WHISTLER, BC, January 15, 2008 – Digging your car out of the snow in Whistler Village is a small price to pay for serious powder on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Whistler Blackcomb has already surpassed its average snowfall for January, while great early season conditions and dreams of a white Christmas were realized with above average snowfall during November and December.

Recent weeks on Whistler Blackcomb have been characterized by heavy snowfall and face shots leading to many happy powder smiles. As of today, the snow base is 244cm (96 inches). Whistler Blackcomb surpassed its monthly average of 207cm (81 inches) today, having received 209cm (82 inches) since New Year’s Day. Whistler Blackcomb received 162cm (64 inches) of snow in November, beating average snowfall for the month of 148 cm (58 inches), while a series of heavy storms dumped 260cm (102 inches) of snow in December, again beating the monthly average of 220cm (87 inches).

“The skiing has been fantastic at Whistler Blackcomb, thanks to many storms that dumped on our mountains,” says Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb’s Senior VP of Marketing and Sales. “Every day it seemed like we were waking up to a winter wonderland in the village and a skiers dream on the slopes. So far, we’ve had some amazing powder days, and with more than four more months to go in the season, we can look forward to more plenty more epic skiing and riding.”

Whistler Blackcomb’s average annual snowfall is 1,022 cm (33.5 feet), however 2006/2007 season was the second snowiest year on record with 1,416 cm (46.5 feet). This season, Whistler Blackcomb has received 631 cm (20.7 feet) of snow.

Skiers and riders can get their much-needed dose of Vitamin D over the next few days with the Environment Canada Alpine Forecast calling for sunshine.

Whistler Blackcomb’s regular season runs until June 8, and with the outstanding early season snowfall, spring skiing will be fantastic. Glacier Skiing runs June 9 to July 27.