Media Centre

Best Winter Website:      Whistlerblackcomb.com  

Best Snowsport Event:    TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Whistler BC, April 16th - 25th, 2010

Best Après Spot:    The Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC), Whistler Village (ranked one of the best après ski bar in North America by SKI Magazine)

Best On-Mountain Restaurant:   Christine’s in the Rendezvous Lodge, Blackcomb Mountain. Full table service at 6,000 feet anyone?

Best Ski School  / program -- kids, teens, adults, seniors:  Ski Esprit at Whistler Blackcomb

Best New Snowsport Product:   Sno-Limo

Best grooming:    Peak to Creek on Whistler Mtn (11km)

Best powder:      Symphony Amphitheater, Whistler Mtn.

Best terrain park:     Highest Level Terrain Park,  Blackcomb Mtn.

Best tree skiing:      Christmas Trees, Whistler Mtn.

Best beginner area  Olympic Chair: Learning Centre/ Longest Magic Carpet in the world.  Whistler Mtn.

Best family area:     Family Zone, Whistler Mountain

Best steeps:     Excitation /Exhilaration, Whistler Mtn.

Best ski town to live in:     Whistler, BC.

Best kept secret:  Poop Shoots on Blackcomb. 

Best alpine resort to visit in summer:    Whistler, BC

Best spa:     Four Season Spa,  Whistler BC

Best ski retailer independent / chain:    Prior,  locally made skis and snowboards,  Function  Junction,.

Best new lift:      PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

Best scenery:       7th Heaven Highway, Blackcomb Mtn

Best bargain:        The Book By Offer – available until mid-November at WB.com and offers the lowest possible vacation package for the upcoming season.

Best bumps:      The Bite, Blackcomb Man.

Best bowl:      Rhapsody Bowl, Blackcomb Mtn.

Best reason to ski:      33 feet annual average snow at Whistler Blackcomb

Worst outfit:      Furry boots on slushy days

Best lift accessed backcountry:       Symphony Amphitheater via the Symphony Express Lift

Best cocktail:     Frisky Bison, Four Seasons Resort, Whistler BC

Cheapest beer:  Merlin’s Bar, Blackcomb Mtn.

Best burger:      Splits, Whistler Village

Best Breakfast:   Roundhouse Lodge, First Tracks breakfast

Best Deck:  Crystal Hut , Blackcomb Mtn.

Best place to ski, bike, golf and swim in the lake in one day:  Whistler, BC

Best Place to Heli Ski:   Whistler, BC

Best Place to catch a cab:  Taxi loop Whistler Village

Best new on mountain facilities:  Crystal Hut Washrooms

BEGINNER:

The great thing about Whistler Blackcomb is that beginners can get right up into the high alpine to experience the beautiful views and amazing snow on a variety of green groomers.

►Start at Expressway on Blackcomb ► 7th Heaven ► Green Line ► ► Peak Chair ► Symphony Amphitheatre to Burnt Stew ► Harmony Express ► Pika’s Traverse ► Upper Whiskey Jack ► Lower Whiskey Jack ► Upper Olympic (download on Olympic Chair if needed)► Download Whistler Village Gondola (if needed) OR ski down Lower Olympic ► Après at Garibaldi Lift. Co (GLC).

INTERMEDIATE:

From beautifully groomed corduroy to secret powder stashes off the beaten path, the intermediate-level skier or rider will find a variety of terrain that is both challenging and fun.

►Start at the Roundhouse on Whistler ► Peak Chair ► Symphony Amphitheatre to Jeff’s Ode to Joy ►Symphony Express ►Burnt Stew ► Harmony Express ► The Saddle ►Little Red Run ► Franz’s ► Highway 86 ► Big Red Express ► ►Jersey Cream ► White Light ► Crystal Chair ► Lunch at Crystal Hut ► Ridge Runner ►Excelerator Chair ► Jersey Cream Express ► 7th Avenue ► 7th Heaven Express ► Hugh’s Heaven ► 7th Heaven Express ► Green Line ► Springboard ► Lower Cruiser ► Après at Merlin’s.

ADVANCED:

With 17 alpine bowls, 3 glaciers, 1 mile of vertical and 8,171 acres of terrain, there’s more than enough on and off-piste terrain for advanced skiers to revel in.

►Start at the top of 7th Heaven on Blackcomb ► Secret Chute or Pakalolo ►Glacier Express ► hike up to Spanky’s Ladder and ski into Garnet to Diamond Bowl ► Excelerator Chair ► Glacier Express ► Heavenly Basin ► Blue Line ► Davie’s Dervish ► Lunch at Glacier Creek Lodge ► Jersey Cream ► ► Peak Chair ► Symphony and Flute Bowl ► Symphony Express ► Burnt Stew Trail ► Harmony Chair -► Pika’s Traverse ► Peak Chair ► Whistler Bowl ► Surprise ► Peak Chair ► Monday’s to Sneaky Pete’s ► Highway 86 ► Big Red Express ► Peak Chair ► Peak to Creek ► Après at Dusty’s Bar and BBQ.

TASTE THE GOLD:

As Whistler Blackcomb counts down to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, it’s the perfect time to embark on your own Olympic journey by checking out the Olympic downhill runs and training courses.

►Start at Rendezvous on Blackcomb: Hit Ross’s Gold ► Solar Coaster Express ►Springboard ► Lower Cruiser (Olympic Training courses)► Wizard Express ► Solar Coaster Express ► ► Upper Whiskey Jack ►Lunch at Chic Pea ► Papoose/Pony trail ► Big Red Express ► Upper Whiskey Jack ►Upper and Lower Dave Murray (Men’s Olympic Downhill Course ► Creekside ► Gondola Big Red Express ► Little Red Run ► Wild Card ► Jimmy’s Joker ► Lower Dave Murray (Women’s Olympic Downhill Course) ► Hit Dusty’s Bar and BBQ for a Caesar and bucket of ribs.

