skiOUT! Weekend calling for a weekend filled with Snow Porn

Sat., Feb. 22 is a skiOUT! Weekend

Photo by Mitch Winton - Whistler Blackcomb

WINTER DELIVERS AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB WITH 119CMS/4 FEET OF SNOW IN LAST SEVEN DAYS

#WinterPRIDE had some incredible Blue Bird days and fast groomers and now this weekend skiOUT will have some incredible POWDER to play in. So get those boards shined up and plan to head to Whistler this weekend for some awesome #snowporn!

Winter has delivered the goods to Whistler Blackcomb with 119cms / 4 feet of snow falling on the mountains over the last seven days. With another 39cms / 15 inches of snow predicted in the next three days, conditions are prime for skiers and riders seeking fresh powder snow.

Recent Whistler Blackcomb Snow Stats [as of February 17, 2014]

· 22 cm in the last 24 hours

· 53 cm in the last 48 hours

· 119 cm in the last 7 days

So what are you waiting for? Whistler is calling...

Planning ahead?

- Sat., March 8th - skiOUT

- Sat., March 22nd - skiOUT and WHOOSSH party weekend

- Sat., April 5th - skiOUT

- Sat., April 19th - skiOUT + Retro WHOOSSH party weekend

- Sat., May 3rd - skiOUT

- Sat., May 17th - skiOUT

for reservations call

1.866.787.1966 or online

skiOUT is the Vancouver/Whistler LGBT ski/snowboard club.  For more information on skiOUT! click here

Love is in the Air

Love will literally be in the air this Valentine’s Day weekend with Superfly Zipline’s special Evening Dinner Tours. Superfly will be kicking it up a notch this Valentine’s Day for couples looking to take their love to new heights. The evening of romance starts with roses for your special someone and a snowcat ride up Rainbow Mountain followed by a gourmet dining experience in a private backcountry yurt. Couples will enjoy their dinner featuring a menu that includes fresh oysters, slow braised Angus Beef and a seductive chocolate-inspired dessert – all this while being serenaded live by Jon Shrier. After dinner, the magic begins. Soaring through the dark under a starlit sky from platform to platform, lovers will be treated to an unforgettable zipline tour sure to get the heart thumping. Valentine's Dinner tours will run Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. For more info and to book click here.

WinterPRIDE is just 2-weeks away

Another massive Pacific storm front has just moved in dumping another 43cm of glorious powder on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and just in time with WinterPRIDE now just 2-weeks away and counting.

We are very excited to share with you the 2014 WinterPRIDE Festival Guide showcasing a star studded line up with a double threat from the Southern Hemisphere with COURTNEY ACT - Australian Idol finalist as well as a contestant on this year's RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 6.  Last time COURTNEY ACT was in Whistler she was bound and determined to meet a handsome ski patroller, paramedic and doctor.  She went all out and ended up checking out some of Whistler's finest men in full action with a dramatic rescue off of Whistler Mountain.  I have been personally assured that this year she will keep both feet firmly planted on terra firma, however what happens in the hot tubs is a totally different story...

CHRIS OLWAGE - New Zealand's Got Talent finalist for his dramatic portrayal of "Black Swan" with his pure brut strength and masculinity brought this tragic story alive with an exciting twist.  Chris will be doing a special performance at the Mr. Gay Canada Grand Finale & Fashion Show which will be a MUST SEE event.  Chris also won the prestigious title while in Antwerp, Belgium this past summer while at the worldOutgames as the current reining Mr. Gay World.  While in Whistler he will be one of several celebrity judges at the Mr. Gay Canada competition.  Other celebrity judges include the Mayor of Whistler.

WinterPRIDE's new entertainment director, Sunil Sinha of Big Roger Events, has worked overtime to secure some of the hottest DJ's on the circuit today.  Whistler is thrilled to welcome: IVAN GOMEZ (Barcelona), DJ PHIL B (SFO), DJ SETH COOPER (Chicago), DJ PORNSTAR (LA), DJ PAULO (LA), local dj's include:  NICK BERTOSSI, DJ QUEST, DJ KASEY RIOT, DJ LISA DE LUX.  Ticket sales have been strong and we are expecting another incredible year.  We do encourage you to get your tickets today before we are sold out.

The 2014 WinterPRIDE Festival Guide is now online so take a few minutes and dive in and plan your week.  See you in a few weeks!

75 Santas Open new Harmony6 at Whistler

OVER 75 SANTAS SWARM WHISTLER BLACKCOMB FOR THE OPENING OF THE HARMONY 6 EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT

WHISTLER, BC December 14, 2013 – As it turns out Santa likes to snag a few fresh ski laps as a warm up before getting on the sleigh for the big present drop. Over 75 Santas descended on Whistler Blackcomb Saturday dressed head to toe as either Mr. or Mrs. Clause for the annual “Dress Like Santa Day”. The first 75 guests outfitted in full costume were given a free lift ticket and escorted to the front of the line to ride the first chair for the grand opening of the brand new Harmony 6 Express chairlift.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Whistler Blackcomb’s president and CEO Dave Brownlie, cut the ribbon to officially open the first six-seater chairlift installed on the mountain. The new Harmony 6 Express, located on Whistler Mountain, replaced the old Harmony high-speed quad chairlift and has dramatically improved uphill capacity by 50 per cent compared to the old chair; going from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600.

