A 25-degree and sunny day in August might seem like a strange time to think about skiing, but that didn’t stop the Whistler Blackcomb resort from announcing its seasonal plans Wednesday.
The resort says it’s set to open its dual mountain slopes to skiers and board-riders on Friday, Nov. 22 — conditions permitting.
Recent upgrades to chairlifts, it says, will help make the 2024/25 season a better experience than the last.
In February next year, the mountains in Whistler will play host to the Invictus Games.
“The event will bring together over 500 competitors from over 20 nations to compete in adaptive sports for this first-ever winter edition and will feature Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding,” the resort said.
The nearby Mt. Seymour resort is set for a Dec. 13 opening. Grouse and Cypress mountain resorts have yet to officially announce when their slopes will open.
“Dismal” weather and snow conditions marked a challenging last ski season at Lower Mainland resorts.
“This winter is sort of a prelude to what we’re gonna see in the future,” said Michael Pidwirny, a University of British Columbia associate professor of environmental sciences, in February. “By 2050, the average winter will actually be warmer than this winter.”
He says skiers and snowboarders in B.C. should expect unseasonably warm winters to become the new normal.
—With files from The Canadian Press