Tourism Whistler news release
For immediate release - December 19, 2006

Whistler seasonal snowfall approaches 20 feet before Christmas

Whistler, B.C. - As the cumulative alpine snowfall for the winter season in Whistler approaches a whopping 20 feet, winter enthusiasts are set to celebrate the holiday season with this extra special snowy gift (that keeps on giving!) from Mother Nature.

This season the Whistler alpine saw the snowiest November on record and the snow just keeps on coming, setting the region up for a holiday season not to be forgotten. To date 5.96 metres (19.58 feet) of snow has fallen and the forecast is for continued snow to come during the days leading up to the holiday season.

Whether hitting the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb with a snow base of 220cm (87 inches), including the newly-opened Symphony Express chairlift; taking advantage of the diversity of other winter activities; or wandering through the snowy village and nearby trails, guests can choose their personal favourite way to experience the winter wonderland in Whistler.

All winter snowbound activities in Whistler are in full operation: skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb; cross country skiing at Lost Lake; sleigh rides; snowshoe tours; snowmobile tours; dogsledding tours; heli skiing; tube park; cat skiing; snow-limo and much more.

The free fire and ice show at the base of Whistler Mountain is now on every Sunday with entertainment for the whole family. North Pole Central is open at MY Place through December 31 and Whistler First Night is the family-friendly New Year's celebration of arts and entertainment. A range of other seasonal activities will include interdenominational Christmas services, a Nutcracker presentation, carolling and much more. Activity and event information is available at www.tourismwhistler.com.

Whistler is a year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is site of the alpine, nordic, and sliding events 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, and activities 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 1005 centimetres (33 feet) of snow annually. 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 tourismwhistler.com, as well as 1-800-WHISTLER and 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.
Whistler publication-ready photographs can be downloaded at http://mediaroom.tourismwhistler.com/

Media contacts:

Louise MacDougall - Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 604-938-2790
E-mail:

Website: www.tourismwhistler.com