Winter Still Going Strong At Whistler Blackcomb With 60cm of New Snow in 48 Hours

WINTER STILL GOING STRONG AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB WITH 60 CM OF NEW SNOW IN 48 HOURS
Third snowiest season on record with 1346 cm or 44 feet and counting

WHISTLER, BC, March 30, 2010 – Winter is far from over at Whistler Blackcomb after a powerful March storm dumped 60cm/23 inches of snow in the last 48 hours, priming the slopes for an epic Easter long weekend of skiing and riding. The 2009.2010 season has become Whistler Blackcomb’s third snowiest winter on record with over 1,346 cm or 44 feet. The second snowiest season is only slightly higher with 1,416cm/46.5 feet of snow.

“Our snow base is more than 350cm/11.5 feet and conditions could not be better for this time of year. The snowpack is deeper than normal and we’ve received plenty of fresh snow with this recent storm,” says Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Manager. “All of this snow sets us up really well for winter-like conditions this long weekend. We’re also looking at a great base for spring skiing, which will continue through to May 24.”

With freezing levels remaining relatively low throughout the week, skiers and riders will experience mid-winter conditions. Nearly 100 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb terrain is now open - including the men’s Olympic course, the Dave Murray Downhill. Crews are gearing up to open the Women’s Olympic Downhill course in time for the Easter long weekend. Day skier parking operations and lift access have also returned to normal.

Skiing and riding is available at Whistler Blackcomb to May 24. With the Easter long weekend ahead, there are plenty of great lift tickets and lodging deals to be had. Deals and packages are always available at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Whistler Blackcomb would like to remind guest to place safe this week. For the latest avalanche advisory information, please call 604.938.7676. Visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mobile on your smart phone for live status updates on snow conditions, temperatures, and lift status.

The hefty snowpack is a great incentive to take advantage of “frozen” early bird Season Pass and EDGE Card prices. Guests who purchase next winter’s Unlimited Season Pass before April 30, 2010 can add on unlimited skiing for the rest of this season (April 1 to May 24, 2010) for only $39. Meanwhile, Canadian and Washington State residents who take advantage of the price freeze on five and 10 day EDGE Cards for the 2010.2011 season can purchase unlimited 2010 spring skiing for only $89.

This has been an epic season, but it’s not over yet. Whistler is still looking forward to the ultimate after-party, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The high-energy event, which runs April 16-25, 2010, combines music, arts, mountain culture and snow sports,

About Whistler Blackcomb
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb welcomes the world in 2010 as a host venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. With uninterrupted skiing, riding and sightseeing available throughout the winter, season two of the highly acclaimed PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, and great package deals offered throughout the season, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver, Canada up the spectacular, newly-finished Sea to Sky Highway, this resort is home to Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, which boast one vertical mile of incredible skiing and riding. 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, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a leader in the development and management of experiential destination resorts. The Company has a network of resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com