Heavy Snowfall Hammers Whistler Blackcomb With 70 Centimeters (28 Inches) Falling in 24 Hours

HEAVY SNOWFALL HAMMERS WHISTLER BLACKCOMB WITH 70 CENTIMETRES / 28 INCHES FALLING IN 24 HOURS
Snowbase reaches 297 centimetres or 9.7 feet; well over a metre/47 inches of snow has fallen in the past seven days.

WHISTLER, BC, January 15, 2010 – The latest storm to hit Whistler Blackcomb has dumped a whopping 70 centimetres or 28 inches in 24 hours, immersing the resort in deep winter conditions. Although the heavy snow and high winds prevented a number of lifts from opening today, the forecast for clearer skies this afternoon and tomorrow bodes well for weekend skiers and riders.

“Even with all the snow this year, this latest storm was one of the most intense storms we’ve dealt with in a long time,” says Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain manager. “Ski Patrol has been conducting extensive avalanche control work, and Operations crews have been working throughout the night and day digging out. For those guests who endured the storm, the rewards were plentiful as there were many fresh tracks to be had. We would have loved to have opened up more terrain today; with the avalanche control work we can get done tonight and tomorrow morning, Saturday will be epic.”

The snowbase is on the verge of reaching three metres or 9.8 feet. With the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games now less than a month away, the resort is primed ready to welcome the world to its snowy slopes.

The five-day forecast is calling for a mix of sun and clouds tomorrow, followed by another strong frontal system that will approach the region late Saturday bringing 20 to 40 centimetres or eight to 15 inches of snow to the resort.

With all this new snow, the choice of whether to ski Whistler or Banff this January is clear. Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome is asking people to make that decision for him before he travels to one of the resorts later this month. To send the Gnome to Whistler, visit www.facebook.com/travelocity to vote.

Great accommodation deals are currently available at whistlerblackcomb.com right through early February, then following the Olympic Games in March. With nearly three-metres of base and over 8,000 acres of ski and snowboard terrain to explore, there is no better time to visit Whistler Blackcomb.

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 2 PEAK Gondola opening December 12, 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, Canada up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast one vertical mile of incredible skiing. With over 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, 200 trails, and 8,171 acres of skiable terrain, 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 award-winning après bars, restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four-season resort is spectacular. For more information www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest ULC
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in ten 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 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