Monday, January 26, 2009

Whistler opens high terrain

Whistler's Peak Chair, Symphony Express and Blackcomb Glacier opened on the weekend of the 24/25 January for the first time this season.

The unusually late opening of these high alpine areas is due to an extremely unstable snow pack this winter.

Conditions have now improved, lessening the avalanche risk, and the mountain crew has ensured the terrain is safe to ski on.

This follows the deaths of a 37-year-old and a 26-year-old in two separate incidents over New Year. Both died in avalanches which occurred in roped-off areas: one in Ruby Bowl on Blackcomb, the other in Secret Chutes, by Symphony Bowl on Whistler.

Keep on eye on what's open in Whistler.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Snow, snow, snow in North America

It's looking powdertastic in North America, where bucketloads of snow continue to fall.

Whistler has received 89cm in the past week alone, while the Vail group of resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Heavenly) reported the best December snowfall in eight years. Vail itself has seen 43cm in the last two days.

Check out the latest pics of Whistler's white stuff.