November 22, 2006

Whistler Blackcomb's Symphony Express Grand Opening set for December 16, 2006

Golden Ticket Contest Provides 16 Lucky Winners First Access to the New Lift

WHISTLER, BC, November 21, 2006 – Whistler Blackcomb has announced a Symphony Express Golden Ticket contest that will provide 16 lucky winners with first access to the Symphony Express on its grand opening, Saturday December 16. Coming in at over $9 million, the new Symphony Express high speed quad chair is Whistler Blackcomb’s largest single investment within the $22.1 million spent on capital and maintenance projects for the 2006/07 season. The Symphony Express will run from the bottom of Flute Bowl to the peak of Piccolo on Whistler Mountain and will access over 1,000 acres of high alpine terrain.


“The terrain that this chair provides access to is truly spectacular,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Whistler Blackcomb. “The vast open bowls, gladed skiing and the phenomenal views out to Garibaldi Provincial Park and over to Blackcomb Mountain will make skiers and riders feel like they’ve struck gold when they arrive at the top.”
 

And indeed they could strike gold. Beginning November 25, each Saturday leading up to the grand opening of the Symphony Express (November 25, December 2 and December 9), Orchestra Conductors will roam around Whistler Mountain with golden tickets to give away. Find a conductor and receive a golden ‘scratch’ ticket to win a seat on one of the first few chairs up the Symphony Express on December 16.
 

Orchestra Conductors on Whistler Mountain will be easily recognizable by their black ‘tuxedo’ attire, top hat, white gloves, bow tie and conductor baton. Conductors will be skiing Whistler Mountain on Green Circle and Blue Square runs within bounds.
 

Winning Golden Ticket holders will be rewarded with: a spot on one of the first chairs on the Symphony Express on December 16, and a $100 gift certificate redeemable at Whistler Blackcomb locations.

 
Non-winning tickets offer a $50 discount off any ski or snowboard outerwear jacket valued at $250 or more at the Whistler Salomon Store, Glacier Shop or Showcase Snowboards.
 

“The excitement surrounding the Symphony Express lift grand opening is contagious,” says Rempel. “We began the construction process way back in April, before last year’s winter season even ended. Seven months later, we’re about to unveil the fruits of our labour and we couldn’t be more excited. We’re really looking forward to sharing this spectacular part of Whistler Mountain with our guests as the new lift is unveiled for the first time.”
 

Information on the Symphony Express Golden Ticket contest can be found at whistlerblackcomb.com\symphony. Lucky ticket winners and the number of Symphony Express Golden Tickets left to be found will be featured in a special “countdown” section on the site. Information and photos of the construction of the Symphony Express will also be available here.
 

For the latest weather and snow conditions, information on upcoming events and accommodation packages, visit whistlerblackcomb.com.


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.
 

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