Whistler is opening early

[Netguy]

Was up at Whistler on the weekend, and had a nice chat to a guy that works on the mountain during the summer. He said Whistler is planning to open up on April 1st, as long as they dont get 7 feet of snow between now and then. He went on to mention that a bunch of people, including himself have been pushing up, early in the mornings and riding the trails, and said Aline, DM and Schleyer are in perfect condition. Got to love that!

Season passes are going to be more expensive this year. He didnt tell me how much more. He mentioned that they are opening up the peak chair (for those of you that dont know Peak, it takes you to the highest peak on Whistler, as the name suggests), and there will be guided descents down on a daily basis.

Ash

[jimbo_the_biker]

Hey.

Thats good to hear! I can't wait to hit whistler.
Did you hit the shore on the way back? The weather was perfect for it.

-james.

[ChainWhip]

Given Whistler probably had crappy winter season lift ticket sales, it doesn't surprise me that they'd bump up the price for the summer/mtb tickets.

But then again, if it really opens up 4/1, that means more time/use/riding/biking time... I suppose it evens out.

Can't wait!

[Captain Crunch]

Passes will be $325 CAN. this year. Extended play is supposed to be expanded to Wed through Sat this year, and Sundays on Hoiliday weekends.

[Freak]

Passes will be $325 CAN. this year. Extended play is supposed to be expanded to Wed through Sat this year, and Sundays on Hoiliday weekends.

Is this fact, or hearsay?

[vibiker]

Passes will be $325 CAN. this year..

For reference, what were they last year?

[oly]

I'd like to take a guided ride from the top..... Ive heard theres some killer trails up there.

[jewels oner]

Whistler rocks my world man...when I die I want to be shot out of a circus canon from the tippy-top :thumb:
I'll be trippin it up deer fo sho this year...
The Dubliner better be ready for me to drink up all the alcohol :drool:

[Freak]

For reference, what were they last year?

I think they were $299 CAN.

[ChainWhip]

Whistler rocks my world man...when I die I want to be shot out of a circus canon from the tippy-top :thumb:
I'll be trippin it up deer fo sho this year...
The Dubliner better be ready for me to drink up all the alcohol :drool:

Beer's too pricey there... I'd rather hit the liquor store and drink in the comfort of my hot tub.
:thumb:

[seand]

thats cool the bike park will open sooner this year that previous years, but the fact that this summer is going to suck, the mountains will most likely be shutdown for fires, and we will have a ban on the use of water....that doesnt make me smile.

i predict, if the weather continues like it has been going, by mid-summer at the latest, whistler will be the only place left open to ride..less it catches fire like kamloops did a couple years back causing sunpeaks to close :(

[Roasted]

Pass price was going up regardless. They have to offset the costs of all the building they do. That and right now garbonzo is a loosing proposition for them.

Right now it is still a lifty rumour. The april 1st date has been a rumour for a few weeks but until I hear it is solid from the marketting team I won't believe it, lifties and volleys tend to play every year but releasing an earlier than expected opening date (they did last year too) I believe it is more than possible with the crapp year, but at this point, its still rumour :)



predict, if the weather continues like it has been going, by mid-summer at the latest, whistler will be the only place left open to ride..less it catches fire like kamloops did a couple years back causing sunpeaks to close


Definately a possibility. We had the xc trails closed on us but mountain trails can be wetted down to stay open. :)


I'd like to take a guided ride from the top..... Ive heard theres some killer trails up there.


Ever look at the heli biking tour to the top of rainbow mountain? You would likely enjoy that too. Either one would be amazing:)

[Netguy]

Passes will be $325 CAN. this year. Extended play is supposed to be expanded to Wed through Sat this year, and Sundays on Hoiliday weekends.

Hey Steve, I heard you went to a single crown 5-6" fork. Do you still have the Monster and if you do, want to sell it? Alan wants to put a new fork on his bike.

Ash

[holliswood]

I'd like to take a guided ride from the top..... Ive heard theres some killer trails up there.

We did a few years back with Tom from the park. This was before they opened Garbonzo though, so the trails we used to come off the back of the peak were some of :thumb: the ones we are riding now. It was KILLA'! There are some other ones that are not being utilized by the Garbonzo lift that are really cool and natural. You would have a blast Oly!

[zane]

Has whistler ever had to close due to dry weather? I've never heard if it happening... but an early opening date would make sense, to make some of the money they lost this winter...

