PLANNNING TO OPEN MORE TERRAIN THAN ANY OTHER RESORT IN THE WORLD FOR US THANKSGIVING

With thousands of skiers and riders proclaiming "epic" snow conditions on Blackcomb Mountain, the anticipation level of Whistler Mountain's opening on November 24 is high. Whistler Blackcomb plans to open more than 3,500 acres of terrain on both mountains for US Thanksgiving. A quick review of ski resorts worldwide indicates that this would be the most terrain open anywhere, and would be the most Whistler Blackcomb has ever been able to open for the US Thanksgiving weekend in its 40-year history.

Bob Dufour, Whistler Blackcomb's vice president of operations and a 33 year employee, has been assessing the situation during the last few weeks. "Whistler Mountain is in great shape and we plan to offer the highest vertical and most terrain our guests have ever experienced this American Thanksgiving weekend," he says. "In my 33 years of working for the mountains, these are among the best early season conditions I've seen." Whistler Blackcomb will operate four base areas starting Thursday, November 24.

Whistler Creekside, Whistler Village accessing Whistler and Blackcomb, Blackcomb Upper Village Base, and Blackcomb's Base II will operate. The base areas will access close to 3,000 vertical feet (882 metres) of skiing and riding including high alpine areas such as Whistler Bowl, Glacier Bowl, Harmony Bowl, Burnt Stew Basin and Flute Bowl on Whistler, plus the Horstman Glacier accessed via the Glacier Express on Blackcomb.

Crews will be assessing the possibility of opening Blackcomb Glacier throughout the week. "Blackcomb has been open for two weeks now and we've had a phenomenal start," continues Dufour. "Our crews are working around the clock in order to open as much as we possibly can on Whistler for our US friends who'll join us for Thanksgiving, for our loyal guests close to home, and for our guests from around the world." Whistler Mountain will open with a halfpipe and a variety of rails in the Habitat Terrain Park. Blackcomb's Nintendo Terrain Park will also be open with rails. Stay tuned to www.whistlerblackcomb.com for further opening details.

The Whistler Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School instructors will be on hand for anyone who wants to take a lesson and get some new tips before habits start to form this season. Supergroup lessons (maximum three people plus an instructor), Beginner Learn to Ski/Ride, Whistler Kids group lessons, plus youth Ride Tribe camps are all 50% off through December 18 as part of the Discover Whistler Days special deals.

Early season pricing is still in effect and great deals on lift and lodging packages are available at www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Family packages offering free skiing, accommodation and tubing for kids are available until December 12. Visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com for up-to-date snow reports and details about Whistler Blackcomb's special offers and upcoming events.