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WHISTLER BLACKCOMB WINS SILVER EAGLE AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENT
Whistler Blackcomb has received the 2007 Silver Eagle Award for Fish & Wildlife Habitat Protection for the development of the Symphony Amphitheatre, which opened on December 16, 2006. The Environmental Excellence awards were announced on May 7, during the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) National Convention and Tradeshow held at La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Ca.
Whistler Blackcomb placed habitat protection at the centre of its 2006 Symphony Project, which involved expanding its terrain into an alpine area known as the Piccolo Peak/Symphony basin. A team of planners and engineers, which included a bear biologist, foresters and mountain planners, developed a minimalist design that kept wildlife habitat intact. Ultimately the project’s footprint was reduced from an original estimate of 40 per cent down to less than five per cent.
“Whistler Blackcomb’s trail design for the Symphony Amphitheatre has mimicked the natural growth of the sub alpine forest in a way that works really well both aesthetically and ecologically,” says Derek Bonin, a registered professional forester who advises on watershed planning initiatives, was a key expert in the development of the Symphony trails, and who has ski-toured through this area over the past two decades. “Whistler carefully thinned out the natural tree clusters typical of this high altitude, creating a wonderful intermediate gladed experience without upsetting the natural ecosystem and the ability for young trees to continue to grow, and older trees to die.”
The Symphony Amphitheatre includes a new $9.2 million Doppelmayr, a high-speed quad chairlift that transports guests 6,929 feet (2,112 metres), and climbs 1,670 vertical feet (509 vertical metres) to the peak of Piccolo at 6,673 feet (2,034 metres). The bowl opens up 1,000 acres of intermediate and advanced terrain, featuring steep alpine bowls, cruisey groomers, and gladed sections, accented by panoramic views of Garibaldi Provincial Park and Whistler Mountain’s alpine neighbour, Blackcomb.
Whistler competed against finalists New York resort Whiteface and Colorado-based Vail Resorts in this category and was named finalist in three other Silver Eagle categories: Excellence in Environmental Education, Excellence in Visual Impact and Excellence in Stakeholder Relations.
About Whistler
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
ABOUT INTRAWEST
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in eleven resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. In addition, 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
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Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
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