Whistler announces $345M upgrades

Big changes are coming for Whistler Blackcomb Mountain as the company gets ready to roll out some fresh ideas.

On Wednesday, Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. announced details of its Renaissance plan, the largest investment in the Company's history.

They plan to spend about $345 in three phases, cementing the company’s ability to be a competitive four-season resort.

"Whistler Blackcomb Renaissance is the most progressive investment in our history and will leverage our tremendous success building our non-ski business,” said Dave Brownlie, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement. “Renaissance will further diversify our revenue and enhance the activities available for our guests while elevating Whistler Blackcomb's core skiing, mountain biking and sightseeing experiences and continuing our evolution as one of the industry's leading four-season mountain resorts."

"This is a very exciting growth initiative that, we expect, will increase year-round visitation to Whistler, insulate our resort from variable weather conditions, and strengthen Whistler's position as one of the premier mountain resort destinations in the world."

There will be new on-mountain summer and winter attractions, including a four-season mountain coaster, a new outdoor tree-top ropes course and air-based activities, electric ATVs and snowmobiles for children, night skiing facilities, a sightseeing suspension bridge connecting the peaks of Whistler Mountain, the expansion of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park at Creekside and expanded hiking trails.

The investment still requires approval by government and the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations.

“Whistler is in the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations traditional territories and we want to partner with these important stakeholders to benefit our shareholders and our communities,” said Brownlie. “We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out the basis on which we will be working together for the coming year.

“It's an exciting time for our Company and our communities and we look forward to executing on the most ambitious project in our history in full collaboration with the Province, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations."

During phase one, the resort plans to put about $100 million into new “mountain adventure experiences” like the Watershed, an indoor water play centre with waterslides, a surf simulator, cliff jumping and rock climbing, a wave pool, hot and cold pools, bowling, food and more.

Also in the plans is to install a new high-speed lift to replace the Magic Chair and connect Blackcomb's upper and lower bases as well as put in a year-round mountain coaster.

To top it off, improvements will be made to existing sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking experiences, with the addition of a suspension bridge and viewing platforms.

All of this, the company hopes will help them bring in new ski and non-ski visitors.

In phase two, another $100 million will go to a new day lodge and snow school facility, a two-storey parking complex and the development and sale of approximately 60 high-end, ski-in ski-out townhomes near the Watershed.

Phase three will include a $150 million investment in the revitalization of Blackcomb's base area in the Upper Village, which the Company currently expects to include an upgraded day lodge and skiers' plaza, a new snow school facility and a luxury real estate development project.

The company said they expect the Renaissance to bring in a lot more revenue than their initial investment.

Additional information about the project is available on the Renaissance website.