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Latest in Whistler Blackcomb
Resort Spotlight: Whistler Blackcomb - Does North America's Largest Resort Live Up to the Numbers?
With 8,171 acres across two mountains and 305 runs, Whistler Blackcomb's scale is undeniable. But does size translate to quality? We examine what the numbers mean on the ground, from lift infrastructure to terrain distribution, and whether the resort justifies its position in the ski industry hierarchy.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Q3 Fiscal 2026: Bad Winter Out West Hits Revenue as Pass Sales Fall 10%
Vail Resorts has reported its Q3 fiscal 2026 results, and the numbers reflect what anyone skiing the Rockies this past winter already suspected - it was rough. Net income fell from $389.7M to $314.4M, visitation dropped 15%, and early pass sales for 2026/27 are down approximately 10%. The one bright spot? Epic Australia Pass sales are up 26% in units and 31% in revenue. Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham head into the southern hemisphere season with real momentum behind them.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts CEO Purchases $5 Million in Company Stock as Share Price Continues Multi-Year Decline
Rob Katz has purchased roughly $5 million in Vail Resorts stock as the company's share price sits at around a third of its 2021 peak. The purchase follows criticism of board members failing to buy stock and comes as the company battles reputation issues that may prove harder to fix than financial metrics.
Michael Fulton
Whistler Peak Terrain Set to Reopen After March Rockslide
Whistler Blackcomb is targeting this weekend for the reopening of Whistler Peak and the Peak Express chairlift, which were closed following a rockslide on March 12. Geotechnical experts have been on site assessing the area, though some terrain will remain off-limits.
Michael Fulton
Rockslide Closes Whistler Peak Zone: What Actually Happened
A significant rockslide hit inbounds terrain near Whistler Peak on March 12, closing the Peak Express chair and upper terrain indefinitely. The debris field stretched roughly 100 metres across steep terrain between West Cirque and Monday's run, raising questions about geological stability in the Coast Mountains.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Introduces 20% Discount on Epic Pass for Under-30s
Vail Resorts has announced a 20% price reduction on Epic Pass products for skiers and riders aged 13-30, bringing the 2026-27 Epic Pass down to $869 and Epic Local Pass to $649. The move comes as the ski industry grapples with participation rates among younger demographics.
Michael Fulton
Whistler Blackcomb to Replace Showcase T-Bar with Fixed-Grip Quad in 2026
Vail Resorts has announced plans to replace the Showcase T-Bar at Whistler Blackcomb with a fixed-grip quad chairlift by 2026, part of a $215-220 million capital investment programme. The upgrade aims to improve access to Blackcomb Glacier terrain, though questions remain about capacity and whether this addresses the resort's real infrastructure issues.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts' Former CEO Kirsten Lynch Receives $2.2 Million Severance Package
Kirsten Lynch, former CEO of Vail Resorts, is set to receive a substantial severance package following her departure from the company. The package includes cash payments, equity awards, and health insurance benefits.
Michael Fulton
Rob Katz Returns as Vail Resorts CEO After Kirsten Lynch's Departure
Vail Resorts announces a significant leadership change as Rob Katz returns to the CEO position, replacing Kirsten Lynch who has stepped down after 14 years with the company.
Michael Fulton
Whistler Blackcomb Halts Summer Skiing on Horstman Glacier
Whistler Blackcomb has indefinitely suspended summer skiing operations on the Horstman Glacier due to declining snow conditions, impacting long-standing training programs and recreational skiing opportunities.
Michael Fulton
Epic Pass 2025/26: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Skiers and Riders
Explore the various Epic Pass options for the 2025/26 season, including new resort access, pricing, and benefits for skiers and snowboarders looking to maximise their mountain time across multiple destinations.
Michael Fulton
Whistler Blackcomb Transitions to Spring Skiing Schedule
Whistler Blackcomb announces changes to its spring skiing operations, with Whistler Mountain closing on April 21 and spring skiing continuing on Blackcomb Mountain until May 19.
Michael Fulton
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More from the SnowStash desk
Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile
A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.
18 Oct 2026
Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026
Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.
14 Oct 2026
Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028
Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.
14 Oct 2026
Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.
13 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.
13 Oct 2026
Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck
Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.
11 Oct 2026
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026