[bibs]

Has whistler ever had to close due to dry weather? I've never heard if it happening... but an early opening date would make sense, to make some of the money they lost this winter...


I donthtink so vecause htey have water piped al over hte mountain. (for making snow) where as some mountains do not. I think that makes them mor elikely to stay open , in case there is a fire they can put it out quicker than a normal mountain. And enough revenue will change peoples views on staying open or closing.

[Roasted]

Has whistler ever had to close due to dry weather? I've never heard if it happening... but an early opening date would make sense, to make some of the money they lost this winter...

No but our firefighting reserve (the big water reserves up top to produce snow and water) are completely dry. Its gonna be a tough year.

[seand]

whistler has 2 advantages..

1 - they are setup for making snow which aides in wetting the grounds
2 - whistler village has its own fire dept

both of these help whistler bypass the "out of bounds" closures that are enforced on the shore when the soil gets to dry and dangerous. the only thing that would force a closure for whistler is if there is a restriction put on water use causing the soil to get to dry, or if the surrounding areas catch fire, rendering travel to/from and occupancy of whistler dangerous.

[Roasted]

Sead,

You are correct, but we no longer have the basins to make snow. We can't even do that anymore.

With the melt will come some water of course and fill the basins, hopefully it is enough to keep the grounds wet.

[mserko1]

I heard they made a new trail on garbanzo that is just like aline but a lot longer. Is this true?

[bibs]

I heard they made a new trail on garbanzo that is just like aline but a lot longer. Is this true?

yea freight train, we all rode it last year....should be way better when they are done! Lots of new stuff coming in......Schley has a new trail too.. :evil:

[buildyourown]

...Schley has a new trail too.. :evil:


We rode that last year. Insane.
If you look at what the exchange rate is, the passes are going to be expensive.

$299 CAN x .806 = $241 USD

Ouch. I think they were $200 USD last year.

[bibs]

We rode that last year. Insane.
If you look at what the exchange rate is, the passes are going to be expensive.

$299 CAN x .806 = $241 USD

Ouch. I think they were $200 USD last year.

wow, thats alot, but so worth it..just means we have to go up more and figure out where to stay for cheap and close!!!

[jewels oner]

I heard they are opening a trail called "The Pink Pony"...for all the "uphill putters" that mountain bike. Only tandems allowed :o:

[thesacrifice]

Beer's too pricey there... I'd rather hit the liquor store and drink in the comfort of my hot tub.
:thumb:

what about hitting up the liquor in your room, then stumbling into bars toasted to check out the women? hahahaha

[Captain Crunch]

Is this fact, or hearsay?


I heard what I heard from Tom Pro. I guess he could be making it up though, if he was being 'EVIL TOM PRO', but probably not......

[Certified Drunk]

We rode that last year. Insane.
If you look at what the exchange rate is, the passes are going to be expensive.

$299 CAN x .806 = $241 USD

Ouch. I think they were $200 USD last year.

You forgot to add the 7% GST :mumble:

[Freak]

I heard what I heard from Tom Pro. I guess he could be making it up though, if he was being 'EVIL TOM PRO', but probably not......

Cool....just wondering...gotta put it in the budget :thumb:

[DBR X6 RIDER]

thats cool the bike park will open sooner this year that previous years, but the fact that this summer is going to suck, the mountains will most likely be shutdown for fires, and we will have a ban on the use of water....that doesnt make me smile.

i predict, if the weather continues like it has been going, by mid-summer at the latest, whistler will be the only place left open to ride..less it catches fire like kamloops did a couple years back causing sunpeaks to close :(
It needs to get wet around here as well. I'm not liking how spring/summer is setting up for us either.:(

[seand]

SST is going to be a HUGE sandbox...the exits are going to get destroyed by lots-o-riding and lack of rain...

our trails are in serious danger this summer if this weather keeps up. i know im not looking forward to building this weekend because of how dry its getting...i had to dig down almost a foot last weekend to find rich, wet soil...IN FEBRUARY!!!

[ChainWhip]

what about hitting up the liquor in your room, then stumbling into bars toasted to check out the women? hahahaha

Good point there... since the hot tubs tend to be sausage fests :(

The Amsterdam's always a nice place to ppl watch... Thank goodness for tanktops, single-strapped purses slung diagonally, and slightly chilly nights! God Bless Canadia!

:devil:

[Freak]

Whistler Mountain Bike Park Official Opening Day: May 21, 2005
The Bike Park will also open weekends only, weather and operating conditions dependant, starting April 30, 2005.


http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike/events/

[Snacks]

Thank goodness for tanktops, single-strapped purses slung diagonally, and slightly chilly nights! God Bless Canadia!

