2018 World Ski & Snowboard Festival dates announced

The 23rd World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) has announced this years’ dates.

The Whistler event will take place April 10th through 15th, which is notably shorter than previous years. Senior Manager of Whistler Blackcomb Communications Marc Riddell says the 6 days will focus on snow-sports, art and music; “we thought that reducing the number of days allows us to streamline the festival and really invest in [the] kinds of dynamic programming that people expect. We’re also looking at enhancing the production.”

Whistler-Blackcomb’s Chief Operating Officer Pete Sonntag says that a new partnership with Gibbons Whistler will allow them to “continue to run this world-class festival for our community and our guests.”

The festival announced that 2018 will also see the return of the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme. An event that was popular in the 80’s & 90’s. In 2017 Whistler-Blackcomb announced that the Couloir Extreme (located near the Horstman Hut on Blackcomb Mountain) would see its name return to the Saudan Couloir. Named after the man many consider the ‘grandfather of extreme skiing, Sylvain Saudan. “We’re reintroducing the Couloir race, and we’re very excited to host that this year. It’ll be one of the feature events of the six days for sure” says Riddell.

For the first time, the WSSF will host the World Championships of the Monster Energy Boarderstyle Tour. As well as featuring, two ski and snowboard Big Air Competitions in Skiers Plaza with enhanced music programming from internationally known DJs and musicians.

The Freeride Après series also returns in 2018 with live music at venues throughout Whistler as well as popular multi-media showcases like the Olympus 72 hour Filmmaker Showdown.