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21 Feb - UK Resident Named Whistler Sabbatical Project Winner

Whistler, B.C. – For London, England’s Luke Dillon, the idea of skiing the world-renowned slopes of Whistler and enjoying the ultimate bucket list of local experiences is no longer a mere daydream.

Dillon, a 23 year-old recent university grad working in the events industry, is the grand prize winner of the Whistler Sabbatical Project. “My desire to ski is hard to suppress,” Dillon wrote in his contest essay. “But I’m not long out of uni, living and working in London, so it’s currently filed under ‘daydreams’.”

Luke Dillon’s dream is about to become reality; he will visit Whistler this season to enjoy an expenses paid month-long stay, including air and ground transportation, accommodation, lift tickets and equipment, a salary and up to 15 unique Whistler experiences.

“I’ve won? Are you serious?!” he asked when notified of his selection as the winning entrant of the Whistler Sabbatical Project. “That is amazing!” To hear Dillon’s response to the news and footage highlighting what he can expect to experience in Whistler – as well as a short video produced by Dillon explaining why he wanted to win the Whistler Sabbatical Project – visit www.whistler.com/sabbatical_winner/

The last time he visited Whistler, Dillon was 17 and the trip was only for a weekend. This time, he will be in resort for a month and will have plenty of time to experience a number of unique activities and immerse himself into the Whistler lifestyle. Of his last visit to Whistler, Dillon said he remembers “the spectacular ski conditions” and the friendly atmosphere of the community, from the on-mountain workers and people he met in Whistler. “It was just a really friendly place,” he said.

Launched in October, the Whistler Sabbatical Project is Tourism Whistler’s winter campaign that offered 15 weekly prizes in addition to the ultimate grand prize of a month-long Whistler stay – including accommodation, lift tickets, equipment, transportation, a salary and a series of amazing Whistler experiences. The Whistler Sabbatical Project featured a new experience each week for a total of 15 weeks, including culinary activities, relaxing spa retreats and musical excursions to adrenalin-fueled adventure sports. Each week contestants were presented with the experience and asked “Would You Do It?” Contest entries were earned each time the poll was answered. To catch a glimpse of the amazing experiences, watch the Whistler vignettes.

The contest closed at noon on January 31 and, from all of the eligible entries, Dillon, along with Sarah Heaven, from Warwickshire, England, Peter Jackson from Calgary, Alberta, Roen Janyk from Kelowna, British Columbia, Alan Klein from Los Angeles, California, Doug McEnteer from Etobicoke, Ontario, Andrea Moore from Kirkland, Washington, Josiane Stephenson from Vancouver, British Columbia and Tia Tauscher from Spokane County, Washington were randomly chosen as finalists. Each of the nine finalists was required to submit a 250 word essay explaining why they should be selected the winner. The essays – available to view online – were reviewed by a panel of judges including Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler President & CEO, Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden and Roger Soane, Chair of the Board of Directors at Tourism Whistler.

For Dillon, who works in the events industry and as a search and rescue volunteer on the Thames, the opportunity to ski with Olympians and to explore the behind-the-scenes world of a mountain snow groomer are a couple of the adventures he’s most excited to experience. He is also looking forward to the bobsleigh experience, although he admits that the notion of sliding down the track at speeds of up to 125 kilometres per hour is daunting. “I love speed,” he said. “I think that’s going to scare the hell out of me … but it will be an amazing experience.”

Dillon, who admits that his culinary skills are lacking, is looking forward to stirring it up in the kitchen with one of Canada’s most renowned chefs, James Walt of the award-winning Araxi Restaurant. “My cooking is rubbish,” Dillon said. “But I wish I was better and I do love my food, so that will be a good one.”

He’s also looking forward to a Whistler Heli-Skiing trip – and, of course, skiing the famed slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. “This is brilliant,” said Dillon.

And it isn’t only Dillon who’s just received great news. All runners up for the Whistler Sabbatical Project automatically qualify for the Fan Choice Award. The finalist with the most fan votes will win the Fan Choice Award; voters will also receive one entry toward the Voters’ prize each time a vote is cast (one vote per day).

The Fan Choice Award winner and the Voter prize winner will each receive roundtrip coach air transportation; ground transfer from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler, five nights’ accommodation, two three-day lift passes for Whistler Blackcomb, one three-hour snowmobile tour for two, one Earn Your Turns tour for two and one $200 gift certificate from the Escape Route retail store in Whistler.

The winner of the Voters’ prize will be randomly selected from all votes received, so the more votes cast, the more chances there are to win. Voting takes place from February 20 – March 12, 2012.