February 4, 2005 – This morning, Whistler Blackcomb awoke
to fresh snow on the mountains and in Whistler Village. A frontal system
brought 28 centimetres or 11 inches of snow overnight.

“We are extremely excited about the new snow, ” says Doug Forseth, Senior VP
of Operations at Whistler Blackcomb. “Mother Nature is providing a real
boost to what our crews have been doing an incredible job of maintaining.
With 121 days left in our season, we are thrilled to see the return of
winter to Whistler.”

The Environment Canada Alpine Forecast is calling for a snowfall
accumulation of 3 to 5 centimetres today with the freezing level lowering to
800 metres. Another frontal system is expected to reach the South Coast late
Saturday, giving the potential for more snow through Sunday. The base of
snow as measured at the Pig Alley Weather Plot, 1650 metres on Whistler
Mountain is 150 centimetres or 59 inches.

“There has never been a more welcome snowfall,” says Forseth. “Normally a
28-centimetre snowfall would not draw such attention in February, but in the
wake of last month’s weather this is big news for skiers and riders at
Whistler Blackcomb.”

Last month’s “Pineapple Express” storm packed a tropical punch like no
other, but Whistler Blackcomb remained open, with a solid mid-mountain base
and good alpine conditions. The unusual weather system brought heavy
precipitation and unseasonably warm temperatures to most of British Columbia
and Washington State. The four-day period from January 17th to 20th was the
heaviest four consecutive days of precipitation Whistler has experienced
since weather data was first collected in 1931. With higher than normal
temperatures, this fell in the form of rain rather than the usual snow. A
number of Washington State and Vancouver-area ski resorts closed down as a
result of the deluge.

Whistler Blackcomb is open with over 4500 acres and 5280 vertical feet for
skiing and riding. Additional terrain will open as weather and conditions
allow.

For further information on what’s on at Whistler Blackcomb this season,
including special accommodation package prices, log on to
whistlerblackcomb.com or call 1-866-218-9690.