With 14cm of fresh snow in the past week, and an 85cm base; Whistler Blackcomb is now offering the most vertical and open terrain compared to any other resort in North America with 5,280 vertical feet of descent spread over 5,050 acres.

About the Harmony 6 Express:

The Harmony 6 Express is the first six-pack chairlift at Whistler Blackcomb and will service terrain spanning from the edge of the Symphony Amphitheatre all the way over to Glacier Bowl, adjacent to the Peak Express. This area, known as the Harmony Zone, makes up over 485 hectares (1,200 acres) of Whistler Blackcomb’s 3,306 hectares (8,171 acres) of total terrain. With a wide variety of beginner to expert terrain options, the Harmony 6 Express will ensure skiers and riders are able to spend more time on the mountain exploring the spectacular, powder-covered alpine that Whistler Blackcomb is celebrated for.

The Harmony 6 Express has the same alignment as the old Harmony quad; spanning 1,729 metres (5,672ft) in length, with a vertical rise of 525 metres (1,722ft). The top elevation of the lift is 2,107 metres (6,912ft); the bottom elevation is 1,582 metres (5,190ft).

The new chair is part of Whistler Blackcomb’s $18 million investment into infrastructure upgrades for the two mountains. As part of the capital expansion, Blackcomb Mountain’s new Crystal Ridge Express chairlift was unveiled to the public for the first time last Saturday.

Construction on the two new lifts began in the spring of 2013 and was completed in time for winter. Excluding the opening of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in 2008, these two new lifts are the first lift installations at the resort since the Symphony Express chairlift was opened on Whistler Mountain in 2006. The last time Blackcomb Mountain underwent a lift expansion was for the Excalibur Gondola and the Excelerator Express quad chair in 1994.

Whistler's 22nd annual Gay & Lesbian ski/snowboard week is posed to be another epic year with this year's Christmas presents of the new Harmony6 and the Glacier Express Chairs.  WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 1st, 2014.  For reservations and packages call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com

Online Ticketing for WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014 powered by Eventbrite

1700+ acres open in time for US Thanksgiving at Whistler Blackcomb

Blackcomb Mountain to Open at Whistler Blackcomb Thursday November 28

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Full Size Terrain Park Also Opening

WHISTLER, BC November 27, 2013 – This Thursday, November 28, Whistler Blackcomb will complete its winter kick-off by opening Blackcomb Mountain to skiers and snowboarders. After two successful weeks operating on Whistler Mountain, the operations team has readied Blackcomb Mountain which will add approximately 700 acres of terrain to Whistler’s 1000+ acres for guests to enjoy.  Blackcomb’s lift operations team notes there will be seven lifts opening including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Guests will have the option to either upload at the Wizard Express in the Upper Village, the Excalibur Gondola in Whistler Village, or cross over from Whistler Mountain via the PEAK 2 PEAK. Also opening on Blackcomb will be the Excelerator Chair, Solar Express, Jersey Cream and Catskinner chairs.  As an added bonus, the Whistler Blackcomb Terrain Park crew has been putting in long hours to have a full terrain park built and ready to ride on Thursday.

“We are extremely excited to get guests up on both mountains and are proud of the hard work our operations teams have been putting into our opening days,” says Doug MacFarlene, Mountain Manager at Whistler Blackcomb.  “We’ve been focusing on our snowmaking to help out Mother Nature and with our recent snowmaking upgrades on Blackcomb things are looking really good.  Again we would like to remind guests it is still early season, and it is important to obey signage and ski and ride on open runs only.” 

Blackcomb Mountain Food and Beverage locations that will be opening on Thursday include Merlin’s Bar and the Wizard Grill at the base of the mountain, as well as the Rendezvous and Glacier Creek Lodges on the mountain.

The hours of operation for both Whistler and Blackcomb will be 8:30am to 3:00pm with the last upload at 2:30pm and the ski out open to Whistler Village from both mountains. Lifts tickets will be available from the Whistler Village, Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge ticket windows or online at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Edge Cards are also available at the early bird rates until December 2 for Canadians and Washington State residents, and later that month the Grand Opening of Whistler Blackcomb’s two new lifts; The Crystal Ridge Express and the Harmony 6 Express is scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

New version – Whistler Blackcomb Mobile App and Mobile Website
The latest version of the free Whistler Blackcomb mobile app, powered by TELUS is available for iPhone and Android phones. The improved app features a completely new user interface plus reports on live mountain conditions, webcam feeds, snow and lift alerts to ensure a connected mountain experience. Through the 2013.14 winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will add more content to improve the app including a new completely enhanced Run Tracker with Cloud support and a new Friend Finder feature. The newly released mobile website quickly provides all the detailed mountain information right to any mobile device and tablet. Visit http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/app for more information.

Guests looking to plan a trip to the consistently rated No. 1 Mountain Resort in North America can visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages  or call 1-866.787.1966.

