Whistler Blackcomb ski resort inks renewal with First Nations

WHISTLER — The Colorado-based company that owns the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia has announced a 60-year renewal of the resort’s master development agreements with the B.C. government.

Vail Resorts, Inc. said the renewal also includes approval of Whistler Blackcomb’s associated master plans.

That is one of the key requirements before a three-phase, $345 million facelift can proceed at the mountain home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, 125 kilometres north of Vancouver.

A statement from Vail Resorts said execution of the long-term agreements provides future certainty for Whistler Blackcomb’s operations and a positive benefit for the local communities and British Columbia.

Whistler Blackcomb operates on the traditional territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, and Vail Resorts said agreements have also been reached to ensure the First Nations participate in the success of the ski area.

Vail Resorts said the Squamish and Lil’wat will become partners through economic and cultural commitments, jobs, contracting and development opportunities, and recreational opportunities for First Nations youth.

“This is a significant milestone for the Whistler Blackcomb resort and our local communities as it provides us with the longterm certainty for the capital investment required to maintain our position as a premier mountain resort destination in the world,” Whistler Blackcomb chief operating officer Dave Brownlie said in a joint statement with Vail Resorts.

Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts, said execution of the master development agreements and master plans is a major accomplishment that has taken years to achieve.

“With this step now complete, we look forward to a strong partnership with the local First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and all of the community stakeholders over the course of the next 60 years,” he said in the statement.

Vail Resorts, the largest resort operator in North America, bought Whistler Blackcomb, the continent’s biggest ski area in a $1.06 billion US deal last August.

Vail Resorts also operates nine other mountain resorts and three ski areas in the U.S. and Australia.

Vail Resorts, which acquired Whistler Blackcomb last year for more than $1 billion US, is planning a $345-million facelift for the ski area, considered the largest in North America.