LOCAL VIBE

This ‘n’ That … Whistler Style

In August 2016, U.S.-based Vail Resorts announced a deal to purchase Whistler Blackcomb (WB) for $1.4 billion CAD. The deal, which closed in October, makes North America’s top-rated, year-round resort part of a much larger “family” that also includes Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone ski areas in Colorado, as well as Northstar at Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood Mountain and Heavenly Ski Resort near the California-Nevada border. When the deal was announced, Vail Resorts officials said the deal would have minimal impact on the Whistler resort experience and that the company fully supported WB’s Renaissance project. Announced in April 2016, Renaissance is to include a four-season, indoor adventure centre, onmountain facility and summertime trail upgrades. For skiers and snowboarders, the greatest impact is WB passholders’ inclusion in Vail Resorts’ “Epic Pass” program. For the 2016-’17 season, WB full-season ticketholders will receive five complimentary days at any of 13 U.S. mountain resorts this winter, while U.S.-based Epic Pass holders are eligible for a reciprocal five days of skiing in Whistler. The season pass situation for 2017-’18 and beyond is to be announced in March 2017. whistlerblackcomb.com