in 2018, the world ski & snowboard festival was acquired in full by vail resorts, inc. upon its acquisition of whistler blackcomb. vail resorts announced wssf would continue under new management, crankworx events inc., in a shorter 6-day format, running april 10–15, 2018. tourism whistler relinquished its 22-year part ownership of the property. 2018 also marked the return of the saudan couloir ski race extreme after a 20-year hiatus. in 2019, vail resorts, owner of whistler blackcomb, announced the world ski & snowboard festival would be shortened to 5 days, running april 10-14.