Whistler Blackcomb Celebrates 60 Years

Whistler Blackcomb officially kicked off the 2025/26 ski and ride season today, with the opening of Blackcomb Mountain, signaling the start of a winter of milestone anniversaries at North America’s largest mountain resort, including Whistler Mountain’s 60th season. To celebrate, the resort is officially launching Wonder Routes - a collection of seven self-guided tours designed to showcase the very best of both mountains.

• Whistler Mountain’s 60th anniversary highlights a year of milestones, including Blackcomb Mountain’s 45th and 40 years of Peak to Valley
• Wonder Routes take guests on 7 distinct journeys, showcasing the resort’s terrain and heritage
• Experience Wonder Routes and Whistler Blackcomb on an Epic Pass – on sale until December 4

The lifts fired up at 8:30 AM on Blackcomb Mountain, welcoming guests to North America’s largest and most iconic ski resort. It was an energetic atmosphere, with guests treated to music, surprise giveaways, and prizes for the earliest arrivals. The mountain officially opened following a traditional welcome ceremony led by ambassadors from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) at the Base of Blackcomb Gondola in the Upper Village. The festivities continue into next week, when Whistler Mountain opens for its Diamond Anniversary season, just in time for the American Thanksgiving holiday. 

“Whistler Mountain’s 60th anniversary marks six decades of innovation, adventure, and rich mountain culture,” said Belinda Trembath, VP & COO of Whistler Blackcomb. “From Blackcomb’s 45th anniversary to 40 years of the legendary Peak to Valley Race, 45 years of Whistler Heli-Skiing, and 30 years of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, the 2025/26 season is a tribute to everything that makes these mountains extraordinary. We’re excited to showcase the bold spirit and enduring legacy that have shaped Whistler Blackcomb, and we look forward to welcoming guests from the Sea to Sky, the Lower Mainland, across Canada, and around the world for another unforgettable season.”

Whistler Blackcomb’s legendary terrain will open as snowmaking and snowfall progress, eventually reaching more than 8,100 acres across two mountains, with more than 200 runs served by 36 lifts offering something for every age and skill level.

Celebrating 60 with Wonder Routes

Whistler Blackcomb’s legacy continues to inspire local pride and global appeal, inviting guests to be part of its story and create new memories on legendary terrain. As part of the anniversary celebrations, guests are invited to explore the mountains through Wonder Routes, a curated network of trails, waypoints, and stops designed to uncover hidden gems and iconic landmarks. From weaving through glades and cruising mellow blues, to reliving Olympic glory and exploring family-friendly terrain, the seven Wonder Routes offer something for everyone. Each route is colour-coded and includes turn-by-turn directions, guiding skiers and riders through scenic viewpoints and cultural touchstones for a seamless, personalized experience.

Memorable Events That Energize

The 2025/26 season also marks the 40th Annual Peak to Valley Race, highlighting a world-class roster of signature events, including weekly Fire & Ice Shows in Whistler Village’s Skiers Plaza, the Whistler Cup, Creekside Classic and the 30th edition of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. At the Corona Mountain Top Lodge, a rotating lineup of DJ performances and experiences will keep the vibes high throughout the season. To stay in the know, guests are encouraged to keep an eye on the Events page.

Dining Options So Diverse You’ll Come Back for Seconds  

From mountain huts to valley bars, Whistler Blackcomb’s dining scene is ready to serve up a one-of-a-kind dining experience for the winter. Mountain dining is as varied as the resort’s terrain, and meals always taste better with 20 percent off, exclusive with the Epic Pass’ Epic Mountain Rewards. 

• Rendezvous, Christine’s and valley restaurants, GLC, Dusty's, and Merlin’s are all open to start the season.

• Roundhouse and Glacier Creek will be opening in the coming weeks. 

• Following its popularity this summer, the new Merlin’s brunch menu will continue into the winter season. 

• Indigenous-inspired dishes, created in partnership with the culinary team at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, will once again be served at Merlin's and  Raven's Nest (top of Creekside Gondola). 

• On Whistler Mountain, Chic Pea remains a family-friendly favourite, serving up cinnamon buns, sandwiches, hot chocolates, and stunning patio views. 

• Glacier Creek Lodge is the go-to lunch destination, offering a variety of options including fish and chips, tacos, ramen, and a pasta bar. 

• For elevated alpine dining, Steeps Grill and Wine Bar in the Roundhouse and Christine’s in the Rendezvous will once again offer world-class cuisine paired with jaw-dropping mountain views.

45 Years of Thrills with Whistler Heli-Skiing

For guests seeking the thrill of a lifetime, Whistler Heli-Skiing is celebrating 45 seasons of deep powder turns, towering peaks, and endless terrain. With an exclusive heli-ski tenure covering 432,000 acres and featuring over 173 glaciers, Whistler Heli-Skiing offers high-alpine skiing and riding unlike anywhere else. Epic Pass Holders can enjoy 20% off Whistler Heli-Skiing experiences through Epic Mountain Rewards, making it easier than ever to check off that bucket list item.

Stress-Free Peak Day Parking

Guests will also see enhancements to the Parking and Arrivals experience, building on the success of last season’s trial carpool program. This year, additional, free carpooling and parking options are available in Creekside Parkade and Upper Lots 6 through 8, making it easier and more efficient for guests to get to the mountain. There will be a mix of free first come, first serve carpooling and free reservation carpooling; free reservation-based parking, and free general occupancy parking available. Bookings can be made via the Whistler Blackcomb Parking Page, with additional information on the 2025/26 parking and arrivals experience available on the Whistler Blackcomb website. 

The Best way to Celebrate with Whistler Blackcomb is on an Epic Pass

Passes provide the best value and significant savings compared to lift tickets. Skiers and riders should lock in access now, before Passes go off sale December 4. There is a Pass for every skier and rider, from the Whistler Blackcomb 1-10 Day Pass and EDGE Cards, to the Whistler Blackcomb Season Pass and the full Epic Pass.  Guests should lock in access before Passes go off sale on December 4. Once Passes go off sale, guests will be able to purchase lift tickets online or at the ticket window throughout the season. 

This winter, Vail Resorts has introduced Epic Friend Tickets making it easier than ever for season-long Epic Pass Holders to share the joy of the mountains with 50% off lift tickets for friends and family. Plus, what they pay can be applied as credit toward a 2026/27 Epic Pass, celebrating the social side of skiing and snowboarding this winter and into next year's adventure (Valid only for season-long Epic Pass Holders).*  

Follow Whistler Blackcomb for daily updates and real-time information, along with other important news throughout the season on the new My Epic app (once in the app, look for the bell in the top right corner to see a feed of real-time guest alerts) or on socials. channels: Instagram, Facebook, Resort Twitter/X, and Mountain Operations Twitter/X.