Whistler is the latest resort to offer free skiing to anyone arriving at the slopes dressed as Santa Claus. Or at least the first 100 people who turned up dressed like Santa or Mrs. Claus at 8am this morning got free tickets.
The idea is increasingly popular at ski areas around the world. Last weekend, Saturday, December 6, coincided with Saint Nicholas Day itself and, as reported on J2Ski, Verbier was among resorts opening with free skiing for people arriving to ski or board dressed as Santa.
The following day, Sunday 7th, saw the annual Santa Sunday at Sunday River ski resort in Maine staged for the 15th time. This event is used as a fund raiser for local charities and typically raised over $2000.
Here Santas do not ski free, up to 250 can pre-register however and in exchange for participation are given a second day ticket, to be used before Christmas week, free of charge.
Donations are collected on the day to raise money for the local rotary Club's toy drive. There's also a parade of Santas as part of the event.
"We filled in the 250 spots in three minutes," said a Sunday River spokesperson.
At Whistler Blackcomb all Santa and Mrs. Claus's upload the Whistler Village Gondola at 8am this morning then skied or rode to the bottom of Emerald Express for a group photo.