Excalibur Gondola Opening Dates
The Excalibur Gondola runs from Blackcomb’s opening day, every season — though usually with a download requirement in the early weeks. For 2026-27 expect it from 20 November 2026.
Where Excalibur Gondola sits in the opening order
Excalibur runs in two stages from Whistler Village across to Blackcomb Base II and on up the mountain. It is the main pedestrian and skier link from the village to Blackcomb, and it appears in every Blackcomb opening-day package.
The consistent caveat is download required. Excalibur’s lower stage descends to the valley floor at around 675 m, which is the last terrain at the resort to gather snow, so riders are routinely asked to download rather than ski out in the first weeks.
It also carries foot passengers free to the bubly Tube Park at Base II.
Excalibur Gondola at a glance
| Lift type | Eight-passenger detachable gondola, in two stages |
|---|---|
| Built | 1994, Doppelmayr |
| Stage 1 | Whistler Village to Base II — 88 m vertical, 724 m long, about 2.5 minutes |
| Stage 2 | Base II to the Excalibur mid-station — 366 m vertical, 1,480 m long, about 5 minutes |
| Capacity | 2,600 people per hour |
| Terrain served | Valley-floor connector and lower Blackcomb access |
| Note | Free for foot passengers travelling to the bubly Tube Park |
Historical opening dates
Whistler Blackcomb does not publish a per-lift opening archive, so these dates come from the resort’s own Terrain Alert announcements and from archived snapshots of its lift status feed.
| Season | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 24 November 2022 | Opening-day lift |
| 2023-24 | 23 November 2023 | Opening-day lift, download required |
| 2024-25 | 21 November 2024 | Opening-day lift |
| 2025-26 | 21 November 2025 | Opening-day lift |
| 2026-27 | 20 November 2026 expected | Target opening day |
What Excalibur Gondola needs to open
The gondola does not need snow to run, but the terrain beneath its lower stage does. At around 675 m the valley floor is the last place at the resort to hold snow, so expect a download requirement into December in most seasons.
What to expect for 2026-27
Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed a target opening day of Friday 20 November 2026, conditions permitting.
Treat every date on this page as a planning window rather than a fixed commitment. Lift openings are decided on the morning, on the basis of snow depth, avalanche control work, wind and visibility.
When does Excalibur Gondola close?
Excalibur’s upper stage finished on 3 May 2026. The lower stage runs considerably longer, including through the summer, as the village-to-Base II connection and tube park access.
Common questions
When does the Excalibur Gondola open?
It runs from Blackcomb’s opening day every season. For 2026-27 expect 20 November 2026.
Why does Excalibur require a download?
Its lower stage descends to the valley floor at around 675 m, which is the last terrain at the resort to gather enough snow to ski. Downloading is routine in the early weeks.
Is Excalibur free for foot passengers?
The first stage is free for foot passengers travelling to the bubly Tube Park at Base II.