The Aava Whistler Hotel is a proud sponsor and host hotel for the 22nd Annual WinterPRIDE festival January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Plan your Whistler Gay Ski Week escape today.  Special guests include:  Ivan Gomez (BCN), DJ Phil B (SFO), DJ Pornstar (LA), DJ Paulo (LA), DJ Seth Cooper (Chicago), DJ Nick Bertossi (Vancouver), DJ Del Stamp (Vancouver) and more! Use Promo Code: "Turkey" and take an additional $22 off for #BlackFriday.  Get your festival tickets today!  Happy US Thanksgiving!

Event management for WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014 powered by Eventbrite

Volunteer for Pride! Winter has arrived...

It is that time of year again when Whistler is getting ready to gear up for another incredible snow season at the number mountain resort - Whistler Blackcomb!  Giving back to your community can be one of the most rewarding things you can do and GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is no exception.  Volunteer for Pride today and sign up now.

WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Host Hotel + Pride House is the Aava Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb awarded top scores

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB RECEIVES TOP SCORES FROM ANNUAL RESORT RANKINGS

Photo by: Jussi Grznar | Whistler, BC, Canada

Accolades Credited To Whistler Blackcomb’s Incredible Terrain And Dedicated Staff

WHISTLER, BC November 7, 2013 – The annual resort rankings are in and Whistler Blackcomb is proud to be the recipient of four “best overall” awards and 12 “category wins”. These consistent results continue to position Whistler Blackcomb as one of the leading ski resorts in the world and a must-visit destination on every traveller’s bucket list.

“Our success is credited to our prime geographical location which results in great snow and an incredible variety of terrain, but what really makes the difference is our people,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Whistler Blackcomb.  “Our staff strives every day to provide the best and most memorable experiences to all of our guests and these awards are proof of that effort. We constantly aim to improve our physical assets as we respect our natural environment. The addition of the Crystal Ridge Express and the Harmony 6 Express chairs this winter will heighten the guest experience by moving people around the mountain more efficiently to their favorite zones.  We’re confident these expansions, along with our focus on guest service, will allow us to remain at the top.”

Whistler Blackcomb Awards and Rankings 2013.2014

No.1 Overall

-       Freeskier Magazine

-       SBC Resort Guide

-       Best Overall Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com

-       2013 Ski Club of Great Britain: Highest Net Promoter Score in the world.

Accolades

-       #1 Landmark In Canada, Trip Advisor, Traveller’s Choice Awards

-       Best Gondola View in North America, Liftopia.com

-       One of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Canada’s Top 100 Employers, CAN

-       Top 25 Ski Resorts in the World, Snowaddiction.org

-       Best Winter Destination, Georgia Straight, Best of Vancouver 2013

-       Best Weekend Getaway, Georgia Straight, Beat of Vancouver 2013

-       Best Terrain in the West, SBC Resort Guide

-       Best Parks in the West, SBC Resort Guide

-       Best Terrain in Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com

-       Top 5 Canadian Resorts, Huffington Post

-       Best Après, SKI Magazine

-       Best Ski Resorts for Powder, Telegraph UK

-       Best Nightlife, Freeskier Magazine

-       Best Nightlife in Northwest Region, Onthesnow.com

-       Best Nightlife Overall, Onthesnow.com

-       Best Nightlife, TransWorld SNOWboarding

-       No.2 Lodging , SKI Magazine

-       No.2 Terrain Variety, SKI Magazine

-       No.2 Off-Hill Activities, SKI Magazine

-       No.2 Best on a Powder Day, Freeskier Magazine

-       No.2 Best Apres. Freeskier Magazine

-       No.2 Best Steeps, Freeskier Magazine

-       No.3 Top Resorts, TransWorld SNOWboarding

-       No.4 Dining, SKI Magazine

-       No.4 Digital Presence, SKI Magazine

-       No.5 Best Parks, TransWorld SNOWboarding

-       No.5 Lifts, SKI Magazine

-       No.5 Top Lifts to Lap – Peak Express, Freeskier Magazine

Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open for the winter season on Thursday, November 28.

Click to book WinterPRIDE Hotel Package Now

Guests looking to plan a trip can save up to 39 per cent on ski and stay packages by taking advantage of Whistler's Early Booking Offer until November 15, 2013.  Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/deals_packages  or call 1-866-787-1966 for details.

Reminder:  The 22nd annual Gay & Lesbian Ski/Snowboard Week - GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  Headline entertainment include: DJ Ivan Gomez (BCN), DJ Phil B. (SFO), DJ Pornstar (LA), DJ Paulo (LA), DJ Seth Cooper (Chicago) and DJ Nick Bertossi (Vancouver).  8-days, 65-events, 26-nations, 3,000+ guys and gals enjoying diversity at the leading Mountain Resort in North America (and the world!).  Host hotel:  Aava Whistler

#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.

Legendary Turkey Sale in Whistler Returns

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB’S LEGENDARY TURKEY SALE RETURNS OCTOBER 11-14

Bargain hunters to cash in on ski & snowboard equipment deals + merchandise up to 70 per cent off 

WHISTLER BC, October 3, 2013 - It’s almost Thanksgiving, and the snow is flying in the alpine earlier than normal, causing skiers and boarders to rub their mitts together at the thought of Whistler Blackcomb’s annual Turkey Sale. Yes, there will be turkeys on sale but more importantly, snow fanatics can cash in on massive deals. Demo skis will also be on clearance, as well as savings of up to 70 per cent off equipment and accessories.

