Media Releases
Thursday, August 22, 2019
RBC GranFondo Whistler returns September 7
Click to Tweet: Take in the action and cheer on cyclists as the RBC GranFondo returns to #Whistler for its 10th year on Sept. 7.
Whistler, B.C. – The RBC GranFondo Whistler returns to the resort September 7 as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Welcoming amateur and competitive participants alike, the race challenges road cyclists to pedal a bucket list route between Vancouver to Whistler while enjoying the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Highway.
New for 2019, the RBC GranFondo Whistler will be an official UCI GranFondo World Series event allowing riders who place in the top 20 per cent of their age group to qualify for the UCI GranFondo World Championships hosted in Vancouver/Whistler in 2020.
Leading riders from Vancouver to Whistler, the RBC GranFondo provides three challenging rides to choose from: the GranFondo Classic, the Forte, and the Medio. The Medio will start and finish in Whistler Village featuring a 55km ride to the Callaghan Valley and back, while the classic Gran Fondo category will tour riders along the Sea to Sky Highway starting in Stanley Park and ending 122km later in Whistler Village. Offering an extra challenge, the Forte, sold out for 2019, will travel the same route with an additional detour up and down the Cypress Mountain switchbacks before continuing on to Whistler Village for a total of 152km.
Post-race celebrations can be found at the finish line at Whistler Olympic Plaza where 3,000 cowbells will be given out to spectators to cheer on participants. There will also be a beer garden and musical performances by Famous Players, Vancouver’s best live party band, and a special guest appearance by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo.
With plenty to do in Whistler, taking the excitement beyond the race is made easy. As the gateway to adventure, discover must-do summer activities such as ziplining between mountains, ATV tours through rugged backcountry, and downhill biking in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. In the Village, multiple award-wining restaurants and lounges can be found to indulge taste buds, as well as a variety of soothing spas and wellness facilities. This year, those interested in experiencing RBC GranFondo Whistler can take advantage of a Ride, Stay, Recover Package that offer free Scandinave Spa Access with a two or more nights stay; the perfect place for post-race relaxation and rejuvenation.
When traveling during GranFondo weekend, drivers should be aware that there will be traffic impacts along the Sea to Sky Highway on September 7, including rolling road closures and areas of reduced speed along the route. To learn more about the traffic impacts please visit: whistler.com/events/granfondo
Book your RBC GranFondo Whistler experience with confidence at www.whistler.com. With the best price guarantee, Whistler.com, the official central reservations for Whistler, offers one-stop shopping with the largest selection and no booking fee for accommodation 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.
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Media Contact
Michelle Fernandes
Coordinator, Communications
T: 604.938.2726
E: mfernandes@tourismwhistler.com
Joanne Clark
Coordinator, Travel Media
T: 604.938.2751
E: jclark@tourismwhistler.com
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