Last year I partnered with Brian Friesen of backyardbc.com when he launched his service that provides discounts for British Columbians when they book hotel stays in their own province. Over 12 weeks we gave away thousands of dollars in accommodation prizes during “BC Travel Tuesday” — it was such a success that we’re going to do it again, with a seasonal Whistler spin.

backyardbc is a new travel website designed specifically for residents of British Columbia. Essentially a “be a tourist in your own backyard” program, participating hotels & resorts offer residents of BC exclusive rates and specials, designed to motivate BCers to travel more within the Province. Each offer has its own unique reservation code, and all bookings are done directly with our hotel and resort partners. Visit backyardbc online, on Twitter, or Facebook and see more of BC!

We have 4 weeks of Whistler accommodation giveaways lined up and the whole series will begin with a bang today. Whistler is such a great place to visit year-round but you can’t deny that it becomes a playground for all in the winter. Even if you don’t hit the slopes, you can hit up incredible spas, go on ziplining or snowmobiling adventures, shop, dine, and take in the sights.

Photo courtesy: Coast Blackcomb Suites Whistler & backyardbc.com

Coast Blackcomb Suites at Whistler
Website, Twitter, Facebook, backyardbc listing
Location: 4899 Painted Cliff Rd, Whistler, BC
About: “The Coast Blackcomb Suites is your place for year-round recreation and rejuvenation. Start your day off right with our complimentary hot breakfast buffet before heading out to experience Whistler! At the end of your day, relax and enjoy the spectacular views from our outdoor heated pool, 2 hot tubs or your private balcony.”

Prize: 2 Nights accommodation. Includes breakfast for 2 and parking both days.
Value: $970

To enter to win, leave a comment on this post (1 entry) and/or post the following on Twitter (1 entry):

Gift certificates for hotel and resort stays will be sent directly to each weekly winner so they can arrange their visit personally with the property. No blackout dates, based on availability. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. This week’s winner will be announced next Tuesday.

View all posts in the series by following or subscribing to my BCTravelTuesday tag. Open to residents of BC.

It’s a gloomy time of year around the Lower Mainland in terms of weather and holiday prospects but thanks to food festivals and events, things are looking up. While Dine Out Vancouver includes restaurants from West Vancouver to Burnaby, the City of White Rock is hosting their 6th annual Bite of White Rock featuring multi-course, prix-fixe menu offerings at their local eateries.

From January 15 to February 7, 2012, you can enjoy special menus from the following participating restaurants on the West Beach, Each Beach, at Five Corners, and Uptown:

Photo credit: Donsca on Flickr

Reservations are now open and you can visit each restaurant link (above) for participating menus, restaurant information, hours, and locations. Follow the White Rock BIA and Tourism White Rock on Twitter for more information.

Nominations are now open for the 2012 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. I am pleased to return, for the third year, as exclusive Social Media Sponsor of this event that honors amazing local women who excel and inspire in various fields.

Connecting the Community 2011: Saleema Noon, iGirl Empowerment Workshops. Photo credit: John Bollwitt.

This year YWCA Metro Vancouver has added a new category: “Environmental Sustainability, which highlights women who are dedicated to promoting the factors and
creating the practices that contribute to a sustainable community while generating opportunities that minimize the physical, ecological, human and economic impact on our planet.”

Visit the YWCA Metro Vancouver website to submit your nomination in the following categories: Arts, Culture & Design, Business & the Professions, Community Building, Education, Training & Development, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Health, Wellness & Active Living, Non-Profit & Public Service, Science, Research & Innovation, and Young Woman of Distinction.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Nominees must live and work (individuals) or operate (businesses or organizations) within the Metro Vancouver region bounded by and including Hope, Pemberton, Sunshine Coast and the United States border. Deadline for submissions is Monday, March 5, 2012 at 5:00pm.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards ceremony will take place May 24, 2012 and I will once again be providing a live blog with photos by John Bollwitt. Follow YWCA Metro Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for news and information. Follow the awards @YWVanWODA.

Dine Out Vancouver reservations have been open for about a week now and the city is hopping with anticipation. This prix-fixe, multi-course, festival of food at over 200 participating restaurants will run from January 20 to February 5, 2012. The Sequoia Company of Restaurants is hosting their own promotion, in tandem with Dine Out Vancouver, called the Sequoia Dine Out Passport.

Visit any of their 4 restaurant locations (The Sandbar, The Teahouse in Stanley Park, Seasons in the Park, or Cardero’s) to pick up a passport and get a stamp when you partake in their Dine Out meal.

You could enjoy Steelhead Salmon with grainy mustard butter & roasted squash risotto at Cardero’s, Hoshi’s California Roll with dungeness crab & fresh cucumber at The Sandbar, vegetable lasagne with roast pepper & eggplant caponata at Seasons, or a slow-cooked, port-roasted lamb shank with roasted garlic demi-glace from The Teahouse.

Each location is offering a $18 Dine Out lunch menu and a $28 Dine Out dinner menu (until February 9th). When you reach 3 stamps or 4 stamps in your passport you will be entered to win prizes. Get all 4 stamps and you could win 1 of 3 grand prizes (such as a trip to San Francisco).

Seasons in the Park

To promote the Sequoia Dine Out Passport, they have offered up a $100 gift card for one of their restaurants. Here’s how you can enter to win it:

• Leave a comment on this post naming which of the 4 Sequoia Dine Out Menus you would like to try: Cardero’s, The Sandbar, Seasons, or The Teahouse (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, January 20, 2012. You must be 19+ to participate and win. Please enjoy Dine Out Vancouver responsibly and be sure to plan a safe ride home if you partake in one of their fabulous wine or beer pairing options.

Update The winner is Peter H!

In the last 6 months we’ve had a Vancouver Cupcake Challenge, Bake for the Quake, Vancouver Cupcake Bike Ride, and now the city will see the return of the Vancouver Cupcake Throwdown.

Photo credit: Mandy_Jansen on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

This annual event will take place February 16, 2012 at The Chapel and will benefit H.A.V.E. Culinary Training Society in the Downtown Eastside. H.A.V.E. “has been changing lives by training and placing employment barriered individuals in BC Restaurant and Food Association sanctioned kitchens since 2007.” This non-profit hosts a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, and they do catering as well.

I received an email from the event’s organizer, Stephanie, who said she’s having a hard time recruiting bakers. I’d love to help her get more challengers for this event that supports such a worth cause. If you’re a cupcake baker (just at home or as part of your business) consider contacting Stephanie. There’s room for 20 competitors.

You can witness this cupcake baking challenge from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on February 16th. The $10 admission (donation) gets you 5 tastings and additional tasting tickets are available for $1 each. Each audience member will receive a ballot on which to rate the cupcakes. A fan-favourite winner will be crowned in several categories and prizes will be awarded.

Update My friend Keira-Anne has thrown her hat into the ring. Read her post here.