Whistler Blackcomb sets date to reopen for biking, hiking
Whistler Blackcomb plans to reopen June 29, Vail Resorts announced Thursday.
It will open with a focus on sightseeing and mountain biking, subject to B.C. moving ahead with Phase 3 of the COVID-19 restart plan.
Whistler Blackcomb shut down mid-March after the province declared an emergency because of the pandemic.
Vail Resorts said Thursday that Whistler Village, PEAK 2 PEAK and the Blackcomb gondolas will be open, as well as the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with the Fitz and Garbanzo zones.
Grab-’n’-go food options will also be available at the Rendezvous, Garbanzo Bike and Bean, and the Roundhouse Lodge.
The company said it’s establishing pandemic guidelines, which include physical-distancing protocols, face covering requirements, enhanced cleaning measures, employee health screenings, safety training, cashless transactions, and revisions to regularly offered programs and services.
“Whistler is a special place for all of British Columbia and we are excited to welcome guests back to our community, to the mountains and lifestyle we are known for around the world,” said Geoff Buchheister, Whistler Blackcomb COO, in a statement Thursday. “We are lucky this environment lends itself to physical distancing, so we can enjoy a safe, healthy space to recreate, but we also do know we must proceed with caution.”
Guests will be asked to remain two-metres apart, and will be required to wear face coverings in certain areas, including in lines, when loading and unloading chairlifts, when loading and riding in gondolas or bubble chairs, on activities such as an alpine slide or mountain coaster, and in indoor resort facilities.
Vail Resorts said Plexiglas barriers have been installed in areas where physical-distancing measures aren’t possible, and the capacity of lifts and gondolas will be reduced to allow for physical distancing.
Guests will only be allowed on lifts and gondolas with travellers in their party.