First tracks: 25 photos of Whistler's opening day

From base to peak, a true blue bird day greeted skiers and boarders for the first official day of Whistler’s 2015-2016 season.

Thousands of keen snow enthusiasts played hooky on Thursday and spent the day plowing through some of Whistler’s 77cm of snow, marking the beginning of a so far steady snow season in light of last year’s dismal appearance of winter weather.

Line ups for the first lift up at 8:30 a.m. were long, but with five lifts running and 17 runs open, skiers had access to over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain. Even more will open up on Thursday, November 26 when Blackcomb Mountain starts running.

Check out the photos to see what you’re missing out on:

 

For those of you who don't know, Whistler Mountain opened today. @whistlerblackcomb #whistler #snow #snowboarding #explore #explorebc #adventure #openingday #winter #canada

A photo posted by Ben (@benconnor1988) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:44am PST

Oh #Canada opening day #whistler #bc

A photo posted by Miguel M Nava (@maikmn11) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:36am PST

Happy 50th birthday Whistler! #openingday #whistler #wbworklove

A photo posted by Trisha (@33vibes) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:14am PST

Stoked to finally be back up here!!! #openingday #Whistler #redchair #sunrise #Bluebird #lifeisgood

A photo posted by Patrick Gehan (@pistolgrippat) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:10am PST

Thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me to ski as a kid! No thank you to my first gear, convenient yes to fly out of my rubber boots strapped to wood skis but sucked to land in socks in snow with a yard sale. Thanks 2 #whistler for such a Rad start to my day!!! #ilove2ski #burnb4chiro #teachemyoung #70sskiing #love #icanbreathe #workchickenlegs #ski #bcmoments

A photo posted by Dr Amber Kirk (@skyhighlifestyles) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:08am PST

Day One of living the dream #skiseason #whistler

A photo posted by Emma Anderson (@emmaalexaanderson) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:58am PST

It's on. #whistler #mountainlife #mountainlifecalling #explorebc #beautifulbc

A photo posted by Give Me Experiences (@mountain_life_calling) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:45am PST

Top of the mountain this morning! #whistler #snowboarding #loveit #exploreBC

A photo posted by Travis Kelly (@travisskellyy) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:31am PST

And we're now officially open! Hoping everyone has a great season and is looking forward to their 2015/16 winter vacations! Stay safe up on the mountain today! Stay on the 5 open runs and don't venture out of bounds or on closed runs. #panpacificwhistler #winterishere #whistler #whistlerblackcomb #onlyinwhistler #mywhistler #littlethingswhistler #whistler2015 #whistlerlife #openingday #explorewhistler #explorebc

A photo posted by Pan Pacific Whistler (@panpacificwhistler) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:21am PST

Only smiles today. @whistlerblackcomb #winter #snowboarding #whistler #whistlerunfiltered #bluebird #outforarip

A photo posted by @aberseneva on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:18am PST

The lineup for the Whistler gondola at 8:00 this morning. We'd wager that more than half of these people woke up before their alarms went off. #SkiisandBiikes | #Toronto | #Vancouver #Mississauga | #Collingwood | #Whistler

A photo posted by Skiis & Biikes (@skiisandbiikes) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:13am PST

Absolutely buzzing to here for the opening day of the season in Whistler!! #firstlift #whistler #skiing #canada #newseason

A photo posted by rorymacp (@rorymacp) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:07am PST

Let the winter fun begin! Too bad we don't have these mountains in #winterpeg. @penskies12 #snowboarding #whistler #riddingseason #fitness #workout #cardio #powder #fitness

A photo posted by Lise (@liseafit) on Nov 19, 2015 at 9:33am PST

Woohoo, it’s opening day at @WhistlerBlackcomb! Did you know #BlackSageVineyard #wines are available at on #mountain establishments? Enjoy lunch or # après with us and share your photos. @gowhistler #whistler #whistlermountain #whistlerunfiltered #littlethingswhistler #winetime #wine

A photo posted by @blacksagewine on Nov 19, 2015 at 9:24am PST

Find your stillness to realize your true potential. Sometimes I do that meditating in the city, sometimes it's at a little hut in the mountains. When you're really quiet, you can truly go within to see your ultimate power. Blessed to rock out an awesome backcountry touring mission with my Whistler family! Perfect first laps to my 9th season in the mountains.

A photo posted by Steve Fazzari (@stevefazzari) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:52am PST

The wait is over in Whistler! The first gondolas are loaded and she is open for business! Are you out skiing today?? Let us know in the comments and we'll pick three people at random to receive a $25 gift certificate! …and if you couldn't make it out, feel free to enter too, because we feel your pain. #SkiisandBiikes | #Toronto | #Vancouver #Mississauga | #Collingwood | #Whistler

A video posted by Skiis & Biikes (@skiisandbiikes) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:42am PST

Opening day is finally here & this is the view from our patio. Have fun! #whistlerblackcomb #whistler #whislife #blackspub #seatosky #winter

A photo posted by Blacks Pub (@blackspub) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:34am PST

Bluebird and corduroy, a recipe for an epic opening day! | #WBTurns50 #WBGoBeyond #OpeningDay | @ninaa2007 on Nov 19

A photo posted by Whistler Blackcomb (@whistlerblackcomb) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:03pm PST

Opening day at @whistlerblackcomb #bluebird #whistlerunfiltered

A photo posted by . H A N N A H . (@hannahflath) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:50am PST

First @whistlerblackcomb day fun! @harryg @nealtor #whistlerblackcomb #bluebird

A photo posted by Jake White (@jake_white_snake) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:06pm PST

Happy #openingday! What a gorgeous day on #Whistler #mountain to kick off Whistler Blackcomb's 50th year! #WBturns50 #littlethingswhistler #nitalakelodge #nitalake #welovewinter #skiing #snowboarding #whistlerpeak #blueskies #exploreBC #snow #whistlerblackcomb

A photo posted by Nita Lake Lodge (@nitalakelodge) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:03pm PST

Opening day at whistler!!! @whistlerblackcomb #whistlerblackcomb #skiing #ski

A photo posted by Alexander Heinzemann (@heinzy27) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:53am PST

#5am #wakeup #6am #lineup #whistlerblackcomb #openingday #snow #snowboarding #funtime

A photo posted by Jordan (@thedarkone) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:36am PST

Stunning first day #Whistler @WhistlerBlckcmb! Lucky Peeps on the slopes! pic.twitter.com/eCCogybXYN

— BC Transit Whistler (@WhistlerTransit) November 19, 2015

It's opening day, stoke is coursing through our veins! See you all on the slopes. https://t.co/HTES0dzRIZ #HighFive pic.twitter.com/rpdhE3qLZK

— Whistler Blackcomb (@WhistlerBlckcmb) November 19, 2015