With the opening of the ski season just days away, Whistler Blackcomb (WB) is reminding skiers and boarders that there is limited time remaining to purchase from the resort’s suite of pass products.
“For skiers and riders who have not locked in their pass—now is the time,” read a release this week. “Lift tickets will be limited this season, so the best way for guests to access the mountain is with a pass.”
Dec. 6 is the last day to purchase pass products such as Epic Passes, Edge Cards, and Whistler Blackcomb Day Passes for the 2020-21 season. Prices increase on both the Epic Pass and WB Day Pass on Nov. 22.
After Dec. 6, the only way to access the mountain is by purchasing a lift ticket, which this year are only available in advance online, provided there is capacity. On days when space is limited on-mountain, day ticket sales will be cut off.
Vail’s reservation system has already garnered significant frustration online from customers trying to navigate the new process and secure their priority reservation days amidst incredibly strong demand.
While Pique is schedule to address these concerns—as well as B.C.’s newly announced recommendations against non-essential travel—with WB COO Geoff Buchheister in an interview Monday, WB has previously tried to reassure guests that there will be more than enough opportunity for locals to get their ski days in.
“Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest resort and we feel confident that for the vast majority of days, we’ll have plenty of capacity,” Buchheister said in a statement back in September.
Reservations have now opened up for the core season (Dec. 8 to April 4). Early-season reservations for WB opened Nov. 18.
Once in the core season, pass holders can book as many week-of reservations as their pass allows, which will not count against their priority reservation days. Once a priority reservation day is used, they will be allowed to book another, allowing them to always hold up to seven days in advance at a time.
On-mountain dining will also have to reserved in advance this winter. A reservation system will open each day at 7 a.m. allowing users to book their preferred spot.
“It’s not going to be as spontaneous … you’re not going to be able to just roll into the Roundhouse and go get a sandwich,” said Vail Resorts’ West Coast director of communications Marc Riddell in an interview this month.
“So people are going to have to be a little bit more deliberate when they arrive, and plan it out.”
Along with the on-mountain establishments, the system will apply to the GLC, Merlin’s and Dusty’s, which will be “open in some capacity,” though details have yet to be fleshed out.
WB opens for the season on Nov. 26. Reservations can be booked at whistlerblackcomb.com.
Pique will have more on this story and the upcoming ski season in next week’s issue.
-With files from Braden Dupuis
