Over the past six days, thousands of festival goers have revelled in alpine fun, music and "big air" at the 23rd annual World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler.

The hugely popular event draws more than 100 athletes and an estimated 40,000 visitors from around the world.

The provincial government provided $80,000 through the Tourism Event Program to help promote the event around the globe. In addition, the Resort Municipality of Whistler provided $100,000 from the provincial Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program.

“I congratulate the festival organizers, all the ski and snowboard competitors and the talented entertainers who have contributed to making this event a success,” said Lana Popham, Acting Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This festival is an excellent opportunity to raise B.C.’s international profile as a world-class winter recreation destination. The visitors it attracts provide a big boost for the local business people and support tourism jobs. That’s why our government is happy to support events like these.”

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival began Tuesday, April 10, and continues to Sunday, April 15. The festival features ski and snowboard competitions, as well as events focused on art, mountain culture and live music. The festival’s economic impact in Whistler is estimated at $10 million.

“The World Ski and Snowboard Festival is about bringing together the community to celebrate Whistler’s unique mountain culture and sharing it with the world,” said Pete Sonntag, chief operating officer of Whistler Blackcomb. “To have received this funding from the Tourism Events Program is an acknowledgement that the Province of British Columbia recognizes the importance of this iconic event to our community, our local businesses and the province as a whole. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the support.”

The TEP supports events that raise national and international awareness of British Columbia’s tourism experiences, and motivates people from around the globe to come and experience B.C. These events generate tourism and economic activity throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

• Since the TEP’s inception in September 2015, 65 events have received $4.4 million in funding.
• The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program supports the growth of the tourism sector in small resort municipalities. The program assists small, tourism-based municipalities to build and diversify their tourism offerings. RMI funding supports projects that highlight each community’s unique competitive advantages.
• Fourteen resort municipalities participate in the RMI: City of Fernie, Town of Golden, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Invermere, City of Kimberley, Town of Osoyoos, Village of Radium Hot Springs, City of Revelstoke, City of Rossland, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality, District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, Village of Valemount, Resort Municipality of Whistler.
• Since the RMI’s inception in 2006, $124.4 million has been invested in tourism infrastructure, events and programs to support local tourism economies.

Learn More:

For more information on the Tourism Events Program:
www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx

For more information on the 2018 World Ski and Snowboard Festival: http://wssf.com/