What a finish
Monday June 1, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

A lack of snow means Whistler has shut down 2 weeks early as many runs are forced to close. It's end has been a bit like it's beginning with poor snow cover.

Whistler Blackcomb had been due to close on June 14th but a recent warm spell has melted much of the snow and few people have turned out.

The lack of snow has also meant skiing and snowboarding has become dangerous in places due to a lack of snow cover.

How it was last December“Epic spring conditions that were enjoyed up until this past weekend have deteriorated very quickly over the past few days,” says Bob Dufour, Whistler Blackcomb’s vice president of operations. “The snow quality is quickly diminishing and posing more hazards by the day. Looking at the warm weather and sunshine in the forecast, the conditions will obviously deteriorate further.”

A number of runs closed last week the resort was forced to shut the terrain park located on the Upper Dave Murray; a few park features were relocated for the final days to upper Jolly Green Giant.

In addition, the Peak Chair had to be closed intermittently last week due to high avalanche danger because of warming conditions.

The resort has a small amount of glacier skiing and it is scheduled to re-open on June 20th for summer skiing.

On the other side of the world ski resorts are opening early.

The resort got of to a poor start but had pretty god snow cover for the main part of the winter.