Patrick Thorne
Whistler Blackcomb in BC, Canada, North America’s largest ski area, will have two new lifts next winter.
With a focus on improving speed, comfort and uplift capacity in the resort’s Creekside area, the new lifts are part of a massive $300m (US) spend on upgrades announced by owners Vail Resorts for 14 of the company’s 40 ski centres.
Whistler’s Big Red Express high-speed quad chairlift will be upgraded to a six-seat version. The new high-speed 6-person Big Red Express chair will increase uphill capacity by nearly 30% and enhance and modernize the guest experience midmountain out of the Creekside area.
Also being upgraded ahead of next winter the Creekside Gondola, currently a six-seater lift, will be upgraded to a new high-speed 8-person gondola.
“The upgrade will significantly improve wait times and increase out-of-base uphill capacity by 35% in the Creekside area, especially on high-volume days,” a spokesperson said.
Whistler’s current ski season still has two months to run however, with skiing on Blackcomb scheduled to continue until May 23rd.
