Whistler recognized as top Canadian adventure

Whistler, B.C. - What is the number one Canadian adventure? According to one of the world's most reputable travel guide publishers and producers, the absolute best Canuck getaway is to ski at Whistler Resort.

Lonely Planet recently released its list of top-10 Canadian adventures and Whistler is right at the top, receiving the following tribute: ""One of North America's best ski resorts, perhaps best in the world, Whistler Blackcomb - the principal venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games - contains nearly 200 longer-than-average marked trails and the highest vertical drop … of any ski field on the continent. Wander round the back of Blackcomb to Ruby Bowl and it gets even better. It has Whistler Blackcomb's best powder, falling in continuous steeps for more than 600 metres.""

Also making the top-10 list was the experience of ziplining, which received the following recognition: ""… ziplining turns out to be one of the best ways to encounter the Whistler wilderness … By the end of your time in the trees you'll be turning midair summersaults and whooping like a banshee. The 10-line course is strung between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and operates in both winter and summer seasons. Another course runs a gentle web of walkways and suspension bridges for those who prefer to keep their feet on something a little more solid.""

Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book and digital media publisher in the world. Founded in 1972 by Maureen and Tony Wheeler, the company originally produced travel guides aimed at backpackers and economy travellers. The company is now co-owned by BBC Worldwide and the founders. Currently, the company publishes about 500 titles in eight languages, a monthly travel magazine called Lonely Planet Magazine in the United Kingdom, India and Argentina as well as producing television programs, a magazine, mobile phone applications and websites. 

In addition, the travel website cheapflights.com recently named Whistler the second-best ski destination in the world stating ""alpine skiing and mountain biking are big at Whistler Blackcomb, which is consistently voted a top ski destination each year. Whistler hosted most of the 2010 Winter Olympics' alpine, Nordic, skeleton and bobsled events, so if you're ready to claim your glory on the slopes, head to the world-renowned Whistler to try your hand at these great heights…""
With the recent accolades, fresh snow blanketing the resort and some amazing winter package deals, now is the time to experience Canada's Number One Adventure. Whistler has received 47centimetres (18.5 inches) of new snow in the last seven days. The alpine base sits at 228 centimetres (90 inches).

Enjoy a five-night, four-day stay and ski package starting at $486 per person. This offer expires January 31. Two-night, two-day getaways start at $279 per person, including accommodation and lift ticket. Stay for three days and ski for two for $340 per person. And in Whistler, if you book your lodging and lift package through www.whistler.com your kids could stay and ski for free: available to children 12 and under, minimum three-day lift ticket purchase required, available on arrivals from March 1 - April 3, 2011 (receive one free child lift ticket per adult lift ticket purchased). To find out more about Whistler activities and to book your winter vacation package, visit www.whistler.com. 
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Media can visit www.whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters, local personality profiles and access to images and B-roll.

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 representing Whistler, operating the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Centre, as well as 1.800.WHISTLER and whistler.com - Whistler's official source for visitor bookings and information. As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more than 7,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on resort lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.