Whistler celebrates early season with snow in the alpine ...

 Whistler celebrates early season with snow in the alpine and a four-star lineup of world-class winter events

Whistler, B.C. – The forces of nature and man have aligned at Whistler Blackcomb with La Nina, low freezing levels and increased snowmaking capabilities combining to bring snow and an early start to the winter season.

Mother Nature is hard at work and with a little help from Whistler Blackcomb’s extensive snowmaking operations, the resort is reaping the benefits with 34 centimetres (13 inches) of snow falling in the last 24 hours, creating an impressive alpine base of 90 centimetres (35 inches).

Resort officials announced Friday that Whistler Mountain will open six days earlier than originally scheduled, on Friday November 19. With access from the Creekside Gondola and the Whistler Village Gondola, skiing and riding will be available from Emerald Express, Big Red Express and Franz Chair. Detailed information regarding terrain and services available opening weekend will be announced Thursday, November 18. Early season conditions apply. Blackcomb Mountain will open on Thursday, November 25.

Starting Monday, the resort's Snow Report will be updated daily, online or by calling 604-932-4211 in Whistler, 604-687-7507 in Vancouver or toll-free at 1-800-766-0449. Visit www.whistler.com for up-to-date weather forecasts, event calendars and to book your winter package.

In addition to the early start to the winter season, Whistler is celebrating the return of some of the world’s top bobsleigh and skeleton athletes to the Whistler Sliding Centre.

After enjoying the early season snow on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, guests can spend the late afternoon and early evening watching World Cup athletes in action at the Whistler Sliding Centre as the resort hosts the VIESSMANN FIBT World Cup Bobsleigh and Skeleton events. Presented by VISA, the World Cup events take place November 25, 26 and 27, welcoming back Canadian 2010 Olympic gold medalists Jon Montgomery and Kaillie Humphries, silver medalist Helen Upperton, bronze medalist Lyndon Rush as well as Mellisa Hollingsworth – the first Canadian to ever win an Olympic medal in the sport of skeleton. This Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup competition is the first post-Winter Games event to be held at this venue.

The events begin on November 25 with the women’s skeleton competition from 3-6 p.m. followed by the women’s bobsleigh from 6-9 p.m. On November 26, the men’s skeleton takes place from 3-6 p.m. followed by the men’s two-man bobsleigh event, from 6-9 p.m. On November 27, the men’s four-man bobsleigh event runs from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and are only $10 per person, per day; children under 6 can attend free of charge, however tickets are necessary. For information and tickets visit www.whistler.com/events/worldcup_fibt/

The acclaimed Bearfoot Bistro hosts the Champagne on Ice VIP lounge. For $400 CAD per person, guests can indulge in the package which provides the perfect location for cheering on athletes in comfort and style and the opportunity to meet Olympians and World Cup champions. With a direct view of Thunderbird Corner and perfect sights of the finish line, the heated VIP lounge reflects the Bearfoot Bistro’s legendary hospitality. Exclusive concierge services, a bottle of Moet & Chandon or Belvedere vodka at your table each day and a warming cheese fondue in addition to the Bearfoot Bistro-catered bar and menu options (for purchase), the VIP lounge also include a three-course tasting at the Bearfoot Bistro created by award-winning Executive Chef Melissa Craig, on one evening during the competition. To book the Bearfoot Bistro VIP lounge package, contact the restaurant atinfo@bearfootbistro.com or visit www.bearfootbistro.com/worldcup/ for more information.

Opening weekend also brings to Whistler the annual Bizarre Bazaar – Whistler’s original artisan market, featuring more than 100 artisans from the Sea to Sky Corridor, Lower Mainland and beyond. The 22^nd annual holiday craft fair showcases ceramics, clothing, fine art, wood, glass, metal work, jewelry, leather, candles and aromatherapy products and holiday decorations. Bizarre Bazaar runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 26 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 27.

Early season room rates are available with hotel rooms starting at $109 CAD per night. Winter packages are available with amazing rates starting at $395 CAD per person for five nights’ accommodation and a four-day lift ticket. The fifth night and fourth day are free! The two-night getaway offers accommodation and lift ticket packages starting at $257 CAD per person. To book your winter vacation package, visit www.whistler.com

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Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America for the past 12 years in a row, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 9,000 permanent residents.

Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization r
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