That’s right, it’s true. Whistler will start turning the bullwheels this Saturday, November 16th. The Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Emerald Express, Big Red Express and the Franz Chair lifts will be running. Thanks to recent snowfall, snowmaking and cold temperatures, lifts are opening for all to enjoy. Get those skis and snowboards waxed and ready to go.

Full press release below:

Photo: Mitch Winton Location: Whistler Blackcomb

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WHISTLER BLACKCOMB OPENING EARLY – SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16

Whistler Mountain opens 13 days early for eager skiers and riders

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.

“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.”

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.

For Canadian and Washington State residents, Whistler Blackcomb offers the EDGE Card, allowing guests to ski/ride from $69 (CDN) a day. EDGE Cards are valid for use all season long, and are available at early bird pricing until November 25 at whistlerblackcomb.com/save.

Guests interested in planning a trip to Whistler can take advantage of the Early Season Booking Offer which runs until November 15, and includes four nights lodging and a three day lift ticket deal from $99 per person, per night. To book a trip to the No. 1 rated mountain resort in North America visit whistlerblackcomb.com/lodgingdeals or call 1-888-403-4727.

About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,192 centimetres (469 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

For more information, visit http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/media