COOL CANADIAN INFOGRAPHIC: The Essential Guide to Skiing the Rockies

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has designed a cool infographic titled The Essential Guide to Skiing the Rockies. The chart includes some of Alberta and British Columbia's best ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies and Western Mountains. Click on for an expanded view. 

British Columbia's Whistler Blackcomb on track for a record breaking snow base

Whistler Blackcomb | Dec. 2, 2012 | Photo by John Champion, Coast Mountain Photography

The ski gods must be smilin' down on BC's Whistler Blackcomb. Although the slopes have only been open to the public for a little more than two weeks, they've already received 337 cm (11.1 feet) of snow, with up to 33 cm (1.1 feet) forecast to fall during the next four days. 

According to Whistler Blackcomb SVP of Sales & Marketing Stuart Rempel, the mountain is on track for another record setting year. "With a snow base of 185 cm (6.1 feet), that's the highest snow base for this time of year compared to the last ten," said Rempel. That figure is also 50 cm (1.6 feet) more snow than what the base was a year ago at this time. 

On Saturday, Dec. 8, Whistler Blackcomb is planning to open Blackcomb Mountain's alpine for the first time this season (weather permitting). If so, there will be 5,280 vertical feet (mile high!) and 6,000+ acres of skiable terrain.

There are numerous Deals & Packages for guests booking before Dec. 21, 2012. The 5th Night Free Package includes loding rates starting at $110CDN per person, per night, plus a fifth night of lodging free and Fresh Tracks tickets. Must be booked before January 31, 2013.

For more information about the area, go to Tourism Whistler.

Whistler Blackcomb named top resort by SKI Magazine, season opens on American Thanksgiving

Whistler Village is ready for winter. Sue Frause photo.

What a way to start the upcoming season -- on top! Whistler Blackcomb was named #1 overall ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine. The 26th annual readers' poll ranked the top 60 North American skis resorts in the magazine's annual Resort Guide 2013. The survey includes 20,000 SKI readers, and is the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind in the sports industry.

Whistler Blackcomb's official opening day for this year's ski season is November 22, 2012 (American Thanksgiving). With last winter's accumulation of snowfall making for a good season (1,389 centimeters or 45.6 feet of snow), and snow falling this year since early October, there are high hopes for a repeat performance. During the past decade, Whistler Blackcomb has received an average of 1,192 centimeters, or 39.1 feet of snow.

Keeping in touch in Whistler Village. Photo by Sue Frause.

No surprise that Americans flock to Whistler Blackcomb for the opening weekend, especially when it's a four-day affair. One of the hotels celebrating the start of the season is Pan Pacific Whistler, which has two hotels in the resort: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside and Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. The two properties are offering a Thanksgiving Package that includes:

• 10% savings on all suites at both hotels
• Complimentary valet parking
• $50 gift voucher for Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
• Homemade pumpkin pie in suite

Both Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside and Whistler Village Centre feature suites with full kitchens, fireplaces and Aveda amenities. They also have pool decks with outdoor heated salt water pool, two hot tubs and a steam room. Complimentary at both properties are WiFi and local calls, valet ski/snowboard storage and in-resort shuttle. Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre also offers a complimentary daily continental breakfast at Pacific Bistro.

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, located in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, is offering Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 22. Chef Dave Currie will prepare a special menu beginning at 5 PM that includes slow roasted BC turkey, fresh herb gravy, homemade citrus and herbs stuffing, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and rosemary scented roasted vegetables and pumpkin pie with fresh maple cream. Adults $27, children 12 and under $15.

There will be plenty of opening weekend events at Whistler during the long Thanksgiving weekend. They include:

• Peak 2 Peak Gondola opens for winter sightseeing
• Free evening firework displays
• FIBT Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup Nov. 23-24 at Whistler Sliding Centre
• Bizarre Bazaar Nov. 24-25 for hand-made arts, crafts, decorations and gifts
• David Myles and Ali Milner performing at Millennium Place Nov. 24.

Tourism Whistler has a full calendar of winter events. Photo by Sue Frause.

Whistler Mountain opens a week early due to heavy snowfall

An intense storm that dropped more than 80cms of snow on Whistler Blackcomb earlier this week has prompted mountain managers to open Whistler Mountain almost a week early.

Whistler Mountain will open Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007 (almost a week early) while Blackcomb Mountain will open as planned on Thursday, Nov. 22.

The combined natural snowfall and snowmaking efforts have allowed for the early opening on Whistler Mountain that skiers and riders have been hoping for.

Weather forecasters are predicting that this is only the beginning of a period of snowy, stormy weather for the mountain.

Bestskiweather.com is reporting low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska meaning plenty of cold and more snow for Whistler into next week.

Whistler Mountain will open on Saturday with access from the Whistler Village and Creekside base areas. The Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, the Emerald Express, Franz’s Chair and the Big Red Express are all scheduled to open.

Photo of Smiley Nesbitt by Paul Morrison

Whistler Blackcomb Snow Guarantee

Whistler Blackcomb. Photo by Sue Frause.

During the 2006-07 ski season, Whistler Blackcomb had an epic 46 feet of snow on the slopes. Will it happen again this year? With the 2007-08 ski season opening Nov. 21, hopes are running high. And the Four Seasons Whistler Resort is guaranteeing snow or your money back. It's called their Snow Guarantee and applies to minimum two-night, two-day Ski & Accommodations packages available at the Four Seasons Whistler Resort. From Nov. 21-Dec. 22, if there aren't 2,500 acres or more of terrain open on Whistler Blackcomb, lift tickets will be refunded and a refund of the second night's accommodations will be given if guests opt to leave. Earlier this week, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler received the Five Diamond Award® from the American Automobile Association. It's Canada's only resort to receive the prestigious honor.

Shell Oil invites skiers to gas up and get a Ski Free voucher

Whistler Blackcomb is having a terrific snow year. Photo by Sue Frause.

Shell Oil just made skiing and riding your favorite mountains a whole lot easier! Buy a minimum 10 gallons of Shell gasoline or diesel at participating Shell stations in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington and get a Ski Free voucher good for a free adult lift ticket with purchase of a full price adult lift ticket to 30 participating ski resorts in British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Once you purchase a minimum 10 gallons of Shell gasoline or diesel, give your gas receipt to a Shell station clerk who will stamp and staple your receipt to a validated Ski Free voucher. Validated Ski Free vouchers can be redeemed at these participating ski resorts. See participating Shell stations for further details. Some restrictions may apply.