Media Releases

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Spring in Whistler; 10 reasons you’ll want to be here

Suggested tweet: Spring skiing in Whistler; 10 reasons you'll want to be here. http://bit.ly/1R49cuo #LittleThingsWhistler

Whistler, B.C. – Around this time of year the days get longer, the temperature starts to rise and the winter layers start to shed. And while you can hit some trails on your bike, that doesn’t mean it’s time to say goodbye to your winter gear. Fortunately Whistler has the longest ski season in North America, so there’s ample time to enjoy the slopes.

Better yet, with more than five feet of fresh snow over the last seven days (bringing the season total to over 33 feet) there's no better time than now to get your powder fix.

Here are ten reasons to keep skiing right through spring in Whistler:

Snow (and sunshine) – March is traditionally one of Whistler’s snowiest months, not to mention the surplus of bluebird days that follow the snow-filled nights – fair weather skiing anyone?

Spring après-ski – longer days and warmer weather is a certain recipe for success when it comes to après-ski sessions. Team that with Whistler’s endless supply of sunshine-filled patios and an abundance of great food and drinks to devourer, and you have the perfect setting to celebrate your epic day on the hill. Warning: selecting just one venue can be the toughest decision of the day. So why choose just one? Tour Whistler’s bounty of après-ski spots and pick your favourite.

Sleep in and reap the rewards – spring is a wonderful time of year when the flowers in the valley start to bloom, après-ski tends to kick on a little longer than usual and the early bird catches the same worm as those who sleep in. The beauty of spring skiing in Whistler is that it doesn’t require you to be on the first chair – if anything, the conditions keep improving through the day as the sun softens the snow. Read about the Crack-of-Noon club in the Whistler Insider’s guide to spring skiing here.

World Ski and Snowboard Festival (April 8-17) – the unofficial end of winter and start of spring festival celebrates Whistler’s unique mountain culture. Enjoy art showcases, photography showdowns, a huge lineup of live music – both on an outdoor stage and in various indoor venues, and of course all the on-mountain flips, tricks and twists you would expect from the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The first artist announcement includes: A Tribe Called Red, BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG), Bear Mountain, Modern Space and SkiiTour. Keep your eyes peeled and eyes tuned as the full art, music and sports line-up unfolds here.

T-shirts and Goggle tans – What could be better than skiing in T-shirts? Your goggle tan, that’s what! Temperatures on the mountains average around 5°C in the alpine from March to May and between 8-17°C in the village. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

The drinks are on us – During the month of April, we're giving away $20 après vouchers with accommodation bookings of two or more nights made through Whistler.com. See all details here. Better yet, the strong American dollar means our U.S. guests are receiving an extra 30 per cent off their Whistler spring vacation (based on current exchange rates). Capitalize on the savings and book now at Whistler.com.

The season that keeps on giving – Whistler’s ski season ended June 6 last year, and with the 2015/16 season already breaking 33 feet of snowfall – surpassing last year’s snowfall by more than 11 feet – Whistler could be looking at an even later end to the season. Currently, Blackcomb Mountain is scheduled to end winter operations on May 23, 2016 – but this date is most definitely not etched in stone. Whistler Mountain will close on April 17 to begin preparation for summer bike operations. Whistler boasts one of the longest ski seasons in the world, with upwards of six months of epic skiing and riding. Did you know you can ski right through the first few months of summer with glacier skiing and snowboarding available on Blackcomb Mountain? Find out more here.

Goodbye lift lines – hooray! Spring tends to be less crowded on the slopes therefore opening up Whistler’s mammoth mountains – which have again been voted the No.1 North American Ski Resort.

Long weekends (and statutory holidays) – They’re paying you to ski, what more of a reason do you need to get out there and soak in those magical mountain moments? With the Easter long weekend on the horizon why not make the most of your days off in Whistler. Pro tip: Extend your stay for a less busy and hassle-free commute.

Celebration – It’s as much about the celebration as it is about the season. Whistler has a vibe unique to itself. It’s the sweet collaboration of Mother Nature’s creations that have you chasing the highest summit, exploring the temperate rainforest and indulging in the tranquility of the pristine lakes and beaches. Combine that with all the creature comforts you could ever ask for including over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, more than 170 restaurants and bars, a surplus of accommodation options and a variety of retail stores lining the cobble-stone walkways of Whistler Village. Add to that all the ever-expanding list of adrenaline-seeking adventures, from ice climbing to bobsled, bungee jumping and more. Celebrate the little things that make up Whistler’s big experience.

As the sun's warmth gets stronger, anticipation for summer grows. But that doesn’t mean winter sports are over for the year, we still have three months of epic spring skiing and riding to enjoy – so get out there and earn your goggle tan and bragging rights, of course.

Book your Whistler winter vacation with confidence at www.whistler.com with the best price guarantee. Whistler.com, the official central reservations for the resort, offers one-stop shopping with the largest selection and no booking fee for accommodation, lift tickets or activities. Travel consultants at Whistler.com are based in Whistler, with the call centre located in the heart of Whistler Village. 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

Katie Brockett
Coordinator, Communications
T: 604.938.2726
E: kbrockett@tourismwhistler.com

Tania Sear
Coordinator, Travel Media
T: 604.938.2734
E: tsear@tourismwhistler.com

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