Launch day schedule - December 12, 2008
On the day that the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola finally makes its monumental opening you can expect a wealth of exciting activities commemorating the big day. Here’s an overview of what’s taking shape. Stay tuned for further detail as we embark on the final countdown over the next few weeks!
- 7:30am - Fresh Tracks Breakfast: presented by Nature’s Path
- 8:30am - Mountains open for skiing and riding
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10:30am – Official Opening Ceremony gets underway at the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminals on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Official speeches will take place on Whistler Mountain. On Blackcomb, there will be screens inside the terminal for guests to participate. Can't be here in person? Join us online for the LIVE WEB CAST of the launch event, starting at 10:20am PST.
Emcees on Whistler: Steve Podborski and Kristen Robinson. Emcees on Blackcomb: Mike Douglas and Tara Teigen
- 11:00am – Official start at the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminals on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, and the first rides begin. And get ready for the ultimate thrill, as Red Bull drops in and gives wings to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Launch.
First Cabin from Blackcomb to Whistler – "Ride of Their Life" contest winners; 22 locals nominated as those who most deserve to be on the first ride.
First Cabin from Whistler to Blackcomb – Auction winners who bid for the seats in the first cabin with proceeds going to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, supporting community organizations throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.
- 11:00am-2:00pm – Open House in the Roundhouse Lodge featuring an Artist Gallery, a Technology Zone, a Kid's Corner and giant plasma screens with video.
- 3:00pm-5:30pm – Grand Après celebrations take place in Skiers Plaza including the Sugga DJ and video screens courtesy of Red Bull, a live art showcase, plus a kid-friendly performance by well known entertainer Norman Foote from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.
Limited edition PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola commemorative posters, by local artist Vanessa Stark, will be available during après hours for guests, absolutely free, while supplies last. The poster will be distributed in Skiers Plaza throughout the Grand Après, at Creekside in Guest Relations from 3pm to 5pm, and then Dusty’s after 5pm; and at the Blackcomb Daylodge in Guest Relations from 3pm to 5pm and then Merlin’s after 5pm.
- 3:00pm - Late - The ultimate après locations – Merlins, Dusty’s and the Garibaldi Lift Company – will celebrate the launch well into the night
The Final Countdown:
The official ceremony will get underway at 10:45am. At 11am on December 12 the moment everyone has been waiting for will finally happen as the official ribbon cutting ceremony takes place, and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola departs the stations with its first guests on board.
Fun-filled Friendly Faces:
Whistler has become famous for giving a warm welcome in the Village but making the day even more special will be animated characters. These fanciful characters will be dotted around the bases while uploading takes place in the morning and then again at the launch ceremony at the Whistler and Blackcomb PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminal buildings.
Anticipation Mounts:
At the top of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, DJs and emcees will bridge the gap and communicate between the two mountain tops, building the level of excitement for the opening ceremony just before 11am.
A Great View Guaranteed For All:
To ensure no one misses a moment of the excitement a giant LED screen positioned on Whistler Mountain will showcase the opening ceremony. Prior to, and after the ceremony, video loops will play continually with a selection of fun and interesting PEAK 2 PEAK and Whistler Blackcomb footage. Meanwhile over in the Blackcomb Terminal, the anticipation will also be rampant. In addition to the DJ and emcees, Blackcomb guests will connect with the ceremony and activities happening on Whistler Mountain courtesy of four plasma screens inside the Blackcomb terminal.
A World Wide Launch:
To ensure that our friends around the world who can’t make it to Whistler Blackcomb for the grand opening don’t miss out on all the excitement, a live webcast at whistlerblackcomb.com will broadcast the official launch. The webcast will include all the official ceremony excitement, including the speeches from our selected dignitaries, the ribbon cutting and final countdown moments, in addition to fun and interesting footage on the big screen compiled for the “show.” In addition, international media are confirmed to attend and their images and stories will be broadcast around the world that weekend.
It’s An Open House:
An ‘Open House’ will be held in the Roundhouse Lodge between 11am and 2pm from December 12–14. The Roundhouse Lodge will house an Artist Gallery featuring paintings from the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Launch Commemorative Poster Art Competition; and a Technology Zone including highlights and details of the construction process and a chance to meet some of the key engineers and planners behind the project. There’ll also be a Kid’s Corner with face painting and a PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola coloring contest, and giant plasma screens with a video loop developed especially for the weekend launch. And to ensure the Whistler tradition continues, a special PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola celebration cake will be served.
AprÈs Please:
After one of the most exciting days on the mountain ever experienced, we want to ensure the fun continues into the evening too. There’ll be festivities in Skiers Plaza including music and video screens courtesy of Red Bull, and plans to include a Fire & Ice show if weather/snow permits and festivities in all three of the Whistler Blackcomb après locations – Merlins, Dusty’s and the Garibaldi Lift Company.
Something To Remember Us By:
We’re certain that everyone will leave launch day having enjoyed a fun, historic day at Whistler Blackcomb but we’d like them to take away more than just great memories. Copies of the limited edition PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Launch Commemorative Poster by one of Whistler’s own artists will be available for every employee, as well as our guests through Village, Creekside and Blackcomb Base locations from 2pm on December 12 while supplies last.
