General Information

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The Meetings & Incentive Team has provided general information regarding day-to-day details - things one needs to know when doing business at Whistler. If there is anything else that concerns you please do not hesitate to contact us.

Location Taxes (GST/PST) Customs Banking and Currency Exchange

Liquor Laws Local Media Metric Conversions

Location    [ top^ ]

Whistler is nestled amongst the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, only 120 kilometres / 75 miles north of Vancouver. The charming alpine Village of Whistler is home of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Read more about getting to Whistler at tourismwhistler.com.

Taxes (GST/PST)    [ top^ ]

Provincial Sales Tax (PST) - The provincial sales tax in British Columbia for all purchases is 7%. If a visitor purchases goods and has them shipped by the vendor directly to their home outside of British Columbia, no sales tax is charged.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) - The GST is a value-added tax similar to those that exist in European countries. It is a broad-based consumption tax at a rate of 5% on nearly all goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident or visitor.

Special features have been designed to minimize the impact of the GST on foreign conventions, meetings and trade shows.

GST is not charged on convention registration or delegate attendance fees if less than 25% of the delegates are Canadian residents.

Foreign convention and meeting planners who purchase and re-supply accommodation can claim a rebate of the GST on the accommodation if it is eventually supplied to foreign delegates.

Additionally, the non-resident rebate is available to foreign convention and conference organizers on meeting rooms, exhibition space and convention-related supplies acquired for use in conventions in Canada.

The rebate can be claimed directly from Revenue Canada by completing the GST rebate application form for convention organizers. U.S. delegates may file for a GST refund with Revenue Canada and be reimbursed by cheque. For further information regarding GST, contact your Meetings & Incentive Experience Manager for assistance.

Accommodation tax is 17 %(inclusive of GST); a rebate is available to non-residents.

Customs    [ top^ ]

American and international associations are entitled to specific importation privileges. All that is required is a letter to Canada Customs at the regional office closest to where the event is being held. This letter should state:

• convention date
• location where the convention will be held
• request for temporary importation privileges
• types of products to be brought into Canada

Organizations from outside Canada can bring in most printed material and souvenirs to be used at their convention. Any equipment such as projectors, cameras, lighting equipment, typewriters and PCs can also be brought into Canada free of duty and taxes as long as it is exported at the end of the convention. Foreign exhibitors may also import display goods for up to six months. Please note that a security deposit may be required for temporary imports. Please contact the Trades, Conventions, Exhibitions Unit of Canada Customs at 1-604-666-1492 or 1-604-666-1493 for detailed information regarding formalities and documentation.

• Notify Revenue Canada in writing of your event, including your importation and shipping plans at least three months in advance. Be sure you have received a Letter of Recognition in return.
• Designate a representative or hire a customs broker and inform them about your event, including the requirement that they be available to Revenue Canada on-site when your materials arrive. Be sure that both your representative and your delegates receive a copy of the Letter of Recognition.
• Be sure all parties are aware of the Canadian regulations governing goods brought into the country.

The TELUS Whistler Conference Centre works closely with a designated customs broker. For more information, please contact:

Bob Warnock Customs Inspector Conventions & Exhibits Unit Metro Vancouver District #303-333 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5R4 email: TCUPacific@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca Phone: 1-604-834-7479 Fax: 1-604-666-2962 Cellular: 1-604-817-4009

Banking and Currency Exchange    [ top^ ]

Canadian currency is comprised of dollars and cents. International currency exchange services are available at the Vancouver International Airport, the Douglas and Peace Arch Border Crossings and throughout the Whistler Village. U.S. currency is accepted at most places in British Columbia. Financial institutions and foreign exchange outlets usually offer the most favourable exchange rate.

Banking hours vary, although generally they are from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Some banks also offer evening and Saturday service. It is best to verify business hours in advance or upon arrival. All banks in Whistler have automatic teller machines which can be accessed 24 hours a day using bank cards on major international banking networks like Cirrus, Plus, Interac and VISA®.

Whistler offers the following banks: Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion Bank and the North Shore Credit Union.

Liquor Laws    [ top^ ]

Minimum age for alcohol, beer and wine consumption in British Columbia is 19 years old. Liquor, beer, and wine are sold in government operated liquor stores, one in the Village and one in Market Square. There is also a Cold Beer & Wine Store located near the Fairmont Chateau in the Upper Village.

Local Media    [ top^ ]

Whistler has two local newspapers, a radio station and a local cable station. The following is a list of their contact information:

Metric Conversions    [ top^ ]

1 kilometre 1 metre 1 centimetre 1 mile 1 litre 1 US quart 1 kilogram 1 pound

= = = = = = = =

0.6 mile 1.1 yards 0.39 inches 1.6 kilometres 1.06 quarts 0.95 litres 2.2 pounds 0.45 kilograms

Average Temperates    [ top^ ]

	Average Highs		Average Lows
January	-2°C	28°F	-8°C	18°F
February	3°C	37°F	-5°C	23°F
March	8°C	46°F	-3°C	27°F
April	11°C	52°F	2°C	36°F
May	17°C	62°F	7°C	44°F
June	21°C	70°F	9°C	48°F
July	27°C	80°F	11°C	52°F
August	27°C	80°F	11°C	52°F
September	20°C	68°F	8°C	46°F
October	16°C	60°F	3°C	38°F
November	5°C	41°F	-1°C	30°F
December	-1°C	30°F	-5°C	23°F