Summer Activities Gear Up At Whistler-Blackcomb

SUMMER ACTIVITIES GEAR UP AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Alpine Tubing, Glacier Skiing/Riding, Sightseeing, Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone

WHISTLER, BC, May 30, 2011 – Winter operations may be wrapping up at Whistler Blackcomb but the summer season is just getting started. With a wide variety of activities available both on and off the mountains, summer opens up a whole new world of possibilities at Whistler Blackcomb.

“As we transition from winter to summer, it is an exciting time to experience Whistler Blackcomb’s snowy alpine experience,” says Rob McSkimming, Vice President of Business Development at Whistler Blackcomb. “With North America’s only summer tube park, glacier skiing and riding beginning June 18 and sightseeing, guests will be certain to have an unforgettable experience”.

2010.2011 has officially been named the second snowiest season ever at Whistler Blackcomb and with Mother Nature off to a slow start this spring, a winter wonderland awaits up in the alpine.

Alpine Tube Park
Due to a high late season snowpack, Whistler Blackcomb will be opening a summer tube park in the Whistler alpine for the second year in a row. Guests heading up the mountain will be able experience the thrill of sliding on snow for as long as the snowpack allows. The Coca Cola Summer Tube Park will open on May 28 and will consist of three lanes located at the top of the Whistler Village Gondola near the Whistler PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Terminal. Tickets are $5 for unlimited runs and are available at the Roundhouse Traders desk in the Roundhouse Lodge.

Horstman Glacier Skiing/Riding
For those who cannot wait until next winter season, the Horstman Glacier will be open for summer skiing/riding June 18 to July 24 from 12pm to 3pm daily. The conditions are expected to be excellent on the glacier this year after terrific late season snowfall. The glacier experience is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders and offers the opportunity for guests to improve their jump and freestyle skills. A number of ski and snowboard camps will also use the Horstman Glacier during the summer months and will have Olympic champions and the hottest pros in the industry as coaches. Upload to the glacier begins at 11am from the base of Blackcomb Mountain via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Chairs to the Rendezvous. Guests can then take a shuttle bus to the 7th Heaven Express Chair which takes them to the top of Blackcomb Mountain. Sightseers are also welcome to check out the glacier by following the same upload route. Lunch and great views are available at the Horstman Hut.

Alpine Hiking and Sightseeing
Alpine hiking and sightseeing at Whistler Blackcomb during the summer months begins by uploading the Whistler Village Gondola or the Wizard Express open chair lift at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. A 30 minute journey brings guests to the top of the mountain where vistas and great photo opportunities are never in short supply. From there guests can experience the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola which spans the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and offers a breathtaking 4.4 kilometer journey over the Fitzsimmons Valley. While connecting the incredible high alpine terrain of both mountains, the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola provides access to over 50 kilometres of hiking and walking spread over 18 trails (12 on Whistler and six on Blackcomb) which offer views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. As Whistler Blackcomb transitions into summer after the second snowiest season on record, there is still a lot of snow in the alpine, so hiking trails will open as the snowpack allows.

Lunch at Christine’s
Christine’s in the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain will be open for lunch from June 18 to September 5 and is Whistler Blackcomb’s signature full service alpine restaurant during the summer months. The menu at Christine’s specializes in mountain comfort dishes designed to showcase fresh local ingredients and features an excellent selection of BC wines. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 604-938-7437.

Mountain Top BBQs
From June 24 to September 4 the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain hosts Mountain Top Dining every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The menu includes Whole Hog Fridays, Prime Rib & Slow Smoked BBQ Saturdays and Pacific Seafood Grill Sundays. Dinners will be served buffet style and will include fresh salads and delicious deserts to accompany the mouth-watering BBQ. Tickets can be purchased by visiting Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations or by calling 1-800-766-0449.

BC Winemaker’s Dinners
Due to the popularity of the Winemaker’s Après Series during the winter months, for the first time ever Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting BC Winemaker’s Dinners in the Roundhouse Lodge this summer. On three select evenings only, BC’s best wines will be paired with culinary delights from Steeps Grill and Wine Bar for the ultimate alpine dining experience. Dates for the Winemaker’s Dinners include Inniskillin Okanagan winery on July 2, Nk’Mip Cellars Winery on August 12 and See Ya Later Ranch Winery on September 3.

Upcoming Summer Events

• Billabong Ante Up: This five star Ticket to Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour event is back at Whistler Blackcomb back for its second year in a row on July 1. Ante Up will take place at the top of Whistler Mountain and is the marquee event for the TTR World Snowboard Tour for the 2011-2012 season. It is also a qualifying event for the 6Star Billabong Innsbruck Air and Style event that will take place in February 2012. More information: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/2011-07/index.htm

• Warrior Dash: On August 6 the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes will take place on Blackcomb Mountain. Warrior Dash is a 3-5 kilometer race where participants will take on intense obstacles, and celebrate their achievement with music, beer, and muddy shorts. More information: http://www.warriordash.com

• Kokanee Crankworx: Kokanee Crankworx is the most prestigious showcase of amateur and professional freeride mountain biking in the world. Hitting Whistler July 15 to 24 this year, the festival will include outdoor expos, demo centres and live music. and all events are spectator friendly and great to watch. More information: http://www.crankworx.com

• BBQ Championships: Local legends and world champions alike will gather at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ in Creekside July 29 to 31 to compete in the Whistler BBQ Championships. This event is the highlight of the Pacific Northwest’s competitive BBQ circuit and will feature great samples, live music and cooking demonstrations. Guests can also purchase the $5 Visitors Pass which provides access to sampling priority from the competitors and access to the Coca Cola Sampling Booth. More information: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/bbqchamps/index.htm?aheading=0

• 5 Peaks: On August 20 runners from all over BC will descend on Whistler Mountain to experience the ultimate off-road challenge. The course will take competitors over rocks, roots, tree stumps and logs, up ski hills and hiking trails and through puddles, mud and snow. More information: http://www.5peaks.com

Adventure Zone at Blackcomb Base
The Adventure Zone in the Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb offers a variety of activities fun for the whole family. The Adventure Zone will be open June 18 to September 5 from 10am to 6pm daily and until 8pm on Saturdays. A short walk from Whistler Village, the Adventure Zone features activates such as the Little Mountain Golf Centre, the Westcoaster Luge, Blackcomb Horse and Pony Trail Rides, The Core Climbing Wall, Batter-Up Batting Cage, Hot Wheelz Go Carts, a Balloon Slide and a Bouncy Castle.

Farmer’s Markets
Beginning June 19 the Whistler Farmer’s Market will come to the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village every Sunday and Wednesday. The market is open from 11am to 4pm and features a variety of locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, arts, crafts and jewellery created by local Whistler artisans.

Deals and Packages
To plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America this summer, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com or call 1-888-403-4727. 3 night/2 day lift and lodging packages available from $44 per person per night when booked before June 30.

About Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, over 8,000 acres of terrain, 14 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,090 centimetres (430 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. For more information, visit whistlerblackcomb.com.