Skiers rejoice as Whistler breaks snowfall record
- Record snowfall was recorded in December as 384cm fell over Whistler, BC
- Snow is continuing to come down in January, making the mountain resort community a prime destination for lower mainland residents
- Several major roads were shut down this week after a pacific storm passed through between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday
Record-breaking snowfall has made for a stellar ski season in Canada’s most popular resort as 12.5 feet of snow was recorded in December, breaking a 24-year record.
Whistler saw 384cm – or 12.59 feet – of snow last month, surpassing the previous all-time record set in 1994 by 4cm.
Ben Day, Director of Sales and Marketing for Sundial Boutique Hotel, said: ‘It’s been amazing this year, the snow just keeps coming and the skiing is phenomenal. The forecast going forward looks just as positive so we expect a great season’.
The first week in January has already registered some 74 cm of snow on the mountains
Extreme danger ratings were posted at mountain parks in Alberta and British Columbia including Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper on Friday after a storm swept through the area on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.
The high rating means people should avoid all avalanche terrain because natural- and human-triggered avalanches are certain.
The high risk comes following
Parts of Canada have seen a record amount of snow already this winter, creating dream conditions on the slopes but also triggering avalanche warnings in national parks
Public safety agency Avalanche Canada tweeted on Friday: ‘The danger ratings are coming down after the storm but human triggered avalanches are still likely’
Several major roads including the Sea to Sky Highway were shut down this week after the pacific storm passed through, dumping as much as 74cm (2ft) on parts of Whistler between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.
Public safety agency Avalanche Canada tweeted on Friday: ‘The danger ratings are coming down after the storm but human triggered avalanches are still likely.’
However, resort officials are hopeful that potential travel troubles won’t deter guests from making their way up to enjoy the fresh powder.
Marc Riddell with the Whistler Blackcomb resort said: ‘It was a phenomenal holiday period and we’ve got a great base to start the season, particularly given the snow we’ve had in the first days of January.
‘It took some time to arrive this season, but it’s not letting up.’
Resort officials have been bragging about beautiful conditions up in the mountains. The Sundial Hotel in Blackcomb Whistler is pictured above
A pacific storm dumped more than three feet of snow over parts of Whistler (above) this week