Scrambling for fast and easy gift ideas? Whistler Blackcomb gift cards never expire and can be purchased in any denomination. They can also be used in both winter and summer for any WB product or service, including an incredible day on the mountains, dining and après, and clothing and gear from any WB retail location.
If you are thinking of giving someone the gift of choice this year, below are just a few of the ways the recipient can spend one of these handy dandy cards:
FOR THE BOUNDARY PUSHER
Extremely Canadian Backcountry Adventures, from $215 ($199 if booked 10 days in advance)
Interest in backcountry skiing/riding has significantly increased in recent years, and while venturing out of bounds can be an amazing experience, it is essential to have the skills and equipment to do it safely. If you know someone considering an adventure outside the ski area boundaries, the Extremely Canadian Backcountry Clinics offered through Whistler Blackcomb are the perfect way to learn the techniques and tactics to navigate the backcountry responsibly. This program is designed for intermediate to expert skiers and riders and can be booked in group or private sessions.
K2 13 Pilchuck Kit, $219.99
Having all the right gear when heading into the backcountry is equally important as having the necessary skills, so for the new backcountry enthusiast on your list, the K2 13 Pilchuck Kit would be the ideal way to use their gift card. The kit includes a K2 Speed Shovel, an ALU 230 Avalanche Probe and the 11 Litre Pilchuck Pack. Partner that up with a Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver ($380.00) and your loved one will be all set for their next out-of-bounds adventure. Both the K2 13 Pilchuck Kit and the Barryvox Avalanche Transceiver are available at Whistler Blackcomb CAN-SKI stores.
The Camp
If you know someone more interested in pushing their own boundaries than the ski area’s, encourage them to use their gift card to check out the latest offering from Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, The Camp. The Camp combines two of the longest running and most successful ski camps in North America – Dave Murray Ski Camps and Ski Esprit – which together have been around for almost 60 years. The Camp is a new multi-day program for adults, consisting of three or four days of coaching for intermediate to expert skiers, with a maximum capacity of six people per group. The Camp will also include private hill space, video analysis, race course training, and a traditional Whistler après experience following each day on the mountain. The Camps can be booked at any Guest Relations location or by calling 1-800-766-0449.
FOR THE FOODIE
Fresh Tracks Mountain-Top Breakfast, $19.95
All foodies appreciate a good breakfast, and foodies in the mountains know fuelling up first thing in the morning is the most important part of the day. Fresh Tracks, Presented by the Globe and Mail, is the perfect way to combine a hardy morning meal with some perfect morning turns. Fresh Tracks tickets allow guests toupload the Whistler Village Gondola early at 7:15am and then head to the delicious, mountain-sized breakfast buffet inside the Roundhouse Lodge. After enjoying some bacon, eggs, fruit, pastries, coffee, and more, guests will gain access to fresh powder or perfectly groomed corduroy before the rest of the day’s skiers and riders have even begun to head up the mountain. The Fresh Tracks program begins Friday, December 20, 2013 and tickets can be purchased using Whistler Blackcomb gift cards at any Guest Relations location.
Tickets to the Winemakers Après Series, $79.69 per event
The popular Winemaker Après Series at Steeps Grill & Wine Bar atop Whistler Mountain is a must-do for any foodie visiting Whistler Blackcomb. The events pair British Columbia’s best wines with a five-course meal inspired by locally sourced ingredients. This winter, the Winemakers Après Series will feature NK’MIP Cellars onJanuary 23, See Ya Later Ranch on February 13, Jackson Triggs on March 12, and Sumac Ridge on April 3. Tickets are $79.69 per event, including tax & gratuity and can be picked up at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations or by calling 1-800-766-0449.
Après It Up, $25, $50, $100, or select any amount
Help your loved one celebrate the “best day ever” at Merlin’s Bar & Grill at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ at the Creekside Base, or at the iconic Garlibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) at the base of Whistler Mountain. Gift cards can be used to purchase any item on the menu including food, drinks and alcoholic beverages for the adults. For a special treat, recommend your loved one sample one of the caesars on the new cross-Canada inspired caesar menu at the GLC, featuring The Great Canadian Caesar (the GLC’s signature drink), The Pacific Rim Caesar(BC inspired), The Maritimes Caesar (East Coast inspired), and The Cowboy Caesar (Alberta inspired).
FOR THE GEAR JUNKIE
GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition, $450.00
The GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet, featuring video resolutions up to 4K, 12MP photos up to 30 frames per second, built-in Wi-Fi, Super View™ and Auto Low Light modes, and waterproofing up to 131 feet. The GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition stakes the claim as the “world’s most versatile camera,” and is the ideal tool for skiers and snowboarders looking to capture their on-mountain experiences at Whistler Blackcomb. Gear junkies around the world would line up for this piece of technology, but lucky for guests of Whistler Blackcomb it is available at Showcase Snowboards and CAN-SKI stores where the cashiers will happily accept Whistler Blackcomb gift cards as payment.
Patagonia Capilene® 4 Baselayer, $119.99
People who are serious about being in the mountains know being prepared starts with having the right baselayer. The Patagonia Capilene® 4 Baselayer is a lightweight, compressible zip-neck that will keep any gear junkie dry and comfortable in their pursuit of alpine highs. This is the warmest and most breathable baselayer in the Capilene family, with a soft, stretchy feel, and a smooth knit face that glides easily beneath layers. The Patagonia Capilene® 4 Baselayer is available at the Patagonia Store in Marketplace.
Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody, $369.99
Streamlined, lightweight, and extremely warm, the Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody is a must-have item for any mountain man or woman. Filled with 850 white goose down, the Down Composite Mapping strategically places Coreloft™ synthetic insulation in areas where moisture may buildup to provide maximum warmth. This specialist hoody is intended as a mid-layer or standalone piece in cool, dry conditions and is available at CAN-SKI stores throughout Whistler.
Quiksilver Travis Rice First Class GORE-TEX® Shell Jacket, $479.95
Help that special someone on your list be king of the mountains in this 2L GORE-TEX® Ripstop shell with fully taped seams. Kidney warmers will help to keep innards toasty while the removable PU taffeta powder skirt with Lycra stretch panel will add extra function to this stylish piece of outerwear. Quiksilver Travis Rice First Class GORE-TEX® Shell Jacket is the perfect gift for a gear junkie who is particular about the functionality of his gear but still wants to look good on the hill. It is available for purchase via gift card at the Quiksilver Store in Whistler.
FOR THE HIGH ROLLER
Whistler Heli-Skiing Package, packages ranging from $899-$1279 per person
Whistler Heli-Skiing has access to some of the most spectacular terrain in the world covered by pure, un-broken powder. All heli-adventures are led by a certified heli-ski guide, and include the use of avalanche transceivers, on–mountain lunch and return ground transportation to Whistler Village. There are a variety of different packages to choose from including the Classic Experience which includes three runs of 1,400 to 2,300 vertical metres of skiing or snowboarding. Packages or gift certificates can be purchased at 1.888.HELISKI.
Ski With An Olympian Program, from $899
With the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics right around the corner, Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating its Olympic legacy from hosting the 2010 Games with the return of the “Ski With An Olympian” Snow School program. Initially introduced mid ski season last year, the ‘Ski With An Olympian” program is Whistler Blackcomb Snow School’s most elite product and offers guests the chance to hire an Olympic athlete to be their own personal guide. This exclusive program includes a full-day of skiing or riding guided by an Olympic athlete, with capacity capped at five people per group. Like all other Snow School lessons, the ‘Ski With An Olympian” program also gives guests lift line priority.
The North Face Patrol 24 ABS Pack, $1199.99
The North Face Patrol 24 ABS Pack is the ultimate ski/board backcountry accessory, featuring a built-in ABS Avalanche Airbag System… If you have someone on your list who is already an active backcountry enthusiast, giving them a Whistler Blackcomb gift card to help them purchase this piece of gear will blow them away. With the industry’s most trusted technology, the ABS system uses a user activated compressed Nitrogen gas canister to inflate two integrated, high-volume airbags that keep users on the surface if they are ever caught in an avalanche. The North Face Patrol 24 ABS Pack has a 95 per cent success rate in real-world use, and is available for purchase at The North Face store in Whistler Village.
FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING
Whistler Blackcomb EDGE Card
For the person who already has everything, give the gift of a winter full of amazing skiing and riding. Available to Canadian and Washington State residents, one-day EDGE Cards start at $90, three-day EDGE Cards are available for $259, five-day EDGE Cards are available for $399 and ten-day EDGE Cards are available for $799. EDGE Cards are valid for use all season long and can be purchased using a Whistler Blackcomb gift card at any Guest Relations location or by calling 1-800-766-0449.
Coca-Cola Tube Park Tickets, from $21 for a 1-hour adult ticket
For non-skiers and riders or the people on your list who already have their lift tickets covered, the Coca-Cola Tube Park is another fun way to spend a gift card. Located in the Base 2 Zone on Blackcomb Mountain, the Coca-Cola Tube Park offers great fun for the young and the young at heart. There is no skill or equipment required – just a sense of adventure and a desire for excitement. Adult, youth, and child pricing is available for one and two hour sessions. Tickets can be picked up at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations or at the Coca-Cola Tube Park directly.
FOR THE FUNCTIONAL FASHIONISTA
Roxy Dazed 2L GORE-TEX® Jacket, $399.95
The Roxy Dazed 2L GORE-TEX® jacket is sure to catch the eye of any skiing or snowboarding fashionista who recognizes the importance of functional outerwear. Combining the technology and weather proofing of 2L GORE-TEX® with downfill insulation, there will be no stopping the wearer of this jacket on a power day. The Roxy Dazed 2L GORE-TEX® jacket is available at the Quiksilver Store in Whistler Village, where gift certificates are happily accepted.
The North Face Thermoball™ Jacket, $229.99
Developed in partnership with PrimaLoft®, Inc., Thermoball™ is a revolution in insulation technology. Unlike traditional continuous-filament synthetic insulation, the small, round PrimaLoft® synthetic-fiber clusters closely mimic down clusters, trapping heat within small air pockets to retain warmth. As a result, Thermoball™ can offer the light weight, loft, warmth and compressibility of down with the wet-weather insulation performance of synthetic insulation, making this not only a stylish jacket but a functional one. The North Face Thermoball™ Jacket can be purchased with a Whistler Blackcomb gift card at The North Face store in Whistler Village.
Spyder Soiree Full Zip Sweater, $224.99
Functional fashionistas realize it is equally important to look good while on the mountain as it is at après. The Spyder Soiree Full Zip Sweater makes this transition perfectly, with a classically hip snowflake design and mid-weight Core Sweater material. Whether sipping a hot chocolate by the fire or enjoying a frosty beverage after a long day of skiing, this sweater makes the perfect mountain statement. Available for purchase via gift card at Whistler Blackcomb CAN-SKI stores.
Gift Cards can be purchased over the phone by calling 1-866-218-9690 (toll free in North America) or in person at any WB Guest Relations location or retail store. For more information visit: www.whistlerblackcomb.com/
