We're not yet quite half way through winter 2012-13 but Whistler Blackcomb, which has not added any new lifts for a few years, has already announced plans for new 4 and 6 seater high speed chairlifts for NEXT winter, 2013-14.
Whistler Mountain's Harmony high-speed, quad chairlift will be replaced with a new Doppelmayr high-speed, detachable, six-seat chairlift and Blackcomb Mountain will see a high-speed quad chairlift going into a new area in the Crystal Zone, currently accessed by a fixed-grip triple chair.
The Harmony Six high-speed chairlift will replace one of Whistler Blackcomb's most popular lifts and will dramatically improve the uphill capacity by 50 per cent; going from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600.
The new high-speed quad chairlift in the Crystal Zone will be 1,708 metres (5,604ft) in length, with a vertical rise of 535 metres (1,755ft). Skier carrying capacity will increase by 65 per cent over the current lift to 2,400 skiers per hour.
"Each zone the new lifts will service is unique and much-loved by Whistler locals and destination guests alike. The capital we are investing to enhance our already amazing experiences will make Whistler Blackcomb even bette," said Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Whistler Blackcomb.
Construction on the lifts will begin this spring and will continue through the summer and fall with an expected opening at the beginning of the 2013-2014 winter season.