:devil:

Johnny! :nono:

[seand]

yay, crud to mud is happening this seasons!!

http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike/events/crud.asp

anyone else entering?

[DamienC]

.. since the hot tubs tend to be sausage fests

Case in point - at Glacier's Reach... :dead: :dead: :dead: :stosh:
http://www.bluemoonlight.com/whistler/images/s01.jpg

And yessir...The Amsterdam has some nice hottie watching action. :devil:

[Roasted]

Cittas ;)...catch em from all directions and generally cheaper.

Although the waitresses, especially this year, are much better at the dam.

[ioscope]

[sblock]YES![\sblock]

[DßR]

Case in point - at Glacier's Reach... :dead: :dead: :dead: :stosh:
http://www.bluemoonlight.com/whistler/images/s01.jpg

And yessir...The Amsterdam has some nice hottie watching action. :devil:


bwaaaahaaa, if you hadn't posted that pic I would have done it. :shame:

I gotta see this "freight train" thing.



Although the waitresses, especially this year, are much better at the dam.

Word. That's what I like to hear...

[Fast&Smooth]

doesn't look like april 1st is a go so...april fools! whistlers updated dates say april 30th

[bibs]

Case in point - at Glacier's Reach... :dead: :dead: :dead: :stosh:
http://www.bluemoonlight.com/whistler/images/s01.jpg

And yessir...The Amsterdam has some nice hottie watching action. :devil:


Looks like the Oboy Oberto factory, ...nothing but sausage!!!! :confused: :eek: :p :D

[Roasted]

my original inquiry

Hi. I'd just like to take this time and relay the feeling of excitement regarding the possibility of the WB Bike Park opening up earlier than usual. I sincerly hope that it does if its a sustainable and viable option as I know there are throngs of mountain bikers in the Vancouver area alone that are itching for the lifts to be working. Just something to consider given the relatively poor snowfall this past season as well. I only checked the reply to my email address box as I would like to know what the odds are percentage wise of this happening. Thank you. Dave.

and the reply

Thank you for your suggestion.

We are currently trying to maintain the ski-outs to the Village base area for as long as we can for the convenience of our skiers/riders. When the ski-outs become impassable, we will look at the possibility of opening the mountain bike park.

Because of the season, there are still a lot of great mountain biking trails out of Whistler Blackcomb’s boundary, at lower elevation, that are fully operational. Some of the trail network in the valley (south to Squamish) and plenty of trails in Pemberton (25 minutes north of Whistler) are free of snow and offer great mountain biking right now.

While I can not give you the “exact odds”, we promise to do all we can to open up the park for mountain for biking, as soon as it is possible…. and safe to do so.

Carol...



Read that on nsmb.com. Someone took the time to write someone at whistler. Figured I would pass it along

[seand]

one of the better trails in/around whistler to check out is a river runs through it. i highly recommend it..

and of course, hit up squish...fully worth the trip!

[Toshi]

Read that on nsmb.com. Someone took the time to write someone at whistler. Figured I would pass it along
interesting about the ski-outs. even skiing down to the level of the top of the gondola (both whistler and blackomb) was disgustingly slushy...

[Roasted]

Well I do know for a fact most of the trails on the lower part of whistler are rideable. A little hike a bike and a-line is good to go :)

[Corporatefailure]

cant wait!

[Cave Dweller]

Whistler Mountain Bike Park Official Opening Day: May 21, 2005
The Bike Park will also open weekends only, weather and operating conditions dependant, starting April 30, 2005.


http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike/events/

Sorry, this has got me a bit confused.

So it's open weekends (saturdays and sundays??) from 30th April, and open 7 days a week from 21st May???

Im going to be passing through vancouver on a round the world trip 2nd week of may and am itching to ride whistler if it's open. I will need to hire a bike and armour etc as there is no way im lugging my bike around the world just for 2 days in whislter, so besides the whislter kona's is there anywhere else you can hire bikes from?

[Toshi]

there are numerous places to rent bikes and armour/armor in whistler

[Cave Dweller]

there are numerous places to rent bikes and armour/armor in whistler

Actually, i have decided to take my own armour/helmet but the Turner is too much to lug around.

Where can you get bikes from and how much.

All i can find is the whislter park bikes (kona's) and summit are supposed to be doing RMX's. But, yeh, they are my two least favorite bikes (kona and Rocky mountains).