“The scale of this year’s Turkey Sale is enormous. We are filling up over 20,000 square feet of the Blackcomb Daylodge with deeply discounted ski and snowboard merchandise,” said Josh Buchanan, merchandising manager of retail operations at Whistler Blackcomb. “Last year we experienced amazing traffic as people converged from all over the Sea to Sky, Metro Vancouver and abroad. This year we are hoping for the same attendance as we get ready for one of Whistler’s busiest weekends.”

For the second year in a row frozen turkeys will be on sale for $15 each on Saturday, October 12 starting at 9 a.m., until quantities last. All proceeds from the Thanksgiving birds sold will go towards the Whistler Food Bank.

In conjunction with the Turkey Sale, the International Freeski Film Festival (iF3) will also make a stop at Whistler Blackcomb on Saturday, October 12, 2013. iF3 Whistler Blackcomb will feature premieres of the year’s best ski movies, including Into The Mind, an award winning film produced by Whistler locals Sherpas Cinema. Level 1 Productions’ latest ski film Partly Cloudy features a huge step over to step up jump session on Blackcomb Mountain, closing out the festival in style. There will also be a retro ski-themed kick-off party and a rocker-themed wrap up. The premieres will be held at Millennium Place, in the heart of Whistler Village. Visit www.whistler.if3.ca for more information.

Turkey Sale hours:
Friday, October 11 - 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Open to locals, season pass holders and EDGE Card holders only. Proof of identification will be required at the door.

Open to general public:

Saturday, October 12 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, October 13 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, October 14 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CAN-SKI Blackcomb Open House – On Saturday, October 12, CAN-SKI Blackcomb will be marking down all of last year's high-end fashion and skiwear apparel to 50 per cent off. In addition, the store will be fully stocked with this year's latest trends from Bogner, Canada Goose, Toni Sailer and Mountain Force. The event is for the whole family with complimentary refreshments and cupcakes served from 2 to 5 p.m., as well as face painting and Jazz The Balloon Man.

Kid’s Buy Back Program - Returning to CAN-SKI this year, shoppers who purchase new junior ski gear this season can return it before May 31, 2014 for a 50 per cent voucher on next year’s gear. Those who participated in the program last year are encouraged to bring in their vouchers and shop for 2014 kids gear.

SWAP - The "Sale With Awesome Prices" is back by popular demand, selling quality pre-owned equipment for both kids and adults. Organized by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, the sale will also feature clothing and accessories from Whistler Blackcomb's chain of retail outlets. The SWAP tent will be located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in selling their used equipment at the sale can connect with Whistler Mountain Ski Club.

New version – Whistler Blackcomb Mobile App
The latest version of the free Whistler Blackcomb mobile app, powered by TELUS will be available for iPhone on October 12. An Android version will be released soon after. The improved app features a completely new user interface plus reports on live mountain conditions, webcam feeds, snow and lift alerts to ensure a memorable mountain experience. Through the 2013.14 winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will be adding more content to improve the app including an enhanced Run Tracker system and a new Friend Finder feature.

Opening Day - Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Skiers and riders itching for snow can check out Whistler Blackcomb’s Wonder Reels season two video The Wait For Winter, a sneak peek of all the powder to come this season.

22nd Annual WinterPRIDE - one of the world's leading LGBT Ski/Snowboard weeks is one week earlier this year in a time time slot of January 26th to February 2nd, 2014.  For more information visit GayWhistler.com or Call 1.866.787.1966  Host hotel:  Aava Whistler 

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The Wait for Winter

The 2013/14 Snow season is less than two months away and our friends at Whistler Blackcomb are

hard at work getting the mountains ready with two new lifts:  The Harmony6 on Whistler and the Crystal Express on Blackcomb.  The mountain team has also been busy with summer grooming and redesign making the transitions to the lifts easier for both skiers and snowboarders something that I am sure everyone will appreciate.

This past weekend, Whistler was hammered by an intense storm transforming the alpine with a massive blanket of snow (Sept. 29) sending the village into feverish anticipation of the coming season.  So today when Whistler Blackcomb released the next installment of "The Wonder Reels" Season 2 - we could hardly wait to share it with you.

Filmed, edited and produced by Switchback Entertainment, The Wonder Reels S2: The Wait For Winter showcases this magical time of October rains that will eventually give way to November storms. As the mountains reveal their first dustings of white, a palpable anticipation begins. Skiing and snowboarding's faithful start a ritualistic foreplay that culminates in the un-matched celebration of another opening day...

Whistler Opens November 28th, 2013 | GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26-February 2nd, 2014.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com reserve your snow-escape by November 15th for the best deals of the season.

Event Registration Online for WinterPRIDE Men's Event Passes 2014 powered by Eventbrite

Winter Is Coming - Whistler new and improved

#WinterIsComing and Whistler has never been more ready than this year.  Whistler Blackcomb has invested in several major capital projects this past summer to continue to make this resort the best on the planet.  So get those boards shined up... here is what is new this coming season!

