Whistler Blackcomb Surpasses Annual Average Snowfall of 33 Feet with over 3 months left in Ski Season

Current Storm Continues to Blanket Whistler During US Presidents’ Week Holiday
WHISTLER, BC, February 20, 2007 – With 103 days left in a winter season that extends to June 3, Whistler Blackcomb has surpassed its annual average snowfall before the end of February. As of February 20, the resort has received 1026 centimetres or 404 inches of snowfall this year, with the annual average sitting at 1,006 centimetres or 396 inches.

The current weather system that tipped Whistler above the average has delivered 11 centimetres of snow in the past 24 hours and 48 centimetres over the past seven days. The storm is expected to continue through Saturday bringing another 22 to 35 centimetres or 12 to 14 inches to the winter wonderland resort.

“Whistler’s geographical location in British Columbia’s Coast Mountain Range is the perfect position to receive significant snowfall from precipitation generated over the Pacific Ocean,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Whistler Blackcomb. “This year has been a banner year to date, starting off with a record 416 centimetres or 164 inches in the month of November alone, exemplifying why Whistler Blackcomb is known as one of the most reliable ski resorts in the world for snow.”

Record breaking snowfall in November, solid snowfall throughout December and January, and currently tracking to be the second snowiest year on record by the end of February, Whistler locals are enjoying an epic season. February has seen more sunny skies in the earlier part of the month, until deep winter returned to the resort this past weekend, just in time for the busy US Presidents’ Week holiday.

The current snow base at mid-mountain (1,650 metres) on Whistler Mountain is 281 centimetres or 111 inches. Whistler Blackcomb receives an annual average of 33 feet,10 metres or 396 inches of snow. The Whistler Blackcomb ski season kicked off on November 18, 2006 and will extend to June 3, 2007.

Whistler Blackcomb Exceeds All Time Snowfall Record

WHISTLER, BC, January 11 2006 – Following the most recent snowstorm that dropped 22 centimetres or 8 inches in 24hrs, snowfall accumulation totals at Whistler Blackcomb have reached record highs. 877 centimetres or 345 inches of snow has fallen in Whistler so far this season, which is the most the resort has seen by this time in January based on 27 years of snow data analysis. The previous record saw 827 centimetres or 325 inches fall by January 31 of the 1991/1992 season. The current base sits at an incredible 305 centimetres or 120 inches as measured at mid-mountain.

“This has been the most incredible season here, and we’ve been extremely lucky compared to other resorts on the East Coast and throughout Europe,” says Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “We’ve seen system after system blaze through this area and it seems like every few days there’s another metre of snow on the hills. It’s really quite amazing to wake up each morning to another epic powder day. We’ve been very blessed.”

With an average annual snowfall of 10 metres or 33 feet, Whistler Blackcomb is close to exceeding this by the end of January.

The Environment Canada Alpine Forecast is calling for a high pressure system to move in over the next few days bringing some welcome sunshine to the stormy resort. With the annual Whistler Blackcomb Learn to Ski Week coming up January 16th, conditions for first time skiers and riders could not be better.
Whistler Blackcomb started off the 2006/2007 season with the snowiest November on record with 416 centimetres or 164 inches of snow. The previous record was in 1994/1995 with 272cm. December received 275cm of snow. So far this season, Whistler Blackcomb has seen over 15, 15+ centimetre days.