Whistler (BC), Canada – Whistler Mountain will begin operations for the 2016-17 winter season tomorrow, one day ahead of schedule. The head start has been made possible by recent colder temperatures and natural snowfall at lower elevations over the past week. Blackcomb Mountain will open as scheduled one day later, on Thursday.

Base depths at Whistler’s Pig Alley weather station currently total 100 cm (39 inches), with 41 cm (16 inches) falling over the past week. “With recent colder temperatures, our snowmaking team has been able to give Mother Nature a helping hand in preparations for opening day,” says Doug MacFarlane, Director of Mountain Operations at Whistler Blackcomb. “We know there are many skiers and snowboarders anxiously waiting for the season to start and are excited to get them out there.”

On November 23, guests will have the option to upload Whistler Mountain via the Whistler Village Gondola or Creekside Gondola. First upload will be at 8:30 a.m. with last upload from the valley at 2 p.m. The lifts will be spinning until 3 p.m. with a mandatory download in effect on both gondolas. There will be limited terrain open and early season hazards will exist.

On November 24, Blackcomb Mountain will open with uploading via the Excalibur Gondola and Excelerator Express as well as the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Express. First upload will begin at 8:30 a.m. with last upload from the valley at 2 p.m. and skiing and boarding until 3 p.m. Mandatory download will be in effect with limited terrain open and early season hazards.

Special early season pricing will be in effect for both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain opening days. Adult full-day lift tickets will cost $79 (CDN) for November 23-24 and $89 (CDN) beginning on Friday, through the weekend. Edge Card Direct-to-Lift Rates for adults will be $77 (CDN) on the November 23-24 and $87 (CDN) on the Friday.

The Roundhouse Lodge will be in operation for opening day including Seppos Bar. The newly renovated Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill (GLC), located in Skier’s Plaza at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola, will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. beginning today. Garbo’s Grill & Espresso Bar and Essentially Blackcomb Coffee will both open at 7 a.m. Dusty’s Bar & BBQ will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. and Dusty’s Backside will be open for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the base of the Creekside Gondola. The Creekside Starbucks location will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

For opening day on Blackcomb Mountain, The Rendezvous Lodge will be open as well as the Glacier Creek Lodge. The Wizard Grill will be open for breakfast and lunch beginning at 7 a.m. and Merlin’s Bar and Grill opens at 11 a.m. at the base of Blackcomb.