Harmony 6 - Whistler Mountain

The Harmony high-speed quad chair on Whistler Mountain will be replaced with a new high-speed chairlift capable of transporting six people on each chair, called the Harmony Six.

• Carrying capacity will lift by 50 percent from 2,400 skiers per hour to 3,600
• New lift will follow the same alignment, servicing terrain from the edge of Symphony Amphitheatre over to Glacier Bowl.

Crystal Ridge Express - Blackcomb Mountain

The Crystal Zone will undertake a dramatic transformation when the fixed-grip triple chair is superseded by a high-speed quad chairlift with a radically different aspect.

• The bottom terminal of the new chair will start at a lower elevation on Blackcomb Glacier Road
• New lift will simplify access to the Crystal Zone, eliminating the need to use the Excelerator Chair to access many Crystal Zone favourites such as Ridge Runner, Rock ’N’ Roll and gladed trails including Outer Limits
• Return access to the Glacier Express Chair will also be faster, allowing quicker access to the Horstman Glacier, Blackcomb Glacier and Spanky’s Ladder
• Skier carrying capacity will improve by 65 per cent to 2,400 skiers per hour

Crystal Zone Snowmaking Upgrades

To complement the opening of the new Crystal Chairlift, Whistler Blackcomb has invested in extensive snowmaking infrastructure for the Crystal Zone. The upgrade will ensure excellent early and late season coverage in the popular area, and boost the mid-mountain skiing options on Blackcomb Mountain.

Reminder... for all Washington and Canadian Residents make sure you purchase your Edge Card for the best value on and off Whistler Blackcomb this season with daily rates starting at just $65/day vs. the $100+ at the window.  For non Washington and Canadian Residents, make sure you book your hotel and ski package by November 15th for the best deals.  Call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at whistlerblackcomb.com  The 22nd annual Gay & Lesbians Ski Snowboard week - GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is January 26th - February 2nd, 2014.  Host Hotel Aava Whistler is getting geared up to make this an even better year!  Remember to get your festival tickets by November 30th for the best value.  Tickets now on sale!

Advertise with GayWhistler

Are you looking to reach out to the LGBT community?  Do you have a product or service you would like to launch or promote at one of the leading LGBT Mountain destinations?  GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is an excellent venue to advertise and to promote your company.

There are a variety of ways in which your company can be promoted at the annual Gay and Lesbian Ski/Snowboard week in Whistler - WinterPRIDE January 26 - February 2nd, 2014.  

• You can place an ad in the 2014 Festival guide (3,000 printed guides and over 7,100 downloads annually)
• You can place an ad on the website of gaywhistler.com 
• You can participate in the Welcome Expo on Sunday, January 26th, 2014
• You can participate in the welcome bag program
• You can have an activation during the festival

Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you to fulfill you marketing and activation needs.

Last year's WinterPRIDE 2013 Festival Guide for reference.

Visit

GayWhistler.com

for more information. Booking deadline is December 1st, 2013

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SKIERS AND RIDERS PASSIONATE ADVOCATES OF RESORT

Key Strengths Of No. 1 Ranked Resort Include Friendliness Of Staff, Variety Of Trails And Sense Of On-Mountain Safety

WHISTLER, BC September 17, 2013 – As the mountains in North America receive their first

Photo by: Paul Morrison | Whistler, Canada

dustings of snow, Whistler Blackcomb is planning for the launch of two new chairlifts in December. While annual accolades from ski and snowboard magazines regularly position Whistler Blackcomb as one of the top ranked ski and snowboard destinations in the world, as the saying goes, “The customer knows best.”

Every winter thousands of skiers and riders are surveyed on the mountains to help Whistler Blackcomb assess their key strengths as well as their “Net Promoter Score (NPS).” This score determines a customer’s loyalty by asking how likely they are to recommend the resort, and to scale their answer from one to ten. With 87 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb’s customers rating the likelihood of a recommendation at either 9 or 10 out of 10, it is clear the resort has loyal customers that are passionate about everything the mountains have to offer.

“We see over two million skier visits every winter season,” says Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Whistler Blackcomb. “We are the most visited ski resort in North America; that many skiers and riders can’t be wrong! Out of every metric we use to evaluate our success as a business, the NPS is one of the most important things we look at.”

RRC Associates is the third-party company that evaluates and reports the results of Whistler Blackcomb’s surveys. The data is gathered through intercept surveys where on-mountain guests are asked to evaluate the facilities, amenities, employee service, and overall aspects of their visit.

Besides sitting in one of the highest percentiles of NPS for ski resorts in North America, Whistler Blackcomb’s customers also recognized the following attributes as key strengths:

·         Friendliness of staff

·         Variety of trails

·         Overall ski and snowboard experience

·         Sense of on-mountain safety

·         Grooming

·         Snow conditions

·         Terrain park and halfpipe

“Whistler Blackcomb is constantly focused on improving every aspect of our business,” says Brownlie. “The $18 million capital expansion of the New Harmony 6 six-pack chairlift on Whistler and the new Crystal Ridge Express on Blackcomb opening this December are a testament to our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our guests year over year. However at the core of it all are our people. Every Whistler Blackcomb employee works together to exceed expectations, and when the results of our winter surveys tell us a story of success, we can’t be more proud of our team and the positive impressions they make on our guests’ experiences.”

