Jun 17, 2013
Author: Whistler Blackcomb
On June 22 The Wizard Express Chairlift will start to shuttle skiers and snowboarders up to Blackcomb Mountain’s Horstman Glacier for one of the most unique experiences Whistler has to offer; summer skiing and snowboarding.
Less than a month after the end of the winter season, Whistler welcomes skiers and snowboarders from all over the world who are chomping at the bit to get back on the snow. Completely out of sight from the valley floor, the action up on the mountain from mid-June to the end of July draws today’s best winter athletes as well as skiers and riders simply looking to get their snow fix.
Supported by two T-bars, the glacier plays host to a public terrain park as well as private areas reserved by a long list of summer camps; including Momentum Ski Camps and Camp of Champions, who both build their own massive parks.
“Our grooming and operational teams are hard at work preparing the glacier for an exciting summer of skiing and riding,” says Adam Francis, Whistler Blackcomb’s Summer Glacier Operations Supervisor. “We have transported up some of the more popular winter terrain park features and everything looks great!”
Photo: Hans-Erik Hedberg
While cruising up the lift in a t-shirt, there is a good chance of sharing the T-bar with this year’s X-Games winner. Summer glacier camps are where the stars of the ski and snowboard industry can be found, many who were once campers and are drawn back to the glacier as coaches to the next generation. From groms to adults, beginners to the best in the world, campers advance their skiing and boarding skills in moguls, terrain parks and half pipes while being coached by some of their idols in the sport.
With the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics just around the corner, national ski and snowboard teams will also be on the glacier to train on Olympic quality terrain and soft summer snow. Teams from Canada, the United States, Russia, France, England, New Zealand and Norway will be perfecting their techniques with hopes of landing on the podium next February.
Operating hours are 12pm-3pm daily with the first upload at 11am. Sightseers can upload at 10am. The journey to the glacier takes two chairlifts; the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster; and a bus ride across to ride up the 7th Heaven chair. The views on the way up are spectacular, with black bears and other wildlife often spotted from above. The Horstman Hut will be open to the public for snacks and an outdoor barbeque with a stunning 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and glacier action. Glacier skiing and riding will run until July 28. For more information on summer activities at Whistler Blackcomb, visitwww.whistlerblackcomb.com.
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