Industry News
During its earnings call yesterday, Vail Resorts revealed that the new lifts originally intended for Park City Mountain Resort, UT before the town Planning Commission blocked them, will now be relocated to Whistler Blackcomb, BC.
In June 2022, the Park City Planning Commission blocked two previously-approved lift upgrades at Park City Mountain Resort, UT. The upgrades, for the 22/23 season, were designed to reduce lift line wait times at popular spots at the resort.
Whistler Blackcomb will replace the Jersey Cream and Fitzsimmons Express high-speed quads for the 23/24 season using equipment originally purchased for the Eagle and Silverlode lifts at Park City Mountain Resort.
The Fitzsimons Express will go from a 4-person high-speed chair to an 8-person high-speed chair, increasing uphill capacity by 73% in winter, reducing lift line wait times, and increasing capacity in the summer, providing even greater access to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park – the world’s biggest mountain bike park. This upgrade will also provide overall out-of-base capacity at the Whistler Village Base Area year-round.
Across the valley the most popular lift on Blackcomb Mountain, Jersey Cream will go from a high-speed quad to a high-speed 6-pack, increasing uphill capacity by 29%, reducing lift line wait time, improving on-mountain circulation, and increasing mid-mountain capacity.
“We are excited to continue investing in the guest experience here at Whistler Blackcomb, and the opportunity to upgrade the Fitzsimmons Express and Jersey Cream chairlifts reinforces our commitment to excellence, especially as a world-class destination resort. Following approvals and installation, these upgrades will reduce lift line wait times and create easier access and flow for all who visit our beautiful mountains, no matter the season. Importantly, innovation is intrinsic to who we are at Whistler Blackcomb, and this new investment, along with other recent projects including the upgrades of the Creekside Gondola, Big Red Express, and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park expansion, are part of our unending dedication to provide a truly incomparable experience for all who visit.”
– Geoff Buchheister, VP & COO Whistler Blackcomb
In an email to SnowBrains, a Vail Resorts spokeswoman said, “we’re committed to resolving our permits to upgrade the lifts there, but in the meantime, we’re moving the previously purchased lifts to Whistler Blackcomb so we can further improve the guest experience there by the 2023/24 season.”
F*ck Whistler. Worse every yeat.
I laughed at the bullshit about “incomparable experience”. Sure as hell was last year. The absolute worst grooming I’ve ever seen in forty years, blowing up the motor at 7th Heaven and closing the best spring skiing terrain, truly disgusting lunches IF you could get in a restaurant, embarassed and pissed off employees who loathe their boss, etc. Incomparable to anything I had ever experienced before at Whistler. What a bunch of lying criminals!!!!!
Adding uphill capacity without adding downhill capacity just creates more crowded downhill conditions, higher accident rates and more need for grooming. Plus wearing out the snow faster.