Archive for the ‘A: Whistler’ Category

Temporary Foreign Worker Program To Expand

Thursday, December 6th, 2007

It was announced recently that the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker program is set to expand over the next weeks and months.

The program has already been broadened to include hospitality and tourism workers, which specifically addresses issues that affect resort destinations such as Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Panorama, and is to be further widened to include other trades. No specifics have been made public yet, though.

Temporary Foreign Worker

The idea is to ensure a better supply of qualified workers not only for the immediate future as the population ages, but also to cover the demands of Vancouver and the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralymic Games.

In addition, Human Resources and Social Development Minister, Monte Solberg, has advised that the Canadian Working Holiday Visa system is also being reassessed with a view to possibly including the UK, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

So, if you’re interested in working in Canada temporarily, be sure to keep an eye on the Immigration Canada website.

Good luck!

Hilton Whistler Resort - AAA Four Diamonds

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Twice in as many weeks, a Whistler hotel has been awarded a prestigious ranking by the American Automobile Association!

The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, reopened after a $52 million make-over in 2006, has just been granted the Four Diamond award by the AAA. The property’s first-rate accommodations together with fine amenities and great service, offer the guest a real treat!

Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa

Pradeep Puri, the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa’s General Manager, is gratified at the recognition and says it rewards the hotel’s great efforts to provide its guests with exceptional quality throughout - the ultimate resort experience.

The AAA’s Four Diamond Award is affirmation of the hotel’s commitment to providing superior quality in all areas. Not only are the hotel’s physical amenities of a very high standard, but they’re complimented by excellent hospitality, service and attention to detail.

Compass Tours creates reasonably-priced custom packages for visitors to Whistler - any combination of accommodation with flights, ground transportation, lift tickets, golf, winter and summer activities, even dinner reservations!

Contact us today for your free quote!

Four Seasons Whistler - AAA Five Diamond Award

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

Whistler’s most luxurious resort, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, was recently granted the prestigious American Automobile Association’s Five Diamond Award. The hotel is the first resort-style property in Canada to receive this honour, and only the third hotel in Canada to be so recognized.

Four Seasons Whistler

The AAA Five Diamond Award is presented to properties that achieve superior levels of personal service for their guests, plus the ultimate in luxury and sophistication in the presentation of its physical amenities.

Less than half a percent of all hotels, restaurants, etc, in North America and the Caribbean rated by the AAA achieve this status!

Scott Taber, the resort’s manager, dedicates the Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s success to the efforts of the hotel’s staff who, he says, make it all happen.

It takes several years to attain such lofty status and Scott is no stranger to the experience! He has lead several other Four Seasons properties to Five Diamond status in the past. And considering that the Four Seasons Whistler only opened in 2004, this is quite an achievement!

If you’re thinking of visiting Whistler and considering treating yourself to a stay at this wonderful hotel, please let us help you make the arrangements!

We can put a package together that includes accommodation with any combination of transportation, skiing and snowboarding, golf, winter and summer activities, even dinner reservations!

Compass Tours specializes in creating reasonably-priced custom packages to Whistler, as well as Sun Peaks and Panorama, and is committed to making the design of your itinerary as simple and worry-free as possible!

Contact us now for more information!

 

Whistler Snow Report

Friday, November 16th, 2007

Great news from Whistler resort! Whistler Mountain is scheduled to open a week early, on November 17th!

Whistler Village Snow

This photo, taken late on Thursday, shows that the white stuff is already reaching right down to the valley!

There’s a mid-mountain base of 108cm (about 3.5ft) which was given a great boost earlier this week with a huge 80cm/2.6ft dump! The forecast is for plenty more white stuff over the next few days, with the freezing level dropping back to the valley.

From Saturday, access to Whistler’s slopes will be via the Village and Creekside Gondolas, with mandatory downloading. Other lifts scheduled to open are the Red and Emerald Chairs. Franz’s Chair will be open on Saturday and Sunday only.

Early season pricing is still being hammered out - keep an eye on the ticket windows for cut-rate prices due to the limited terrain access!

