By: ResortQuest International
(14-10-2000)

WHISTLER, British Columbia, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A weak Canadian dollar is driving strong vacation rentals for ResortQuest International (NYSE: RZT - news) at the Whistler, British Columbia, ski resort.

Because Whistler is less than 225 miles away from Seattle and only 75 miles from the Vancouver International Airport, U.S. skiers, especially in the Pacific Northwest, are preparing to cross the border in droves for world-class skiing at bargain prices. A U.S. dollar is worth about $1.48 for each Canadian dollar. The exchange rate means a near 50 percent discount over what skiers might pay for comparable resort locations in the United States.

Because of the exchange rate, skiers can book a 1-bedroom ResortQuest condominium for $535 for five nights, based on double occupancy. The price includes a lift ticket for four days of skiing at Whistler/Blackcomb.

ResortQuest International's (NYSE: RZT - news) reservations for winter ski season are up about 16 percent over last year's record-breaking pace. Memphis, Tenn.-based ResortQuest International owns Whistler Chalets, which includes more than 600 vacation condominiums and ski villas.

``Whistler is a tremendous value,'' said Linda Nicholson, director of sales and marketing for ResortQuest's Whistler Chalets. ``We are getting a lot of calls from people eager to book because they are aware of the exchange rate and of the good snow conditions we have experienced during the past two ski seasons.''

ResortQuest is not alone in the boon. The entire Whistler, B.C., resort area is expected to attract more than 2 million visitors this ski season. Whistler will host the 2001 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in January.

Whistler has become a popular destination for serious skiers across the U.S. because of the 7,071 acres of skiable terrain and the average annual snowfall of 30 feet, complemented by extensive snowmaking facilities.

``There can be little snow in the village, but we can have great ski conditions on the mountain,'' Nicholson said. ``Whistler Village is at 2,214 feet, while the top of Blackcomb is at 7,494 ft. Blackcomb offers a one-mile vertical rise, which is a key draw for top skiers.''

Even if the snow conditions at Whistler were unexpectedly poor, ResortQuest International has a new program to give early ski season bookers piece of mind: a Snow Guarantee.

If the snow conditions at the booked resort are unsatisfactory to the guest for any reason, the guest may ask for comparable accommodations for the same time period at one of ResortQuest's other ski properties. Based on availability, ResortQuest will transfer the reservation at no additional cost.

The snow guarantee, which covers bookings though January 7, is the latest innovation that ResortQuest has developed to maximize consistency and quality to vacation rentals. ResortQuest is the first brand name in the vacation rental and property management industry. The company fills a much-needed niche for travelers by providing the first one-stop resource for renting of vacation homes and condominiums at premier resorts across the U.S. and Canada. Vacationers may make reservations on ResortQuest's Web site (www.resortquest.com) or by calling the toll-free number (877-588-5800).

ResortQuest has 18,000 properties at 42 locations across North America. The company has rentals at 13 of the finest ski destinations in the U.S. and Canada.

ResortQuest's locations include Gulf Shores, Ala.; Scottsdale and Tucson, Ariz.; Palm Desert and Palm Springs, Calif.; Aspen, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Dillon, Snowmass Village and Telluride, Colo.; Bethany Beach, Del.; Beaches of South Walton, Bonita Springs, Captiva Island, Destin, Ft. Myers, Ft. Myers Beach, Marco Island, Naples, Navarre Beach, Ft. Walton Beach, Orlando, Perdido Key, Sanibel Island and Vanderbilt Beach, Fla.; St. Simons Island, Ga.; Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai, Hawaii; Sun Valley, Idaho; Nantucket, Mass.; Big Sky, Mont.; the Outer Banks of North Carolina; Lake Erie Islands, Ohio; Sunriver, Ore.; Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Deer Valley, Park City and The Canyons, Utah; and Whistler, British Columbia.

For additional information, please contact Will Wellons or Gregg Laskoski, Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown, (407) 875-1111.