Whistler 07/08 Ski Season Weeks Away
October 30, 2007
The Whistler ski season is due to start on November 22, 2007. Yup, that is a mere 3 weeks away! It's been rainy, cold, dark in Whistler. Perfect Halloween weather really. It's also great weather to build a nice, fluffy white base of snow on top of our mountains here in the Coast Mountain range.
We sent out an email blast to some of our past customers letting them know about our Early Bird booking specials. If you decide to come to Whistler and book before November 15, 2007 you save up to 20% on your accommodations at some of the nicest Whistler accommodations.
Want to check out the construction of the new Peak to Peak gondola? Click on our
Whistler webcam link to check out the cranes in action.
Everyone is getting really excited to get out and rip up some fresh snow!
Win a Free Whistler Weekend Contest
October 17, 2007
How does a FREE weekend in Whistler sound. 3 nights at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and 2 days of lifts and rentals for 2 adults. Hmm...sounds pretty good to me! But, I can't win. We've partnered with Wild Horse Canyon wines to give this prize package away. You have to hurry though. The contest is open until October 27, 2007. You can use your weekend anytime during the season with the exception of Christmas and Presidents Week. Remember, if you want to come on a specific weekend, for an anniversary for example, please give Ski Whistler lots of lead time. We have to make sure the Delta Suites will have room for you on that date!
Some other things you need to know. You must be a resident of British Columbia. You must be of legal drinking age - that's 19 here in British Columbia. No purchase is necessary, but I highly recommend you try the Wild Horse Canyon Merlot. It's tasty and a great value. What makes Wild Horse Canyon unique you ask? Well, the wine is named after the wild horses that are still found in California, Washington and British Columbia. And the wine maker works with the best from British Columbia, Washington and California to craft the wines. Each region is selected because of its soils, climate and attributes. The results are balanced, fruit-forward wines: lush robust reds, and clean refreshing whites.
So, make sure to ENTER THE CONTEST! Remember, you can't win if you don't play!
Good Luck.
Vancouver 2010 Tickets on Sale October 11, 2008
October 12, 2007
We are one year away from the sale of Vancouver Olympics tickets. While there has been considerable effort to keep prices under control, the cost for premium seats at gala events is hefty.
Opening ceremonies - $1,100; Men's final hockey game - $750; Figure skating final - $450.
I'll be saving my pennies for the Men's downhill. Although, maybe I'll have to work an angle and get on the course somehow.
Crews have been working heavily on Whistler Mountain to get the Women's course ready. In the past, in places like Lake Placid, Sarejavo, and Calgary the courses have been a let down. Not so here! The women's course will be one of the toughest on the circuit and the men's is already a classic - one of the best in the world.
The real question is, where are the Giant Slalom races going to be held? All skiing takes place on Whistler Mountain. I believe all events will finish at the newly revamped Creekside Village. You know what that means. Hello Dusty's!
The weather continues to be cool and wet for the most part here. The high alpine snowpack is looking promising for this time of year. The Turkey Sale was a huge success. Now we wait...but not for long. 53 days to be exact.
Time to get into ski shape!
2007 Whistler Film Festival
October 10, 2007
There are some cool events in Whistler. We've got the TELUS ski and snowboard festival, Cornucopia for wine lovers, Big Air events, World Cup ski and snowboard events and the grand-daddy of them all, the Olympics, are coming to town in 2010.
But, my favorite event of all is the Film Festival. It marks the beginning of the ski season, running from November 29-December 2, 2007 and kicks off with a fantastic gala event. Then we have a great selection of outdoor, indie and Oscar hopefuls on the big screen.
Last year I was lucky enough to be a guest coach with a celebrity fundraiser event. What a blast! The event was a match-your-time format and our team, a bunch of ex and current ski bums, somehow won the event edging team Whistler Blackcomb featuring Mike Douglas.
