Response time of 1 Sept is coming up fast. ---Also
anyone who has an
idea of where I can find Black Grey and Gold Ski hats for identification
on the slope would be appreciated. Pete
Arriving Sunday, Feb 24 - Departing Friday/Saturday, Mar 1/2, 2002
At Whistler-Blackcomb, there are two mountains at one location with over
7000 acres (about 3500 acres each) and over 5000' of vertical drop on
both. The Whistler Mountain Peak Lookout tops out at 7160' with the base
at 2140' and the Blackcomb Mountain Horstman Hut is at 7494' with the
base at 2247'. Note that the tops are lower than Colorado's base
elevations, and while this Northwest snow is Canadian Cascade,
conditions are very favorably competitive with Colorado.
Whistler-Blackcomb offers 20% novice, 55% intermediate and 25% expert
terrain with over 200 marked trails. Whistler-Blackcomb will speak for
itself and provide everyone with the experience of a lifetime in a truly
European-style, international resort.
Check it out at www.whistler-blackcomb.com.
We hope that you will join us to enjoy Whistler Village and its
mountains in a relatively unstructured vacation atmosphere with just a
few scheduled events. Our group POC, Amanda Hurford, is set to accept
your call for lodging reservations at the group rates and may also be
able to help you with travel arrangements, including transfer from the
airport of your choice to Whistler and return (advance reservations
recommended). She is available at 1-888-403-3005, ext 5047; or email:
ahurford@rezrez.com. We must have a minimum of 25 bookings on lodging
and all group activities to ensure the group rate.
Whistler is about 2 - 2 BD hours north of Vancouver, B.C. Airport,
depending upon traffic and road conditions on scenic Hwy 99. Great bus
and other shuttle services are available. Rental cars are always your
option, but a car is not really needed once at Whistler.
Whistler is about 5 hours north of Sea-Tac Airport, WA. You may want to
check both airports for the best deals.
We have mentioned the Canadian snow, but we should also get you into the
Canadian (CDN) exchange rate. All the quotes provided are in Canadian
dollars and are subject to the infamous GST (Goods and Services Tax of
7%). Lodging is also subject to a 10% Room Tax. NOTE: the GST on lodging
is refundable with the filing of some paperwork with original receipts.
For the US $ exchange rate, divide by 1.45 and you will feel much better
about the numbers. Plan to use your MC or VISA for just about everything
most of the time for the best daily rate of exchange.
Working with Resort Reservations Network Inc., we have the following
accommodations:
We currently have five Hotel rooms and ten Queen Loft rooms at the
Whistler Village Inn & Suites [only 2-3 minutes (less than 5 for slow
walkers) from the lifts to both mountains] on block hold through January
24th, 2002. Additional accommodations may be available, if not there,
then in other nearby hotels, and these prices may or may not be
available. Make your reservations as soon as you can; final payment must
then be submitted under the contract NLT 30 days prior to arrival / Jan
24, 2002. Cancellations made on or after Jan 25, 2002, are subject to a
100% cancellation fee. The Hotel rooms at $188.10 CDN/night (approx.
$130 US + taxes) offer 2 queen beds and full bath. They sleep 2-4
persons; 225 sq ft. For larger groups, ideal for families and/or close
friends, each Hotel room adjoins a Studio Suite. The Queen Loft units at
$215.10 CDN/night (approx. $150 US + taxes) offer compact kitchens, wood
burning fireplaces and full bathroom. They sleep 2-4 persons; 450 sq ft.
Bedding choices include: one queen bed in the loft and two day beds in
the living area; or, a queen bed in the loft area and a queen Murphy bed
in the living area. At this time there is also availability in the
Studio Suites at $233.10 CDN/night (approx. $160 US + taxes) offering
full kitchens, including dishwasher and microwaves, with a queen Murphy
bed and two single day beds; 480 sq ft. Hotel rooms and Queen Loft rates
are based on double occupancy. Extra person charges of $20 CDN per
person, (approx. $14 US + taxes) per night are additional. The Studio
Suite rates are based on quad occupancy. Check-in time is 4PM and
check-out time is 11AM. The Whistler Village Inn & Suites offers a free
continental breakfast and free parking. On-site is also a year-round
outdoor pool, hot-tub and sauna, the Keg Restaurant, and Brandy's bar
and lounge.
Group lift tickets for the younger adults will be $227 CDN (approx.
$160
US) for 4 out of 5 days; seniors (65+) will get by with $193 CDN
(approx. $135 US) for 4 out of 5 days. (GST on lift tickets is not
refundable.) Lift tickets can also be ordered through Amanda and will be
delivered to your room upon your arrival. All tickets are good on both
mountains.