Is there any where thats does santa cruz, or even specalized? Or am i doomed to ride on a kona or RM :D

Some links, contacts and prices would be appreciated. I want to sought it out prior to getting there so i know i have a bike to ride.

[Freak]

So it's open weekends (saturdays and sundays??) from 30th April, and open 7 days a week from 21st May???



Correct

[DBR X6 RIDER]

Where's the fast-forward button for March? I'm all anxious and I haven't even built up my new rig.
Actually, I'm having alot of fun now...I can hold out. Pretty-much.:help:

[oly]

Actually, i have decided to take my own armour/helmet but the Turner is too much to lug around.

Where can you get bikes from and how much.

All i can find is the whislter park bikes (kona's) and summit are supposed to be doing RMX's. But, yeh, they are my two least favorite bikes (kona and Rocky mountains).

Is there any where thats does santa cruz, or even specalized? Or am i doomed to ride on a kona or RM :D

Some links, contacts and prices would be appreciated. I want to sought it out prior to getting there so i know i have a bike to ride.

Im sure some of the bike shops "demo" bikes. Ive seen decked out Bikes in front of Fanatico that were to be rented.

[Cave Dweller]

Im sure some of the bike shops "demo" bikes. Ive seen decked out Bikes in front of Fanatico that were to be rented.

Don't suppose you know any shops that would be hiring out demo "turner DHR's" :D

I just know im going to get there, riding the sickest trails known to man kind on some P.O.S kona, kicking myself for not bring the turner.

If only i wasn't going travelling around europe for 4 weeks after whistler :(

[thesacrifice]

I've been there once during summer (August), are there enough single women around to even count on two hands?

[ChainWhip]

Don't suppose you know any shops that would be hiring out demo "turner DHR's" :D

I just know im going to get there, riding the sickest trails known to man kind on some P.O.S kona, kicking myself for not bring the turner.

If only i wasn't going travelling around europe for 4 weeks after whistler :(

I don't recall seeing any DHR's last year for rent (that's not to say it can't happen this year) - although, I did see a couple of Demo 9's & a Foes Fly for rent.

Regardless though, you still need to ride Whistler... even if you have to rent a Kona.

[Atomic Dog]

[QUOTE=ChainWhip]I don't recall seeing any DHR's last year for rent (that's not to say it can't happen this year) - although, I did see a couple of Demo 9's & a Foes Fly for rent. [QUOTE]

Last year my girlfriend rented a Banshee Chaparral from a shop. They also rent Screams there. I don't recall the name of the shop, but if you're at the gondola looking up the mountain it's off to the right. Has a really tiny upstairs and a big downstairs area. I want to say they charged $100 (canadian) for a full day or something like that.

[vibiker]

I want to say they charged $100 (canadian) for a full day or something like that.

Closer to $80 per day. But hey, at the direction the USD is going, it might soon feel like $100. :o:

[Roasted]

All i can find is the whislter park bikes (kona's) and summit are supposed to be doing RMX's. But, yeh, they are my two least favorite bikes (kona and Rocky mountains).

Is there any where thats does santa cruz, or even specalized? Or am i doomed to ride on a kona or RM :D


Prices are all around the same 100$cdn / day. I can't get you links but bikes available are

Any norco VPS (can't remember the name but they are kitty corner to sushi village)
Demo9's somewhere in the neighbourhood (evolution bikes I think)
Banshee scream @ summit
Kona and Rocky of course

All right around the same price. For the really high end norcos I think they overcharge though @ 129 I think.


I've been there once during summer (August), are there enough single women around to even count on two hands?


How long has it been. Ain't no sausage fest in the summer. The beaches are packed all summer with smoking hot women and girls.

[thesacrifice]

didn't even know there was a beach, boing!

[Roasted]

There are 3 actually, not including private beaches :)

[buildyourown]

didn't even know there was a beach, boing!


That's one of the best parts of Whistler in the summer. You can ride from the lift to the beach and cool off with a swim. The scenery is amazing. There is also a topless platform out in the middle of the lake. Good stuff.

[bigshred]

so which lake has the topless platform?

[Roasted]

Lost Lake.

BTW, its on and off. Sometimes the girls go there, but 90% of the time it is old ugly men.

[thesacrifice]

my buddy and I have to plan our trip around some of your guys's so we can get the grand tour

[Neal]

In North Van, the Cove rents out bikes for $30/day. Give 'em a call first