PARK 2 PARK 2 PIPE:

The award-winning Nintendo Terrain Parks include five parks and one Superpipe, filled with 100-plus features, including new industrial-style park features, using PEAK 2 PEAK construction materials. Hit them all in one day.

►Start at the base of Blackcomb: Grab a breakfast bagel at the Wizard Grill and head up the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster chairs ► do a warm-up lap in the Big Easy Terrain Garden ► Solar Coaster ► Wishbone ► Pontiac Race Centre ► ► Habitat Terrain Park (right: advanced; left: beginner) ► Emerald Express Chair ► Lunch at the Roundhouse Lodge ► ►Nintendo Terrain Park lap ► Catskinner Chair ► Superpipe ► Ski down to Whistler Village base ► Après at Garibaldi Lift. Co (GLC) for a heaping plate of nachos.

ALL IN THE FAMILY:

A family that skis together stays together, so check out this family-friendly journey.

►Start at the Roundhouse on Whistler ► Family Zone ► Ego Bowl ► Emerald Express Chair ► Upper Whiskey Jack ► Snack at Chic Pea ► Papoose ► Pony Trail ►Kids’ Tree Fort ►Pony Trail ► Big Red Chair ► ► Expressway ► Easy Out ► Big Easy Terrain Garden ► Easy Out ►Solar Coaster Express ► Expressway ► Easy Out ► Kids’ Magic Castle ► Easy Out ► Green Line ► Tube Park►Après at Merlin’s (children welcome until 7pm).

PICTURE PERFECT VIEWS:

The vistas of the Coast Mountain Range are unreal. Take your camera for a leisurely tour from peak to peak to capture the most iconic views on Whistler Blackcomb.

►Start at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler ► Peak Chair ►Burnt Stew ► Harmony Express ► Harmony Ridge ► Harmony Express ► Pika’s Traverse ► ► Expressway ► 7th Heaven Express ► Lunch at Harmony Hut ► Blue Line ► Glacier Express ► Short hike into Blackcomb Glacier ► Blackcomb Glacier Road ► Excelerator Chair ► Wishbone ► Crystal Chair ►Rock N Roll ► Blackcomb Glacier Road ► Green Line ► Gondola Road ► Lower Gear Jammer ► Village Run ► Capture

SIGHTSEEING LOOP (2 hours):

Enjoy the alpine views on both mountains via the world’s longest continuous lift system.

►Start at Whistler Base ► Up Whistler Village Gondola ► take a photo with Inuksuk on Roundhouse patio ► Peak Express Traverse ►Up Peak Chair ► Enjoy stunning vistas from top of Whistler ► Down Peak Chair ► Peak Express Traverse ►► BBQ lunch at Rendezvous ► Down Solar Coaster Chair ► Down Wizard Express Chair.

EASY RAMBLING (Half Day):

Here are a few gentle walks offering up stunning vistas of distant mountain peaks and flora and fauna.
►Start at Whistler Base ► Up Whistler Village Gondola ► take a photo with Inuksuk on Roundhouse patio ► Peak Express Traverse ►Up Peak Chair ► Peak Interpretive Walk (60min) ► Down Peak Chair ► Peak Express Traverse ►► enjoy a Lucia Gelato or BBQ at Rendezvous ► Alpine Walk (60min) ► Down Solar Coaster Chair ► Down Wizard Express Chair ► Après at Merlin’s.

INTERMEDIATE TREK:

►Start at Blackcomb Base ► Up Wizard Express Chair ► Solar Coaster Express ► Alpine Walk to Lakeside Loop (2 hr return)► ► Lunch in Roundhouse Lodge ►Harmony Lake Trail & Loop (1-1.5 hr return) ► Down Whistler Village Gondola.

SUPER CARDIO BOOSTER (All Day):

There’s no better way to work up a sweat than by hiking one of Whistler Blackcomb’s world class trails, complete with amazing views of glacier-fed lakes, colourful alpine flowers and meandering streams.

►Start at Blackcomb base ► Up Wizard Express ►Up Solar Coaster ► Overlord Trail (2-3 hr loop) ► ► fuel up with lunch at the Roundhouse Lodge ► Peak Express Traverse ► Up Peak Chair ► Half Note Trail (3-4 hr loop) ► Enjoy mountaintop BBQ, running Fri-Sun at the Roundhouse throughout the summer ► Down Whistler Village Gondola ► Celebratory drinks at the Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC).

ALPINE WINING AND DINING ADVENTURE (3.5 hours):

Include any one of these exciting and unique mountaintop dining adventures into your PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience.

►Start at Blackcomb Base ► Up Wizard Express ►Up Solar Coaster ► Brunch at Christine’s Restaurant in the Rendezvous ► Alpine Walk trail (60min) ► ► Peak Express Traverse ► Up Peak Chair ► Photo op at the Inuksuk ► Down Peak Chair ► Peak Express Traverse ► Steeps Daily Wine Tasting in the Roundhouse ► Down Whistler Village Gondola ► enjoy a sunny patio session at the GLC.

FAMILY FUN (2-3 hours):

A family that skis together stays together, so check out this family-friendly journey.

►Start at Whistler Base ► Up Whistler Village Gondola ►Paleface Trail (20-30min return) ► ► Lucia Gelato and BBQ at Rendezvous Lodge ► Down Solar Coaster Express ► Down Wizard Express Chair ► Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone ► $5 burgers at Merlin’s after 6pm.