Whistler Blackcomb Switches to RTP for Resort Operations Software

Avon, Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia - May 23, 2002 - British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb, the flagship of Intrawest Corporation’s collection of premier destination resorts, has signed a contract for the installation of RTP’s integrated operations software. Whistler Blackcomb Resort consists of 7,071 acres of terrain, 5,280 feet of vertical, hosts over 2 million annual visits and is regularly ranked as the #1 North American resort by SKI Magazine. With the addition of Whistler Blackcomb, 7 of the top 10 North American mountain resorts have switched to RTP for their integrated resort point-of-sale and eCommerce needs.  

“The vacation market today is nothing like it was when Blackcomb merged with Whistler in 1997,” said Dave Brownlie, Senior Vice President, Whistler Blackcomb.  “Our guests do their homework. They expect an efficient, world-class experience. RTP is the only vendor we could find that offers the technology we need across the board.  No matter where our guests go or what they buy, we know who they are, what they like, and how to get them through the doors and on the mountain.”

The core of RTPs Integrated Resort Platform is Customer Relationship Management.  All RTP capabilities, including: Ticketing, Season Pass, Equipment Rental, Retail, Food & Beverage, Private & Group Lessons, eCommerce, Kiosk and Golf solutions are integrated into this core CRM database to provide an integrated resort experience for the guest and integrated financial reporting for the resort.  Designed and built in the most visited resorts in the USA, every component of the RTP system records and stores all reservations and transaction data.  Through simple, real-time reporting interfaces, management has immediate access to sales, accounting, and vital customer relationship information.

Peter Hoskins, RTP Vice President of Sales, sees the partnership with Intrawest as an inevitable result of the current economy.  “Marketing departments at resort and recreation businesses are under the gun to find ways to differentiate their property from other travel options.  Resorts are challenged to operate more efficiently and reduce costs.  IT Departments are required to provide more information and manage more complex IT environments with the same or less IT staff.  RTP saw this coming in the States and answered it in a variety of ways such as reusable media and incentive programs, but it is the central repository of customer information that allows our clients to give their guests exactly what they want.  There is no guesswork.  The result for the guest is a wider availability inexpensive passes, flexible travel options and benefits of guest loyalty.  For the resorts, RTP provides an immediate reduction in operating costs and a wealth of information to better shape their future marketing efforts.”

Whistler Blackcomb will begin the implementation with common ticketing, pass and access control systems for the 2002-03 season. Guests and pass holders are given a coded pass that can be scanned at the lift with wireless handheld devices. The code may also be attached to a credit card for purchases at retail and dining outlets, and at point-of-sale locations such as ski school, rentals, and participating lodging properties. The installation will continue and the resort expects full, automated integration by the 2003-04 season.

RTP, LLC (Resort Technology Partners) is a leading application software company for the resort and recreation industry, serving two thirds of North America’s top all-season resorts. Based in Avon, Colo., RTP is a Microsoft-certified, top-level Gold Partner. The RTP|ONE Enterprise Framework, built on Microsoft’s .NET architecture, is becoming the de facto standard application development platform for complex, multi-line-of-business, multi-location, high-guest-services companies. For more information, see www.rtp.com.

Intrawest is the leading developer and operator of village-centered destination resorts across North America. The Intrawest network of resorts hosts over 7.0 million skier visits on 10 mountains, thousands of golfers on 20 championship golf courses, and many more visiting lakeside and ocean beaches. Holdings include Whistler Blackcomb, Sandestin, Tremblant, Stratton, Mammoth, Copper Mountain, The Raven and Canadian Mountain Holidays. Visit www.intrawest.com.