December 18, 2007

GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience Blankets Whistler Blackcomb January 4-13, 2008

ARC'TERYX presents 2nd Annual Deep Winter Photo Challenge at Fairmont Chateau Whistler January 5

In Whistler January is a sacred month for locals and snow chasers alike.  Whistler Blackcomb has partnered with GORE-TEX to present the Deep Winter Experience, a week-long celebration of Whistler Blackcomb's storm season and the hearty skiers and snowboarders who embrace it.  The crown jewel of the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience is the 2nd Annual Deep Winter Photo Challenge presented by ARC'TERYX on Saturday, January 5. 

The Photo Challenge will feature slideshows of images captured over three days on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains from six well-known photographers. Competing this season are: Whistler ski photography legend and defender of the title 'King of Storms,' Paul Morrison; long-time Whistler snowboard photographer, Dano Pendygrasse; Seattle-based up and comer, Ian Coble; photo editor of the Ski Journal, Grant Gunderson; photographer of Skier Magazine's first self-portrait cover, Jordan Manley; and a snowboard photographer that works with over fifteen snowboard titles worldwide, Phil Tifo.  The six will compete for $4,500 in prize money plus gear from ARC'TERYX designed for chasing the storm.

The slideshow will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and will be followed by a party to mix and mingle with the photographers and athletes. Doors open at 7pm for a pre-show reception with the slideshow beginning at 8pm. Tickets for the slideshow and after-party are $10 and can be purchased at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations locations, the ARC'TERYX Factory Store in Vancouver, or by calling 1-800-766-0449.  All proceeds will go towards the Whistler Blackcomb Environmental Fund.

Chasing the Storm: A GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience takes place on Friday, January 4 and is another event not to be missed.  Jim Roemer of Bestskiweather.com will be at Millennium Place to talk snow, forecasting for the layman and what La Nina means for Whistler Blackcomb.  This event starts at 8pm and entry is a $5 donation to the Whistler Blackcomb Environmental Fund.

Other featured events of the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience include:

  • On-mountain Environmental Information Session, January 5, 11am - Meet at the bottom of Symphony Chair on Whistler and be inspired to take positive action towards environmental stewardship.
  • Avalanche Awareness Tours, January 9-13 8:45am – Join a complimentary tour at the Blackcomb Daylodge.
  • GORE-TEX Coat Drive: 20 per cent off any GORE-TEX jacket purchase between January 5th-13 by donating a jacket for charity. Discount and drop boxes available at: The North Face Store, Showcase Snowboards, Glacier Shop, CAN-SKI Village.
  • Backcountry Tours with Whistler Alpine Guides, January 4-13 - Join a professional guide for a day of fresh powder, exercise and serious vertical. To register visit Escape Route or Guest Services located in Whistler Village or call (604) 938-9242.
  • Extremely Canadian Deep Winter Experiences, January 4-13 - Clinics including Steep Skiing and Extremely Canadian & Whistler Heli Skiing excursions. Visit www.extremelycanadian.com or call Ski School Sales on 1.800.766.0449 for more information & registration details.

 Information about the Deep Winter Photo Challenge can be found at www.deepwinterphoto.com.  For more information on the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience line-up of events please visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/deepwinter.

One hundred and forty million years ago a creature struggled to escape the hostile horizontal world. It became lean and strong and developed into a magnificent climber. Then driven by success and the gears of evolution, it developed the feather ... and down climbing became a thing of the past. At ARC'TERYX®, our central purpose is to build the best product possible. We don't focus on incremental advancements, but on radically improving the status quo. Our designers strive not to outshine the competition, but to challenge assumptions about how outdoor products should be built. We have created groundbreaking construction technology, developed paradigm-shifting designs, and introduced major fabric technology. The resulting deluge of recognition, and mimicry, has cemented our reputation at the pinnacle of the outdoor world. Driven by evolution in action, we work passionately to advance performance in the outdoors. www.arcteryx.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 introduced the Symphony Express, a new high speed quad accessing further into Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine this 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.

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