The lifts will be running from 8.30am to 3pm daily, with last upload at 2.30pm.

Are you coming to Whistler this winter? Then let Compass Tours organize it for you! We specialize in creating reasonably priced custom packages that put accommodation together with any combination of air and/or ground transportation, lift tickets, rental equipment, lessons, activities, even dinner reservations!

Contact us today for more information!

Whistler Nordic Centre - Callaghan Valley

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Great news for Whistler cross country skiing! It was recently announced that the Whistler Nordic Centre in the Callaghan Valley will be open by Christmas 2007!

Callaghan Valley

This means that a total of 36km of new cross country trails will be open and accessible to residents of Whistler, Squamish and Vancouver … that’s two 5km competition tracks, plus a 4km biathlon track … with the balance set up as recreational skinny ski trails!

cross-country-racers.jpg

Both the cross country and biathlon technical buildings will also open, and you’ll be able to both hire equipment, and purchase gear, there. The main day lodge is scheduled to open in spring 2008.

The Callaghan Valley is slated to host all the cross country ski and biathlon events for the 2010 Paralympic & Olympic Winter Games.

Disabled Cross Country Ski Racer

With this facility coming online early this winter, there are already several notable events scheduled for winter 07/08, including the Nordic Combined National Championships (which includes ski jumping!) January 2-5, the B.C. Cup January 19-20, and the Biathlon B.C. Cup on January 26.

Ski Jumper

In addition, 5km of trail will be lit for night skiing!

Discussions are currently under way to decide whether the Callaghan Valley complex will dual-pass with the Lost Lake cross country trail system in Whistler …

For more information about Whistler, or if you need help planning your Whistler ski vacation, please contact us at Compass Tours!

Early Snow in Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

Wow, we’re only just into October and already seeing substantial snow dumps!

Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have a good couple of inches of the white stuff blanketing the slopes to well below the Roundhouse and Christine’s! But the golf courses should be ok until after Canadian Thanksgiving, when they’re scheduled to close for the winter.

Sun Peaks is showing good early coverage, too, with snow all the way down to the village! I guess the Sun Peaks Golf Course might be closing early!

Panorama’s peaks are already showing a nice dusting, too! Greywolf Golf Course should close on schedule at the end of this week.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

WinterPRIDE ‘08 - Whistler Gay Ski Week

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

WinterPRIDE ‘08 - Whistler Gay Ski Week

In Whistler, dates for this winter’s gay and lesbian snow event have been announced:

February 3-10, 2008

Slated to host more than 3000 visitors from all over the world, guests will have a choice of a myriad of events in Whistler, both on the slopes and in the village, during an action-packed week dedicated to diversity!

A full slate of activities is yet to be finalized, however organizers have already revealed that one of the Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil shows will entertain at the annual Banquet!

This year, WinterPRIDE will also have more events for non-skiers, lesbians and “bears”, along with an expanded culinary program!

If you need help planning your trip to Whistler, please contact Compass Tours - we have the experience and local knowledge to help you create a reasonably priced custom package!

Whistler Vacation - Reasons To Visit Whistler

Friday, August 17th, 2007

If there was ever a place to go for a mountain holiday that has something for everyone, Whistler is it!

Whistler Family Vacation

Whether your FAMILY consists of one adult and one child, the traditional 2 adults and 2 kids, an extended or blended family, or a family reunion, Whistler has the ideal places to stay and the right activities to keep everyone occupied!

In the main village area, within 10 minutes’ walk of the lift bases and all the shopping and restaurants, is a huge variety of hotels, lodges and self-catering condominiums for you to stay in. There are also townhomes on the outskirts of the village and up on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain (some of which are ski in/out) that are on a free shuttle bus route … these options are often more reasonably priced than village area units.

The FREE SHUTTLE runs year round, although is most used during winter (in summer, most people drive themselves up to the resort, so the summer schedule is limited). The shuttle runs about 15 minutes from about 8am to around 11pm, 7 days a week, during winter. The route runs around the main village and village north area, beside the Chateau Whistler Golf Course and up onto the Blackcomb Benchlands.

