A large rockslide struck near the summit of Whistler Peak, British Columbia, early Thursday morning, forcing part of Whistler Blackcomb to close while crews assess the situation. The slide occurred before the resort opened on March 12, and the resort confirmed no one was in the area at the time and no injuries were reported. Resort staff quickly closed the affected zone as a precaution.
According to the resort’s operator, Vail Resorts, both Whistler Peak and the Peak Express Chair will remain closed until further notice while operations teams evaluate the terrain and determine when it is safe to reopen.
Images and videos from the mountain show a debris field cutting through part of the steep terrain between the West Cirque and the double black diamond run Monday’s, two well-known lines in the Peak zone. Early assessments suggest the slide stretched roughly 100 meters across the face, sending large blocks of rock tumbling down the slope.
Experts say it’s still too early to determine the exact cause of the slide, but several environmental factors may have played a role. The mountains surrounding Whistler, British Columbia sit within the southern Coast Mountains, a range known for active geological processes. Scientists say these mountains are still slowly rising due to tectonic forces and the long-term rebound of land once buried beneath glaciers. At the same time, erosion from precipitation, freeze thaw cycles, and the gradual retreat of glaciers can weaken steep rock faces over time.
Weather conditions leading up to the event may also have contributed. The region received 20 to 30 centimeters of snowfall overnight, accompanied by strong winds. Temperatures on Whistler Peak dropped to around –11°C, with wind chills near –23°C and gusts reportedly reaching 180 km/h. Rapid freezing after rain or melting snow can sometimes trigger rockfall when water trapped in cracks expands as it freezes.
For now, the Peak zone at Whistler Blackcomb remains closed while crews continue to assess the debris and ensure the surrounding terrain is stable. Early reports from skiers on the mountain suggest that nearby terrain, including parts of the popular West Cirque, may have avoided major damage, though the full impact of the slide is still being evaluated.
The timeline for reopening the Peak Express area has not yet been announced, as safety inspections remain the priority. Until then, the rest of the resort continues operating normally while crews work to determine the next steps.
