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Big Mountain Experience set to entertain and challenge all.

Whistler Blackcomb is revving up for the first edition of what it hopes will become an annual internationally-popular festival: the Big Mountain Experience. Running from Jan.

Whistler Blackcomb is revving up for the first edition of what it hopes will become an annual internationally-popular festival: the Big Mountain Experience.

Running from Jan. 7 to the 12 the festival is built around the Canadian Freeskiing Championships and Avalanche Awareness Days.

Between these two anchoring events are peppered some great opportunities for adventure and outstanding entertainment.

"We want it to become an event people won’t want to miss," said Christopher Nicolson, manager of public relations and communications for Whistler-Blackcomb.

Every day those looking for some excitement and some great advice on using the backcountry wisely can head out with professional guides from the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau. Skiers and snowboarders will be taken outside the ski area boundary for a full day of serious vertical and a true taste of the Coastal Mountains.

There will also be intensive clinics on telemarking. All levels of telemarkers are welcome.

And if you have been dying to try a new pair of skis, or a new board, give it a go on Jan. 11 and 12.

By leaving a credit card and picture identification you can demo skis or a board for one-and-a-half hours for free.

On Jan. 9 Whistler is hosting a Freeride Day. Advanced and expert skiers and riders can go on-mountain with those who know the mountain best – the Whistler Freeride Team. You can find out where Eric Pehota’s favourite gladed area is or hit the park with Kevin Sansalone.

The Freeride days are only open to those 19 years and older who hold a season’s pass or lift ticket.

But that is not all, oh no that is not all.

For the first time in Canada adventurers will be able to participate in the Lifelink/Dynafit Randonnee Rally on Jan. 11.

Participants in the alpine ski touring competition will navigate a course that winds its way up, down, and across the mountains.

Amateurs and professionals are welcome to take part in the race which offers separate routes for each ability level.

To register call 1-800-443-8620 or go online at www.life-link.com , or visit the village location of the Whistler-Blackcomb guest relations office.

The hope is that this festival will keep visitors in town after the New Year and bring new guests in at a time when the resort often hits a quiet spot.

"We looked at the early January period and that was a period that we were trying to build business in," said Nicolson.

When planners got together to discuss what could be done a festival surrounding the freeskiing championships and avalanche days made sense.

And when it came to what to promote for the festival all executives had to do was look out the windows.

"The mountains are huge," said Nicolson. "There are two of them, and they offer unique opportunities.

"When you look at Avalanche Awareness Days, the Rondonnee Rally, those all play into those themes. They are big mountain events. You can’t do them on a small little hill. You have to have big mountains to do them."

Being big also has its challenges. There is lots of terrain to explore and more and more people are heading out to do just that.

But that can lead to added dangers if people go out into the backcountry and they are not prepared.

That is one of the many reasons the Canadian Avalanche Association hosts annual events to educate all about avalanche safety and awareness.

"When we look at the people involved in avalanche accidents they either haven’t used our services or they didn’t know about them," said Evan Manners operations manager of the Revelstoke based Canadian Avalanche Association’s centre.

"So one of the primary objectives of Avalanche Awareness Days is to make people aware that we are out there and we are trying to help."

Awareness days will run Jan. 10 to 12. Located on Whistler Mountain, the event will include seminars, transceiver workshops, rescue dog demonstrations and backcountry skill competitions.

The association also puts out a public bulletin at www.avalanche.ca . Follow the links to the latest information.

Each year on average about 12 people are killed in avalanches in Canada, most of those in Western Canada.

About 110 avalanches are reported to the association each year and involve about 150 people.

"That tells us that there is a roughly a one in 10 chance of losing you life in an avalanche and those are odds I would rather avoid," said Manners, who encourages anyone heading into the backcountry to check the bulletin first.

If you can’t get to a computer phone 1-250-837-2435.

As part of the campaign for avalanche safety the association has invited Justin Trudeau to speak at the fundraising dinner in Whistler Jan. 10 at Dusty’s Bar and BBQ.

"It is totally obvious to us that Mr. Trudeau is someone the Canadian public is very interested in meeting even through the media," said Manners of Trudeau’s involvement with the CAA.

"He is personally very interested in our work because of what has happened in his family with his brother and so having him help out is just tremendous."

Trudeau’s brother Michel died in an avalanche in 1998.

For tickets for the fundraiser call 1-403-678-2477 or go to info@avalanchefoundation.ca . The tickets are $150.

The dinner isn’t the only night time event. Guests can also enjoy the Big Mountain Evening Jan. 9. Revellers can meet members of the Whistler Freeride Team and enjoy a photography slide show presentation by Eric Berger and Blake Jorgenson at the GLC.

On Jan. 11 the BIG Shivoo promises to be the party of the festival. The Canadian Freeskiing Championships and Life-Link/Dynafit Randonnee awards ceremonies will take place, followed by some fabulous live entertainment.

Part of the proceeds will go to the CAA’s bulletin. It’s by invitation only so get on the list.

On Jan. 12 at Millennium Place a variety of speakers will be on hand to facilitate multi-media presentations about avalanches.