What's on Whistler: March-April 2006

March 23, 2006

Whistler, BC – (News Release) – Spring in Whistler is jam-packed with special events and a mix of winter and spring activities on the mountains and throughout the village. With 32 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails in the valley in perfect shape, and an average snowfall accumulation of 166 centimetres (66 inches) on the mountains, March is a favourite month for snowsports. The snow base on Whistler Blackcomb mountains currently stands at 300cm (118 inches), and the slopes have received 46cm (18 inches) of snow in the past seven days. In April, some of the best days for winter sports are still ahead. With the entertainment and sports extravaganza of the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, spring skiing and snowboarding, sunny patios, and valley mountain biking and hiking underway, and outstanding late season vacation value, it is one of the best times to visit the Coast Range Mountains and the Whistler area.

Here are some of the many highlights to look for throughout Whistler this spring…

2006 Pontiac GMC Canadian Alpine Championships – March 20-28
The 2006 Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships will be held at Whistler Mountain, March 20-28. On the occasion of this special celebration of ski racing, Canada’s current and future alpine racing stars will be competing for senior and junior national titles in downhill, super G, giant slalom, and slalom. The competition should be particularly exciting this year as young National Team hopefuls go head to head against Canada’s most recent World Cup medalists and Olympic athletes including Thomas Grandi, Geneviève Simard, Erik Guay, François Bourque and Emily Brydon.
Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Dining Out for Life – March 23
On Thursday, March 23, diners can fill their plates to fight AIDS during Dining Out for Life. Participating Whistler restaurants will join in the fight against AIDS by donating 25 percent of food bills to local charities. Wolf Blass wines will donate 75 cents from every bottle of wine purchased in B.C. restaurants and liquor stores during the entire month of March. Stella Artois will donate one dollar from each sale in participating restaurants. More than 2,500 restaurants a year donate over $2 million a year to support the missions of agencies throughout North America.
Information: www.diningoutforlife.com

TELUS Mobility Ski Challenge for Ronald McDonald House Charities – March 28
The 17th annual TELUS Mobility Ski Challenge for Ronald McDonald House Charities features corporate teams of four skiers spending a full day of skiing/activities on Blackcomb Mountain, all in the cause of raising money to help children and the families of children with serious illnesses, disabilities or chronic conditions to lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.
Information: www.rmhc.ca

Reel Alternatives Brings Top Indie Films to Whistler – March 29 and April 12, 26 – Village 8 Cinemas
The Whistler Film Festival Society and Village 8 Cinemas have teamed up to present some of the best films of 2005 as part of the Reel Alternatives Independent Film Series. The series will present films every second Wednesday night at Village 8 Cinemas: the Oscar-nominated PARADISE NOW (March 29, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.); Jonathan Demme’s acclaimed concert film NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD (April 12, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.) which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival; and Golden Globe winner TRANSAMERICA (April 26, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.), featuring an Oscar-nominated performance by Felicity Huffman. There will be two screenings of each film in the series. Tickets ($6.50 members, $8.50 regular) are available at the door.
Information: www.whistlerfilmfestival.com

Tomas Kubinek, present by Whistler Arts Council and Millennium Place – April 1 – MY Millennium Place — 8 p.m.
Tomás Kubà­nek’s internationally acclaimed solo performances play to packed theatres around the world. After a sold-o run on Broadway, The New York Times lauded his work as “Absolutely expert! “Hilarious and enormously talented! trumpeted England’s Time Out, after appearances at London’s Royal Festival Hall. A collision of theatre and music-hall, his exuberant one-man show is equal parts comic brilliance, virtuosic vaudeville and irresistible charm, the event is presented by The Whistler Arts Council and MY Millennium Place. Tickets ($20 adults / $17 students and seniors) are available by calling 604-935-8410.
Information: www.whistlerartscouncil.com, www.myplacewhistler.org, and www.kubinek.com

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Mom’s Mountain Classic – April 6

Mother’s Day comes early in Whistler. This fun annual event is open to skiing and snowboarding moms of all ages. The day includes morning coffee, race practice, a match-time race, lunch and après festivities at the Crab Shack. Race categories include Moms of Girls, Moms of Boys, Moms of Girls and Boys, Grandmoms, and Stepmoms. Discounts for Whistler Kids Programs are available for participants including 20 per cent off daycare and toddler programs, and 50 per cent off all other Whistler Kids programs.

Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Beauty & Transformation — presented by Brian Harris, SEVA Canada benefit – April 8 – MY Millennium Place — 7:30 p.m.
Photographer and world traveler Brian Harris presents a transformative multi-media journey through India featuring the daily life of an Indian saint and his spiritual community. The journey includes travel to the Makaibari Tea Gardens, home of organic, biodynamic and fair trade teas; Cynthia Hunt’s 15 years of service, dedication and passion in Ladakh’s remote villages; and the Chitrakoot Sight Program. Tickets are available for $13.
Information: www.seva.ca

Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup – April 7-9
Modeled after the Trofeo Topolino Alpine Ski Races in Italy, the Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup has become the North American highlight of the international juvenile calendar. This is the 14th year of the Whistler Cup, North America’s premier International Juvenile Ski Race for girls and boys aged 11 to 14 years. The race brings together 350 athletes from over 20 countries around the world.
Information: www.whistlercup.com

