Whistler Olympic Aversion

Whistler Blackcomb saw the most snow since records began in November but will this record-breaking start to the season save Whistler from the phenomenon known as “Olympic Aversion”?

With headlines like “Olympic Aversion grounds Vancouver-bound flights” and some properties still not booked for the Olympics, there is no wonder why tourism officials and property owners in Whistler are bracing themselves.

Olympic aversion is caused by the fear that the Olympics will mean that there are large crowds and no or little accommodation available with extortionate prices. Over the Olympics (February 11 to 28, 2010) this is partially true. However, during the Olympic events, Whistler Blackcomb is still open and so while the crowds are watching the events, you have the rest of the 8,171 acres/3,307 hectares spread out over two mountains to ski and ride.

Olympic venues such as Turin, Salt Lake City and Beijing have all seen this aversion and so Whistler Blackcomb are doing everything they can from stopping this from happening by extending discounts to their ski tour agents and operators.

Here are some things you can take advantage of as a result of the “Olympic aversion”:

1. Early-bird ski passes can be bought up to January 15 2010 saving you up to 50% (in previous years this date was November 15). Rates can be viewed here.
2. Incredible deals on Whistler accommodation before and after the Olympics (February 11 to 28, 2010) as property owners and managers scramble to get their places filled.
3. The mountains will be quieter than normal away from the events and around the events.

We have seen that this Olympic aversion has affected the whole of the 2009-2010 winter season in Whistler with guests opting for other ski resorts in Western Canada all together even around the Olympic dates and so great deals are to be had throughout the season.

To make things even harder to attract more guests to Whistler this season, other ski locations such as Banff (Banff Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise) are offering the lowest rates we have ever seen on accommodation, lift passes and airport transfers making it all more tempting for the budget-conscious traveller to choose an alternative to Whistler this year which in this economy, who can blame them?

At this stage it seems the "Olympic Aversion" is happening in Whistler as predicted but the true extent will not be known until after this 2009-2010 winter ski season. For consumers, it means low accommodation rates and lift passes around the Olympic dates.

For more information on ski holidays in western Canada, try Ski Holidays Canada, a small independently owner company based in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Whistler Blackcomb smashes record for snowiest month EVER!

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SMASHES RECORD FOR SNOWIEST MONTH EVER WITH OVER 5.5 METRES (18 FEET) OF SNOWFALL

Photo credit: Mike Mills / Location: Whistler Blackcomb

November 2009 takes the podium as Whistler Blackcomb’s snowiest month in recorded history.

WHISTLER, BC, December 1, 2009 – As the calendar flips over, it’s now official that November 2009 will go down in history as the snowiest month on record at Whistler Blackcomb, dating back to when the collection of weather data began 30 years ago.

November 2009 has seen a total accumulation of 560cm (220 inches) of snowfall, nearly four times that of November’s average snowfall of 148cm (58 inches). This is an increase of more than 19 per cent over the previous record of 469cm (185 inches) set in January 2006, and a 22 per cent increase over January 1992’s record of 459cm (181 inches).

“Whistler is already known for reliable early season snowfall and this year’s record breaking start sets us up for an unbelievable season,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of marketing & sales at Whistler Blackcomb. “To begin the season with a record breaker the likes of 5.5 metres of snowfall has certainly heightened the level of excitement in the resort, especially in this year, as we prepare to be a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games in February.”

Photo credit: Scott Brammer / Location: Whistler Blackcomb

And now, with the record broken, there is still an entire season of skiing and riding to look forward to. With a season that offers 192 days of skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb is already over half way towards the resort’s average annual snowfall of just over 10 metres (33 feet).

“With amazing conditions and stay and ski packages starting from $103 per person per night, there are some great deals to be had,” says Rempel. “Combine this with plenty of availability leading up to and following the Games, the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola which opened to incredible reviews last winter, and slopes that are expected be quieter than usual, and there couldn’t be a better time to visit Whistler Blackcomb.”

Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are now open, offering thousands of acres to ski and ride at North America’s largest ski resort.

Source: Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb on Track for Record Breaking Snowfall

After an early opening with plenty of fresh snow, Whistler Blackcomb prepares to open Creekside and Garbanzo Express on Whistler Mountain this weekend.

WHISTLER, BC, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – The current storm system has blanketed the mountains with over 204 cm (80 inches) of fresh snow in the past week. Operations crews are hard at work preparing more lifts and terrain to open this weekend as conditions allow.

It may still be early in the season but don’t tell that to Mother Nature. With over 362cm’s (142.5 inches) of snow so far this month Whistler Blackcomb has more than doubled its average November snowfall of 148cm (58 inches). With almost two weeks left in the month, as well as over 100cm (40 inches) in the forecast for the next five days, Whistler Blackcomb is well on its way to the possibility of breaking the record of snow in the month of November, 416cm (164 inches).

“I’ve skied here for over 15 years and I’ve never seen this much snow so early in a season, it seems like every day’s snowfall is topping the last,” say’s Stephen Butt, Communications Coordinator and voice of the Snow Phone for Whistler Blackcomb. “We have already received one third of our average annual snowfall for the entire season and it’s only four days into the season, it’s unbelievable!”

With all this new snow, operations crews are hard at work getting ready to open Creekside Gondola and Garbanzo Express, in anticipation of what should be another amazing weekend. On Saturday, in addition to the Whistler Village Gondola, guests will be able to upload and download Whistler Mountain via the Creekside Gondola with access to Red Chair, Emerald Express, Franz’s and Garbanzo Chair.

