At the mention of the name Whistler, most people conjure up images of snow, winter and skiing. Although this is the focal point of the infamous resort town, visitors should be aware of the numerous alternative events that the community hosts. Not only do the remarkable mountain views and internationally renowned slopes of Whistler attract tourists from around the globe, year-round the festivals do too. Ranging from BMX bike jumping to fine wine and dining, the events that grace the slopes of Whistler are diverse, exciting, and attract a motley group of people to the region.

TELUS WORLD SKI & SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL

Snowboarder1

In sync with Whistler's ultimate skiing reputation, the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF) invades the village for 10 solid days of partying and fun. At the end of the ski season, the hip resort town becomes a booming hot spot full of all kinds of entertainment and nightlife. Every afternoon and evening, Whistler's main stage, Skiers Plaza, hosts one of North America's largest free outdoor concert series. This concert does not restrict itself to a single musical genre, but embraces sounds of reggae, jazz, rock, hip-hop and alternative music. Having featured a star-studded lineup of performers in the past, including artists like Sam Roberts and Finger Eleven, the TWSSF continues to provide visitors with big name entertainment each year. On the other hand, if the sounds of turn tables and the thought of a large dance floor are more intriguing, tickets can be purchased to attend a DJ experience at the Telus Conference Centre Grand Ballroom. Visitors can let loose on the dance floor while listening to a line-up of international Djs.

As well as appealing to music and ski junkies, the artistically inclined are likely to enjoy the creative aspects of this festival. Visitors can expect to broaden their creative dimension while attending fashion shows, art exhibits and film and photography competitions. Presenting artwork created with a multitude of mediums, the BraveArt Festival showcases over 30 artists during the week. The nightly events and the live painting demonstrations are popular aspects of BraveArt.

Whether an artist craving to get the creative juices flowing, or a professional skier trying to defy gravity, the many competitions featured at TWSSF will fascinate. The World Ski Invitational is a ski and snowboard competition that caters to up-and-coming racers as well as the professionals. By holding qualifying rounds for these athletes, amateur competitors are provided with the opportunity to qualify and compete against professional skiers and snowboarders. The Old Spice Big Air and Superpipe competitions are noteworthy events where enthusiastic fans gather to see the exquisite moves.

On a slightly different note, if the extensive process of movie creation is of interest, visitors can attend the Yahoo Filmmaker Showdown. Contestants have 72 hours to shoot, edit and produce a short film within the Whistler area. After the given time frame, the films are viewed and a panel of judges decide on the winners. Then, the winning films are showcased at screenings around North America. In addition to this creative competition, visitors can also attend the Pro Photographer showdown. Similar in format, international photographers compete to win the lucrative prizes and claim the winning title.

If visitors are wondering what to do with their canine companions while they head to the mountains for TWSSF, they need not ponder any further. Dogfest is a fun two-day event that raises money for Whistlers' no-kill dog shelter. All focused on the love of dogs, there are tons of exhibitions and entertainment.

WHISTLER CHILDREN'S ART FESTIVAL

Dedicated specifically to introducing children to the arts, the Whistler Children's Art Festival has been an annual part of the town's calender since 1983. The event has greatly expanded over the years, and in the past few it has upgraded its location from Myrtle Philip Community School to Creekside. In 2006 the festival attracted over 3,000 visitors, which was a new attendance record. In addition to the visitors who come from BC, Canada and the United States, the festival attracts international attention. Travelers from as far away as Hong Kong, England and New Zealand have been known to attend.

Parents will be be amazed by the amount of festivities put on to keep the little ones happy for hours. While learning to play traditional drum beats from Africa or creating a unique hat with the “mad hatter,” the interactive workshops geared towards preschoolers allow for vast learning while being thoroughly entertaining. For the five to nine-year-olds, there are more in depth workshops that may lead children to discover their life long passion. For example, kids can take part in a photography session and discover how to capture a special moment using a camera. They can also learn to sketch and paint as they view some of Whistler's wildlife. In addition to the many workshops for the age three-to-11 crowd, there are also events for older kids and parents to enjoy. The extensive entertainment calender always features guests that have the grown-ups rocking in their seats as they laugh just as hard as their children.

