Whistler Blackcomb has quietly ended its summer skiing operations on the Horstman Glacier, marking the close of an era for one of Canada’s premier summer ski destinations. This move comes after years of declining conditions caused by glacier melt and shrinking snowpack.
The closure was first reported in a blog post by Momentum Ski Camps and later confirmed by Pique Newsmagazine. Whistler Blackcomb stated, “We are unable to continue hosting summer camps on the Horstman Glacier for the foreseeable future. This decision was difficult, given the long history of summer skiing at our resort. However, unsafe conditions due to reduced snowpack and glacier melt have made it impossible to operate safely.”
Whistler’s summer skiing scene has been dwindling for several years. The iconic Camp of Champions ended in 2017, and last year saw the cancellation of all summer camps following a warm winter that severely impacted the glacier’s condition.
For decades, Whistler served as Canada’s summer skiing hub. Many recall watching Canadian legends like Devun Walsh, JF Pelchat, and JP Auclair master the glacier in the 1990s. The glacier offered a rare escape from summer heat and an essential training ground for Olympic hopefuls and World Cup athletes.
Summer camps such as Momentum played a critical role in developing elite skiers and snowboarders, drawing over 1,200 campers to the glacier in 2023 alone. These camps acted as a developmental pipeline, allowing professionals to sharpen their skills and mentor younger athletes.
With the closure of summer skiing at Whistler, Canada loses a key venue for off-season training, reflecting the growing challenges glaciers face in a warming climate.