#WBSnowReady Oct03 Epic Tease

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB CELEBRATES AMAZING EARLY SEASON SNOW BY AWARDING A SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST WINNER WITH THE SEASON’S FIRST HELI-SKI EXPERIENCE 

WHISTLER BC, October 4, 2013 – Every year Whistler Blackcomb sends professional athletes up

Blackcomb Mountain to document their first powder turns of the season but, thanks to unusually large amounts of early snow, Whistler Blackcomb was able to send athletes up earlier than ever before. Yesterday, professional skiers Mike Douglas, Eric Hjorleifson and professional snowboarder Annie Boulanger were flown up to Blackcomb Mountain and the Spearman Glacier by Whistler Heli-Skiing for their first tracks of the season.

In another unprecedented first, Whistler Blackcomb also sent #WBFirstTracks social media contest winner Jeremy Bekken (aka JerBuck) along for the ride for his winning Instagram photo – a powdery smile plastered on his face the entire day. All the while, legendary ski photographer Paul Morrison and Switchback Entertainment captured the action on film and photo.

Reminder:  This coming weekend is the Legendary Turkey Sale at Whistler Oct. 11-13, 2013!

Save up to 70% off Brand names and get yourself sorted for the best snow season ever!  Room rates starting at just $89/night or stay at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler for a special Thanksgiving Special of just $139/night.  Many of Whistler's restaurants will have some awesome Fall wine & dine specials too plus the various spas will also have some special treats and savings to get you into the spirit of #WinterIsComing.

Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at WhistlerBlackcomb.com

Remember to book before Nov. 15 for the best deals of the season! REmind

Reminder: WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014. 8 Days, 65 Events, 3,000+ 'Mo's from around the world celebrating diversity in the snow! Visit GayWhistler.com for more info.

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre is Number One

As the snow creeps closer to the Whistler valley floor we are reminded it is that time of year again when Conde Nast Traveler releases their annual "Readers' Choice Awards" and this year, the mountain resort of Whistler has 25% of Canada's Top Hotels including: the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre earning top honours placing it #1 hotel at the #1 Ski Resort in the World (click for related article).

In the October 2011 Issue of Conde Nast Traveler the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre scored 91.6 earning it the #5 hotel in all of Canada (#1 in Whistler). For those that have stayed at the 83-all suite boutique property in the centre of Whistler village will know that it is no surprise that the Pan is a favourite by many. Conde Nast Readers remarked, "Gorgeous views and lots of colorful flower beds" are hallmarks of this metal-roofed resort "central to the action." "Crisp and stylish suites" are equipped with fireplaces, kitchens, and Aveda products. Expect a ski valet, a heated outdoor saltwater lap pool, and two hot tubs. At Pacific Lounge, the breakfast buffet is "more than a juice and muffin carbohydrate load." The property has enjoyed being crowned in the Gold List for the past four consecutive years (2010, 2009, 2008). Click to read the 2011 Gold List Review Other accolades the Pan Pacific has recently been awarded include the very prestigious "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor.

Of the Top 20 hotels in Canada - Whistler calls home to five including:
#5 Pan Pacific Whistler Village Suites
#7 Four Season Resort Whistler
#8 Fairmont Chateau Whistler
#17 Westin Resort & Spa Whistler
#18 Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
To review the complete list and learn more about each of the featured properties vist the 2011 Gold List

Are you coming OUT for the 20th Annual Ski & Snowboard Week - WinterPRIDE Feb. 5-12? You can stay at one of these Award winning properties starting at just $182/person/night for a four night, 3 day ski package.
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside: $182/person/night
Fairmont Chateau Whistler: $194/person/night
Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre $214/person/night (includes breakfast daily)

For more information call 1.866.787.1966 or book online. BEST Price Guaranteed. Book before NOV. 15th to lock in these great deals. Remember think Snow, Think WinterPRIDE!

Outgames Begin! Travel Tips - Whistler

Wow, it has been an exciting journey to bring the 2nd North America Outgames to Vancouver & Whistler. With so much to see and do I thought I would share some great travel tips for Whistler!

The one card you want for this summer is the Outgames Fast Track Card. This card is loaded with hundreds of dollars worth of savings including some of our merchants in Whistler!

