Media Releases
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
For the second consecutive year, SKI Magazine readers rank Whistler the best
Tourism Whistler media release
For immediate release - September 22, 2015
For the second consecutive year, SKI Magazine readers rank Whistler the best
Suggested Tweet: SKI Magazine readers rank #Whistler best ski resort in North America, for second year running
Whistler, B.C. – Readers of SKI Magazine have once again confirmed what locals have long-known -- Whistler is the best of the best.
For the second year in a row, and the third time in the past four years, Whistler Blackcomb has topped the polls in the magazine’s annual reader survey.
Rated the Number One overall resort in North America, together Whistler Blackcomb mountains and the town of Whistler topped the charts in the areas of variety of terrain (#1), après (#1), off-hill activities (#1) and terrain parks (#1), and achieved second highest points (#2) in the areas of lodging, lifts, scenery and overall satisfaction. Other high-earning categories included service (#3), dining (#3), kid-friendly (#3), challenge (#4), on-mountain food (#4), character (#5) and grooming (#5).
The official results were released today on social media and on SKImag.com and will be published in SKI Magazine’s annual Resort Guide.
The recognition is welcome news in Whistler, as the resort prepares for the upcoming winter season, and a year of milestones: the Resort Municipality of Whistler celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2015; and winter 2015/16 marks the 50th anniversary of Whistler Mountain and the 35th anniversary of Blackcomb Mountain.
“This is exceptional news for Whistler,” said Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s President & CEO. “We think Whistler is a pretty special place, but we might be a little biased, because Whistler is our home. It is therefore truly an honour when our town is also recognized by our guests and industry.”
When asked what sets Whistler apart from other leading destinations, Fisher says: “I think it is the combination of our two massive mountains, inviting village, electric energy, and warm, friendly people; all set in a stunning natural environment.”
But Fisher adds that Whistler would not be the destination it is today without the vision and leadership of business and government working together.
“Whistler’s success is built on a foundation of strong resort-wide partners,” she said. “I would like to congratulate Whistler Blackcomb for its ski area leadership, along with all of our resort businesses who continually strive to exceed our guests’ expectations. As well, I would like to recognize the Resort Municipality of Whistler for its oversight of village and recreation amenities, and the Whistler Chamber of Commerce for its service excellence program. We truly have a great team.”
The SKI Magazine award is the most comprehensive of its kind, ranking the top 50 resorts in North America, and recognizing all aspects of a ski destination’s offerings, from on-mountain to resort-wide categories.
The most recent award from Ski Magazine follows on a string of number one accolades for Whistler this year, including being named the Best Ski Resort in the World by Ultra Travel and the Best Overseas Ski Resort by Luxury Travel Magazine. An extensive list of Whistler’s awards is available at: http://media.whistler.com/all-about-whistler/awards-and-accolades/
Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day is scheduled for November 26. The resort continues to offer the most terrain and the longest ski season in North America.
To experience all that Whistler has to offer, take advantage of the Book Early and Save promotion, offering up to 40% savings on ski and stay packages booked by November 15. Visit www.whistler.com online or by phone where Whistler-based travel consultants can customize a vacation package, taking care of flights, ground transportation, accommodation and activities. Whistler.com has the largest and best accommodation selection and a best price guarantee. Call 1.800.944.7853 to request a no-obligation quote or visit whistler.com for more details and offers.
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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, 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 10,000 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 1.800.944.7853 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.
Media can visit whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters, local personality profiles and access to images and B-roll.
Broadcasters: Whistler now has the capability to take you live with our enhanced fibre network. The significantly expanded network of more than 200 kilometres of fibre optic cabling throughout the resort allows instant transmission of HD signals to any location at any time. Details on how to access, and book the fibre are available on our media site.
Media Contacts
Patricia Westerholm
Manager, Communications
T: 604.938.2748
E: pwesterholm@tourismwhistler.com
Mary Zinck
Manager, Travel Media
T: 604.938.2702
E: mzinck@tourismwhistler.com
Steve Ogden
Manager, Travel Media
T: 604.938.2718
E: sogden@tourismwhistler.com
W: www.whistler.com/media
T: www.twitter.com/mediaTWhistler
F: www.facebook.com/GoWhistler