Now is the perfect time to visit Whistler and Vancouver

With 7 days still remaining this month, Whistler has already surpassed the record for November snowfall, as more than 430cm (172 inches) of white gold slammed the mountains by Thursday afternoon. The previous record, set in 2006, was 416cm (164 inches). So why not see the Host City and Host Mountain Resort before the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games?

Both Vancouver and Whistler are offering accommodation packages to entice visitors to experience both host destinations now - prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which begin on February 12, 2010.

British Columbia wants to dispel myths that Vancouver and Whistler are "sold out", "too busy", "under construction", or "too expensive" in the months leading up to the 2010 Winter Games. These misperceptions are part of the Olympic aversion phenomenon which has been known to impact host destinations before and after the Games, leading visitors to stay away during what are actually great times to visit. Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler want to be among the first to avoid this phenomenon.

In fact, there has never been a better time to visit Vancouver and Whistler. Here's why:

Great accommodation offers. Get breakfast included with your hotel stay in Vancouver, and a four-day lift pass included with your five-day stay in Whistler.

Sneak preview of the host destinations before the Games. With just 85 days to go before the Opening Ceremonies, get your photo taken beside the Olympic Countdown Clock and see the Olympic rings floating in Vancouver's downtown harbour. Zipline past the Whistler Sliding Centre and view the village below while standing beside a 30-foot tall Inukshuk atop Whistler Mountain.

Transportation has never been easier or more enjoyable. The $CAD600 million upgrade to the Sea-to-Sky Highway linking Vancouver and Whistler is days away from completion. And you can now get to downtown Vancouver from Vancouver International Airport by SkyTrain. The new Canada Line train is clean, fast (about 25 minutes into downtown Vancouver), and great value (just $3.75 CAD per person).

Experience the Cultural Olympiad prior to Games time. Starting January 22, Cultural Olympiad 2010 will offer dozens of free and ticketed cultural events in and around Vancouver and Whistler, weeks before the start of the 2010 Winter Games.

Ski or ride the Olympic and Paralympic runs! The snow is falling in Whistler and on Vancouver's surrounding mountains. Whistler Mountain (venue for alpine skiing) and Vancouver's Cypress Mountain (venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding) have both opened weeks ahead of schedule, with great snow and short lift lines.

"Vancouver is just a wonderful place to be right now," said Tourism Vancouver's Stephen Pearce, vice president of Leisure Travel and Digital Marketing. "All of our major Olympic preparations have been completed and the city has never looked better. Visit us now and you can be one of the first to see what the Olympic Host City has to offer."

According to Tourism Whistler's Arlene Schieven, vice president of Marketing, "Whistler is currently offering some of the best value for accommodation and lift ticket packages in its history, and the atmosphere here is more inviting and exciting than ever. With all the early snow, we are off to a great start this winter season."

And the snowfall party is just getting started, with the weather forecast calling for 65-95cm (26-37 inches) of snow over the next three days. The average annual snowfall at Whistler Blackcomb - is 33.5 feet (10.2 metres).

Cross-country skiers have reason to smile too, as Whistler Olympic Park and the Callaghan Valley open this weekend. One trail ticket allows you to ski at both locations which, collectively, offer 70km (43 miles) of cross-country ski trails and 15km (9 miles) of snowshoe trails. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily through January (9 a.m. - 6 p.m. in March and April). All trail access is through Callaghan Country base which is accessible via shuttle from Whistler each Friday through Sunday starting December 18 until January 17.

Best of all, whistler.com is offering visitors unbeatable deals on accommodation and lift ticket packages all winter long. Ski and stay packages are available starting from about $100 CDN per person per day in November, December and January.

Tourism Whistler's ski and stay offers:

• Five-night/four-day package: includes five nights' accommodation and a four-day lift ticket from $397 CAD per person. Must be booked by January 31 for stays from November 26 to April 18, excluding February 12 to 28, 2010.
• Two-night/two-day package: short early season getaway includes two nights' accommodation and a two-day lift ticket from $210 CAD per person. Offer valid until December 21, 2009.

Tourism Vancouver's accommodation offers:

• Uncover Vancouver: Breakfast Included: one night's accommodation, plus breakfast, for as low as $75 CAD per night. Offer available at 19 participating hotels. Must be booked by November 30, 2009 and is good for stays up until January 30, 2010.
• Third Night Free package: book a three-night stay but only pay for two nights at select Vancouver hotels, starting as low as $69 CAD per night. Offers are valid until December 30, 2009, subject to availability. Offers may vary by hotel

For more information, visit: britishcolumbia.travel