ARC’TERYX DEEP WINTER PHOTO CHALLENGE CAPTURES WHITE GOLD ON THE BIG SCREEN JANUARY 7, 2010

GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience Jan. 4 – 10 celebrates storm season with avalanche tours, ski and snowboard camps and great discounts.

WHISTLER, BC, December 10, 2009 – January storms at Whistler Blackcomb can only mean one thing: deep powder days. The fourth annual ARC’TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge, January 7, 2010, pays homage to storm season and the determined skiers and riders who head out into the elements on the ultimate quest for white gold. This year, the event is moving to the larger MacDonald Ballroom at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which has a capacity of 1,000.

The Photo Challenge is the pinnacle event of the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience, which runs January 4 to 10, 2010 featuring avalanche tours, ski and snowboard clinics and discounts on GORE-TEX gear.

During the Deep Winter Photo Challenge, five professional photographers shoot in-bounds at Whistler Blackcomb for three days, capturing athletes in their natural mountain habitat of powder filled bowls, deep pow trees, and après bars. This year’s contenders are: Jordan Manley, who is defending his two-time Deep Winter crown; Paul Morrison, who won the first ever photo challenge back in 2007; snowboard photographer and the first ever female competitor, Ashley Barker; veteran snowboard photographer and DC Snowboarding shooter Colin Adair; and up and coming ski photographer, Nicolas Teichrob. Their edited slideshows are played in front of a live audience and judged by a panel of industry professionals. A prize purse of $6,000 and the title of “King of Storms” is up for grabs.

“Deep Winter is a great way of generating images that you wouldn’t otherwise get because it forces you to be creative. I just find the competition format is fun and the atmosphere is great. No one takes it too seriously,” says Manley, who is heading into his third Deep Winter. “I’m just going to do what I’ve done the last two years. Once again, I’ll be working with athletes Chad Sayers and Dave Short. They always contribute their own creative vision, which is important because it’s not just about the photographer, it’s about the team.”

Tickets for the ARC’TERYX Deep Winter Photo Challenge are now on sale, and are available at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations location or by calling 1-800-766-0449. Doors are at 7pm and the slideshow starts at 8pm with opportunities to mix and mingle over drinks in the Fairmont Chateau’s Mallard Lounge before and after the event.

“We’ve proudly supported the Deep Winter Festival since its inception in 2007,” says Tom Duguid, Director of Brand Marketing for ARC’TERYX. “As a company that values innovation and creativity, we’re constantly blown away by the presentations created by the sleep-deprived photographers who knock themselves out on the mountain and behind the lens - and knock us out on the big screen. I’m betting this year’s Deep Winter will raise the bar even higher – if that’s even possible.”

Storm season is already off to a great start after November was heralded the snowiest month ever recorded at Whistler Blackcomb, and there’s no better way to celebrate than taking part in the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience.

Guests who want to celebrate storm season can book a three-night, two-day ski & stay package for just $115 per person per night and will receive one bonus single day lift ticket per person. Visit http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/pregames or call 1.888.403.4727 for more information.

Other featured events of the GORE-TEX Deep Winter Experience include:

EXTREMELY CANADIAN DEEP WINTER CLINICS: January 7- 8; 9-10

This is not your average clinic. Whistler’s finest ski pros, with their extensive knowledge of Whistler and Blackcomb’s best off-piste terrain, will guide guests through some of North America’s wildest in-bounds terrain.Visit http://www.extremelycanadian.com or call Ski School Sales at 1.800.766.0449 for more information and registration details.

AVALANCHE AWARENESS TOURS: Whistler: January 5 & 10; Blackcomb: January 7 & 9

Free Avalanche Awareness Tours are jointly run by the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the Whistler Sports Injury Prevention Program.

Blackcomb Tours: Please register in advance through the Blackcomb Daylodge Guest Relations desk or call 604.938.7759. Meet at 8:45am at the Blackcomb Daylodge. Whistler Tours: No deposit or pre-registration required. Meet at the Guest Communication Centre in the Roundhouse Lodge at 10:30am.

25% Off All GORE-TEX Outerwear Jackets: January 4-10

Purchase a GORE-TEX Jacket at the following Whistler Blackcomb retail stores and receive 25% OFF.

Valid at CanSki, Showcase, Glacier Shop and Whistler Heli.

*Not valid on sale items or in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.

25% Off All GORE-TEX Gloves when you purchase a GORE-TEX Jacket: January 4-10

At the following Whistler Blackcomb retail stores from Jan. 4-10. Valid at CanSki, Showcase, Glacier Shop and Whistler Heli-Skiing.

*Not valid on sale items or in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.

WINTER PURINA INCREDIBLE DOG CHALLENGE: January 8-9

Showcasing some of the best performance dogs in the world, the Winter Purina Incredible Dog Challenge features competitions in Avalanche Rescue, Ski Joring Agility, Head-to-Head 60 Weave Pole Racing and Freestyle Flying Disc. All events are open to the public.

Visit http://www.whistler.com/purina_challenge/ for a full schedule of events, including the avalanche rescue events on Whistler Mountain.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb gets ready to welcome 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 http://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. In addition, Intrawest markets and sells real estate at its resorts in North America. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit http://www.intrawest.com