What an epic start to the winter season! The Whistler November snowfall record has already been broken -- 10 feet so far and it's still coming down in all its glory! Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are open for daily operations as of November 23 - just listen for the hoots and hollers echoing down to the valley.
The season is further heralded by the vast range of Whistler's winter activities, twinkling holiday lights and decorated trees, as well as Whistler's vibrant arts and entertainment scene. Celebrate and be merry with a festive cocktail or warming eggnog latté in front of a roaring fire. December's jam-packed festivities, concerts, holiday events and celebrations top off the perfect day on the slopes, in the spa, or snowshoeing and sleigh riding through Whistler's peaceful valley forests. Welcome to winter. Let it snow...more!
What's On in the Mountains December 14 marks the season opener for the popula Kokanee Valley Race Series. No racing experience is required to join in on the fun of recreational racing. All you need is the desire to participate. Starting December 14, then weekly commencing January 11 through March 23, 2007. Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com
Whistler Blackcomb's Free Avalanche Awareness Tours start up again on December 28. Jointly run by the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the Whistler Sports Injury Prevention Program, this full day tour covers terrain evaluation, avalanche phenomenon, procedures that Whistler Blackcomb uses to keep people safe inside the ski area boundary, avalanche safety equipment, and rescue techniques. Avalanche Awareness tours run daily Wednesday through Saturday. Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com
What's On in the Valley
Winter fun for the whole family It's not just about the skiing. Whether it's snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through Whistler's peaceful frozen forests, ice skating on picturesque Green Lake, or enjoying a relaxing sleigh ride followed by warming hot chocolate, a thrilling snowmobile ride, bungee jump, or a raucous dog-sledding tour - all offer an enjoyable variety of winter fun for the whole family. Check with the Tourism Whistler Activity & Information Centre for information on openings and bookings.
Dine & Unwind with Whistler's best spa and restaurant deals of the season November 12 - December 10, 2006 Tempting restaurant and spa deals abound in Whistler during Dine and Unwind, presented by Visa. This year's expanded promotion offers even more opportunity to "dine" at some of Whistler's most exciting restaurants and "unwind" at Whistler's blissful spas - all at the best prices of the season. Prix fixe menus start at just $20 and range to $45 per person and offer an amazing array of delectable choices and popular menu items from 11 of Whistler's most popular restaurants. The unbelievable deals continue through December 10.
Whistler Film Festival lights up the big screen November 30 - December 3, 2006 The Whistler Film Festival keeps getting bigger and better. This year, Whistler's 6th annual celebration of film returns with an exciting lineup of films from around the world. This star-studded four-day festival features 93 films, including 40 feature and mid-length films, 53 shorts, 25 premieres and eight world premieres. $30,000 in prizes is up for grabs as well as innovative workshops, special events, cool parties and free outdoor screenings.
Bizarre Bazaar - all your holiday shopping dreams come true December 1 & 2, 2006 Whistler's original artisan market is now in its 18th year providing an abundance of hand-crafted treasures and treats to complete everyone's holiday shopping list. More than 100 vendors from throughout the Sea-to- Sky corridor will exhibit their wares - from jewellery, ceramics, clothing, fine art, wood and glass, and candles, to bath and body products, preserves, all-natural foods, and one-of-a-kind Christmas decorations. Friday, December 1, 3pm-9pm and Saturday, December 2, 10am-5pm at the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre. Admission is by donation.
Xavier Rudd live at Sea to Sky Ballroom December 4, 2006 Multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd struts his stuff at the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre's Sea to Sky Ballroom with special guest Ndidi Onukwulu on Monday, December 4. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets $28.50 at Ticketmaster.
Chantal at the Chateau: An Exclusive and Intimate Evening with Chantal Kreviazuk December 7th, 2006 Thanks to Sony BMG and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, lucky contest winners will get exclusive access to a live performance by Chantal Kreviazuk, set among the fresh snow in Whistler and stunning ambiance of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. This exclusive performance will feature highlights from Chantal's newest album Ghost Stories. Contests are running at several media outlets (Mountain FM, ET Canada) for an opportunity to win tickets for this exclusive performance with one of Canada's premiere songwriters.
