Mexican Ski Week in Whistler, B.C. Canada

"Que pasa, Carino? Waz dat ju say? A ski week por mi amigos from Mexico?"


And the Canadian said: "Coolio, we need a bit of sunshine during our white winters over here. Bring your Mexican Chichitas."

Word on the grapevine has it that promoters of Whistler are concocting a plan to bring about a Mexican Ski Week. Oh Si, por favor!

Some say that many of the skiers on the slopes these past weeks of January were from Mexico. Mexicans don't have their own ski resort, which means that each year more than 150,000 Mexicans travel to winter resorts. Whistler has become a favourite. A signorita from Mexico City said, "It's so trendy here in Whistler. I love the fur, the slopes and the fun night clubs."

In 2007, figures from Tourism BC show that 72,500 Mexicans visited British Columbia during the first 11 months of the year.

Whistler intends to take advantage of this new trend by hosting an event: the 2nd annual Mexican Ski Week. It features special ski training days, races, exclusive shopping, group dinners and apres-ski parties for Mexican visitors.
More than 200 people made the trek to Whistler from Mexico City this year, up from 130 last year, and they're having fun.
Mexican tour operator Nathan Baker feels Mexicans and Canadians relate well to each other because they're both so heavily influenced by their huge U.S. neighbour.
"We find Canadians to be very friendly and we appreciate that, too," he said in an interview while enjoying a beverage with his fellow Mexican travellers this week at the Garibaldi Lift Co. bar in Whistler.
More than half the visitors on this trip came as guests of corporate sponsors but many heard about the event on Mexican radio and paid their own way, with packages starting at around $2,500.
Baker said about 20 visitors on the Whistler trip have never skied before but are keen to learn as they take advantage of lessons from resort ski instructors, some of whom speak Spanish. He feels Whistler has emerged as the third most popular destination for Mexican skiers recently -- behind Colorado and Utah.
Mexican marketing consultant Arturo Cervantes -- who conceived the Mexican Ski Week idea four years ago after seeing so many Mexicans in Whistler -- said Canadian skiers have been patient on the slopes with some of the less-than-expert Mexicans.
"They're very nice to Mexican skiers, even though they may not be very good," he said. "Nobody gets into any trouble because they don't ski well."

A warm welcome to our Mexican visitors - Benvenudo a Whistler!