Whistler / Blackcomb B.C.
Ecosign is especially proud of our very long and positive relationship with both Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia. Originally two independent operations, the mountains merged under common ownership in 1996. Together Whistler Blackcomb has grown to become North America's number one rated ski resort with annual skier visits consistently exceeding two million. In 2008, the two mountains were connected at the alpine level with the installation of the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola spanning the Fitzsimmons Creek valley and fulfilling a twelve year vision.
Ecosign has largely been responsible for all master planning work on both mountains starting in 1975 with a parking and skier staging analysis for Mr. Franz Wilhelmsen, the father of Whistler Mountain,. Whistler Mountain's first ski area master plan was prepared by Ecosign in 1978. As Whistler grew in size and visitation, Ecosign prepared updated master plans in 1985, 1991 and 1998 to respond to changes in the market, lift, grooming and snowmaking technology. We recently completed the 2010 Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain Master Plans which contain a fifty year vision for four season recreational development of the two mountains. For more than 35 years, Ecosign's master plans have guided development of Whistler Mountain including opening the high alpine terrain, construction of the Alpine Skiing Venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the ever expanding summer recreation offerings.
Ecosign collaborated with Mr. Hugh Smythe, then with the Aspen Ski Corporation, to prepare the very first comprehensive master plan for Blackcomb Mountain in 1977. Ecosign prepared new plans for Blackcomb Mountain Resorts in 1986 which convinced the Intrawest Corporation to purchase their first ski resort; Blackcomb. This Blackcomb Mountain renovation plan completely revolutionized skiing on Blackcomb Mountain. With construction of the new Wizard Base just across Fitzsimmons Creek from Whistler Village and the installation of the Wizard, Solar Coaster and Seventh Heaven detachable quad chairlifts, access to the Rendezvous mountain lodge dropped from 55 minutes to just 14 minutes and annual skier visits jumped from 329,000 to 578,000 in a single season. Ecosign's update to the Blackcomb Mountain Master Plan in 1992, outlined facilities for the $25 million investment by Nippon Cable Co including replacing the access from Whistler Village with the Excalibur Gondola, North America's first 2-stage, 8 passenger sit down gondola.