 2022-23 Winter Season

This season will bring new upgrades to increase Whistler Blackcomb’s uploading capacity and decrease wait times. A new high-speed 10-person gondola will replace the six-person Creekside Gondola, and the Big Red Express Chairlift will increase its capacity from four to six people per chair.

Due to supply chain and shipping issues, the Creekside Gondola and Big Red Express construction has been delayed and these lifts will not open in time for the season kick-off. At this time, we anticipate Big Red to be open in early December and will provide an update on the opening timeline for Creekside Gondola once the delayed parts arrive. As is the case every year, what lifts are open is condition-dependent, but the Whistler Blackcomb team is committed to designing an operating footprint that will deliver the most skiable terrain as possible.

Whistler Blackcomb will provide free and frequent shuttles to transport guests who are staying in Creekside to and from Whistler Village, between 8 AM – 5 PM, until construction is completed. In addition, lifts at both the Whistler and Blackcomb base areas will be open 15 minutes early (at 8:15 AM, conditions permitting), until construction is completed. Read more here.

New Daily Ski Equipment Valet

New this season for guests with Whistler Blackcomb rental equipment, daily rental valet will be available at the base of the Excalibur Gondola in Whistler Village for easy and convenient overnight ski storage, just steps from the lift. whistlerblackcomb.com

New AST Courses by Extremely Canadian

Extremely Canadian is offering new Youth AST1+, AST1+ Refresher and Companion Rescue Skills courses this winter. The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course (AST 1+) provides an entry-level decision-making framework for recreational skiers and snowboarders in winter backcountry avalanche terrain. There are several dates throughout the winter to choose from to learn these avalanche safety skills. Extremelycanadian.com

Whistler Blackcomb Dining Experiences Returning This Winter

There is a lot to look forward to this winter, with the return of more robust on-mountain options in Whistler Blackcomb’s quick-serve lodges such as waffles at Crystal Hut and Cinnamon Buns at Chic-Pea Hut. The return of Steeps rejoins Christine’s as the resort’s two premium alpine fine-dining restaurants, with unique Canadian contemporary cuisine inspired by Vancouver celebrity Chef David Hawksworth. The quick-serve lodges will feature a new variety of options, where the staple burgers and fries will be accompanied by choices like Japanese ramen, fresh grains and greens bowls, Indian curry and Thai and Mexican-inspired options. Whistlerblackcomb.com

Ski with an Olympian

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ski or snowboard with an Olympian? Follow in their tracks, copy their technique or hear their stories? Wonder no longer with Whistler Blackcomb Snow School’s most exclusive program. Go one-on-one or make a group with up to four family or friends of similar ability - for one price. Whistlerblackcomb.com

Ski and Ride Camps for Women

New this season is an increased offering of ski and ride camps for women, including options for beginner to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Develop confidence while learning in a safe, supportive, and motivating environment. With the guidance of Whistler Blackcomb’s top female coaches, you will develop your skiing and riding skills while exploring awesome terrain on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Whistlerblackcomb.com

Sea to Sky Added to BC Bird Trail

The Sea to Sky corridor was added to the BC Bird Trail this September, helping Whistler grow as a destination for birding. Whistler is on the natural migratory route for numerous bird species, from tiny hummingbirds to large bald eagles. Some birds, like the Stellar’s jay, ptarmigan, and whisky jack live in Whistler year-round. The BC Bird Trail is a series of self-guided tours along the province’s Pacific Flyway designed and produced by regional destination marketing organizations, Destination British Columbia, Birds Canada, Indigenous Tourism BC, and creative consulting agency The Number. The BC Bird Trail app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Bcbirdtrail.ca

Know Before You Go

We would advise for guests to book restaurants and activities ahead of time to avoid possible disappointment and to allow Whistler businesses time to plan and be ready for your guests arrival. Please advise them to be patient, Whistler’s businesses can’t wait to serve them, but staffing is an issue across the hospitality sector as businesses work to recover from the pandemic.

