Media Releases

Friday, September 23, 2016

SKI Magazine readers rank Whistler #1 for third consecutive year

Tweet this: @WhistlerBlckcmb ranked #1 by the readers of @skimagonline for the third consecutive year

Whistler, B.C. – Tourism Whistler is pleased to congratulate Whistler Blackcomb and Whistler's business community for its third consecutive number one ranking in the SKI Magazine Resort Survey.

For the third year in a row, SKI Magazine readers have named Whistler Blackcomb the Number One Overall Ski Resort in North America, with top scores in the areas of terrain variety and off-hill activities, number two in lodging and après and number three in lifts, dining and terrain parks.

“This is such great news for Whistler Blackcomb and for all of Whistler,” said Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s President & CEO. “There is nothing quite like being recognized by an industry leader like SKI Magazine and their readers – our guests,” she said.

“We are really proud of the work that we do, collectively, as a resort,” Fisher added. “Clearly Whistler is a phenomenal ski destination, but sometimes it’s the behind-the-scenes work that our guests don’t necessarily see, that helps to put us over the top. Our resort partners and the local business community have done a terrific job in aligning efforts and working together to really build a world-class, year-round destination resort that continues to wow our guests,” she said.

“Whistler would not be what it is today without these collaborative efforts. Awards like the SKI Magazine number one ranking recognize Whistler Blackcomb and celebrate Whistler as North America’s number one ski destination.”

SKI Magazine readers rank the top 50 North American ski resorts in 18 categories, covering all aspects of the resort experience.

In announcing the awards, SKI Magazine calls Whistler Blackcomb the “crown jewel of North American ski resorts” citing the resort’s “broad appeal that builds on exceptional natural assets.”

This recognition comes just as Whistler is in the midst of ramping up for another epic winter season with early snowfalls already dusting the mountain peaks. And Whistler takes celebrating seriously. Check out how those in the know celebrate some of Whistler’s not-to-be-missed winter rituals: www.whistler.com/winter.

Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to open for the 2016/ 17 winter season on November 24.

Tourism Whistler reported that winter 2015/ 16 came in as Whistler’s strongest on record, in terms of paid room nights. Strong snow conditions, effective marketing campaigns, favourable exchange rates and improved air access to Vancouver all helped drive this success. Overall, resort-wide room nights increased by 12 per cent over winter 2014/ 15 and surpassing the 10-year average and the resort is readying for another strong season.

Experience all that Whistler has to offer this winter. Take advantage of up to 42% off a 2016/ 17 winter ski vacation by booking before November 15. Five night/ four day stay and ski packages start at $111 CAD per person, per night. Whistler-based travel consultants can customize a vacation package, taking care of flights, ground transportation, accommodation and lift tickets. 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

Marion Young
Coordinator, Communications
T: 604.938.2726
E: myoung@tourismwhistler.com

W: www.whistler.com/media
T: www.twitter.com/mediaTWhistler
F: www.facebook.com/GoWhistler