Whistler Blackcomb Named Top Resort In North America By OnTheSnow.com Reader Poll

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB NAMED TOP RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA BY ONTHESNOW.COM READER POLL

WHISTLER, BC, May 4, 2010 – Whistler Blackcomb has achieved the top spot as North America’s Favourite Resort in the annual Visitor’s Choice awards. Onthesnow.com is the most visited snow sports website and the Visitor’s Choice Awards are based on guest feedback.

Onthesnow.com, which attracts an audited 2.3 million individuals monthly during the winter, gave visitors the opportunity to write reviews of all North American resorts as well as rank them in five categories; favourite resort, best nightlife, most family friendly, best downhill terrain and best terrain park. Whistler Blackcomb received top honours as North America’s Favourite Resort for the second time in the past three seasons. The ratings were based primarily on readers' average ranking, number of reviews, and specific comments made in OnTheSnow.com over the winter season.

“We are thrilled with this accolade,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior VP of Marketing and Sales for Whistler Blackcomb. “The reviews posted to Onthesnow.com really speak to the total mountain experience that Whistler Blackcomb offers. This past year was incredible having our second snowiest season and hosting the world in February and March during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. With the awareness generated by the Games we are looking forward to sharing this unbelievable place with even more guests next season while continuing to deliver the incredible experience guests know and love us for.”

"User-generated content is a very powerful and effective way Web visitors have to communicate with each other," says Mountain News President and Publisher Rob Brown, whose company publishes OnTheSnow.com. "Skiers and snowboarders are relying on the word of their peers when they make resort choices."

Reviewers were clear in their comments: "Spent two weeks in Whistler prior to the Olympics, and what a two weeks it was. Whistler Blackcomb is simply the standard that all other resorts should judge themselves. Everything here is set up perfectly, helpful/friendly people, amazing food, incredible snow and terrain." said one reviewer. “What can be said about one of the most famous ski resorts in the world? It's got everything - a booming village, LOTS of terrain for every level, world-class views, and Canadian hospitality. With over 8,000 acres going down a vertical mile, you can stay here for two weeks and still feel like you're riding a different mountain each day.” Wrote another.

To plan a trip, in winter or summer, to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America, visit whistlerblackcomb.com. Packages this summer start at $53 per person per night.

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 the best deals of the season guaranteed before November 15, 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 interests in 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. In addition, Intrawest markets and sells real estate at its resorts in North America and at other third-party locations around the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a portfolio company owned primarily by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com