Whistler Real Estate - Toonie Race
Each week 200-300 mountain bikers get together for our local cross country ride. Organised by WORCA (Whistler Off Road Cycling Association) the Loonie/Toonie Races are one of the most popular events of the summer.
This weeks race was sponsored by The Whistler Real Estate Company in conjunction with Lawyers - Race & Company and Restaurant - Monk’s Grill. The theme for the race was ‘Country Club’.
Due to the fires there were a few last minute changes to the course, but with some quick organising we managed to have the racers rerouted and on course on time.
Each of the Realtor’s sponsored a corner, directing traffic with our OPEN HOUSE signs. The evening followed with a delicious dinner courtesy of MONK’s Grill and entertainment by local favourite - The Hairfarmers.
A big Thank you to all those who helped out. We look forward to making this inaugural event an even bigger success next year!
Blackcomb Mountain Fire - Under Control
Since this press release last night, the fires are under control thanks to the quick response of emergency crews and a much needed rain shower!
Resort Municipality of Whistler News Release
For Immediate Release - July 30, 21:41
Blackcomb Mountain Fire - Update
Whistler, B.C. - A fire is currently burning on the east side of Crystal Ridge, which is the north flank of Blackcomb Mountain. There had been lightening activity in the area earlier in the day. At 14:55 lightning strike ignited the fire on Blackcomb Mountain. The Ministry of Forests & Range has deployed significant resources to contain the blaze, which is now estimated at 50-75 hectares in size is classified as a category four fire. Fixed wing and rotary engine tankers have been deployed, but will cease flights overnight.
The fire is located in a timber area and is not an interface fire. No critical infrastructure in Whistler or the Callaghan Valley are under threat at this time. No evacuation alerts have been issued in the Whistler area. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has activated its Emergency Operations Centre. An update on the fire will be provided at 8:00 am (PST) unless any major changes occur in advance of that. Due to lightening in the area all guests and staff were evacuated off the mountain by Whistler Blackcomb staff prior to the fire breaking out. Whistler Blackcomb plans to open Whistler Mountain on Friday morning for normal sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking operations, including operation of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.
Forest Fire on Blackcomb Mountain
Heli crews are fighting a fire which broke out on Blackcomb Mountain about a ½ hour ago from a lightning strike.
We will keep you posted with updates as we have them. So far, there is no threat to any Whistler homes.
It is amazing to watch the incredibly quick response from emergency crews in the Whistler Valley.
A big thank you from all of us!
Mountain Operations
Update from Whistler Blackcomb - SKIING & RIDING CONTINUES ON WHISTLER MOUNTAIN FROM MAY 19TH Whistler Mountain will re-open May 19th for late spring skiing and riding, following Blackcomb’s last day on Monday, May 18th. Recent snowfall, cooler temperatures, and a current snow base of 186cm (73 inches) have created the conditions for Whistler Blackcomb to continue to offer skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain.
“Currently the snow pack and coverage is good,” says Bob Dufour, Whistler Blackcomb vice president of mountain operations. “Operations crews will assess the terrain between now and May 18 to determine the best areas for skiing and riding. We anticipate offering a product on Whistler Mountain through to the end of May and we will continue to assess the conditions to see if skiing/riding in June is a possibility.”
Spring operations at Whistler Blackcomb now include:
• Limited skiing and riding from May 19 with uploading available from the Whistler Village Gondola only from 10am to 4pm.
• A few park features including rails will be available.
• Blackcomb Mountain’s last day of winter operations will be Monday, May 18. Access to Blackcomb this weekend (Saturday-Monday) will be via the Excalibur Gondola only.
• Whistler Mountain will reopen for sightseeing on Saturday May 16 from 10am to 5pm.
• The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be closed for scheduled maintenance from April 27 and will reopen for sightseeing Saturday, June 6.
• Glacier skiing and riding on Blackcomb Mountain will begin June 20.
Updated information on open lifts and terrain on Whistler Mountain will be available at whistlerblackcomb.com/whatsopen as operations decisions are confirmed.
The Snow Report number is 604-392-4211 locally or 604.687.7507 from Vancouver.
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park open May 16 for daily summer operations, 10am-5pm. The Air Dome will also open May 16. Extended Play will kick-off on June 20; daily hours of operation 10am-8pm until September 6.
2010 Medal Ceremony back in Whistler
It’s official! After much back-and-forth, discussions, negotiations and re-negotiations – Whistler will indeed be the site of nightly medal presentations during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
In February 2009 as a cost-cutting measure, Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic organizers (VANOC) told Whistler that medals would be awarded at event venues instead of at Whistler’s Celebration Plaza – already under construction. But after much lobbying from Games athletes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and broadcasters, VANOC was convinced to reconsider the medals plan. The revised $12.8 million Whistler Celebration Sites program, including medals presentations at the plaza site, now includes $6.8 million from VANOC, $5 million from the federal government and $1 million from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).
Luge World Cup - this weekend
Don’t miss your opportunity this weekend to see the world’s best complete in the FIS Luge World Cup! Tickets are just $5 and with Saturday already sold out, make sure you pick up your tickets for Friday.
