Whistler Blackcomb to Replace Showcase T-Bar with New Chairlift in 2026

Vail Resorts has announced a major lift upgrade for Whistler Blackcomb, confirming plans to replace the aging Showcase T-Bar with a new fixed-grip chairlift for the 2026–27 season, pending government approval.

The Showcase T-Bar, installed in 1988, has long been a gateway to high-alpine terrain on the upper Horstman Glacier. Once a workhorse operating through winter, spring, and summer, its reliability has dropped sharply in recent years as glacial recession has accelerated. Three of the lift’s towers sit directly on ice, creating ongoing maintenance challenges. Low-snow periods have also made the track too steep for safe operation, leading to frequent closures. The nearby Horstman T-Bar was removed in 2020 for similar reasons.

Vail’s new plan shifts the alignment off the glacier ice while still providing access to the same terrain. The chairlift will run farther north, avoiding the increasingly unstable glacier surface and creating a more predictable, season-long operation.

The project marks Whistler Blackcomb’s next major high-alpine investment and is included in Vail’s broader 2026 capital plan. If approved, the new lift will be ready for skiers and riders at the start of the 2026–27 season.

Further details—including the lift manufacturer—have not yet been released.