Whistler Blackcomb Starts Construction of Its New Quad Chairlift

Construction of Whistler Blackcomb’s new fixed-grip quad Showcase Chair began in July and is scheduled to open ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 ski season. The fixed-grip quad chairlift will replace the British Columbian resort’s Showcase T-Bar, which has provided access to the upper Horstman Glacier and Blackcomb Glacier terrain since 1988. When complete, the Showcase Chair is designed to provide faster and easier access to some of Blackcomb’s best alpine terrain, which will make it significantly easier to lap the Showcase and Blackcomb Glacier areas.

The new Showcase Chair will feature the same stats as the older T-bar, but with one huge upgrade. It will increase its uphill capacity by over 1,000 people per hour, getting skiers and snowboarders up the mountain faster and more efficiently, reducing lift times. The new Showcase Chair will have an uphill capacity of 2,400 people an hour while the old Showcase T-Bar had an uphill capacity of 1,362 people. The lift ride up the mountain will remain the same at three minutes and 50 seconds.

“This upgrade will make it easier and more enjoyable for guests to access the incredible terrain on Blackcomb Glacier,” Belinda Trembath, COO, Whistler Blackcomb, told SnowBrains in an email. “It’s all about creating a great experience and helping more people enjoy one of the most iconic parts of Whistler Blackcomb.”

Construction of the new lift began this past spring with crews pouring the foundation for terminals, with steel towers and terminal structures planned to be installed later this summer. The new lift has been designed so towers and terminals are anchored on exposed bedrock and adjacent ground. The lift project has gone under environmental reviews and permitting.

The new lift will give more access to the Blackcomb Glacier, which offers 215 acres of exceptional terrain. It’s part of Vail Resorts’ capital investment plan for the calendar year 2026, in which the company plans to invest approximately $215 to $220 million in core capital projects.

Vail Resorts is also investing in strategic upgrades to elevate dining experiences for its guests at Whistler Blackcomb. Vail plans on remodeling Whistler Blackcomb’s Roundhouse Lodge, which is the biggest restaurant in Whistler and is located at the top of Whistler Mountain. The Lodge is home to the Ramen Station, Mountain Market, Pika’s, Seppo’s, Corona Mountain Top Lodge, a Capp Bar, the Umbrella Bar, and Steeps Grill & Wine Bar. Whistler Blackcomb directly offers 16 restaurants and dining options in total, with 10 on-mountain and six at the base and in the village.

• Related: Okemo, Mount Snow, and Stowe, VT, Upgrade Their Snowmaking Systems to Improve Efficiency

These planned upgrades will improve guest flow, expand seating, introduce modern coffee bars and lively bar experiences, expand menu offerings, and create vibrant social spaces. Vail plans to upgrade the other resorts it owns in 2026 as well; Park City Mountain, Vail Mountain, Seven Springs, and Keystone all have projects planned.

Vail Resorts’ $234-$239 million capital plan for the calendar year in 2026, which includes $215-220 million in core investments, reflects a continued dedication to improving access, comfort, and overall enjoyment across its premier destinations. The replacement of the aging Showcase T-Bar with a modern fixed-grip quad chairlift will deliver more reliable and comfortable access to the Blackcomb Glacier’s thrilling 215 acres of advanced terrain, addressing long-standing challenges from glacial recession. These upgrades build on Whistler Blackcomb’s legendary foundation, where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy one of North America’s longest ski seasons

Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains, offering over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers combined, receiving 408 inches of snow on average annually. It is home to one of the longest ski seasons in North America; in the summer, it offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Quick Facts and Stats: 

• • Highest Lift-Accessed Elevation: 7,497 feet
  • Base Elevation: 2,214 feet
  • Skiable Terrain: 8,171 Acres
  • Lifts: 36
  • Average Snowfall: 432 inches
  • Terrain Parks: 3
  • Trails: 200+
  • Easiest Terrain: 20%
  • More Difficult Terrain: 35%
  • Most Difficult Terrain: 25%
  • Experts Only: 20%