Spirit FAQs - Whistler Chamber of Commerce

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Spirit FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

1. What is the Spirit Program? The Spirit Program is a program designed to ensure Whistler business owners and their employees understand the Whistler Service Philosophy and are committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Participants of the Program attend a qualifying event that provides essential resort-specific and customer service information. Those who take part in the Program are eligible for Spirit benefits, such as a Whistler Blackcomb pass.

2. Who is eligible to participate? The Spirit Program is open to any business that is a member in good standing with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. To qualify, employees must work in Whistler or Pemberton for a minimum of 20 hours/week.

3. What is the Summer Spirit Program? This year for the first time ever, the Spirit Program has been expanded to include the summer season. That means that in addition to enjoying Spirit benefits in the winter, like the Whistler Blackcomb pass, participants in the Spirit Program will also have access to summer Spirit benefits. These benefits will encompass a variety of activities like golf, spa visits and adventure tours. Details, including which activity providers will be participating in the Program, will be released in Spring 2013!

4. Do I have to qualify again for the Summer Spirit Program if I already qualified for the Winter Spirit Program? No. Once you have completed your qualifying event for the Winter Spirit Program, you automatically qualify for the Summer Spirit Program. Your Spirit Number will be valid until September 30, 2013.

5. What are the Spirit benefits? Spirit benefits are incentives to participate in the Spirit Program. They include discounts on Whistler Blackcomb season passes, Meadow Park Sports Centre passes, Lost Lake passes and discounted access to summer activities like golf, spa visits and adventure tours! More details on the summer Spirit benefits will be released in Spring 2013.

6. What is a Spirit Number? A Spirit Number is a 10-digit confirmation number that will be assigned to you after you have completed your registration (Level 1 and 3) or completed the Online Tutorial (Level 2). The Spirit Number is active from the time you signed up until September 30, 2013.

7. What is the Spirit Admin Fee of $30? The Spirit Admin Fee is a onetime fee that provides participants with access to all Spirit benefits in the winter and the summer until September 30, 2013.
In the past, the Spirit Admin fee was charged when participants picked up their season pass at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations. Now the fee is charged when Spirit participants register for the Program online. The change has been made because the Program has expanded into the summer season.

8. Where do I pay the $30 Spirit Admin Fee for the Spirit Program? The Spirit Admin Fee will be charged when participants register for the Spirit Program online.

9. Can I register for the Spirit Program before finding a job? Yes. Register online, and select the option that says "I do not have an employer yet." From there, you will be able to select a Spirit Session date or to complete the Online Tutorial. If you are a Level 1, please note that there are only a limited number of Spirit Sessions. Once you have found a job, log back into your profile and select your company. Once your employer approves you, you will receive your Spirit Number and be able to get your Whistler Blackcomb pass and other Spirit benefits.
Please note: You will not be able to purchase your Spirit Pass before securing employment.

10. What is the Spirit Responsibility Code? All people who participate in the Spirit Program are expected to abide by the Spirit Responsibility Code:
“I understand that my participation in the Spirit Program has been made possible by my employer. I will treat the qualifying event for Spirit in the same manner that I treat my work, and I will not attend a session under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I am aware that if I disturb a session by displaying unacceptable behaviour, my employer will be informed. The Whistler Chamber of Commerce also reserves the right to hotlist my pass, which would prevent me from having access to the mountain."

11. I have to leave town. Can I get a refund? The Spirit Admin Fee of $30 is non-refundable. For information on refunds for Spirit passes through Whistler Blackcomb, please refer to question 31.

REGISTRATION

12. How do I know if I qualify as a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 participant? Spirit participants qualify for different levels of the Spirit Program based on the length of time they have lived and worked in Whistler, as well as their position at their current place of employment. To view the criteria for each level, click here. If you are unsure about your level, please discuss it with your manager/supervisor.

13. My employer says that they have approved my registration for Spirit, but I still have not received an email confirmation. What should I do? If you are not receiving emails about the Spirit Program, log back into your Spirit Account and the system will let you know if you have been approved or not. If it is still telling you that you are not approved, triple check with your employer, and then contact the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

14. Which qualifying event for Spirit should I register for? There are specific qualifying events for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 participants of the Spirit Program. To learn which of the qualifying events is most appropriate for you, please visit our qualifying events for Spirit webpage.

LEVEL 1 PARTICIPANTS

15. I forgot my Spirit Session date and time. What should I do? You can log into your Spirit Account to look up your Spirit Session date.

16. I will not be able to attend my Spirit Session. What should I do? You have one opportunity to reschedule your Spirit Session free of charge prior to the session date. You can do so by logging into your account. If you need to reschedule a second time, you will need to contact the Whistler Chamber of Commerce immediately and pay a $30 rescheduling fee.

17. What happens if I miss my Spirit Session? Don’t miss your Spirit Session! But if you do, your pass will become hotlisted, and you will not be able to use it. You will then need to pay a $30 rescheduling fee and contact the Whistler Chamber of Commerce to sign up for another session. It may take up to 48 hours before your Spirit Pass is active again. Please note that space in the Spirit Sessions is limited and therefore not guaranteed.