There are so many THINGS TO DO in Whistler, the choices can get quote overwhelming! You’ll never be bored!

Whistler Winter Activities

In winter, there’s the downhill skiing and snowboarding on North America’s premier slopes, along with daycare services for the little ones and ski/snowboard school from everyone from tots to seniors. Then there’s cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, ice skating, dog-sledding, snowmobiling, heli-sightseeing, and snowshoeing!

Whistler Summer Activities

In summer, besides golf on five championship tracks and three municipal courses, there’s top-notch mountain biking both in a purpose-built downhill park on Whistler Mountain, and single tracks all over the surrounding ranges. There’s lake swimming, kayaking and canoeing, white water rafting, sailing, hiking, horse riding, and flight-seeing by helicopter and floatplane.

All year round, there are spas, a rec centre with fully equipped gym, indoor pools and an ice rink, several varieties of yoga, restaurants, zip trekking, shopping, a museum, a library, movies - there’s even a cooking school and language lessons! And the people-watching in Whistler is world-class!

Whistler Romance

Looking for ROMANCE? Whistler is perfect for those Valentine’s getaways, unique engagement locations, weddings, honeymoons, and “just because you’re special” escapes! Imagine a wedding with the glorious Coast Mountains as the backdrop … all green and blue in summer, sparkling and crisp in winter! There are several favourite places to stay during these unforgettable occasions: Larger hotels include the Four Seasons Whistler Resort, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Westin Resort & Spa Whistler, and the Hilton Whistler Resort. Then there are the boutique lodges, like the Summit Lodge & Spa, for those who prefer a more intimate experience!

Whistler Nightlife

If you’re want as much ACTION AT NIGHT as you enjoy on the slopes and fairways during the day, then Whistler’s the place for you! The apres-ski and patio scenes can’t be topped, and the pubs and clubs will keep you rocking until the wee hours!

Whistler Restaurants

Whistler’s DINING choices couldn’t be more varied! The village abounds with fantastic restaurants to suit every taste, offering every conceivable type of cuisine - flavours from both North and South America, Europe and the Far East, too.

Peak to Peak Gondola

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

The Peak to Peak Gondola, which will join Whistler’s Roundhouse Lodge to Blackcomb’s Rendezvous Lodge, is yet another innovation that will make Whistler unique among North America’s premier resorts!

The addition of this gondola will make Whistler Blackcomb the longest continuous lift system in the world!

Construction started on May 15th of this year, and the project is set to open in December 2008.

Peak to Peak Gondola

Just imagine …

… the lift will span a distance more than three times the length of the Golden Gate Bridge!

… the views from 415m or so above the valley floor will be mindblowing!

… being able to cross from one massive mountain peak to the other in just 11 minutes!

… saving the forest - the footprint of this gondola is about a third of that of an average high speed quad chair!

… saving energy - the power to run this gondola will be about half that of the Whistler Village Gondola!

… saving petrol, keeping air pollution down, and reducing congestion - this gondola will greatly reduce the need for gas-guzzling cars to be used to travel between the two mountains!

Here are some interesting statistics:

1 cabin will depart every 49 seconds

3.024 kilometres (1.88 miles) of free span (the longest in the world!)

4 supporting towers for the gondola system

4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) from end to end

7.5 metres (24.6 ft) per second speed of travel

11 minutes to cross from one side to the other

28 gondolas in circulation - two with glass bottoms

28 passengers per cabin

415 metres (1361 ft) is the height above Fitzsimmons Creek (the highest of its kind!)

4100 people per hour can be moved

Remote Email Access

Thursday, July 19th, 2007

Even when you’re on holiday, you’ll probably feel the need to check your email accounts.

Here’s a great way to do it …

http://www.mail2web.com/

All you have to have is your email address and email password …

You can check your messages on any machine with internet access, from anywhere in the world …

And transfer them to your regular email program when you get home!