Recognized for accommodation, dining, meetings space, events, activities and amenities

Whistler is ‘the’ place to enjoy summer and, if the bustling crowds aren’t proof enough, the resort just locked up a string of awards from magazines such as Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller, up! and Departures – reaffirming its status as a top year-round destination.

“Tourism Whistler congratulates its members on the recognition received by such prestigious outlets,” said Breton Murphy, senior manager of communications for Tourism Whistler. “We’re proud that leading journalists in the travel industry, and visitors who’ve chosen Whistler as their destination, are encouraging others to experience what we have to offer. Endorsements like these reflect a real commitment by our community to provide an exceptional experience for our visitors.”
Departures, the luxury U.S. lifestyle magazine published by American Express, recently named Whistler as one of the 10 perfect summer mountain towns, highlighting the Nita Lake Lodge, Slow Food Cycle Sunday, Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival, Rim Rock Café, Bearfoot Bistro, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Ziptrek Ecotours.

Readers of Westjet’s inflight magazine, up!, selected Whistler Blackcomb as one of the best-value travel experiences in Canada. Notes the magazine: “Readers remain smitten with the epic terrain and 10 metres of annual white stuff that blankets this West Coast ski resort like a fluffy duvet. Top marks also went to the 18 on-the-hill restos.”

Travel + Leisure named the Four Seasons Resort Whistler to its list of the top resorts in Canada and the United States. The hotel was only one of three Canadian properties to make the list, and came in at number 25, moving up 11 spots from last year’s list. “The Four Seasons’ first Canadian ski resort hugs the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a short walk to the Whistler-Blackcomb lifts and the shops and restaurants of the quaint Whistler Village,” reads the magazine’s acknowlegment. “The 273 spacious and warm rooms are done up in ochre red, earthy green and golden brown and have cherrywood doors, roaring fireplaces, and trim, private balconies.”

The Four Seasons Resort Whistler was also recognized last month by Condé Nast Traveller magazine’s UK readers, ranking its spa at as one of the top 10 hotel spas in the Americas and the Caribbean.

This spring the Toronto Sun tipped its hat to Nita Lake Lodge as one of Canada’s Top 10 Most Luxurious Hotels, noting: “This luxury lodge is close to the best Whistler has to offer, from golf courses to skiing.”

Vancouver Magazine’s 2011 restaurant awards saw Araxi selected as the Best Whistler Restaurant with finalists including Bearfoot Bistro, Sidecut, Fifty-Two 80 Bistro & Bar and Aura.

Araxi, one of Whistler’s most acclaimed restaurants, was also named the Best Whistler Restaurant in the Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards and earlier this year, received the Silver Wine List award from the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (with honourable mentions to The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Wine Room and Ric’s Grill).

On the Meetings and Incentive front, Whistler has also been recognized as a top meetings destination, receiving a number of nods from the Northwest Meetings + Events magazine, the premier magazine for meetings and events professionals.

The magazine released its Readers’ Choice awards for 2011 and Whistler tops the list with the Best Attraction award for British Columbia. “The quintessential British Columbian experience can be found at Whistler Village,” notes the magazine. “Guests can experience skiing, hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, zip-lining and even try their hand at the biathlon course.”

Runner-up in the Best Conference Venue category was the Whistler Conference Centre and Best Resort award went to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The magazine also highlighted Whistler meeting facilities including the Four Seasons Resort Whistler and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

To find out more about what Whistler has to offer this summer, visit www.whistler.com or call 1.800.WHISTLER. Local reservation agents can help build the ideal vacation package.