Whistler Blackcomb records 1.1M skier visits so far, a record high

Skiers and snowboarders make their way down Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, B.C., on March 8, 2010. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

WHISTLER, B.C. - The Whistler Blackcomb resort is having a strong ski season so far and is on track to have a record number of visits, according to its parent company's latest financial report.

Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. (TSX:WB) says it has been getting more visits from skiers within the region and beyond, as well as strong spending on its related businesses.

In the three months that ended Dec. 31, it recorded 502,000 skier visits - up 23.3 per cent from the comparable quarter of 2014. By Feb. 8, in the midst of the company's second quarter, it had recorded 1.09 million skier visits.

Effective total prices in the company's fiscal first quarter were up marginally at $56.70, compared with $56.48 a year before. Revenue per total visit was down marginally at $122.59, compared with $123.90.

Total revenue during the October-December quarter increased 22.1 per cent to $66.7 million from $54.64 million.

The holding company - which has a 75 per cent interest in the four-season resort complex east of Vancouver - also improved its profit dramatically and identified several growth projects in addition to its regular maintenance spending.