Canada Travel News - Four Meter November Snowfall at Whister Blackcomb breaks records

WHISTLER, BC, December 1, 2006 – November 2006 will go down in history books in Whistler as the snowiest November ever. With 416 centimetres or 13 feet 6 inches of snowfall recorded during the month, the prior November record of 272 centimetres or 107 inches was crushed, setting a new high for early season snowfall. This month’s snowfall has created phenomenal conditions for an excellent winter season.

“The continuous snowfall this month has been incredible,” says Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb’s senior vice president sales and marketing. “We’ve woken up to between 10 and 20 centimetres of fresh powder almost every morning since November 1st; we’ve been able to open our high alpine lifts earlier than ever before and ski outs to the valley are in fantastic shape. The locals are in heaven, our employees are thrilled and our visitors are ecstatic.”

The current mid mountain base at Whistler Blackcomb stands at 164 centimetres or 65 inches, a depth that normally isn’t reached until early January. “The average November snowfall for Whistler Blackcomb was 138 centimetres,” continues Rempel, “and we’ve tripled that this year!”

Two of the snowiest months in Whistler Blackcomb’s history have occurred in 2006. November 2006 joins January 2006 among the top four snowiest months of all time. January’s 469 centimetres or 15 feet of snowfall sets the all time record. Whistler Blackcomb has been recording snow data over 28 years of operation.

Looking ahead, Whistler Blackcomb will be celebrating the grand opening of its new $9.5 million chairlift – the Symphony Express – on December 16, 2006. 1,000 acres of spectacular, high alpine terrain will be accessible in the newly crowned Symphony Amphitheatre. Vast bowls, gladed tree runs, and deep powder are surrounded by spectacular views of Garibaldi Provincial Park, and across the valley to Blackcomb Mountain’s 7th Heaven zone.

Whistler Blackcomb currently offers 6,700 acres and 5,020 vertical feet or 1,529 vertical metres of terrain for skiing and riding. Hotel rooms are currently available in Whistler starting from $109 per night. Skiers and riders eager to keep an eye on Whistler Blackcomb’s current conditions can stay up to date by checking out web cams and operational updates at whistlerblackcomb.com. The snow phone is also updated daily and can be reached by calling 604-687-7507 (Vancouver) or 604-932-4211 (Whistler), or toll-free at 1.800.766.0449.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for the Symphony Express, a new high speed quad accessing further into Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com <http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/> .

Intrawest ULC is a world leader in destination resorts and leisure travel. The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America's most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com.

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games