Whistler is a friendly ski town located in British Columbia, Canada and is home to almost 10,000 residents. Whistler is co-host city of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Whistler has something for everyone - a pedestrian-only Village, more than 200 stores for shopping, spa therapies, and luxurious hotels and accommodations providing all the comforts of home. Whistler is a safe, very tourist-friendly destination.

Whistler's base elevation is only 652 metres / 2140 feet. The peak elevation of Blackcomb Mountain is 2182 metres / 7160 feet. It's high, but not too high to leave you short of breath. Breathe easy in Whistler.

Driving

Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler:

The Vancouver-Whistler drive takes about 2 hours (115 km or 70 miles). This is dependant on road and traffic conditions.

Seattle to Whistler

Whistler is about a 4.5 to 5 hour drive from Seattle, Washington (340km/ 215miles). The trip from Seattle to Vancouver takes about 3 hours.

Road Reports

• The Ministry of Transportation maintains a website with current, up-to-date information about road conditions and construction delays for all of British Columbia.
• To obtain information specifically pertaining to the highway between Vancouver and Whistler call 1-877-4SAFE99 or visit www.seatoskyhighwayimprovements.ca
• As you drive to Whistler you might also want to tune into Mountain FM, ( 107.1 FM - Squamish; 102.1 FM - Whistler ) a local radio station with road and weather updates every 20 minutes.

US Travelers: Traveling by Air

As of January 23, 2007 a passport will be required for travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

US Travelers: Traveling by land or sea

As of January 1, 2008 a passport will be required for travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Travelers Arriving from Other Countries

People arriving from Europe do not need a visa to enter Canada, but do need a valid passport.

If you are arriving from another country, you may need a visa to legally enter Canada. Check online at www.cic.gc.ca to see your particular requirements.

Liquids and Gels

As of Tuesday, September 26, 2006, and until further notice, the following security measures will be in place:
Passengers will be permitted to bring liquids, gels and aerosols through security screening at Canadian airports provided that the items are packaged in containers with a capacity of 90 ml / 90 grams (3 oz.) or less, and that the containers fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart). One bag per passenger will be permitted.

For more information on permitted and non-permitted carry-on luggage items, go to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's website. www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca

Whistler is quite a laid back and casual town. Even the fancy restaurants don't really require people to dress up.

As far as what to wear during the day, remember that you are in the Coast Mountain range of British Columbia and the weather can change dramatically during the day no matter what the season.

Here are some tips for how to dress while in Whistler:

• Dress in thin layers
• A shell with a protective hood
• Fleece hats and gloves in winter, spring, and fall
• Good quality hiking boots with waterproof soles in any season if you're out trekking
• A light shirt, turtleneck, thin fleece and wind/water proof Gore-tex shell (a waterproof breathable fabric)
• T-shirts and shorts are appropriate during the summer months as the temperature can get quite warm. However, if you are hiking, make sure you are prepared for sudden changes in weather.

Check the Whistler weather report www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca

If you didn't pack appropriately, don't worry. Whistler has plenty of shops and clothing stores where you can find everything you might need.

The legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19 years old. Nightclubs close at 2 AM. Bars, pubs and lounges close at 1 AM.

Alcohol is sold at government operated liquor stores. Cold beer, wine and a limited quantity of spirits are also sold at Beer and Wine stores.

There is no smoking allowed in any public buildings in BC. Cigarettes can be bought in grocery stores and drug stores. Whistler does have specialty cigar stores selling Cuban cigars and other fine tobacco products.

Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States and Mexico. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada.

For visitors from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.

English and French are Canada's two official languages. English is the predominant language in British Columbia.
Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops and key tourist destinations have multilingual staff.

Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM with extended hours on weekends at some locations. Most banks have automatic teller machines (ATM) which are accessible 24 hours a day. ATMs accept Cirrus, Plus and Interac.

Tipping is standard practice. The standard minimum tip is 15 per cent. Tips are also given to taxi drivers, hairdressers, bartenders, spa therapists, hotel attendants and bellhops.

Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

The province of British Columbia adds a sales tax of 7 per cent to goods sold in BC. Visitors to British Columbia are not able to claim a refund.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

The 6 per cent Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an additional tax applicable to most goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of or visitor to Canada.

The GST is a value-added tax similar to those that exist in European countries. It is a broad-based consumption tax at a rate of 6% on nearly all goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident or visitor.

• Special features have been designed to minimize the impact of the GST on foreign conventions, meetings and trade shows.
• GST is not charged on convention registration or delegate attendance fees if less than 25% of the delegates are Canadian residents.
• Foreign convention and meeting planners who purchase and re-supply accommodation can claim a rebate of the GST on the accommodation if it is eventually supplied to foreign delegates.
• Additionally, the non-resident rebate is available to foreign convention and conference organizers on meeting rooms, exhibition space and convention-related supplies acquired for use in conventions in Canada.

The rebate can be claimed directly from Revenue Canada by completing the GST rebate application form for convention organizers. U.S. delegates may file for a GST refund with Revenue Canada and be reimbursed by cheque.

For more information go to the Canada Revenue Agency website. www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Customs

American and international associations are entitled to specific importation privileges. All that is required is a letter to Canada Customs at the regional office closest to where the event is being held. This letter should state:

• convention date
• location where the convention will be held
• request for temporary importation privileges
• types of products to be brought into Canada

Organizations from outside Canada can bring in most printed material and souvenirs to be used at their convention. Any equipment such as projectors, cameras, lighting equipment, typewriters and PCs can also be brought into Canada free of duty and taxes as long as it is exported at the end of the convention. Foreign exhibitors may also import display goods for up to six months.

Please note that a security deposit may be required for temporary imports. Please contact the Trades, Conventions, Exhibitions Unit of Canada Customs at 1-604-666-1492 or 1-604-666-1493 for detailed information regarding formalities and documentation.

• Notify Revenue Canada in writing of your event, including your importation and shipping plans at least three months in advance. Be sure you have received a Letter of Recognition in return.
• Designate a representative or hire a customs broker and inform them about your event, including the requirement that they be available to Revenue Canada on-site when your materials arrive. Be sure that both your representative and your delegates receive a copy of the Letter of Recognition.
• Be sure all parties are aware of the Canadian regulations governing goods brought into the country.

Bob Warnock
Customs Inspector Conventions & Exhibits Unit
Metro Vancouver District
#303-333 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5R4
email:
Phone: 1-604-834-7479
Fax: 1-604-666-2962
Cellular: 1-604-817-4009

Whistler, British Columbia is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone. The same as Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Whistler tap water is safe to drink. In fact, it's quite delicious. The municipality maintains 100 kilometres of water and wastewater pipe and one of the most advanced wastewater treatment plants in North America. Rainbow Glacier (21 Mile Creek) and Blackcomb Glacier (Blackcomb Creek), as well as numerous wells, supply Whistler's drinking water.

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