Vancouver — Imagine skiing down a BC mountain on a bluebird day. Now travellers can with Destination British Columbia's The Winter Within: Whistler Blackcomb 360 Ski Video, a newly released, interactive three-dimensional video of BC's ski experience.

In April 2016, Destination BC filmed and produced the virtual reality video showcasing spring skiing on Whistler Blackcomb. The video was shot over two days, showcasing the amazing skiing experience in British Columbia.

As part of its corporate strategy and marketing plan, Destination BC has committed to using new and innovative marketing techniques to increase awareness and reach of BC's tourism brand. Virtual reality video is an important new platform for tourism organizations to bring destinations to life and market travel experiences in an immersive way. Travel trade and travel media are increasingly competitive sales channels, with emerging and established destinations vying for representation and coverage, and virtual reality gains an edge, allowing viewers to feel what skiing in British Columbia is like.

Discover and explore BC's ski mountains virtually in this new video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVRAB4eoPbk. To learn how the video was made, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IAHSlDTJSg.

Quotes:

Marsha Walden, President and CEO, Destination BC -

“Destination BC was one of the first tourism marketers in the world to use virtual reality. Many organizations now see what a great fit it is for tourism marketing. After VR gives travellers a '360' immersive taste of the best skiing in the world, here in BC, we'll have whet their appetite for the real thing.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“B.C. has amazing skiing opportunities all across the province and it's great to see Destination BC maximizing our marketing impact as a world-class ski and tourism destination with this new virtual reality video. This year is shaping up to be a remarkable one for tourism with over two million international visitors to B.C. in the first six months of 2016 – a 12% increase over last year. The increase in visitors helps support our businesses and keeps our economy diverse, strong and growing.

Quick Facts:

• The ski virtual reality video was produced by Wondr Productions in partnership with Destination BC's creative agency, Camp Pacific. Drone service was provided by Heli Video Pros and sound production was done by Wave Productions.
• The ski virtual reality video team used 6 Camera Rig — GoPro Hero 4s (exterior shots), 6 Camera Rig — GoPro Hero 3+ Black's (exterior shots) and 2 Camera Rig — Kodak PixPro SP360 4K (interior shot Gondola) and a Freefly Alta 6 drone for all exterior shots.
• In December 2014, Destination BC launched its first foray into virtual reality with The Wild Within VR Experience. Destination BC was the first North American destination to use virtual reality video and counts itself amongst virtual reality tourism leaders such as Thomas Cook, South Africa, and Marriot Hotels. The primary use of both videos is to showcase BC at key trade and travel media events in Canada, the US, Australia, China, and Europe.
  

Links:

• The Winter Within: Whistler Blackcomb 360 Ski Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVRAB4eoPbk

• The Making of The Winter Within VR Ski Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IAHSlDTJSg

About Destination BC:

Destination BC is an industry-led Crown corporation that works collaboratively with tourism stakeholders across the province to coordinate marketing at the international, provincial, regional and local levels. For more information about Destination BC's programs and services, please visit: www.DestinationBC.ca

Media Contacts:

Destination BC Media Relations

Media.Relations@DestinationBC.ca

604-660-4703