Whistler Blackcomb is scheduled to officially open on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Guests looking to book a vacation at Whistler Blackcomb for the 2013.2014 winter season can save up to 39 per cent by taking advantage of the Early Booking offer. Stay and ski/ride packages start from $97 per person, per night and are available until November 15, 2013. Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/lodgingdeals or call 1-866-787-1966.

About Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,174 centimetres (462 inches)  of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. 

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Twitter: @WhistlerBlckcmb | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/whistlerblackcomb

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB EARLY BIRD SEASON PASSES ON SALE NOW

Save Up To $320 on Your Pass and Enjoy Endless Skiing and Riding for the 2013.2014 Season

WHISTLER, BC August 27, 2013 – Winter is just around the corner and Early Bird Season Passes for Whistler Blackcomb’s 2013.2014 ski and snowboard season are now on sale. Until October 14, 2013 guests will be able to receive up to $320 in savings on their 2013.2014 Season Pass. Unlimited Adult Seasons Passes are just $1,589 at the Early Bird price. A season pass offers the best value to guests looking to ski or ride at Whistler Blackcomb; allowing for freedom, flexibility, and exclusive Passholder perks, including 50 per cent off lift tickets at partner resorts in The Mountain Collective, as well as various discounts on Whistler Blackcomb products and services.

“It is going to be another very exciting year at Whistler Blackcomb with the opening of our two brand new chairlifts, the Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad and the Harmony 6 Express high-speed six pack,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Whistler Blackcomb. “These new lifts will allow guests to get even more turns in at North America’s largest ski resort with better access to the terrain they love. An Unlimited Seasons Pass allows guests to make the most of every day of the season. Plus, the addition of 50 per cent off lift tickets at our partner resorts in The Mountain Collective is an incredible opportunity for our Passholders to experience some of North America’s other iconic ski areas.”

The Early Bird Unlimited Seniors (65-74) Season Pass is available for $849; Youth Unlimited Early Bird Season Pass (13-18) at $719 and an Unlimited Child (7-12) Season Pass is $439. Ten per cent discounts are available for families purchasing passes while children six and under ski free.

Season Passholder Perks Include:

·         50 per cent off lift tickets at The Mountain Collective Resorts – (Alta/Snowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows)

·         20 per cent off at select on-mountain food and beverage locations

·         Save up to 20 per cent at select Whistler Blackcomb retail and rental stores

·         $50 off select Snow School programs

·         2 for 1 Fresh Tracks Mountain-Top Breakfast tickets until December 23, 2013. Presented by the Globe and Mail

·         $100 off Whistler Heli-Skiing

·         Unlimited summer hiking access in 2014 with the PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience

·         Passholder Perks also include Tube Park discounts, lodging deals, monthly offers and more. Complete details at whistlerblackcomb.com/perks

Guests who purchase their Season Pass before October 14, 2013 can opt in for the following:

• Purchase a Whistler Blackcomb Gift Card valued at $500 for only $399
• Purchase three Bring-A-Friend lift tickets for only $179 (valued at $327)

Snow Advantage

Whistler Blackcomb is the consistently ranked No. 1 resort in North America receiving an annual average snowfall of 1,174cm or 38ft. Adding to Mother Nature’s bounty, Whistler Blackcomb also utilizes 235 snow guns to provide guests the best possible ski and snowboard experience from opening day in November through to the end of the winter ski season in May.

Early Bird Season Passes are on sale now until October 14, and can be purchased through www.whistlerblackcomb.com  or by calling 1-866-787-1966.  Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day for the 2013.2014 season is Thursday, November 28, 2013.

About Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is situated in the Resort Municipality of Whistler located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia 125 kilometres (78 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. North America’s premier four season mountain resort, Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average over 1,174 centimetres (462 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. 

About GayWhistler

GayWhistler (www.gaywhistler.com) is a year-round promoter of Whistler to the gay and lesbian community, and promotes and produces the annual Gay Ski Week - WinterPRIDE.  WinterPRIDE is January 26 - February 2nd, 2014 (new week - one week earlier than previous years) and has four key elements:  Sports, Culinary, Wellness and Entertainment.  WinterPRIDE has something for both the skier/snowboarder and the non-skier/boarder as well as programming for the Lesbians and Bears.  WinterPRIDE has been awarded as one of the best Gay Ski Weeks in the world by various editors and publications.  WinterPRIDE will be celebrating 22 years in 2014 with official civic status.  Aava Whistler is the official Host Hotel of WinterPRIDE

Event Tickets now on sale:  Visit http://www.gaywhistler.eventbrite.ca/

GayWhistler is a subsidiary of Alpenglow Production Corporation. 

Alpine Hiking trails at Whistler Blackcomb now Open

ALPINE HIKING/WALKING TRAILS OPEN TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

Summer Alpine Wonder Routes Lead To Wildflower Meadows And Glacial Lakes

WHISTLER, BC July 18, 2013 – Thanks to warm early summer alpine temperatures and particularly sunny weather, Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine trails will be fully open to the public starting on Saturday for walking, hiking and running. A few trails have been open since mid-June but Saturday will be the first time this season all of Whistler and Blackcomb’s alpine walks and hikes will be fully open.

