Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) famous Turkey Sale has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
“This is not the way we expected to start the 20-21 season,” said Marc Riddell, director of communications, West Coast for Vail Resorts, WB’s parent company.
“But with the current health restrictions, we simply can’t hold the Turkey Sale with its mass of people in one place.”
However, said Riddell, WB’s huge retail sale will still take place with shopping now be focused at the company’s retail outlets such as Can-Ski and Showcase, including stores in Squamish. It is being re-branded as the Whistler Blackcomb Season Kickoff Sale.
“People are still going to be able to get up to 50-per-cent off equipment, accessories, apparel and so on,” he said, adding that the sale has also been extended now starting Oct. 1 and running through to Oct. 18, instead of just taking place around the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Rental bikes and demo skis will also be part of the sale.
Full COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, said Riddell, adding that “masks are required,” and staff will manage physically distanced shopping. Line-ups outside the outlets will be organized, as the bike park has been all summer with masks mandatory.
This year, no days will be set aside for locals only, said Riddell.
“We are hoping this is a one-time thing and we will be back even stronger next year [with the Turkey Sale],” he said.
Look for more information on the sale, which traditionally marks the start of the ski and ride season, at whistlerblackcomb.com.
Another October tradition, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club's annual ski swap, will be tightening up this year, opening to only club members and alumni for the Oct. 10 sale. Shoppers will register for time slots and no more than 50 people will be admitted to the sale site at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler at a time.
"The Swap is a tremendous opportunity for families and racers to exchange gear, especially for some of our newer U12 and U14 families," a Sept. 28 post on the club's website reads.
More details will be released at wmsc.info in the coming days.
