Whistler Blackcomb Halts Summer Skiing on Horstman Glacier

Whistler Blackcomb Suspends Summer Glacier Skiing

Whistler Blackcomb, a major ski resort in British Columbia, Canada, has announced the indefinite suspension of summer skiing operations on the Horstman Glacier. This decision marks a significant change for the resort, which has offered summer skiing for decades. The closure affects not only recreational skiers and riders but also training programs that have long used the glacier as a summer base.

The resort attributed the closure to decreasing snow coverage and worsening surface conditions on the glacier. These issues have become more pronounced in recent years, with warmer winters and shorter snow seasons making it increasingly difficult to maintain suitable skiing conditions through the summer months. The suspension follows the cancellation of all summer sessions in 2023 due to insufficient snowpack.

The Horstman Glacier has been an important fixture in Canadian snow sports, serving as a training ground for high-performance athletes and hosting numerous ski camps. Programs like Momentum Ski Camps have brought hundreds of participants to the glacier each year, contributing to the development of talent for international competitions. The closure of summer operations on the glacier will require these programs to adapt their offerings or relocate.

With Whistler Blackcomb's summer glacier skiing no longer an option, athletes and recreational skiers will need to look elsewhere for off-season snow. Alternatives include Timberline Lodge in Oregon, which maintains snow through aggressive preservation techniques, and various locations in Europe. The Andes Mountains in South America may also see increased interest from North American skiers and riders seeking summer training opportunities.

Whistler Blackcomb is exploring options to potentially revive some form of glacier access in the future. Discussions include the possibility of upgrading the Showcase T-Bar to extend lift access during periods of low snow coverage, as well as implementing more extensive snow farming practices. However, no specific plans or timelines have been announced for these potential solutions.

Whistler Blackcomb, located in British Columbia, Canada, is one of North America's largest and most popular ski resorts. It offers over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain across two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, connected by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. The resort is known for its long ski season, typically running from November to May, and has historically offered glacier skiing into the summer months. With a vertical drop of over 1,600 metres and an average annual snowfall of 11.7 metres, Whistler Blackcomb has long been a favourite destination for skiers and riders from around the world.