First Day of Fall or Winter? Snow Blankets Whistler Blackcomb Mountains

Press Release

• September 22 2008
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Whistler, BC – Whistler Blackcomb received over 5 centimetres (2 inches) of snow in the alpine overnight making Whistlerites wonder if Mother Nature forgot a season. The first day of fall, Whistler Blackcomb mountain tops are covered with at least six centimetres of snow. With 65 days until the winter ski season and 79 days until the opening of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola on December 12, the countdown is on.

“It’s so exciting to see snow in the alpine this time of year,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Whistler Blackcomb. “The excitement and anticipation of winter really starts to build and the first significant snowfall in the alpine sends the excitement level through the roof. It jogs people’s memory of how great last season was and everyone gets stoked for the season ahead.”

The Whistler Blackcomb snowmaking department has been busy preparing the snowmaking fleet over the past couple of weeks. More than 260 snow guns have been readied for when the temperature drops to minus 2 degrees Celsius. With the forecast turning cooler, the snow guns are now set to blast snow to complement Mother Nature’s efforts.

There are lots of ways to prepare for the upcoming winter season including buying new gear, and taking advantage of some early booking incentives for passes and accommodation in Whistler.

* The Whistler Blackcomb early booking packages offer the best deal of the season. Book your winter package by November 15 and save up to 30 per cent off accommodation and lift tickets. Families can save even more, as kids 12 and under can stay, ski & rent and get airport transfers for free. Details can be found at whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages/packages/earlybooking.

* Season passes and EDGE Cards are on sale at early bird rates until Oct 13 for season passes and November 21 for EDGE Cards. Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/tickets for more information.

* Whistler Blackcomb’s Turkey Sale, offering up to 70 per cent off all ski and snowboard related gear, is happening October 10-13. whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/turkey_sale.

The official Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report recording will begin for the season in November but keep your eyes peeled on whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/cams for the current mountain weather status.

About Whistler

Consistently ranked as North America’s top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. With the landmark PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opening in December 2008, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre, and a host of other on-mountain improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular ‘Sea to Sky’ Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast one vertical mile of incredible skiing. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at whistlerblackcomb.com

About Intrawest ULC

Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit intrawest.com