Winter Weather Upstage Arrival Of Spring

WHISTLER, Canada, March 21, 2005 - Spring has officially arrived according to the calendar, but an intense Pacific frontal system that brought 86 centimetres of snow to the mountains over the last week and 57 centimetres in the last 48 hours, heralds the return of winter to Whistler Blackcomb.

"The new snow has enabled us to open up an incredible amount of terrain with great powder conditions. We have moved from 50 per cent of our terrain open to 85 per cent," says Bob DuFour, Vice President, Mountain Operations. "Guests taking their spring break here at Whistler Blackcomb will have more than 6,900 acres to tear into with some of the best conditions weâ??ve seen all season."

The base of snow as measured at the Pig Alley Weather Plot, at 1650 metres on Whistler Mountain, is 190 centimetres or 76 inches. Reopened terrain includes the Blackcomb Glacier Zone and conditions in the Flute Bowl, 700 acres of backcountry style skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain, are epic.

"This new snow has made an incredible difference on the mountains and allows operations to move with confidence into the spring season," says DuFour. "The spring skiing and riding will be excellent and with the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival coming up from April 8-17, Whistler Blackcomb will be the place to be."

In what has been called British Columbiaâ??s most challenging ski season in decades, Whistler Blackcomb has weathered the "Pineapple Express," an unusual weather system that brought heavy precipitation and unseasonably warm temperatures in January, as well as sunny, dry weather in February and the first half of March. Despite challenges thrown by Mother Nature, Whistler Blackcombâ??s mountains remained open thanks to outstanding efforts in the snowmaking and grooming departments.

For further information on Whistler Blackcomb, including special accommodation package prices, log on to whistlerblackcomb.com or call 1-866-218-9690.