Whistler Blackcomb is getting the jump on the 2013/14 season, with Whistler Mountain opening 13 days early on Saturday, November 16. Blackcomb Mountain will open as scheduled on Thanksgiving day, November 28, 2013. Five lifts will be running  from 8:30am to 2:30 pm.

“Early season snowfall combined with our snowmaking team converting over 60 million gallons of water into snow the past few weeks, has allowed us to get things started early again this season,” says Doug MacFarlane, mountain manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “With all the excitement of opening day, we want to remind guests early season conditions will apply, especially off piste. It is important to obey mountain signage, ski and ride on open runs only and stay within the operational area marked by “Temporary Boundary” signage. Guests should be aware there will be rocks and other hazards below the snow surface; we do not recommend skiing and riding outside the temporary boundary in any circumstances.”

To celebrate the early opening, Whistler is offering a few new ‘experience’ packages worth checking out:

— “Ski the Dream: The Ultimate Ski Experience from Four Seasons”: Guests fly via helicopter from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler for four nights of luxurious accommodations. Ski The Dream includes a day of heli skiing, two days of private skiing with an instructor, a customized set of new skis, two après-ski massages & more.

— Four Seasons Slope-side Delivery Service: New this season, Four Seasons offers guests an on-mountain delivery of their signature, gourmet picnic baskets. Guests can choose from a selection of artisanal sandwiches, and a mountain staff member will hand deliver it to one of four mountain locations.

— Mountain-Top Heli-Dining Experience: Guests fly aboard a helicopter and land for a gourmet meal on top of a glacier where the Four Seasons’ culinary team will meet them with all the fixings for a delightful meal or après experience.

Find out more about Whistler’s early opening, via the press release below:

WHISTLER, BC November 13, 2013 – Thanks to cold temperatures, impressive snowmaking and natural snowfall Whistler Mountain will open thirteen days early on Saturday, November 16. With five lifts running, guests will have the option to upload from either the Whistler Village Gondola or the Creekside Gondola. Blackcomb Mountain will open, as scheduled, on American Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 28, 2013.

First upload on the Whistler Village Gondola and Creekside Gondola will begin at 8:30 am, with last upload at 2:30pm on November 16. Emerald Express, Big Red Express and the Franz Chair lifts will be running, allowing access to 1800 vertical feet of skiing and riding terrain. Runs set to open will include Ego Bowl, Upper Whiskey Jack, Upper Franz, Papoose, Orange Peel and Pony Trail. Stay tuned for more and to keep updated with the most up-to-date information about lift status, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/lifts-and-grooming/index.

Whistler Mountain dining locations will also be open on November 16, including Essentially Blackcomb Cappuccino Bar in the Carleton Lodge, Dusty’s Bar & Grill in Creekside, the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, and the Garibaldi Lift Co., Whistler’s world-famous location for après.

Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations will operate from the Blackcomb Day Lodge, Creekside and Whistler Village on Friday, November 15 from 9am-7pm and on Saturday from all three locations from 7am-5pm. From Sunday onwards only the Village and Creekside Guest Relations will operate from 8am-5pm each day until Blackcomb Mountain opens on Thursday, November 28 and the Blackcomb Day Lodge opens again.

Ski and snowboard rentals will be available at the base of Whistler Mountain at Gondola Rentals, from 8am – 5pm, Essentially Blackcomb from 8am – 5pm, and the Salomon Store from 8am – 5pm. Can Ski Creekside will be open at the Creekside base from 8am – 5pm.
Adult Max 4 ski and snowboard lessons will be available on Whistler Mountain, and can be booked online or by calling 1-800-766-0449.

Beginning November 15, Whistler Blackcomb’s Snow Report will be updated daily throughout the season and can be accessed online or by calling 604-932-4211 in Whistler, 604-687-7507 in Vancouver, or toll-free at 1-800-766-0449.