Whistler, B.C. - Cornucopia is not only a showcase for exceptional wine and food; it's also Whistler's stage for the ultimate fall celebration scene.

In addition to wine tastings, seminars and culinary events, Cornucopia — taking place November 10-13 — serves up a schedule of exciting parties the likes of which Whistler has become famous for. The celebrated events of Araxi's Bubbles and Oceans and the Bearfoot Bistro's Masquerave are joined by House Party, CRUSH, Casino Royale and Top Gun to round out the party list.

What better way to welcome guests than with a house party? Just like a backyard B.C. barbecue, House Party features local breweries, wineries and cuisine. Enjoy domestic tipple from beer makers such as Whistler Brewing, Phillips Beer and Okanagan Springs and exceptional B.C. wines from producers including Road 13, Summerhill, Pyramid, Tinhorn Creek, Blasted Church and Castoro de Oro Estate Winery. Plus, Sidecut restaurant will return to offer its array of tasty barbecue cuisine, salads and sides. Live music from a local DJ sets the tone for a classic Whistler 'shaker' at House Party on Thursday November 10 from 6-9 p.m. at the Whistler Conference Centre. Ticket price is $40.

CRUSH is the flagship dual-night tasting event which returns Friday November 11 and Saturday November 12 from 8-11 p.m. at the Whistler Conference Centre. The official tasting party of Cornucopia, CRUSH features more than 60 wineries from across the globe. CRUSH is the ultimate sipping, sampling and savouring experience and is THE place to see and be seen during Cornucopia. Natalie MacLean, acclaimed wine writer, will be on hand for the first hour of the Friday night CRUSH to showcase her new book Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Bottles. MacLean will be available to sign her book and exchange wine tips in this exclusive tasting meet-and-greet. There will also be select vendors on hand offering tasting samples, such as Dairy Farmers of Canada, Rogers' Chocolates, Nita Lake Lodge and Crêpe Montagne. Guests are reminded that CRUSH is a wine tasting gala and, since dinner is not provided, attendees should plan on dining at one of Whistler's more than 70 restaurants prior to attending the event. Tickets are $85.

Also on Friday, starting at 9 p.m. is the ever exciting Casino Royale. Guests can transport themselves to the days of the Rat Pack at the Ric's Grill event with Vegas vibe featuring showgirls, circus performers, DJs, drinks and, of course ... the casino. Tickets are $150.

The Longhorn Saloon and Vincor present Top Gun ... a Tribute on Saturday at 9 p.m. The Burlesque dancers return, performing a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the movie release of Top Gun and the 30th anniversary of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery. This promises to be an engaging evening of sparkling wine, dancing and choreographed entertainment. The $15 ticket includes complimentary coat check and a glass of Tribute champagne.

Visit whistlercornucopia.com for ticket and event information. Media are invited to apply for accreditation to Cornucopia 2011. Accreditation forms can be accessed here: http://whistlercornucopia.com/media/

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Cornucopia is a four day and night dazzling display of gourmet food and wines, attracting more than 10,000 people to the resort - and catering to everyone from amateur enthusiasts to aficionados. Respected Industry professionals, judges and presenters headline each event, seminar and tasting, offering the best possible opportunity to garner as much information and insight as possible. Held on the cusp of the opening of each ski season in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia, Cornucopia was designed to showcase and support local restaurants, restaurateurs and the food and wine industry. Now encompassing wineries and restaurants from Vancouver, greater B.C. and beyond, Cornucopia has become internationally recognized as a preeminent representation of the culinary and viticulture tourism industry in Canada. With widespread appeal shown through the immense variety of events available, the festival is truly a food and wine festival with a Whistler attitude.

Whistler is Canada's premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America for the past 12 years in a row, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more than 9,000 permanent residents.

Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing and sales organization representing Whistler, operating the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Centre, as well as 1.800.WHISTLER and whistler.com - Whistler's official source for visitor bookings and information. As the convention and visitors bureau for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler represents more than 7,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on resort lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.

Media can visit whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters, local personality profiles and access to images and B-roll.

Media Contacts

Jess Smith

Communications Manager

Watermark Communications

Phone: 604-938-3399 extension 1

media@watermarkinc.ca

Mary Zinck

Coordinator, Media Relations

Tourism Whistler

Phone: 604-938-2702

mzinck@tourismwhistler.com

W: www.whistler.com/media

T: www.twitter.com/mediaTWhistler

F: www.Facebook.com/GoWhistler