As temperatures rise this week, the urge to send it at Whistler Blackcomb rises with them. Here are the mountain operator's top-6 safety tips, as shared through its social media channels.
๐) ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ:
Conditions are extremely variable in spring. Overnight, it’s still cold on the mountain, which causes the previous day’s slush to harden up. Any snow that sits in direct sunlight will soften as the day goes on. It’s important to take your time & adjust to these often quickly-changing conditions.
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In the spring, avalanche hazards in alpine zones can change hour to hour, so it’s important to pay attention to closures & signage. We may be in-bounds, but this is still technically avalanche terrain. Please pay attention to signage & respect it.โฃ
๐) ๐๐๐ญ ๐ช๐๐ฑ๐๐:
Due to melting snow, it’s advised that you get your skis or board waxed to avoid getting stuck in a situation where you may need to call Patrol or hike out. Our retail locations in Whistler Village offer tuning & waxing services so you can optimize your skis & boards for spring!โฃ
๐) ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ:
While cruising through the trees on a massive mid-season powder day can be an incredible experience, doing so in the spring is riskier. Obstacles like rocks, & fallen logs are all popping up & can be extremely hazardous to you & your gear. Also, tree wells are still a danger & you should be avoiding trunks & ALWAYS ski with a buddy!โฃ
๐) ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง:
Protecting yourself from the sun is important – especially in the alpine where exposure can be stronger! Your Oakleys might give you a cool goggle tan, but it’s not worth the burn – wear sunscreen & SPF lip balm.โฃ
๐) ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ :
The lower portion of Blackcomb Mountain is getting slushier every day. Obstacles like rocks, ditches, holes, & branches are starting to poke through the snow. Save damage to yourself & your equipment by downloading either Excalibur (7 days a week) or Blackcomb Gondola (weekends). โฃ
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