Whistler Blackcomb Weather December 2008
Snow Conditions Are Still Poor As Of December 14, 2008
Dec 16, 2008
Located just north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb is Canada's premier ski resort and the site of most alpine events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler Blackcomb's 2007-2008 season was spectacular, and the huge amount of snowfall resulted in an early November opening and a ski base that lasted until early June. This year's weather conditions are the exact opposite and skiers are relatively disappointed with the sparse offering on both mountains.
Freezing Temperatures Make Skiing A Challenge
The week of December 8 saw temperatures drop significantly below zero, and on December 14 reached -22 degrees Celsius at the midstation on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The lack of precipitation has created very dry air conditions and the bitter wind increases the chance of frostbite. High quality cold weather gear is critical, and hand and toe warmers are highly recommended. In addition, skiers should be careful to cover all areas of open skin and regularly visit the lodges to warm up.
Whistler Mountain Is Relatively Better Skiing Than Blackcomb
The lifts that are currently open on Whistler are: Whistler gondola, Emerald Chair, Franz's Chair and Big Red Express. Most of Whistler's popular lifts remains closed: Harmony Express, Symphony Express, and the Whistler Peak Chair.
Open runs are patrolled by the Whistler Ski Patrol, and although there are few to choose from there are some bright spots. Upper and Lower Whiskey Jack from the Roundhouse down to the Emerald Chair are in good shape. Upper Olympic has good snow and snow is actively being made on Lower Olympic and in the ski school area. East of the Roundhouse offers very little, although Orange Peel and Lower Franz's are in good shape.
Good skiing is available on the non-patrolled runs west of the Emerald Chair, and in particular Green Acres and Jolly Green Giant have very good snow. Both exit to the road leading to the Emerald Chair.
Blackcomb Has Few Skiable Runs Open
From Blackcomb base, the Solar Coaster lift is open and connects to the Wizard lift for transfer to the Rendezvous restaurant. From Whistler base, the Excalibur gondola connects to the Excelerator chair and up to the Wishbone run for a connection to the Glacier Creek area.
From Glacier Creek, both the Jersey Cream Express and Glacier Express lifts are open. The Jersey runs are all closed and the only run back to Glacier Creek from the top of the Jersey Cream Express is an icy run down Wishbone. The Glacier Express offers access to the Showcase t-bar and Horstman t-bar, where the only decent Blackcomb skiing is available. There is good powder to the left of the Showcase t-bar and the Horstman glacier is generally good skiing. The Blackcomb glacier is closed.
7th Heaven is also closed, and a ride up the Horstman t-bar must be followed either by a return to its start, or by continuing down the 7th Heaven green line to the Rendezvous lodge. From the Rendezvous, skiing down to the Catskinner chair is open, but the terrain park equipment is not yet installed and the single run leads down to the base of the chair.
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola Is Now Open
The new high speed gondola opened December 12 and in 11 minutes brings skiers 4.4 km from the Rendezvous lodge on Blackcomb mountain to the Roundhouse lodge on Whistler Mountain. 28 gondolas operate simultaneously and depart every 49 seconds from one of the mountains. At its highest point from ground, the gondola is 436 M.
In summary, conditions are poor at Whistler and the current weather forecast calls for continued good weather and little snow through Christmas 2008. Check out updated weather conditions for Whistler Blackcomb here.
