Tourism Whistler reports that Whistler's 2006/07 winter season results, combined with the 2006 summer season, marks the best year on record for the Resort. Tourism Whistler's Vice President of Marketing - Arlene Schieven - notes...

"There's been a great response to our year-round value and expanded offerings such as new skiing and mountain biking terrain. These things, combined with excellent weather and an increase in marketing and sales efforts all contributed to our record-breaking results."

The 2006 summer season (May through October) was Whistler Resort's best season on record resulting in a 14 per cent increase in room bookings compared to the previous summer. Bookings for the recent winter season (November through April) increased 13 per cent over the same period last year, with results only two per cent behind the best winter season on record (2000/2001).

Whistler's consumer promotions for the winter, including a California airfare special ($99 US one-way), Book Early & Save, Monday's Free, and the Stay Longer - Save More offers received very positive feedback and helped secure room nights - particularly at the beginning of the season.

Whistler visitors enjoyed increased choice provided by the introduction of the new Symphony Amphitheatre on Whistler Mountain. The area provides over 1,000 acres of new terrain accessed by the new Symphony Express high-speed chairlift. Family-focused amenities such as the Tube Park, a state-of-the-art sliding facility opened during the 2005/2006 winter season.

Resort-based marketing and operational initiatives, combined with excellent snow conditions, served to create conditions for an exceptional winter season. November 2006 was the snowiest November in Whistler's history. The snowfall continued to cumulate with over 14 metres (46 feet) of snow during the 2006/07 season - more than 40 per cent over the average annual snowfall.

Room nights booked by visitors from the regional market increased seven per cent over the 2005/06 winter season. These strong results are particularly significant considering last season's double-digit growth in the key regional markets of British Columbia and Washington State. Long-haul markets - particularly those within the U.S. and Canada - are largely responsible for the overall results this season, with a combined 17 per cent increase over last year. The overall increase seen in U.S. visitors this winter of five per cent is especially notable because the opposite trend has been seen among most other Canadian destinations.