Recent content by takeahike46er

I have no clue whether visitation is up or down since Vail took over. Given the rapid growth of metro Vancouver, I’d be shocked if it was down. There could be a number of factors making it feel busier even if visitation is the same or less. Increasingly warm temps at the lower elevations could...

A Whistler employee who comments frequently on Liftblog and local Facebook groups said a Horstman fixed-grip lift is possible. However, the entire 7th unload and Horstman Hut area need to be completely reworked first. Totally agree. I love the runs off Chainsaw Ridge and the Secret Zone...

I’m well aware 7th is on Blackcomb. I was making the point that both Whistler Village Gondola and 7th are way under capacity relative to their demand. Unfortunately, the 7th lift line is too windy for bubbles. A 6 or 8-pack would be lovely. Whenever Vail finally upgrades the capacity, either...

I dug up a photo I took from April 2024 showing a portion of the Blackcomb Glacier. If you look closely, the top of Showcase is visible. Where the people are standing is the entrance to the glacier. You can see how challenging the entrance has become in recent years. What’s left of the wind lip...

Apparently, you used to be able to traverse over to get into Secret. It might have been that way my first season here IIRC, but that hasn’t been the case for years now. The Horstman Glacier has lost so much volume it now requires uphill travel. Currently, you have to deal with the regular 30-45+...

1000%. Capacity is a major issue but it’s reliability is too. It routinely goes down throughout the day causing headaches for staff and visitors. Word is it’s a two year job since the current WVG is integrated into buildings at the base and the Roundhouse. Not to mention the disruption it will...

It’s been busy, too. Even weekdays have had packed lodges. With increasingly high freezing levels, Whistler need the capital and the resources to improve access to the alpine. Sounds like the WVG which desperately needs to be replaced. Avoid it at all costs.

As you noted, the summers are what are causing rapid retreat of the glaciers regionally. Recent years have been particularly brutal for loss of ice. The retreat of the nearby Wedgmount Glacier is one of many well documented examples. When I moved to BC in 2021, I was told you don’t need air...

Yup, you have to hike or skin. You can also traverse from the Stupid chutes but that requires some hiking too. Honestly, it’s been for the better that it’s not running. The entrance to the glacier can no longer handle the skier traffic. What used to be a simple traverse now requires dropping...

I guess it’s not a total shocker, but Blackcomb’s Showcase t-bar is being replaced for next season. The t-bar has barely run the last two seasons due to the recession of the Horstman Glacier. The entrance to the Blackcomb Glacier has also gotten much spicier in recent years. Like The Saddle run...

I don’t intend to find out firsthand. Thank goodness there’s endless backcountry skiing in SWBC to fallback on.

That’s one of the biggest reasons why March and April are my favorite months for Whistler. The lifts are open longer. That and not having to drive the S2S in the dark :)

The mountain and the village seemed busier than normal for this time of year last weekend. Granted, I was doing a crevasse rescue course on Blackcomb, but my partner was skiing inbounds and we both noted a lot of folks up from the States. I’m not surprised given the dire situation in WA, but I’m...

I never saw it pre-covid, but Squamish has certainly changed considerably in the past few years. It’s quite lovely. I sometimes stay overnight in Squamish if I’m in need of cheap accommodations and don’t want to hassle with day tripping. This week’s weather could be a toss up. Whistler has a...

I’m not sure. Possibly? Since I moved here, the early season boundary starts off quite small, does not include the alpine, and expands slowly. Folks I've chatted with have attributed it to staffing but who knows if that's true. For example, below are some photos I have from Nov. 26th 2021. You...