Whistler Blackcomb opens new Crystal Ridge Express chairlift

Whistler Blackcomb has unveiled a new reason to visit B.C.'s most famous ski resort this winter.

After nine months of construction, which incuded stringing together 119 chairs and driving 20 towers into the ground, the company has officially opened its new Crystal Ridge Express chairlift.

It travels 158 metres lower than its predecessor. Its bottom terminal is near the Glacier Road ski-out, which negates the need to used the Excelerator chair to get to many of the trails in the Crystal Zone.

The new chairlift is part of an $18-million infrastructure-investment program at both mountains. This dollar figure includes $3 million on new snow-making equipment.