25 cm of snow has fallen in the past 48 hours, with a forecasted 5 to
10 cm expected to fall during the remainder of today. Blackcomb
Mountain's extensive snowmaking operation is aiding Mother Nature to
ensure the greatest amount of terrain possible can open on Saturday.
Blackcomb will be operating Jersey Cream Express and Catskinner Chairs
with uploading and downloading via Wizard Express and Solar Coaster
Express. Open runs will include Wishbone, Choker, Upper Springboard,
Upper Ross' Gold, Upper Cruiser and Cougar Milk. Eight rails will be
featured at the top of Solar Coaster. Rendezvous, Glacier Creek Lodge,
Wizard Grill and Merlin's will all be open serving snacks, meals and
drinks to fuel the day on the slopes. "We're excited to get Blackcomb
open and to get this season started," says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice
President Sales and Marketing, Whistler Blackcomb. Skiers and riders
are reminded to expect early season conditions, with limited terrain
open - ideal for intermediate ability level and above. "Our mountain
conditions change so quickly at this time of the year," reminds Rempel.
"What skiers and riders remember was filled in last year, is likely not
as filled in this early in the season. It's important to play it safe
during these early days on the mountain and watch out for unmarked
hazards." Early season pricing is in effect. One-day adult lift tickets
are $39, senior and youth tickets are $29 and children 7 to 12 years
are $19. Kids six and under ski and ride free. Hours of operation are
from 8:30am to 3pm with the last upload at 2pm. Season Passes and Edge
Cards are available for pickup and purchase at both Village and
Blackcomb Daylodge Guest Relations. "It's a great time to warm up for
what promises to be a big year," says Rempel. "This season we'll
introduce 1,100 acres of new terrain on Whistler Mountain, unveil a
fully redeveloped Creekside base, host the 2005 FIS Snowboard World
Championships presented by Nokia in January, and launch a Superpipe lit
for night skiing and riding on Blackcomb Mountain." The forecast for
the weekend is calling for a mix of sun and cloud for Saturday and
Sunday with a 30 per cent chance of flurries on Sunday. The current
snow depth, as measured at the Pig Alley Weather Plot on Whistler
measures 98 cm or 38.5 inches deep. To celebrate the season opening,
Whistler Blackcomb sponsors the annual Freeze Factor event on November
19. Co-ed teams of two people will stand in the lift line for 24 hours.
Teams compete in challenges and rewards throughout the 24 hours with
the goal being to be the last team standing at 8am Saturday morning.
The winning team members will receive a Whistler Blackcomb Season Pass
each and be granted the privilege of riding the first chair of the
season up the mountain. For further information on what's on at
Whistler Blackcomb this season, including special accommodation package
prices, log on to whistlerblackcomb.com or call 1-866-218-9690.
Whistler Blackcomb is owned and operated by Intrawest Corporation.
Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is OLE_LINK1one of the
world's leading destination resort and adventure-travel companies.
Intrawest has interests in 10 mountain resorts in North America's most
popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host
venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company
owns a 67% interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in
luxury adventure travel and a 45% interest in Canadian Mountain
Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. The Intrawest
network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and
Club Intrawest - a private resort club with its ninth location in
Zihuatanejo, Mexico opening in December 2004. Intrawest is developing
five additional resort village developments at locations in North
America and Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British
Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com. Proud to be a
venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Contact: Public
Relations 604-938-7669 publicrelations@intrawest.com