Whistler Blackcomb is offering $5 off at the ticket window for the world record breaking Peak2Peak Gondola. Whistler is now one of the most accessible alpine experiences for novice day hikers in the world. Just remember to dress in layers as mountain weather can change in a blink of an eye, and just because it is 25C (82F) in the village does not mean that it will be as warm up top... you can expect temperatures to be 10+ degrees cooler or more! The Alpine is still heavy with snow, so if you want to have a snowball fight in the middle of summer... Whistler is the place to be!

So if you decide to come up and chill in Whistler either pre/post Outgames or Vancouver Pride... the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the place to call home. Situated right at the base of Blackcomb mountain and a short walk to the very popular Lost Lake trails and of course Lost Lake itself. The Fairmont is offering Outgames passholders a special upgrade upon availability. The Fairmont has some awesome specials right now, so go on... book that room and then flash your card and get a complimentary upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability of course!)

Of course after an epic day in Whistler you have no doubt worked up an appetite! The Flipside in Village North is your place to be... here you flash your Outgames pass and get a free appie! A fun place with generous portions, reasonable prices and great food. I'll go back every night. Fish and Chips are worth the trip alone-fresh cod with skinny fries, I had the schnitzel and my eyeballs coveted the Girlfriends spaghetti at the next table. Three course $20 special included a great caesar and cheesecake with raspberries Yum Yum Yum. Added Value: Free appetizer
Description: Flipside Restaurant is delighted to support the Vancouver 2011 Outgames and offer all Outgames cardholders one Free appetizer with a purchase of a main course.

If you have gone hiking one of the thousands of trails or paddeled down the River of Golden Dreams (and maybe taken an unexpected dip in the river?!) no doubt you are looking for a good way to unwind and soak those weary bones... The Scandinave Spa is the perfect destination. Flash your Outgames Frast Track Card and save $5. Situated just north of Whistler Village, B.C., engulfed in a spruce and cedar forest on the edge of Lost Lake and Spruce Grove parks, this unique spa overlooks incredible mountain vistas and valleys. Invigorate and cleanse your body and mind in the hot baths and refreshing waterfalls, melt away with a relaxing massage, and breathe in the invigorating country air.

As you gaze up to the snow covered peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb you start to think of your winter plans and what a better way to get started than by getting a jump on the Early Bird Pricing for the Full Week Men's or Women's WinterPRIDE Pass! Enjoy a $25 gift voucher that you can use towards your 2012 WinterPRIDE pass. It is easy just purchase your pass online... and enter into comments Promo Code "Outgames" along with your card number and we will take $25 off your event pass. Buy today and save!

Whistler to Host Inaugural Mr. Gay Canada Competition

Whistler to Host Inaugural Mr. Gay Canada Competition

Whistler, BC – The first nationwide search for Mr. Gay Canada is set to take place September 18-21st, 2008. Hosted in the idyllic mountain resort of Whistler, BC, the primary purpose of the Mr. Gay Canada (MGC) is to identify leaders who will take responsibility not only in his own community but also on a global stage speaking out for equal rights. Mr. Gay Canada is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay and act as an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Tourism Ambassador for Canada.

Setting the stage of the inaugural event as Presenting Sponsor and Host Hotel is The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. “We are so thrilled to welcome the support of The Fairmont Chateau Whistler” explains Dean Nelson, Executive Producer of Mr. Gay Canada. “We are working with the Fairmont team to come up with some very exciting challenges for our delegates that will test their abilities to think on their feet while evoking the brand qualities of Fairmont. Working with a Canadian hotel chain and one that is so iconic was really important to the organization as we see many similar traits – we are both trail blazers!”

The Mr. Gay Canada Competition is a 3-day, indoor/outdoor series of events to help our judges identify a strong spokesman or ambassador to tell the world about our mission. The competition includes physical tests and interviews with a panel of judges. Only 15% of the judging points are assigned to appearance, which means 85% of the points are for qualities in character and leadership. The winner of the competition will receive an all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles in February 2009 to represent Canada in the International Mr. Gay Competition.

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About Mr. Gay Canada (MGC)
MGC is an organization working to build strong positive role models and leaders within the queer community. MGC is working in association with Mirateca Arts Management.
www.mrgaycanada.com

For more information:
Dean Nelson
Executive Producer
Mr. Gay Canada
Tel. 604.288.7218
Email: dean@mrgaycanada.com