New Self-Guided Tours

Go Whistler Tours is a free app of informative self-guided tours. Enjoy DIY exploration of various routes and points of interest and discover a new side of Whistler. Sample tours include:

• Whistler Festive Lights – Make it magical and discover thousands of twinkly lights as you wander through Whistler
• Whistler’s Cultural Connector – follow a pathway that leads you between six cultural institutions and uncover the stories that enrich Whistler’s culture
• Craft Beer – get your suds on with a tour de beer around Whistler
• Sweet Treats – a tour of some of Whistler’s best places to pick up a treat. Happy sugar rush!
• Legacies of the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games – explore the legacies and discover how the Games were experienced in Whistler

New tours will be added regularly here.

ASK Whistler -Whistler's Mobile Live Chat

Ask Whistler is a mobile live chat service ready to help your clients uncover everything Whistler has to offer, from getting insider tips on things to do, to deciding where to go for dinner, or even helping them find their way around the resort. Think of it as your clients own personal concierge at their fingertips. Get chatting with a local expert here. Live agents are available from 8 AM to 7 PM PST daily.

Spo7ez Winter Feast

A Group Dining Experience Unlike Any Other
Spend the evening with the Spo7ez Performance Team. Experience a culinary journey at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre that blends traditional ingredients and food preparation with modern plates. Cultural Ambassadors in regalia share songs and stories from Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation throughout the evening. slcc.ca/feast

G.O.A Restaurant Pop-Up, Four Seasons Whistler

Lower Lobby, December 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Four Seasons Executive Chef Sajish Kumar Das was born in Goa, where traditional coastal Indian cuisine was influenced by a decade-long occupation by westerners. Chef Das started his culinary career by helping his family cook at home, quickly learning how different spices and ingredients come together and complement each other. The pop-up menu pays homage to Chef Das’ childhood, home and forever passion for Goan cuisine, featuring many dishes Chef and his family made, while adding a contemporary, elevated twist. By using the finest local seafood from the Pacific Ocean, as well as BC’s freshest produce, Das and the culinary team have mastered the coast-to-coast concept. fourseasons.com

Wild Blue, Newest Fine Dining Restaurant Is Now Open

Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar is a new fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar and lounge with a focus on elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine, sustainable seafood, and local ingredients. It is the creation of a trifecta of talent, Neil Henderson, Partner and Restaurant Director, Chef Alex Chen, Partner and Jack Evrensel, Partner. Adjacent to the Aava Hotel in its own stand-alone building with dedicated parking, the restaurant has seating for 150 guests indoors, a private dining room, raw bar, and open kitchen. In summer, guests dine al fresco on Wild Blue’s outdoor patio. wildbluerestaurant.com

Other Culinary Updates

• New Retro coffee shop 'Rockit Coffee Co' to open in Creekside this winter instagram.com/rockit_coffee
• Barn Nork Thai restaurant now open at Riverside Campground. barnnork.com

Arts and Culture

New Exhibition Coming to the SLCC

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) will be showing a new exhibition, Unceded : A Photographic Journey into Belonging. December 21, 2022 during Winter Solstice will see the opening of the exhibition. Guests are welcomed to join the Spo7ez Winter Feast in the evening. slcc.ca

Out of Control: The Concrete Art of Skateboarding

The Audain Art Museum's Out of Control exhibition reveals the intersection between contemporary art and skateboarding, bringing together 19 local, national, and international artists, who embody diversity in their practice. These artists explore aesthetic, social, environmental, political, and architectural aspects of skateboarding. Out of Control will open to the public until January 8, 2023.

The Audain Art Museum is also offering weekly public guided tours of the Permanent Collection and Special Exhibition spaces every Sunday with their docents. The tour of the Permanent Collection is at 2pm every Sunday, and the tour of the Special Exhibition is at 3 PM every Sunday. These tours are included with the cost of admission or membership. You can learn more here. audainartmuseum.com

New + Returning Events

• Fire and Ice Shows Every Sunday evening. Winter dates TBA.
• Whistler Film Festival returns November 30 - December 4, 2022 whistlerfilmfestival.com
• Eberspacher Luge World Cup December 9 - 10, 2022 whistlersportlegacies.com
• Wintersphere December 17 - 31, 2022 whistler.ca
• Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, January 22 - 29, 2023 whistlerpride.com