“We are actually two weeks ahead of schedule compared to last year. Warm weather this past spring, and so far this summer, has quickened the snow melt process in the alpine, resulting in early trail openings and a longer alpine hiking season. We are even seeing alpine flowers starting to bloom already, which is much earlier than we saw last year,” said Arthur DeJong, Mountain Planning and Environmental Resource Manager.

Alpine wildflowers are starting to bloom and will be in their prime starting next week until the end of August. DeJong says the best place to view wildflowers is on Blackcomb Mountain, particularly Lakeside Loop and Overlord Trail.

With over 50 kilometres of hiking and running routes at over 6,000 feet, Whistler Blackcomb offers some of the most easily accessible, and vast, walking, hiking and running alpine terrain in North America. To help guests navigate the trails, Whistler Blackcomb has unveiled the new summer Alpine Wonder Routes; a network of tours, trails, waypoints and stops created to help guests navigate the mountains and discover Whistler Blackcomb’s most wonder-filled alpine places.

·         Alpine Vista Route – The Alpine Vista Route takes guests up the Whistler Village Gondola where they can then board the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola for a lofty journey over the treetops and across the Fitzsimmons Valley to Blackcomb Mountain. From there guests can board two open-air chairlifts for a relaxing trip down to Blackcomb Mountain’s Upper Village.

·         Top of the World Route – This route takes advanced hikers to the highest points on both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, can take up to a full day to complete, and boasts panoramic glacier views in all directions.

·         Running the Rooftop Route – This 10km single track route starts at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain and is a dedicated running route offering breathtaking views of Cheakamus Lake and the surrounding peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Recommended for advanced runners who have trail running experience. Runners should also be aware of hikers as they are also permitted on this route.

·         Alpine Lakes Loop – This intermediate level hiking trail starts on Blackcomb Mountain’s Alpine Walk and flows through a stunning palette of colourful wildflowers and Blackcomb Lake before circling back to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola where the loop continues on Whistler Mountain’s Harmony Lake Trail.

·         Overlord Vista – This challenging full-day hike covers some of Blackcomb and Whistler’s longest hiking trails; Overlord, Decker Loop and High Note Trail. The route offers stunning views of the Overlord Glacier, volcanic Black Tusk, Cheakamus Lake and the mountains’ various wildlife.

While guests are in the alpine they can stop by the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain for a Mountain Top BBQ every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For full menus or to purchase tickets visit  http://bit.ly/WBmtn13

·         Friday - Whole Hog Fridays

·         Saturday - Slow Roasted Prime Rib BBQ

·         Sunday - Pacific Seafood Grill

Also, to kick of the August long weekend, Steeps Grill & Wine Bar will be hosting the summer’s first Winemaker Dinner on Friday August 2. Perched on top of Whistler Mountain, Steeps will be featuring a five course meal paired with select varieties of wine from Ravenswood Winery. For more information, including details on the second Winemaker Dinner featuring  Nk’Mip Cellars on August 24, visit: http://bit.ly/WBwine

Remember August 10th is the annual skiOUT LGBT Alpine Hike on Whistler.  For more info visit: 

GayWhistler.com  Whistler has some amazing hotel choices including the Aava Whistler Hotel at the foot of Whistler Village, Whistler Golf Course and the Valley Trail System.  For more information on the Aava or any of your vacation needs for Whistler call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online GayWhistler.com

GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE GENERATES $9.0 MILLION TO THE PROVINCE OF BC

The twenty-first annual GayWhistler WinterPRIDE - Gay & Lesbian Ski/Snowboard week took place
This year the Resort Municipality of Whistler commissioned an economic impact study to better understand the overall value of the festival.  The report found spending made by participants, spectators and event organizers generated $9.0 million in economic activity for the Province of British Columbia.

Mayor of Whistler at the Mr. Gay Canada Grand Finale

on February 3-10, 2013 and attracted visitors from around the world. Approximately three thousand gay and lesbian vacationers from 28 nations descended on the region with their friends over the eight day, sixty five events at the award winning ski resort of Whistler, BC, Canada.
Economic Activity
Total Industry Output representing direct and indirect expenditures generated by the event.
 Total to Province of British Columbia: $9.0 million
Total to Whistler: $4.8 million

Jobs
Spending associated with the event supported $3.1 million in wages and salaries in the Province through the support of 69 jobs, of which 52 jobs were supported in Whistler.

Tax
Considerable tax revenues were supported by the event totaling $2.1 million.
$953,000 federal
$772,000 for province of British Columbia
$332,000 for municipality of Whistler

* The economic impact assessment in 2013 was conducted by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA), using the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM).The 2013 study was funded by the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI). The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) allocated RMI funds to produce a series of economic impact analyses for events throughout the community including GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE.

The festival is Whistler’s primary LGBT activation to welcome the gay and lesbian traveler to experience the dynamic and welcoming nature of the province and attracts tourism spending in British Columbia that goes beyond the weeklong event. In fact, according to survey research, 31% of participants plan to visit Vancouver/Whistler two or more times outside of the WinterPRIDE week, including 52% of the out-of-province participants.
 

