Six Weeks Remain in Whistler Blackcomb's Spring Season

April 20, 2006

WHISTLER, BC – (News Release) – With just over six weeks to go in the rest of the ski and snowboard season, Whistler Blackcomb is enjoying fantastic spring conditions. Whistler Mountain remains open until June 4; the last day of operations for Blackcomb Mountain is Sunday, April 23. Whistler Blackcomb has received 93 centimetres (37 inches) of snow since the beginning of April alone, and an incredible 1,173 centimetres (462 inches) of snow since the beginning of the season. The forecast for the remainder of this week is calling for more snow, with 6 to 13 centimetres (2 to 5 inches) forecasted tonight and Friday, and bluebird skies over the weekend.

“We have had an incredible winter season this year, in fact it’s the fifth snowiest on record,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Whistler Blackcomb. “With the excitement of the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival and more snow in the forecast, there is no better way to kick off the spring season.”

Whistler Mountain will remain open with well over 3,000 acres available for skiing and riding. The Village Gondola, Emerald Express, Big Red Express, Peak Chair and T-bars will be open daily. The Harmony Express will open on weekends. Hike into the Piccolo and Flute areas to see where the new Piccolo Express lift will go.

The Nintendo Terrain Park on Whistler, an essential spring product, will see a new half-pipe with 12 feet high walls and a mini version of the Highest Level Park with jumps and new features. It will also see an expansion of the Habitat Terrain Park featuring four table tops in a row.

Whistler Blackcomb has released the details of its popular Edge Card program for the 06-07 season. Designed to offer discounted skiing for frequent guests, the program also offers card holders the ability to ski/ride until the end of the year for a flat rate of $89. A 5-day Edge Card is available for $259, and includes five days on the mountain during the 06-07 season, a bonus day before December 22, 2006, and a summer Peak Adventure lift ticket. An $89 upgrade provides unlimited skiing and snowboarding for the rest of the spring season. The deadline to take advantage of these prices is April 30, 2006. Special spring pricing is also available at the ticket window.

Hours of operation on Whistler Mountain starting Monday, April 24 will be 9am to 4pm. Blackcomb Mountain, the Coca-Cola Tube Park, and the Creekside base area will be closed as of April 24. Uploading on Whistler Mountain will be via the Whistler Village Gondola.

For more information on $89 hotel rates through the end of the season, Edge Cards, and daily snow conditions, check out www.whistlerblackcomb.com or call 1-800-766-0449.