While Whistler has long been known as a winter wonderland, the destination has boosted its image as a year-round hot spot, and local DMCs have risen to the occasion, including Vancouver, B.C.-based Pacific Destination Services.
“We’ve been in business for 11 years, and over the last three years we have operated about 85 percent to 90 percent of our programs in Whistler, whether it’s fully Whistler or a split program with Whistler included,” says Terri Samson, vice president of operations for the firm, which specializes in meetings, incentives, events and team-building programs in Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria. “Whistler’s popularity has absolutely grown, and the exposure that Whistler receives continues to grow every year. While many people only consider Whistler in winter, it’s fabulous in warmer months as well, and what’s really emerged is the summer business.”
Yet no matter what the season, Whistler lends itself to memorable events, she adds, and Pacific Destination Services, which works with groups as small as seven people and as large as thousands, aims to create the most unique experiences based on the group’s interest, size and budget.
The company was recently nominated for a Star Award by Canadian Special Events for a Cirque du Soleil-style program that it organized for 100 people at Lost Lake Park.
“Lost Lake is surrounded by stunning old-growth forest and mountains, and we built a huge tent and did a show with aerialists, contortionists and other performers,” Samson says. “For another group, we did a clear roof on a clear-span tent for a luncheon, and it rained the whole time. It was beautiful, with the amazing views of the lake.”
For another recent client, the company set up a meeting at the new Whistler Sliding Centre, which was held at the top of the track overlooking the mountainside, and participants had an opportunity to sit in a bobsled and see how it felt to be an Olympian about to race down the track.
Other out-of-the-box programs that Pacific Destination Services has done for groups include helicopter trips to the top of Rainbow Glacier for a reception or to hit biodegradable golf balls into thin air, ATV rides up Blackcomb Mountain for a salmon barbecue, bear-viewing tours on Whistler Mountain and dogsledding excursions to a remote wilderness cabin for dinner (with participants able to try their hand at driving the team on the back of the sled).
“The thing that’s so fantastic about Whistler is that you can lay by the lake and enjoy mountain views or go heli-hiking and zip-lining; there’s so much opportunity to try something you haven’t done before,” she says.
For more information, call Pacific Destination Services at 604.685.2205 or visit www.pacificdestinations.com.