The heavy snowfall does pose challenges for the operations crews opening the high alpine. With the current blizzard-like conditions in the alpine, crews have not yet been able to access this area of the mountain. Once crews can get to the alpine, lots of work will begin to prepare the area for skiing and riding which includes: avalanche control, and hazard marking and signage. Whistler Blackcomb appreciates guests’ patience as crews work to safely prepare the terrain before opening.

Though there is lots of snow early season conditions do apply. The Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol posted “Temporary Boundary” signs throughout the ski area indicating that the terrain beyond the ropes is not yet “ready” to ski or ride, even if that terrain is “normally” within our ski area boundary. Whistler Blackcomb would like to remind guests; though terrain may look appealing from where the ropes are, the terrain may include hazards such as ditches, exposed rocks etc. where more snow is needed before the terrain is considered safe. To see examples of signage used at Whistler Blackcomb click HERE. Whistler Blackcomb would also like to remind guests’ to be aware of tree wells. Skiing and riding in a group is always recommended.

In addition to Whistler Village and Blackcomb Base Guest Relations locations, Creekside Guest Relations and ticket windows will be open starting this weekend from 8am to 5pm.

Follow the Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report, updated 5 times daily, by calling 604-932-4211 in Whistler, 604-687-7507 in Vancouver, or free-phone at 1-800-766-0449.

Be sure to follow this and other ski holiday twitter at rocky-peak Holidays official tweet @HolidaysCanada. You can also view Whistler Blackcomb Ski Pass Rates at rocky-peak.com.

Whistler Blackcomb Ranked No.1

ANNUAL MAGAZINE RANKINGS ARE OUT AND WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TOPS LISTS AGAIN – 13 YEARS AND COUNTING

Resort Takes No. 1 in SKIING for 13th year, No. 1 in FREESKIER and No. 2 in SKI

WHISTLER, BC, September 18, 2009 – For the 13th year in a row, readers at one of North America’s premier ski magazines, SKIING, have ranked Whistler Blackcomb their choice for No. 1 resort and the resort they want to ski more than anywhere else. FREESKIER Magazine has also ranked Whistler Blackcomb No. 1, and in SKI Magazine, the resort has moved up one spot to the No. 2 position.

“We are thrilled to be on top again this year. These rankings reflect an appreciation of the unwavering commitment from our staff and the community to deliver the most incredible mountain resort experience on the planet,” says Dave Brownlie, president and chief operating officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “We are extremely fortunate to be blessed with the incredible physical attributes that our mountains offer – their size, scope and variety of terrain tops the rankings every year. Add to that a dedicated and passionate group of employees providing an exceptional guest experience, as well as the innovation of the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and it obviously all has an impact on our guests and those who aspire to ski here.”

The annual magazine rankings rate resorts on a variety of set criteria, and Whistler Blackcomb consistently scores high in what the results cite as the resort’s greatest attributes. Terrain quality and variety always top the charts, referring to Whistler Blackcomb’s 8,171 acres of glaciers, alpine bowls, steeps and cliffs, plenty of tree skiing, and long, wide-open runs snaking down a vertical mile on both mountains.

“It’s a poll of our readers, not the editors. And the readers overwhelmingly chose Whistler,” says Jake Bogoch, editor of SKIING Magazine. “When our readers think of Whistler, they think of dark storms, granite-lined bowls, blocky cliffs, and long, long runs. That’s why they want to go there more than anywhere else.”

In addition to the terrain variety, nightlife and après ski activities always rank high. The après and nightlife scenes in Whistler Village are legendary, and it all takes place only steps from the base of the mountains. “Whistler exudes an energy that is difficult to replicate anywhere else, and guests love it, citing it as one of the key reasons they come back year after year,” continues Brownlie.

With the resort on the cusp of hosting the world as a proud venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, this could be the beginning of the most defining year yet. Whistler Blackcomb is open throughout the winter, with 90 per cent of its 8,171 acres of terrain available throughout the Games, accessed from three of the four base areas. Early booking offers provide opportunities to save up to 39 per cent on a vacation package this winter, and includes a best price guarantee for those concerned about committing early. If guests find a better deal later in the season, Whistler Blackcomb will take care of the difference.

Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day is November 26, 2009. Book your Whistler Ski Holiday before November 15 2009 for excellent early-bird ski package deals!

Ski Holidays in Canada

rocky-peak Ski Holidays have just completed their U.K. ski site: SkiHolidaysCanada.co.uk. This site has all the details you need to help plan your perfect ski holiday in the magnificent Canadian Rockies and Western Canada.

Early bird ski package deals are the best they have ever been for the upcoming 2009/2010 winter ski season. Free ski days are available at almost all the ski resorts in Canada when you purchase a ski lift pass in advance. Minimum days do apply and lift passes must be purchased in advance as part of a ski package. Other ski deals for 2009-2010 winter season include kids ski free. This can save a family hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Ski Package Specials include ski accommodation in Canada, Ski Lift Passes, Ski Snowboard Rentals, Ski Snowboard Tuition as well as other ski holiday package extras.

Ski resorts in Canada covered include Banff Norquay, Fernie, Jasper Marmot Basin, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Lake Louise, Nakiska, Panorama, Sunshine Village and Whistler Blackcomb.

Make sure you check out this updated ski site!