CRANKWORX

	Mountain Biker at Whistler Bike Park2

Hosted by Kokanee in late July, Crankworx is a nine-day festival where mountain bikers gather to ride it out and compete for international mountain biking recognition. Full of energy and talent, these riders face the tough courses that world renowned Whistler Bike Park (Whistler Blackcomb) has to offer. Boasting an 1,100 m (3,600 ft) descent from the top of the Garbanzo chairlift to the village, and an even greater descent from the top of the Peak Chair, the hardcore trails are challenging and impressive, attracting pro bikers like Dave Watson and Wade Simmons.

Inspiring thousands of fans to make their way to Whistler, this mountain biking extravaganza features a multitude of biking events and competitions. Whether participants are zooming down the 15 minute Enduro Downhill race, or competing in the BMX-style Jump Jam, fans will be thoroughly entertained. Other events include the Super D (downhill plus climbing), Trailworx (obstacles and water), Air Downhill and of course, the classic events like the Canada Cup Cross Country and the Canadian National Downhill.

Visitors can enjoy live music, entertainment and nightlife while taking a break from the vast number of competitions and demonstrations. Featuring free outdoor concerts each day, visitors can give their eyes a rest and let their ears take over as they listen to various performers. In 2006 fans enjoyed the eclectic tunes of Grammy-award-winning hip-hop group De La Soul.

CORNUCOPIA

Wine & Dine3

In the midst of the cool month of November, Whistler Village hosts a weekend of sophistication called Cornucopia. The festival was named Cornucopia—a motif emblematic of abundance—to represent a celebration showcasing the superior wine and dining options that Whistler's internationally recognized resorts and restaurants have to offer. Centered around industry bigwigs, guests and presenters include top notch chefs and wine stewards. While the festival lasts four days, every moment is packed with events, seminars, exhibits and of course, parties. Seminars are geared to all levels of people who have an interest in gourmet foods and fine wines. Interactive classes focusing on the art of coffee, beer, wine and gourmet cooking, allow guests to learn while tickling their taste buds. One popular event is the blind wine tasting, where participants are given the opportunity to test their wine tasting abilities and see if their picky taste in fine wines is truly justified. For chocolate-lovers, previous festivals have seen local chocolate-maker George Graham discuss all aspects of gourmet cocoa confection, while preparing a variety of tantalizing chocolate desserts especially for seminar guests to enjoy. From daily luncheons to impressive after parties, this is the luxury festival of the year.

	Musician4

WHISTLER MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

In order to showcase Whistler's local talent, in 2004 Visa and Tourism Whistler jointly presented the first annual Whistler Music & Arts Festival. Continuing to occur every year in the middle of the summer, visitors can appreciate the large range of activities and entertainment that the festival has to offer. Musical gurus can check out the free concerts every afternoon on the Live Village Stage. In 2006, there were 10 free concerts throughout the four days. The extensive range of sounds, including pop-rock, folk-fiddle and accoustic tunes appeal to an array of musical tastes and preferences. If artwork is of interest, visitors may be inclined to attend one of the daily art shows and gallery tours. Celebrating local artists and their pieces, these exhibits highlight unique artwork, much of which is specific to the Whistler region. To encourage education on artistic process, the festival allows visitors to observe a practicing artist as they demonstrate various techniques. If a piece of Whistler's unique artwork is a must-have souvenir, visitors can make their way to the outdoor market, where local artisans have their pieces up for grabs.

The event includes a variety of activities that will have the kids screaming with excitement. The Live Village Stage has hosted the much loved Fred Penner, whose visit exemplifies the family-friendly nature of the festival. Before the show, kids and their parents can meander through Whistler Village and take in the bizarre comedy of the goofy street entertainers.

1. Snowboarder; Whistler, BC, Canada
2. Mountain Biker; Whistler, BC, Canada
3. Wine & Dine; Whistler, BC, Canada
4. Musician; Whistler, BC, Canada