Whistler welcomes new snow for the New Year

Whistler holiday visitors awoke to a picturesque blanket of fresh snow in the valley this morning, with heaps more making for epic powder turns in the alpine. Snow started falling above mid-mountain on Christmas Day, with an accumulation of more than 71cm (28 inches) over the last week. Based on hoots and hollers heard around the slopes this morning, skiers and riders are enjoying the fresh snow.

More snow is in the forecast, with anywhere from 16 to 35cm (6 to 14 inches) forecast to fall over New Year’s weekend. The current height of snow as measured at mid-mountain on Whistler Mountain is 115cm or 46 inches.

“The new snow adds to the excitement building up to Whistler’s world renowned First Night celebrations,” says Michele Comeau Thompson, Director of Communications for Tourism Whistler. “This year should be one of the best yet, with family celebrations in the Village and fresh snow in the mountains.”

First Night is Whistler’s annual family-oriented celebration held throughout Whistler’s pedestrian village to help ring in the New Year. Scattered around the village are “participation stations”, warm tents where kids can get creative and help make a 2010 global quilt, lanterns or party hats. There’s a Kids Countdown at 9:30 p.m. for those sleepy skiers who can’t make it to midnight. Aspiring broadcasters can send messages on Whistler Cable 6 to people around the world. The Ice Palace offers hot chocolate, temporary tattoos and prizes, and watch out for the Whistler Fire Spinners.

The event features live music by Chibi Taiko (the first Canadian-based Japanese drumming ensemble staring musicians aged eight through 16-years, Kutapira, an innovative blend of African and Caribbean-inspired marimba), Wil Mimnaugh (a Calgary-based performer), and Whistler’s own DJ, Mat the Alien. Tickets are available at the Visitor Info Centre and the Tourism Whistler Activity and Information Centre from December 15 to 31 and include access to all events, entertainment and venues.

The fresh snow sets the stage for more great Whistler deals coming up in January. Guests visiting Whistler during Discover Whistler Days (January 16 – February 12) receive 50 per cent off learn-to-ski and ride programs as well as other programs including Ski Esprit, Dave Murray Ski Camps, women’s programs, learn to ski and ride classes and various kid’s programs including the three and five-day Adventure Camps, Ride Tribe and more. All classes are taught by ski and snowboard professionals who will not only teach but offer mountain orientation, lift line priority and the inside Whistler scoop on mountain sweet spots, restaurants and après choices.

Tourism Whistler has put together a package featuring the ultimate in flexibility and value called Real Choices. Visitors who book a Real Choices package before January 17, 2006 can save $100 with Real Choices Vouchers. Two- and four-night accommodation packages include $100 in vouchers (5 x $20) for a variety of activities in the Whistler area. Prices start from $224 Cdn ($187 US).

Information: http://www.tourismwhistler.com/www/plan_your_trip/vacation_packages.asp
Phone: 1-800-WHISTLER (1-800-944-7853)

Whistler is a year-round leisure and meeting destination located 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and is site of the alpine and nordic venues for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Whistler has a range of accommodations totalling 5,400 rooms, and a wide selection of restaurants, bars, spas, boutiques and galleries. Activities range 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, with 1,530 metres (5,020 feet) of vertical on Whistler Mountain and 1,609 metres (5,280 feet) on Blackcomb Mountain. The ski resort receives 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, and operating the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre, the Whistler Golf Club and tourismwhistler.com, the official website of 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.

December 31, 2005   Posted in: Canada