Media Release
Whistler Blackcomb Captures Skiing Magazine's Top Ranking
For An Unprecedented Tenth Consecutive Year
- Additional #1 Rankings Include Freeskier, TransWorld Snowboarding, Forbes and Luxury Travel -
WHISTLER, BC, October 23, 2006 – Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating as king of the mountains with No. 1 rankings in SKIING Magazine, TransWorld Snowboarding Magazine, Freeskier Magazine, Forbes Traveller and Luxury Travel Magazine. The SKIING Magazine ranking is especially prized as it marks an unprecedented tenth consecutive year as the magazine’s top ski resort in North America.
"Why has Whistler Blackcomb dominated our resort poll for ten years running? SKIING readers and the athletes we survey know the skiing kicks ass, that's why,” says Marc Peruzzi, Editor-in-Chief of SKIING. “The biggest vertical in North America, tons of advanced terrain, 400-plus inches of snow, and a rowdy party scene that doesn't feature a bunch of pasty, lock-jawed wankers in white turtlenecks doesn't hurt. Whistler Blackcomb goes off."
“This is a feat no other resort has ever accomplished and we are very proud to be the first,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior VP of Marketing and Sales. “There are many other resorts in the poll with great products but we have gone to great lengths to improve our mountains as well as value for our guests, year after year. Our new Symphony Express lift with over 1,000 acres of terrain and the addition of Whistler Heli-Skiing’s 494,000 acres of terrain makes Whistler Blackcomb even bigger and better for the upcoming season.”
The ranking from Freeskier Magazine lists Whistler Blackcomb as the No. 1 resort in the Pacific Rim and remains their favourite place to ski overall. "Whistler Blackcomb once again topped our list of the best places to ski because of the unbeatable combination of epic big-mountain terrain, advanced park features and raging nightlife,” says Matt Harvey, Senior Editor of Freeskier. “For the first time, we split our resorts into varying regions to give others a chance to shine. But, as we wrote in our 2006/2007 Resort Guide, 'If a guide to the best ski resorts doesn't put Whistler Blackcomb at the top of its list, you can be assured it's bogus.' Whistler Blackcomb is still our favorite place to ski in North America."
TransWorld Snowboarding also placed Whistler Blackcomb as the No. 1 resort in North America while The Jutland Post (Jyllands-Posten), the largest selling newspaper in Denmark, went as far as to rank the resort the best in the world.
“These top rankings and positive exposure are key to our continued success and a testament to the hard work and dedication from all Whistler Blackcomb staff as well as Whistler as a community,” says Rempel. “We have always put forth our best effort and year after year these No. 1 rankings are celebrated as reward for everything we do to provide unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
In SKI Magazine’s annual “Top 50 Resort Guide”, Whistler Blackcomb was named No. 1 for Terrain/Variety and No. 2 for Lodging and Après, while receiving Top 5 standings in Dining, Service, Terrain/Challenge, Lifts and Terrain Parks. The definitive reader’s poll has placed Whistler Blackcomb in the Top 5 for the last ten years.
Other kudos for Whistler Blackcomb this fall include:
- Forbes Traveller Magazine. They polled influential members of the ski community and Whistler Blackcomb garnered the top vote from the panel to place No. 1 in North America.
- Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine lists Whistler on their Gold List as the best overseas ski resort for the second year in a row.
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Check out early season booking deals for packages booked by November 15. Guests can save up to 36 per cent and receive a complimentary adult group ski school lesson on their first day, providing an excellent way to learn new tips and get a guided tour of Whistler Blackcomb's 8,171 acres of terrain and 200+ trails. Vacation package information is available at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