How can you take advantage of this event you ask? Ski Whistler is offering a luxurious Whistler ski package combining 4 nights accommodation, a $500 gift certificate, 3 days of lift tickets and a Whistler Film Festival Gold Pass Labels: Whistler Film Festival
Something Completely Different
October 06, 2007
Farewell to Whistler Celebrity
October 05, 2007
Last night saw a send off for one of Whistler's most beloved skiers, Joe Lammers. The event saw one of the biggest single groups I have seen at Sushi Vallage devouring sushi, beer, sake and the famous saki margs. Then the festivities moved on to the GLC for a few more beverages and general good times.
Joe is off to Revelstoke. He's not the first Whistlerite to make the move to that part of the world. Paul 'Bones' Skelton, former mountain manager of both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, has been there for years. It promises to turn into one bis-ass ski hill when all is said and done.
Best wishes Joe!
On a side note. A very interesting artice was published in a local paper this week. It details what can happen when one man is given too much power and allowed to make quick decisions in an effort to streamline and deliver IOC excellence. Here is the link - Alta states. This is a scathing article written by Michel Beaudry about the invisible decision making process in Whistler Resort right now.
Here's an excerpt:
'That’s why, Nicolas admitted, he was totally flummoxed by his reception at Whistler. 'I checked with my friends at the IOC, and they told me exactly which guy I should speak with, he said. 'And at first he seemed receptive… then something changed.''
AND
'Hello Nicolas,
Upon further reflection, and in the interest of ensuring that you do not incur any unnecessary travel costs, this is to advise you that there is NO POSSIBILITY of hosting an Association of Freeriding Professionals event in Whistler anytime prior to the 2010/2011 season. Even then, an extensive review will be required before consideration will be given to hosting an AFP event in Whistler.
This decision reflects input from both the Resort Municipality of Whistler (the local government) and Whistler/Blackcomb, and was reached after a review of the demands that will be placed on Whistler over the next 3 years as we prepare for, and ultimately host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
On behalf of the Municipality and Whistler/Blackcomb, thank you for your interest in Whistler, and for your understanding of our joint decision. Best wishes in all your endeavours.
Sincerely,
John Rae
PS: cc'd are Stuart Rempel, W/B Senior Vice President Sales &Marketing; Peter 'YP' Young, W/B Events Manager; Jim Godfrey, RMOW Executive Director Whistler 2010. '
Now, I've worked with John Rae, YP and met Michel during a free ski comp and Stuart Rempel on numerous occasions.
I hope these guys take some heat for this! Chances are slim but I applaud Mr. Beaudry efforts.
What's the bottom line? The WB events department will not be looking to increase their workload until 2011.
That's all for now!
Think snow...lots of snow!
Whistler Rated Top North American Ski Destination
October 03, 2007
Depending upon which magazine you read, Whistler is either the top rated, or third highest rated ski resort in North America.
According to SkiNet.com Skiing Magazine rated Whistler as the top place to visit while SKI magazine rated it number three behind Deer Valley and Vail. Either way, for the past decade Whistler Resort has proven itself to be one of the big boys in the ski destination category.
I have no comment from either Tourism Whistler or Whistler Blackcomb but I'm sure they will issue something soon.
One thing is for sure. As someone who lives in Whistler, it has been cold and wet the past week and we have snow down to mid-station already. Will it stay? Not bloody likely. However, we had a cool summer on the heels of a great season so the snow pack in the alpine is building nicely.
We also have the annual Turkey Sale this weekend. If you live in Seattle you may want to get your butt up here for some great deals and a turkey dinner. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving almost two months before our American friends. By the time you're celebrating Thanksgiving (which is a much larger event in the US than up here) the ski season will be officially launched.
So, First, Second, Third. I guess it depends on what you're into. Keep your eyes posted on our Whistler Mountain Web cam for snow reports!
Enjoy the rest of the fall. We're already counting the number of weeks, not months, before the season starts. Labels: Resort Rankings, Ski Magazine, Skiing Magazine, Whistler Resort
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