Whistler Blackcomb to lay off 60 employees

VANCOUVER — One week before the launch of its ski season under new owners, Whistler Blackcomb ski resort has announced it’s laying off 60 employees.

The layoffs are being made mostly in the information technology, marketing and finance departments and won’t occur until May 1, according to a letter sent this week to employees and the media.

But two executives will be terminated much earlier. Stuart Rempel, the senior vice-president of marketing and sales, and chief financial officer Jeremy Black will be let go on Dec. 2.

Vail Resorts of Colorado took over ownership of one of the world’s premier ski resorts in a $1.4-billion sale finalized last week.

Vail chief operating officer Dave Brownlie said in the letter that the acquisition made certain corporate positions at Whistler Blackcomb “duplicative.”

“It is also important for you to know that there are no planned changes in other areas of resort operations,” including guest services, food, retail, rentals, the ski school, maintenance and operations or guest services, he said.

Brownlie pointed out that the laid-off employees might find work at other Vail operations. He said there are 43 current job postings, including eight in Whistler.

The company also announced other changes by reassigning jobs for existing executives and managers, changes the head of Vail called inevitable.

“We have done everything possible to minimize the number of impacted positions and employees and the impact that these changes will have on the entire Whistler Blackcomb team,” Vail CEO Rob Katz said in an emailed statement.

“We announced these changes to employees today to provide clarity of leadership and responsibility as we head into the winter season and to communicate the changes in a thoughtful, transparent manner.”

If the weather co-operates, the resort expects to open Nov. 24, said spokeswoman Sarah Morden.

Whistler Blackcomb, like the Vancouver-area hills and Mount Washington on Vancouver Island, are hoping for a repeat of last year’s abundant snow and long season.

Mount Seymour opened last year on Dec. 13 with a base of 56 centimetres, spokeswoman Sandra Kadel said.