427-ft-long mountaintop suspension bridge at Whistler to open this summer (PHOTOS)

Construction of the Whistler Mountain suspension bridge and viewing platform in June 2018. (Whistler Blackcomb)

Whistler Blackcomb’s activity offerings are set to expand this summer with an impressive new mountaintop sightseeing attraction.

The resort is currently in the process of building a 427-ft-long (130-metre) suspension bridge at the peak of Whistler Mountain, located at an elevation of about 7,200 ft above sea level, making it one of the highest elevation suspension bridges in the world.

Located next to the Peak Chair’s summit station, the bridge’s length is about 98 ft (30 metres) longer than the suspension bridge at the Sea to Sky Gondola near Squamish.

Artistic rendering of the Whistler Mountain suspension bridge and viewing platform. (KSalin Land Planning)

A recent photo shared by resort operators shows crews installing the walkway onto a series of steel cables that are anchored securely by new foundations on both ends of the bridge.

Construction is now nearing completion after beginning last summer.

Construction of the Whistler Mountain suspension bridge and viewing platform in June 2018. (Whistler Blackcomb)

The new bridge attraction also includes the West Ridge View Point, a viewing platform on the western edge of the bridge that looks over the edge of a valley-facing cliff.

This cantilevered platform provides 360° views from the peak, jutting 41 ft (12.5 metres) out from the West Ridge and hovering 164 ft (50 metres) above Whistler Bowl.

Artistic rendering of the Whistler Mountain suspension bridge and viewing platform. (KSalin Land Planning)

Diagram of the Whistler Mountain suspension bridge and viewing platform. (KSalin Land Planning)

Other improvements at the mountain resort this year include new gondolas and lift upgrades at a cost of $66 million, an expansion of Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and renovations and upgrades to Roundhouse Lodge.

Over the longer term as part of the $354-million Renaissance revitalization program to strengthen Whistler Blackcomb as an all-season destination, the resort will construct major additions such as a 163,000-sq-ft indoor water park and wave pool at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a gravity-fed mountain roller coaster, a large night skiing area, a tree-top ropes course, 50 km of additional downhill mountain biking trails, an indoor action sports training facility, a complete redesign of Blackcomb’s Upper Village, and a new two-storey parking facility at Blackcomb’s Upper Base II.

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