NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release - December 15, 2006

Contact: Public Relations
604-938-7668
publicrelations@intrawest.com

Coastal storm pounds Whistler Blackcomb leaving 58 centimetres / 23 inches of snow in 24 hours

Deep, fluffy powder on the menu for Saturday's Symphony Express Grand Opening

WHISTLER, B.C. December 15, 2006 - Christmas came early for skiers and snowboarders at Whistler Blackcomb today. A strong Pacific storm blanketed the area with 58 centimetres or 23 inches of fresh powder in the past 24 hours, adding to November's record breaking snowfall and bringing anticipation for the grand opening of Symphony Express this weekend to a fever pitch. Whistler Blackcomb has received an incredible 5.8 metres or 19 feet of snowfall since November 1.

"Today I am having one of my best days ever at Whistler Blackcomb. We are getting blower pow in the trees and in most cases the snow is coming up to my waist," says Hugo Harrison, professional big mountain skier. "I have lived here for 11 years and this year has been by far the best season I have ever experienced."

Sites like bestskiweather.com have been tracking this storm for over a week, predicting an expected snowfall of two to four feet since last Wednesday. The snowy conditions in Whistler are a silver lining to other parts of southern British Columbia that have been dealt severe blows with the weather.

"This is an incredible way to start the weekend and kick off the festive season in Whistler," says Stuart Rempel, Whistler Blackcomb's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "Locals and visitors alike were bounding out of bed this morning to dig out their cars and be first up the lifts, and we expect a similar reaction tomorrow as we get set to celebrate the grand opening of the Symphony Express."

The $9.2 million Symphony Express high speed quad chair, accessing 1,000 acres in the back bowls of Whistler Mountain, is on track to start turning at 11am Saturday morning. In-bounds avalanche control work should be completed today after this big storm, ensuring that the Symphony Amphitheatre's wide open bowls and gladed tree skiing will be epic when the new lift uploads guests for the first time tomorrow.

More snow is forecasted for Whistler Blackcomb over the next five days. Flurries are expected on Saturday and Sunday with light winds and the alpine temperature remaining steady at minus 11 degrees Celsius or 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Another Pacific front will approach the coast on Sunday afternoon bringing snow to the area through Tuesday.

Skiers and riders eager to keep an eye on Whistler Blackcomb's current conditions can stay up to date by checking out web cams and operational updates at whistlerblackcomb.com. The snow phone is also updated four times daily and can be reached by calling 604.932.4211 in Whistler, 604.687.7507 in Vancouver or toll-free at 1.800.766.0449. Last minute deals on hotel rooms for this weekend are available for as low as $123 per night at whistlerblackcomb.com.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and is about to open the Symphony Express, a new high speed quad accessing further into Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Intrawest ULC is a world leader in destination resorts and leisure travel. The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America's most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com.

Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

MEDIA NOTE: Whistler Blackcomb is pleased to provide high resolution photos available for editorial use, and downloadable at the following link http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/photo/index.htm.

Please credit the appropriate photographer. Thank you.

Media interested in attending the Symphony Express Grand Opening Celebrations should plan to be at the Symphony Base (access via the Peak or Harmony Chairs, then follow Burnt Stew Trail to new Symphony trails) by 10:30 am. Please contact public relations at 604-938-7668 to RSVP.