Lofty mountain summits and dramatic views are both staples of a ski holiday, but the latest opening at Canada's biggest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb, adds a knee-trembling thrill for skiers and snowboarders after the best views of British Columbia.

Suspended at more than 2,000m above sea level, the new Cloudraker Skybridge spans 130m from Whistler Peak (2,182m) to the West Ridge, high above the slopes of Whistler Bowl.

The bridge, which opened in early July, will be accessible year round, weather permitting, and as well as providing stunning views of nearby peaks will be a vantage point for watching people drop into and ski down Whistler Bowl below, which features several black diamond runs.

Also part of the new project is the West Ridge Lookout, at the top of Whistler Peak. This viewing platform offers 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain range and the Sea-to-Sky highway, the main road linking the resort with Vancouver on Canada’s west coast.

The new vantage point offers some of the best views in British Columbia Credit: mitch winton/coastphoto.com

On the other side of the bridge there’s the new Cantilever viewing deck on West Ridge. It is positioned to face Rainbow Mountain and provides uninterrupted views of the Black Tusk – the remnants of an extinct volcano with a pointed spire that rises to 2,319m, one of the most distinctive mountains in Canada’s Coast Mountains.

The Cloudraker Skybridge is made of 101 steel pieces, with a floor made from a steel grid so those brave enough to look down can see the runs below them.

The 130m structure is supported by four cables, capable of holding a combined weight of roughly 36 tonnes.

The new bridge is accessed via the Peak Express chairlift on Whistler mountain, a short traverse from the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of the Whistler Village gondola from resort base. Skiers and snowboarders can walk over to the Cantilever viewing deck but can only descend from the Whistler Peak side.

The distinctive Black Tusk peak Credit: © 2017 Mitchell Winton/Mitchell Winton

After an estimated $1.4 billion (£1 billion) acquisition in 2016, last winter was the first season Whistler Blackcomb was operated by ski resort giant Vail Resorts, which runs 10 ski areas, mainly in North America.

The Cloudraker Skybridge and associated viewing platforms, which will be completed this month, are part of six major construction projects underway in the ski area this summer, following a $66 million (£50m) investment from the company.

Other developments include a new Blackcomb gondola, two new chairlifts, a patio deck at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler mountain and an umbrella bar. All are set to be ready for the 2018/19 winter season. This summer’s visitors have also been the first to try a new harnessed Via Ferrata walk over Harmony Bowl on the edge of Whistler mountain.

No stranger to high-altitude construction, the resort opened in 2008 the world’s longest unsupported gondola, the Peak 2 Peak, which is also the highest lift of its kind. It connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in an 11-minute journey 436m above the valley floor.

In winter skiers and snowboarders will travel under the bridge into Whistler Bowl Credit: mitch winton/coastphoto.com

Whistler isn’t the first ski resort to add a high-altitude walkway to its roster of attractions. Last summer the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, spanning 494m and 86m above the ground, opened between the Swiss resort of Zermatt and neighbouring Grächen.

Access to Whistler’s Skybridge is free with a lift pass or the summer Peak 2 Peak 360 ticket. It will be open during the operating hours of the Peak Express chairlift.