Two weeks ago Whistler’s Sliding Centre was put to the test with FIS Skeleton & Bobsleigh World Cup events. With sell out crowds for each event, excitement is building with just one year until the 2010 Olympic Games.
Whistler Winter Arts Festival
February & March 2009 – Whistler, B.C.
A celebration of Arts and culture in the Sea to Sky corridor.
The Whistler Winter Arts Festival is a dynamic two-month program of live music, aerial dance, snow sculpting, film screenings, art and photography exhibitions, and literary soirees, under the sun or under the stars. This year features free outdoor performances by world renowned Canadian musicians including Buck 65, Wide Mouth Mason and Joel Plaskett; storytelling events featuring 2008 Giller prize winner Joseph Boyden – “literally” between the sheets; original short films from BC filmmakers; an exhibition of regional art; and the return of the Canadian Snow Sculpture Team along with three other teams from across the country! We are very pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Whistler Winter Arts Festival by CTV British Columbia - BC’s home for news.
This event showcases Canadian talent and intends to build excitement leading up to full participation in The Olympic and Paralympic Art festivals. For more information please visitwww.whistlerartscouncil.com
Whistler Peak to Peak Gondola
The view from Whistler Village up to Whistler Blackcomb is beginning to take a different shape! Suspended across the record-breaking 3kilometre/1.88mile unsupported span between Whistler and Blackcomb Peaks are twelve PEAK to PEAK Gondola Sky Cabins.
The official opening day for the PEAK to PEAK Gondola is December 12, 2008.
Crankworx Under Way!
The fifth annual Kokanee Crankworks festival is well under way in Whistler. The festival opener, typically a 4x event, was replaced by a dual slalom this year. A few hundred riders charged down the newly crafted course entertaining the crowd with the intensity of head-to-head action. Despite a little rain in the mix, the event went off without a hitch. In the end America’s weapon JD Swanguen took down top spot in the men’s pro class while 2007 4x World Cup Champion Anneke Beerten won the women’s pro class.
Check out the events yet to come!
Whistler Kokanee Crankworx Schedule
Saturday August 9 - Dual Slalom
Sunday August 10 - Garbanzo Downhill, Ken Quon Cross Country
Monday August 11 - Womenzworx Clinics
Tuesday August 12 - Womenzworx, Gala Competition
Wednesday August 13 - Jim Beam, Air Downhill
Thursday August 14 - VW Trick Showdown
Friday August 15 - Kidsworx, Giant Slalom
Saturday August 16 - Trialsworx, Slopestyle
Sunday August 17 - Canadian Open Downhill
Climate of Condo Ownership in Whistler Brightens
Strata Owners and Management Company carve new deal at The Westin Resort & Spa
WHISTLER, BC, July 17, 2008 – A new 20-year management agreement has been implemented between the owners of The Westin Resort & Spa and OHR Whistler Management Ltd., a subsidiary of Vancouver-based O’Neill Hotels & Resorts Ltd. The new agreement has moved away from a revenue-based fee structure to a profit-sharing business plan which closely aligns the interests of the owners and management. The short term impact is expected to boost net income for the owners. The long term impact provides an opportunity for both the owners and OHR to achieve greater long term growth. The resulting increase in value has made owning a unit at this Four Diamond rated hotel that much more enviable.
“We recognized that changes needed to be made, but they had to be ones that truly made a difference for all stakeholders involved,” explained John O’Neill, president of O’Neill Hotels & Resorts Ltd. “We’ve spent many, many months candidly discussing what would work to make owning and/or buying a unit the right investment for all involved, so the changes that have been made to the terms of agreement are not just a collaboration of input between owners and ourselves, but also the franchise division of Westin Hotels.” O’Neill also stated that an investment partnership, of which they are a part, has also recently purchased a substantial number of hotel suites in the Westin, which will further align them with the other owners.
In addition to this new management agreement the interests of all stakeholders will be further enhanced with the planned multi-million hotel refurbishment program for the 8-year old resort hotel, which is to begin in spring 2009. Acknowledging the importance of this new management agreement and the need for the changes to be win-win for all, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, franchise operators of Westin Hotels & Resorts worldwide, will be contributing $1 million to the refurbishment program.
“We’re very pleased with the changes to the terms of the new agreement for current and prospective condo owners at the Westin,” said Colin Yip, president of the Strata Corporation at The Westin Resort & Spa. “For several years the owners have attempted to renegotiate several aspects of the hotel management agreement and it has finally come to fruition. The key to the new deal was changing the contract from a gross revenue focus to a shared net income focus which will result in more money in owners’ pockets. With the winter Olympic games just under two years away, the opportunities of a better bottom line can be more optimistically realized with these welcomed changes.”
Opened April 3, 2000 and twice-named the #1 ski resort hotel in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, The Westin Resort & Spa has just recently been awarded the Four Diamond-designate from AAA/CAA for the eighth consecutive year. As well, the Westin has been given the nod by AWARE with its Whistler Environment Business Award and the Hotel Association of Canada’s Three-Green Key eco-award, which recognizes the numerous green-friendly initiatives in place at the hotel.
