With consecutive years of record breaking snowfalls (14 meters last season) and the legendary Canadian hospitality, Whistler Blackcomb is once again reigning on the ski resorts lists.

For the eleventh year in a row, the big mountain resort was rated first position from Skiing Magazine and received last year the prestigious British Travel Awards, among others.

In addition to the snow and the 8,171 acres of terrain, the wide range of activities offered at the resort ensure that all visitors, skiers or not, are never left out in the cold. Horse and dog sleigh rides, snowshoeing, ziplining, snowmobiling, ice-skating, backcountry excursions, but also spas, fitness and beauty centres… the possibilities are endless. Combine them with the fine dining, the nightlife and the picturesque scenic view, and you will understand why Whistler is number one.

The Olympic spirit has already kicked in, come share this amazing experience. Construction of Nordic and Alpine courses will be completed this fall. In time to host national and international competitions this season, as well as for you to test your abilities and snap photos to brag about on the courses bearing official signs.
And Whistler doesn’t rest on its laurels, the new icon of the mountain and of the country, the record breaking Peak to Peak Gondola, is under construction and will be finished in December 2008.

Aloha Whistler will help you select the right luxury accommodation for your family or group and assist you in preparing your trip, to ensure that every detail of your stay is purely perfect. Contact our experienced staff to start planning your dream vacations.

The snow started blanketing the peaks early this fall, and a handful of lucky skiers were seen in the powder in the early days of October! Anticipation is building for the winter.

Lots of events are taking place during fall, to keep locals’ and visitors’ minds busy while waiting for the first chair of the season

• Dine & Unwind is going on until October 31st, with sumptuous regional and organic cuisine and amazing deals on spa treatments. The perfect getaway for a rainy day.
• Wine’d Up on Saturday October 20th, Whistler Search and Rescue Society’s 8th Annual Winemakers’ Gourmet Dinner and Auction. Superb cuisine at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, an amazing wine selection, and both live and silent auctions of artworks, accommodation stay, certificates and much more, donated by business to support the Search and Rescue Society.
• Cornucopia from November 8th to 12th, is Whistler’s annual celebration of wine and food. How nice does that sound! Wine and food gazing, culinary seminars, chef demonstrations… It is a must-see (and taste!) event!
Plus, this year ARTrageous will showcase emerging and established artists. A highlight during Cornucopia.
• Whistler Film Festival is starting November 9th until December 2nd, showcasing more than 90 films from Canadian and international top directors. Aspiring movie actor or director? This is a great opportunity to network.
• And finally what everybody is waiting for: Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains Official Opening Day: November 22, 2007. Be the on the first chair for the first track of the season! Groomers and powder-filled bowls on the largest terrain in North America, welcome to Whistler!

Don’t feel left out! Book your vacations early with Aloha Whistler. You can save on events and lift tickets and activity booking by planning early. Benefit from Aloha’s selection of luxury accommodations in Whistler. Our experienced and thoughtful staff will help you book the perfect condo or sumptuous home and tickets, passes and any reservation for your vacations.

THE COUNTDOWN FOR WHISTLER WINTER IS ON!

With over 50 centimeters / 19 inches of snow on the upper slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, a select few expert level athletes were chosen to get their first taste of winter. The skiers were provided access to Whistler Mountain by helicopter. With perfectly fluffy snow, the professional skiers on the supervised shoot were in for deep powder turns rarely found so early in a season.

"I couldn't believe how good the snow was and today is only October 5," says professional skier Mike Douglas. "If La Nina lives up to her reputation this is just the start of an epic season in Whistler."

Whistler Blackcomb noted that is does not condone riding or skiing on Whistler or Blackcomb Mountains until the mountains officially open. They also recommend that any skiers and snowboarders entering the backcountry take necessary precautions to travel using safety best practises and carrying proper equipment such as avalanche beacons, probes and shovels. But this photos sure gets our skiing hormones jumping!

Read to book your Whistler ski vacation? Contact our experienced in-resort experts today to book your Whistler accommodations and activities.

[Photo of Cameron MacKenzie skiing Whistler Blackcomb last season courtesy of Ultimate Ski Adventures]

The popular Dine & Unwind Whistler event is back from November 24th to December 11th this fall.

Spend a weekend or a week vacation in Whistler for the beauty of Whistler’s natural environment, and take advantage of amazing deals on fine dining in spa treatments. Start the day with a gateway in one of Whistler’s spa or wellness centre and get discount prizes on facials, wraps, massages and any beauty products. Then continue to indulge with a diner at one of the many restaurants participating in the Dine & Unwind experience and enjoy multi-course menus, fine regional and organic cuisine, and the incredible experience of Whistler’s nigh life. Restaurants and spas will offer special rates and discounts.

Contact Aloha Whistler for your perfect Whistler accommodation, our experienced staff will be happy to help you plan your perfect vacation in Whistler.

One year from now, in October 2008, tickets for the Vancouver Whistler Winter Olympic Games of 2010 will be available for sale.

This may be a once in a lifetime chance to see winter sports like you have never seen them before. Either to watch your favourite skier, be amazed by half-pipe or discover bobsleigh (and of course cheer for hockey), the 2010 Olympics will be an adventure. And you can be part of it. The Vancouver 2010 website will provide all the information on time: ticket prices (half of all the tickets available will be priced under $100), program schedule, merchandises…

Be sure not to miss this event in on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and book a luxury Whistler accommodation with Aloha Whistler. Our experienced staff will make sure you everything will be ready for your perfect Olympic vacations. To build up the anticipation, come visit Whistler in advance and lodge in Aloha’s luxury Whistler slopeside accommodations this season and test your skills on the Olympic run.

Whistler plans to party hard for the 2010 Winter games. An if the price tag of $18.5 million is any indication it should be quite the party!

As acting mayor Ralph Forsyth notes... "We are known as happy people who like to have a good time, and we are inviting the world here to proudly show them how we do it here in Whistler."

The multimillion-dollar price tag for the party is part of the Live Site program.

"I think it is absolutely worth the investment," noted Forsyth. Whistler is the first mountain host of a winter Olympics to be allowed to hand out medals. The resort is creating a medals plaza near the centre of town, and the Village will be a hub for the Live Site celebrations.

Vancouver will have two distinct Live Sites but Whistler is planning on turning the whole village into a Live Site. There will be six main gathering areas in the Resort hosting a total of 25,000 people.

Events and businesses will be 24 hours a day to allow all Olympic followers to celebrate on their own schedule. "Every day will be like Christmas and every night will be like New Year's Eve," said Forsyth.

Funding will come from a government grant, the Vancouver organizing committee and the Resort.

Fireworks anyone?

Cornucopia's biggest ever party line-up is set to for the best Whistler Wine and Food Festival yet. The 2007 event runs November 8 to 12. Numerous event after-parties include...

Friday November 9 - Ric's Grill - Casino Royale Night
Pull out the tuxedos and play your best game of cards. The evening includes firespinners, showgirls, DJ's and specialties by Ric's chef Derek Larson.

Saturday November 10 - After Crush! - Araxi's Restaurant
Doc Fingers and his band blast jazz served with amazing seafood and champagnes.

Saturday November 10 - Arti Gras - The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
Bourbon Street visits Whistler. Live jazz, body and face painting and authethentic Cajun cuisine.

Other events include the Chef's Table Luncheon Series hosted in the comfort of Whistler's luxury homes.

Looking for accommodations during Cornucopia? Check out our Whistler accommodations listings, then contact Aloha Whistler's longtime-local in-resort holiday specialists to help us select the best accommodations and vacation packages for your Cornucopia stay!