Last year it was a double, this year it’s a triple number one rating for Whistler in American ski magazines. SKI magazine, which last year ranked Whistler the number one North American ski resort for the first time, has given it the number one rating for the second year in a row. The SKI rating, published in the magazine’s October issue, follows earlier number one ratings this year for Whistler in Snow Country and Skiing magazines. This is the first time all three magazines have been unanimous in their choice of North America’s number one. USA Today noted the achievement in a story Sept. 6. The triple number one ratings combined with the Open Skies policy, which has dramatically increased the number of direct flights between Vancouver and American cities, and the continuing weak Canadian dollar are expected to significantly increase skier visits by Americans this winter. SKI magazine’s ratings are based on a survey mailed to 5,000 readers. Whistler also finished number one in the categories of Terrain and Lodging in SKI’s poll. Snow Country bases its ratings on a combination of statistics — such as vertical drop, number of runs and snowfall — and reader responses to an in-magazine poll. The statistics counted for 25 per cent of the rating this year, while reader responses counted for 75 per cent. Snow Country has ranked Whistler number one overall for five straight years. Skiing ranked Whistler number one this year for the first time. Skiing’s ratings are determined by the magazine’s editors. Snow Country and Skiing’s ratings are published in their September issues, which are on news stands now. SKI’s ratings are in their October issue, which is also available now.