7-Eleven Fire and Ice Show Sundays starting December 17, 2006 through Spring 2007 Whistler's classic Fire and Ice show returns for another hot season at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola. The whole family will enjoy the fireworks, fire spinners and the athletic display of skiers and snowboarders jumping through the dazzling Ring of Fire. Free performances every Sunday at 6:30pm at the base of Whistler Village Gondola.
North Pole Central - A Real Whistler Family Holiday December 14, 2006 - January 2, 2007 Santa's workshop will relocate to Whistler this year for two weeks of family fun at Millennium Place. Visitors will delight in the vivid lights and décor, festive crafts, seasonal sing-alongs for all ages, apres mixers and movies, as well as headline performances of music, theatre and comedy. Santa arrives Saturday, December 16, so bring your holiday wish list and find out who's naughty and nice.
Romanza - Canada's own three tenors December 21, 2006 Experience the joy of the holiday season with the three young Canadians of Romanza as they bring the romance of the tenor to Whistler. Frédérik Robert, Philip Grant, and Ken Lavigne are back in Canada after a prize-winning performance in Ireland, tours through Mexico and Italy, and roles with Opera Nuova, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Edmonton Opera and Vancouver Philharmonic Symphony.
'Days before Christmas' ArtisanMarket December 16 & 17, 2006 Shoppers are sure to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone at the `Days before Christmas' Artisan Market. This Whistler Artists Guild event features sculpture, glass, jewelry, photography, wood and gifts as well as glassblowing demos and other art creations by some of Whistler's finest local artists. Saturday December 16, 11am-6pm and Sunday December 17, 11am-4pm at Unit 16, 1005 Alpha Lake Road, behind Home Hardware in Function Junction.
The Nutcracker Ballet December 22 & 23, 2006 A holiday classic comes to Whistler as The Nutcracker takes the stage at Millennium Place's North Pole Central. Performed by the internationally acclaimed Goh Ballet and presented by Millennium Place, The Nutcracker will delight and charm all ages. December 22 & 23 at 4pm and 8pm. Tickets are $37.50 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12, available at Millennium Place or www.ticketmaster.ca
Warren Miller's OFF THE GRID to be screened at North Pole Central, Whistler December 28, 2006 Olympic skier-turned-NFL-football-player Jeremy Bloom serves as narrator as the world's best winter sports athletes embark on a global mission to discover the deepest snow, the steepest mountains, and the world's gnarliest snowball fight. Warren Miller's OFF THE GRID exposes the undiscovered side of winter from Kashmir, India, to Kicking Horse, Canada. Olympic 2006 medalist Toby Dawson and X-Games Gold Medalists Zach and Reggie Crist pack the notable cast of this adrenaline-filled documentary-style film that takes viewers out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.
First Night Whistler rings in the New Year with a blast December 31, 2006 First Night is Whistler's preeminent, alcohol-free, family-friendly village-wide New Year's celebration of arts and entertainment. Visitors will find free outdoor concerts, dancing, all kinds of entertainment and kid's stuff throughout the village, topped with fireworks at midnight. Hitting the main stage this year are Norman Foote, internationally acclaimed children's entertainer; Squamish's own Black Swade; and the captivating music of Zaki Ibrahim. Team Canada - DJ Grandtheft will dance in the New Year in Whistler's Village Square, while the kids delight with jugglers, clowns, a caricature artist, fire spinners and an art workshop.
Feature Vacation Packages Stay Free, Ski Free, Monday's Free. Book a minimum four-night vacation package that includes a Monday and receive a free ski pass and free accommodations on the Monday of your stay. Some blackout dates apply.
Ski in/ Ski out two-night package with Whistler Blackcomb Coca-Cola Tube Park Passes. Ski to and from your accommodation at the base of the mountain and also enjoy an evening in Whistler Blackcomb's exhilarating Tube Park. Package includes two night's accommodation and one hour Tube Park passes for two people valid opening day - December 22 from $189 CDN ($165 US) per person per night for two people sharing a one bedroom.
For more information or to book, call 1-800-WHISTLER or go to www.whistler.com. *Package prices are per person based on double occupancy and subject to availability. Taxes and fees not included. U.S. rates are based on exchange rate at time of distribution. Whistler publication ready photographs can be downloaded at: http://mediaroom.tourismwhistler.com/
MEDIA CONTACTS: Vanessa Murphy Coordinator, Media Relations Telephone: 604-938-2799
Darlene Small Media Relations Manager Telephone: 604-938-2794