Fresh Tracks to be Made through the Spring – April 9 – Whistler Village Gondola — 7 a.m. daily
Fresh Tracks offers skiers and snowboarders early morning uploading privileges on Whistler Mountain before anyone else, plus a mountain-sized hot breakfast in Whistler’s Roundhouse Restaurant. Whether early birds fancy fresh groomed runs, fresh powder or stunning mountain sunrise, Fresh Tracks is ideal. Fresh Tracks can sell out on big powder days so guests should plan ahead. For more info, call the Whistler Activity Centre 604-938-2769.
Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival – April 14-23
Now in it’s 11th year, the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival has morphed into an action-packed 10-day melee of music, arts, and sports featuring Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series, pro ski and snowboard competitions, phenomenal photography and film exposures, amazing nightlife, village-wide demonstrations and entertainment, Dogfest and so much more. No where does the synergy of music, arts and mountain sports come together like the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
Information: www.whistler2006.com

Whistler Naturalists – Life on the Edge – April 21- MY Millennium Place — 7 p.m.
More than 50 per cent of the world’s population of mountain goats lives in British Columbia. For much of the year, they occupy some of our province’s most inhospitable terrain, existing in seemingly impossible conditions and literally live on the edge. Dr. Steve Wilson, a wildlife biologist based on Gabriola Island who has studied goats for more than 15 years, will lead an exploration of the life history of this superbly adapted species and B.C.’s pivotal role in its conservation. Admission is by donation.
Information: www.myplacewhistler.org

Spring skiing through June – April 23
Blackcomb Mountain closes for the 2004/2005 winter season on April 23. With the longest ski season in Canada, Whistler Mountain stays open for skiing and snowboarding until June 4.
Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

AWARE Annual General Meeting with Guest Presenter Karsten Heuer – April 25th – MY Millennium Place — 7 p.m.
The Association of Whistler-Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) annual general meeting will feature guest presenter Karsten Heuer the author and creator of the film, Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with the Endangered Porcupine Caribou Herd, winner of 17 awards at international film festivals. Admission is a suggested donation of only $10, and includes an annual membership to AWARE.
Information: www.awarewhistler.org

Can-Fit-Pro Group Fitness and Personal Training Conference and Trade Show – April 28-30
Fitness enthusiasts can learn the latest in industry trends, products and services as well as new training techniques during the 2006 Can-Fit Pro conference at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. For more information, call 1-800-667-5622 ext 233 or 234.
Information: www.canfitpro.com

Feature Vacation Package: Weekend Getaway 2-Night Package
For a spring getaway, Whistler has mountains of activities, and deals. April rates for the Weekend getaway start from $233 CDN / $194 USD per adult includes two nights’ accommodation and a two-day lift ticket
Information: www.tourismwhistler.com
Phone: 1-800-WHISTLER (1-800-944-7853)

COMING SOON…
Whistler Wellness Week…April 29-May 7
Spring Dine and Unwind…May 20-June 4
Whistler Family Links golf celebration…May 26-28
International Mountain Bike Association Conference…June 20-23
ArtWalk…July 1-31
Whistler Children’s Art Festival…July 15-16
Whistler Music and Arts Festival…July 21-23
Crankworx mountain bike festival…July 22-30
ies and B.C.’s pivotal role in its conservation. Admission is by donation.
Information: www.myplacewhistler.org

Spring skiing through June – April 23
Blackcomb Mountain closes for the 2004/2005 winter season on April 23. With the longest ski season in Canada, Whistler Mountain stays open for skiing and snowboarding until June 4.
Information: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

AWARE Annual General Meeting with Guest Presenter Karsten Heuer – April 25th – MY Millennium Place — 7 p.m.
The Association of Whistler-Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) annual general meeting will feature guest presenter Karsten Heuer the author and creator of the film, Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with the Endangered Porcupine Caribou Herd, winner of 17 awards at international film festivals. Admission is a suggested donation of only $10, and includes an annual membership to AWARE.
Information: www.awarewhistler.org

Can-Fit-Pro Group Fitness and Personal Training Conference and Trade Show – April 28-30
Fitness enthusiasts can learn the latest in industry trends, products and services as well as new training techniques during the 2006 Can-Fit Pro conference at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. For more information, call 1-800-667-5622 ext 233 or 234.
Information: www.canfitpro.com

Feature Vacation Package: Weekend Getaway 2-Night Package
For a spring getaway, Whistler has mountains of activities, and deals. April rates for the Weekend getaway start from $233 CDN / $194 USD per adult includes two nights’ accommodation and a two-day lift ticket
Information: www.tourismwhistler.com
Phone: 1-800-WHISTLER (1-800-944-7853)

COMING SOON…
Whistler Wellness Week…April 29-May 7
Spring Dine and Unwind…May 20-June 4
Whistler Family Links golf celebration…May 26-28
International Mountain Bike Association Conference…June 20-23
ArtWalk…July 1-31
Whistler Children’s Art Festival…July 15-16
Whistler Music and Arts Festival…July 21-23
Crankworx mountain bike festival…July 22-30