Tourism Whistler Release
For immediate release - November 14, 2006

Whistler welcomes winter with heaps of snow, film festival, Olympic buzz, and more

Last chance to book early and save 35%

Whistler, B.C. - Winter has arrived in Whistler with the season's first major snowfall dumping more than 75cm (30 inches) on the mountains since Thursday. With more on the way, the fresh snow brings an early start to ski season, and added excitement to everything from the upcoming Whistler Film Festival, to 2010 Winter Games preparations, and the last chance to save 35 per cent on bookings for the winter season.

"As the snow level continues to build, so does the anticipation about another action-packed winter season," said Michele Comeau Thompson, Director of Communications for Tourism Whistler. "Whistler continues to bring its guests new experiences each year with developments on and off the mountain, coupled with the unmatchable vibe that visitors and locals alike say can only be found here."

Whistler Blackcomb announced yesterday that it will start ski season early with Whistler Mountain opening Saturday, November 18 while Blackcomb Mountain will open on November 23.

"The skiing experience on Whistler Blackcomb for virtually every level of skier is second to none, and a Whistler winter experience off the slopes is equally diverse," added Comeau Thompson. "Visitors have the chance to snowshoe through old growth trees, see the valley views on cross country skis, treat themselves to a spa day, snowmobile to the mountain tops, or experience winter fishing. Add that to the eclectic festival and snowsport event roll out, entertainment and dining scene and winter just gets a whole lot more exciting."

November 30 to December 3 the Whistler Film Festival will screen 93 films at 44 film screenings during the sixth annual festival. The line-up features a range of world premieres and special screening events including a Tribute to Norman Jewison, and the opening gala screening of Whistler Stories, the WFF legacy program for short film.

Winter 2007 marks the three-year countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler and Vancouver and the Olympic spirit is in the air. Excitement is building and venue development is well underway, including the Whistler Sliding Centre, the Whistler Nordic Centre, and the Athlete's Village. Guests can ski the men's and women's alpine race runs this winter, or get the scoop at the popular 2010 Information Centre year round complete with Olympic and Paralympic flags, a real bobsled and a medals podium.

The Sea to Sky Highway Improvement Project (the 75-mile stretch of highway between Vancouver and Whistler) has made outstanding progress this summer and the driving experience will be even better than last winter with three new passing lanes. There are no closures scheduled from December 1 through April 21.

Other major developments and openings for this winter in Whistler:
-The new Symphony Express Lift will offer more than 1,000 acres of ski terrain on Whistler Mountain.

-The Mountain Club, Whistler's newest restaurant, will be set in Whistler Village offering "mountain chic" décor, and menu selections from each of the elements - earth, air, and water.

-Whistler's newest boutique hotel, Nita Lake Lodge, is taking shape to feature 77 studio and one-bedroom suites, a full service spa, and 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

-Great Wall Climbing Adventures will re-open as The Core in a new location and offer an all-season climbing and fitness facility, complete with weight room, Yoga and fitness room, kids play room, retail and outdoor guiding.

-Whistler Dog's Paw new 24-hour doggie daycare will open offerin grooming, walking and other dog services.

The 35 per cent savings on winter bookings is only available through November 15. One five-night package includes five nights' accommodation, a four-day lift ticket, and free adult ski or snowboard lesson starting from $416 Cdn / $371 US per person. Whistler.com guarantees the lowest prices on accommodation within Whistler. More information and bookings are available through 1-800-WHISTLER or www.whistler.com.

Whistler is a year-round leisure and meeting destination located 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is site of the alpine, nordic, sliding and Paralympic venues for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Whistler has a range of accommodations totalling 3,200 hotel rooms, and more than 5,000 other tourist accommodation units including condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler offers a wide selection of restaurants, bars, spas, boutiques, galleries and activities ranging from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. Whistler Blackcomb mountains feature 3,036 hectares (8,171 acres) of terrain and receive an average of 9.14 metres (30 feet) of snow per year.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 10,000 permanent residents.

Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, operating the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre, the Whistler Golf Club, in-resort Visitor Services centres, and www.tourismwhistler.com, as well as 1-800-WHISTLER and www.whistler.com - the official call to action for Whistler. As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more than 7,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on resort lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.

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Whistler publication-ready photographs can be downloaded at http://mediaroom.tourismwhistler.com/

Media contacts:
Darlene Small - Manager, Travel Media Relations
Telephone: 604-938-2794
Email:
Website: www.tourismwhistler.com

Vanessa Murphy - Travel Media Relations Coordinator
Telephone: 604-938-2799
E-mail:
Website: www.tourismwhistler.com