LEVEL 2 PARTICIPANTS

18. How can I take the Online Tutorial if I do not have a computer? You can take the Online Tutorial at one of the locations in Whistler that provides computer access, including Training Innovations, Whistler Public Library and Gone Bakery. You can also ask your employer for permission to use a work computer.

LEVEL 3 PARTICIPANTS

19. When do I pay for my admission to the Spirit Luncheon? Level 3 Spirit participants pay their admission to the Spirit Luncheon at the same time that they pay their $30 Spirit Admin Fee while registering for the Spirit Program online. For more information on the Spirit Luncheon, click here.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SPIRIT BENEFITS

20. I had a Whistler Blackcomb pass last year. What is the fastest way to get up the hill? If you had a Whistler Blackcomb pass before, there is no need to wait in line! You can call Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations with your Spirit Number and pay for your pass over the phone. Alternatively, if your company is paying for your pass, once you receive notification via email that your pass has been processed by Whistler Blackcomb, you can head straight to the gondola.

21. I've never had a Whistler Blackcomb pass before. Where do I pick one up once I've registered?
It is a requirement of all first time Whistler Blackcomb pass holders to create and complete a Guest Profile, Photo Upload and Release of Liability. Passes can then be picked up at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations, located at the base of Whistler Mountain. Don't forget to bring your Spirit Number with you. Note: If your employer is paying for the pass, please allow up to 72 hours after you receive your Spirit Number for the payment to be processed.

22. Can I get my Whistler Blackcomb pass before I attend my qualifying event for Spirit? Yes, provided you have an employer and you are signing up as a Level 1 or Level 3. Once you are registered for your qualifying event, you will be given your Spirit Number. Bring this number with you when purchasing any of the Spirit passes. If you signed up as a Level 2, you will receive the Spirit Number after passing the final quiz in the Online Tutorial. Remember: If your employer is paying for your Whistler Blackcomb pass, you will receive an email letting you know when your pass is ready for pick-up (or you can also log back into your account for updates). Allow up to 72 hours after you received your Spirit Number for the payment to be processed.

23. If I buy a full price Whistler Blackcomb season pass but want to join the Spirit Program, can I be refunded the difference? Yes. Register for the Spirit Program online, and bring your Spirit Number to Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations. You will be able to apply for a refund.

24. Do I have to pay for my entire Whistler Blackcomb pass by the time I pick it up? Yes. All Whistler Blackcomb passes must be paid in full either at pick up or before.

25. If I am unable to secure employment until the new year, but would still like to access the mountain, what should I do? Even if you don’t have a job yet, you can still participate in the Spirit Program by registering online and attending your qualifying event for Spirit. In the meantime, you can purchase a Whistler Blackcomb season pass. Once you have secured employment, you will be reimbursed the difference between the price you paid and the Spirit Pass. Please note: Whistler Blackcomb might take up to 30 days to process your refund.

26. What does "hotlisted" mean? Hotlisted means that your Whistler Blackcomb pass has become temporarily inactivated. This can happen if you miss your Spirit Session or lose your job.

27. How can I un-hotlist my Whistler Blackcomb pass? If your Whistler Blackcomb pass was hotlisted because you missed your Spirit Session, please refer to Question 17. If your pass was hotlisted by Whistler Blackcomb, please refer to Question 29. If your pass was hotlisted because you lost your job, please refer to Question 30.

28. I bought a Whistler Blackcomb day ticket to go up the mountain because my pass was hotlisted. How do I get a refund? Refunds will not be issued to Spirit pass holders who buy a Whistler Blackcomb day ticket for any reason.

29. What is the Alpine Responsibility Code? Click here to view the Alpine Responsibility Code. Whistler Blackcomb takes strong measures against Spirit Pass holders who break the rules. If you incur a two week or more suspension you will automatically lose your Spirit Pass privileges for that season and be required to upgrade to the price difference of an Unlimited Season Pass at the regular rate. For the 2012/13 season, this would cost $546 + HST, in addition to attending a Safety Awareness Seminar. For more details on Whistler Blackcomb Spirit Passholder Terms and Conditions, click here.

30. I lost my job. Can I keep my Whistler Blackcomb pass? No. If you are terminated or leave your job, your Whistler Blackcomb pass will be hotlisted until you find a new employer who is also part of the Spirit Program. If you choose not to get a new job or are not able to find another employer, you will be required to upgrade your pass to the regular rate.

31. I have to leave town. Can I get a refund/partial refund on my Whistler Blackcomb pass? Please refer to the Whistler Blackcomb Cancellation Policy.

Do you have more questions about the Spirit Program? Give us a call at 604.932.5922 ext. 23 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Or feel free drop by our office and see us in person! We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and we're located near the Taxi Loop just above the Visitor Information Centre.