April Blizzard Keeps Spring at Bay in Whistler
New snow, 221-centimetre base and clearing skies create ultimate conditions as resort preps for TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival kick-off this Friday
The calendar says spring, but Mother Nature made a decidedly winter-like statement this morning as the resort awoke to fresh snow in the valley and on the mountains. Whistler Blackcomb recorded 16 centimetres or 6 inches of snowfall in the last 24-hours, and the snow base currently sits at 221 cms or 86 inches. With 8,171 acres of skiing and riding available over 5,280 vertical feet, Whistler Blackcomb is enjoying some epic conditions just in time to kick off the highly-anticipated TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival this Friday.
“Whistler Blackcomb is renowned for its spring conditions and this year is no exception as we’ve seen close to three metres of snow fall in the past six weeks,” says Bob Dufour, vice president of operations for the resort. “The terrain parks, high alpine chutes and bowls, as well as the groomed terrain are all in excellent condition thanks to the winter weather and the great work of our Mountain Operations crews. Plus, the ski-outs to the valley are in great shape, which is a bonus for this time of year. Guests are having an awesome time out there today!”
Whistler Blackcomb has received 281 cms or 111 inches of snow since March 1. The forecast is calling for clearing skies throughout this week, with the promise of more snow in the long range forecast for Friday.
And what better way to celebrate “spring” in Whistler than at the annual TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival. In its 14th year, the Festival is set to raise the energy level in the resort several notches when it kicks-off this Friday. For 10 days and nights the Festival will rock the resort with ski and snowboard competitions including the Orage Masters, World Skiing Invitational and the Grenade Games, free concerts at the Zune Concert Series each afternoon in Skiers Plaza, and countless evening events and parties including the legendary Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown.
Great deals are available throughout the Festival starting from $74 CAD per person per night for a lift and lodging package or $99 for a hotel room only. To book accommodation and packages, review the latest snow conditions, or check out what’s on at the Festival visit
www.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. With the landmark Peak to Peak Gondola project underway, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre, and a host of other on-mountain improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet. 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.
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
-30-
Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
MEDIA NOTE: Whistler Blackcomb is pleased to provide high resolution photographs available for editorial use, downloadable at the following link
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/photo/index.htm