“We are very proud of the economic impact that our event has made to the province,” said Dean Nelson, CEO and Executive Producer of GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE. “It demonstrates the strong buying power of the gay community and how loyal this segment is in supporting a destination that embraces diversity and makes everyone feel welcome.”

Post-festival entertainment in Vancouver, encouraged participants and their friends to extend their stay pre/post Whistler vacation.  Strategic partnership with some of Vancouver’s LGBT community groups and special events help to entice guests to stay a bit longer in the Province.
 

“The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is committed to working with our partners to create an environment conducive to events,” Said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “We are delighted to work with third party event producers such as GayWhistler – producers of WinerPRIDE Whistler – to attract incremental visits to the resort.”

The event, which takes place annually on the first week of February, has taken one of Whistler’s historically slower winter weeks and made it one of the busiest in the calendar year.  Next year, the festival will move a week sooner to the last week of January to ease some of the added pressure the new BC Family Day holiday as well as the Chinese New Years celebrations has on the resort.
The twenty second-annual WinterPRIDE festival will take place on new dates of January 26th to February 2nd, 2014. For more information, visit www.gaywhistler.com

 

PEARL Pride Party App World Debut at WinterPRIDE

GuySpy Proudly launches the free PEARL Pride Party App for iPhone & iPad at GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE

Stark Mobile Technologies will be launching their new gay event app at this year’s WinterPride in Whistler BC

The best and fastest growing gay social network app GuySpy, is proud to present

PEARL

the premiere mobile app for all global LGBT Pride events and Circuit Parties, as well as associated parades and activities.

“We had been looking for a way to more efficiently give back to the enormous community that supports and uses the GuySpy app and PEARL was created to do exactly that!” says GuySpy’s Morris Chapdelaine. “To be able to offer a completely free app to world-wide Pride organizations so that they can better reach out to their audience, connect with social networks and promote their parties and sponsors seemed to be something everyone was looking for.”

ads Chapdelaine.

With PEARL, users are able to keep up to date on what’s happening when, build and maintain a personal schedule, share information with social networks, and upload, view and share user photos. Additional features include:

•full event vent and location listings including full schedules, maps, branding and sponsorship info.
•tweet from within the app, check-in and post right to Facebook
•push messaging capabilities for changes, updates or time sensitive information 
•links to event tickets

The official kick-off of PEARL is happening on February 3rd in Whistler, BC.

"GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is honored to be the world's first pride festival to launch this exciting mobile enabled application.  As a company we have always embraced technology and social media.  We are proud to play a role in being leaders in adapting to the way our guests want to connect and to share with their networks what they are doing and experiencing and PEARL is the natural evolution to help make those connections and sharing possible.”

Says Dean Nelson, CEO & Executive Producer of GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE.

The PEARL app is currently available for iPhone and iPad. Click to down load for free

If you represent an LGBT Pride Event or a global circuit party weekend/fund raiser, please contact morris (at) guyspy.com for information on getting on PEARL

GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE is from Feb. 3-10, 2013 at the award winning resort of Whistler Blackcomb. For more information visit GayWhistler.com or call 1.866.787.1966

WinterPRIDE on the Air with Global BC Saturday Morning News with Lynn Colliar

Saturday, January 26th - GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE was invited on to the set of the Saturday Morning News with Lynn Colliar at the Global BC Burnaby studio. Dean Nelson, CEO & Executive Producer of WinterPRIDE along with Brandon Hamilton, Winner of the Vancouver heat of the Mr. Gay Canada cross country search. Together they were able to share some of the highlights the viewers on Global TV can expect to experience Feb. 3-10, 2013 in Whistler Blackcomb. For ski packages & last minute deals call 1.866.787.1966 or visit online at GayWhistler.com

Just in Time for US Thanksgiving Long Weekend

In the last 24 hours, Whistler Mountain has received 37cm (14.8") and more snow is in the forecast making way for more terrain to be opened on Whistler and this Thursday (Nov. 22nd) Blackcomb Mountain officially opens for the season, just in time for the US Thanksgiving Long Weekend!

This weekend, Saturday, November 24th is the official kick off to the 11th season of the Vancouver/Whistler LGBT ski/snowboard club - skiOUT!  This is a fantastic way to meet new and old friends out on the slopes of Whistler.

First of the Season - SkiOUT

WHISTLER MOUNTAIN on Saturday 24th November at 10AM SHARP!

Meet the gang @ the Lightboard outside the Roundhouse!  Lunch is 1pm at the Roundhouse, 2nd floor, right side and of course Apres is at Dustys – 2nd floor around 3:30ish.

There will be limited runs open, but there is snow so all is GREAT!  Give yourself lots of time to make it up (approx. 45min from Whistler Village gondola)!  Watch for the rainbow flag!

Stay for the weekend or the night... call 1.866.787.1966 for last minute specials!  November hotel deals start at just $76/night!  Call or book online today!  

WhistlerBlackcomb is GayWhistler's official travel partner.  WinterPRIDE - Whistler's annual Gay and Lesbian ski/snowboard week is Feb. 3-10, 2013.  For more information visit GayWhistler.com  WinterPRIDE's official host hotel is the Aava Whistler Hotel.