There is a Free Village Shuttle throughout the main village area
(Whistler Village, Village North and Upper Village, which includes both
ski lift base areas). Easily accessible and nominally priced bus service
is also available to outlying areas (Whistler Creek and other areas).20
Skiers and Non-Skiers can walk or ride the Village Shuttle to just about
anywhere worthwhile in and around the village. There are lots of easy
access things to do for everybody: Ice Skating at the Meadow Park Sports
Center, Snowshoeing, Indoor Rock Climbing, Movies at the Rainbow
Theater, a Library and yes, lots of Shopping.20
Our working agenda of activities/events currently includes the
following:
Day 1 - Sunday, February 24th
Arrival and check-in at Whistler Village Inn & Suites. Informal
gathering at the Cinnamon Bear lounge in the Delta Whistler from 3:00PM
to 6:00PM. Pick up your information packet and get your questions
answered with other tips on Whistler Village. Take in the Whistler
Welcome Night activities in the Skiers Plaza starting at 6:00PM. If you
have not done it yet, take a walking tour of the Village, check out the
restaurant guide, have dinner and then get ahead and make a reservation
for Monday evening! Don't forget that bar and dinner prices will also be
in CDN $ - just think about 2/3 on the average for US equivalent.20
Day 2 - Monday, February 25th
Hit the slopes! Check the weather and ski conditions for both mountains
at the same base area. You probably will ski only one mountain each day
unless you are real eager beaver. The restaurants on the mountains are
great for lunch. You may also want to check out the Fresh Tracks
breakfast on Whistler Mountain (flyer will be available) if you are an
early riser and a big eater. There will be an apre ski get-together at
the Crystal Lounge with nibble food from 4:00PM to 6:00PM. Then enjoy
the rest of the evening!
Day 3 - Tuesday, February 26th
We are looking at a sleigh ride by Green Lake, followed by a gourmet
fondue dinner at Joel's Restaurant at the Nicklaus North Golf Course.
The packaged cost is $89 CDN + GST (approx. $70 US) per person. And
while prices seem to go up every year, Joel's is highly regarded by the
locals as "one of the best".
Day 4 - Wednesday, February 27th
Yer on yer own today! There should be enough shared experiences to make
this a great day of skiing with your choice of Whistler or Blackcomb
Mountain and an enjoyable evening out at Whistler Village, not singly,
but doubly or with a group of close friends. Anybody want to go
snowmobiling? You can call toll free now to make your reservation at
1-877-938-1616. How about heli-skiing? Call 1-888-HELI-SKI or
1-800-667-4854. Then take your best date to dinner and dancing at the
Alpen Rock House or Buffalo Bill's in a wide open, fall out type
atmosphere.
Day 5 - Thursday, February 28th
The NASTAR is not available at Whistler-Blackcomb this year, but there
are race courses on both mountains. We do have an info sheet and POC for
details. If this is a "must do" for the racers, we would like hear from
you so that we can check availability of the courses and maybe get a
volunteer as the coordinator to take care of that event.
We currently have several options for the Group Dinner varying at about
$60-70 CDN(or less)/person, including GST and gratuity (should not
exceed approx. $50 US).
Day 6 - Friday, March 1st
Most will be departing. However, the weekend crowd does not arrive until
this evening, so if your calendar will permit it and you can extend your
stay, it should be a great day for skiing.
Return this page (with your check) to: [Don't forget to make a copy of
this for yourself!]
Tom Morgan, 96 Jayne Court, Steilacoom, WA 98388
Inquiries to Tom at (253) 983-8903 OR Gene Wilson at (253) 582-9249
Email: tmorgan58@hotmail.com Email: geneandellie@foxinternet.net
Name: ______________________________________
There will be ____ people (including me) in my party.
We need your Registration Fees NLT 1 Sep '01.
All fees may be refundable up until 24 Jan '02 when we enter "lock in".
Registration Fee $35US/person X ____ Persons 3D $ _________
(This fee should cover our up front expenses, the Apre-Ski Get-Together
below, getting the group to and from the Sleigh Ride and Joel's,
something to remember Whistler by and other, hopefully trivial,
expenses.)
Apre-Ski Get-Together No Charge X ____ Persons
Monday, Feb 25th at the Crystal Lounge, 4-6:00PM
Initial payment (made out to Tom) enclosed: $ __________
As soon as we get the initial headcount and see where we are, we will
give you an update and finalize the rest of the week's events.
For planning purposes, please complete the following:
Sleigh Ride and Dinner at Joel's (Tuesday evening) _____ Persons
Racing Event (Thursday or as available) _____ Persons
Group Dinner (Thursday evening) _____ Persons
Comments/Questions: (Brief notes or please give us an email or a
telephone call).