SAM Magazine-Whistler, B.C., Dec. 22, 2008-The BC Safety Authority reinstated the operating permit for the upper line of Blackcomb Mountain's Excalibur Gondola on Saturday, following inspections earlier in the week in the wake of the tower failure on the lower portion of the lift. Repair work has commenced on the lower line, and crews are working to get this section of the line open as quickly as possible.

Whistler Blackcomb now has five points of access, and an upload capacity of just over 12,000 guests per hour. Guests will be able to access the upper line of the Gondola via Base 2, site of the midstation and the base terminal for the upper portion of the lift as well as two parking lots. Other mountain access is via The Wizard Express at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. On Whistler Mountain, visitors can upload on the Fitzsimmons Express and the Whistler Village Gondola from Whistler Village, and the Creekside Gondola at the Creekside base. With the recent opening of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, visitors can ride up Whistler from the base village, then transfer over to the upper slopes of Blackcomb. \