Nestled in the beautiful Callaghan Valley just twenty minutes south of Whistler, the stunning beauty of evergreen forests, mountain ranges and glacier views on your way to this hidden gem is just the start. Take a read of the must-do activities you can enjoy on a summer’s day at Whistler Olympic Park RV & Campground.

Head to the Day Lodge

Keep going through the entrance gate and after parking (it’s free), make your way to the impressive 11,000-square-foot Day Lodge, open to all, seven days a week (check their opening dates and hours of operation).

Here, you can chat with the friendly and knowledgeable guest services staff for information about activities, including hiking, a 9-hole disc golf course, pickleball, Olympic-style sightseeing and summer biathlon.

The Day Lodge is home to the Whistler Olympic Park Café, a fully licensed café serving locally crafted, scratch-made dishes that celebrate fresh, regional ingredients. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal after a hike, a light, refreshing bite to enjoy on the scenic patio, or your morning coffee to get the day started. There’s also a retail and gift shop for camping essentials, apparel and souvenirs.

Hike up the Ski Jumps

Explore trails of different difficulty levels and bike or hike to breathtaking viewpoints. Challenge yourself with the signature Ski Jump Scramble and climb to the top of the Olympic ski jumps. Wander through wide multi-use trails and discover the summer version of the world-renowned cross-country ski trails.

When you visit, learn about the Games by reading the interpretive signage, and take a photo as you visit the Olympic cross-country stadium, the biathlon range, and, of course, the Olympic Rings. More than one-third of all the Vancouver 2010 Winter and Paralympic Olympic Medals were awarded at Whistler Olympic Park.

The Park also features impressive First Nations art, created in the lead-up to the 2010 Games. Today, the art legacy consists of five official Olympic pieces and two others added afterward, making a total of seven carvings and tapestries. Read about them and download the summer trails map, which highlights where you can find the artwork on the Whistler Olympic Park website.

Book a Round of Summer Biathlon

Feel like an Olympian with an introduction to the winter sport of biathlon—in the summer! Learn to take aim and shoot a 22-calibre rifle at the Olympic shooting range. This is a super fun activity for groups of all sizes, with no previous experience necessary. Advanced booking is recommended.

Visit the Whistler Olympic Park website for further information and to book.

Try Disc Golf

The Squamish Disc Golf Club and the Whistler Disc Golf Club teamed up to build a NEW, exciting and FREE 9-hole disc golf course at Whistler Olympic Park! Weave through forest and ski trails as you perfect your form—the player with the fewest throws wins. Bring your discs or rent or buy some at the Day Lodge.

Picnics with a View

Whether you hike to the Top of the World, take a break on the Adirondack chairs, or relax on the deck of the Day Lodge, the views surrounding you will elevate your picnic to another level. Be sure to stop by the Day Lodge store to refuel with snacks and drinks (including ice cream!). Wander through the boutique for a great selection of outdoor apparel and souvenirs.

NEW! Interpretive Walk

Discover the story of Whistler Olympic Park on this scenic self-guided walk through the Olympic venue. Explore First Nations art displays at the Day Lodge before following interpretive signage through the cross-country and biathlon stadiums, with breathtaking mountain views and glacier-capped vistas along the way. 

Head back to the Day Lodge for a yummy lunch on the patio and a little shopping at the boutique.

Not sure if this can all be done in a day? Book a campsite and add a mountain sunset to this list.

Supporting Nordic Sports

As a not-for-profit organization, all proceeds from Whistler Olympic Park’s recreational offerings go toward growing Nordic sports, supporting athlete development and maintaining this incredible venue for all to enjoy.

The post Whistler Olympic Park: A Perfect Summer’s Day appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 kick off next month (February 6 to 22), and the world will be cheering on athletes competing from all over the globe. Whistler has some locally based athletes heading to Italy this February, including Mark McMorris and Juliette Pelchat for snowboard slopestyle and big air. Jack Crawford, Cameron Alexander and Brodie and Riley Seger for alpine skiing, with Mollie Jepsen representing Whistler in Para-Alpine in the female category.

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Marielle Thompson, who took the silver in Ski Cross at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, is a flag bearer and is competing in ski cross. Cassie Sharp, also a winner of a silver medal in Beijing in the Women’s Ski Halfpipe (and a gold in 2018), is also going to Italy.

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Whistler Sliding Centre’s and Embyr-Lee Susko and Trinity Ellis are competing in Women’s Single Luge, and Jasper Fleming, Benita Peiffer, Logan Pletz, Zach Connelly and Shilo Rousseau represent Canada in Biathlon. And although cross-country ski athlete Joe Davis is representing Great Britain in Cortina, he grew up in Pemberton racing with Whistler Nordics (he recently finished 6th in the World Cup), so he’s another local we can’t wait to watch.

However, you don’t have to check the calendar to get into the Olympic spirit in Whistler, as it’s celebrated here every day, embedded in the incredible legacies the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games left behind.

Whistler’s Olympic Legacies

Arriving in Whistler, it doesn’t take long to be reminded of the good times we all had during the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. Right off the highway, a massive Inukshuk looms brilliantly backlit with blue light. Inukshuit (plural) were originally used by the Inuit people of northern Canada as trail markers or points of reference, but here in Whistler, the human-shaped rock sculptures serve to remind us of that incredible winter when the world came to our quiet mountain town to party, make friends and watch Olympic and Paralympic athletes shine.

The good news is that the Olympic spirit lives on in the many Olympic Legacies left over from the games, and we’ve put together a list of places and venues where one can revisit the excitement of the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, even if you missed them the first time around.

Whistler Sliding Centre

Bombing down an icy chute at upwards of 100 kilometres per hour is actually way more fun than it sounds. And the good news is that you don’t have to be an Olympian to have a go. There are four public programs at the Whistler Sliding Centre: Passenger Bobsleigh, Public Skeleton, Discover Luge (a one-time introduction to the sport of luge for youth ages 8+) and the new Discover Bobsleigh experience. With all four of these programs, you can try sliding down the Olympic track, no advanced training needed.

You can also watch athletes training and competing throughout the season, with youth development programs running in the winter months.

“The one thing that is always consistent about Whistler is it’s one of the best tracks of the world,” says Chris Dornan with the Canadian Luge Association. “Whistler has some of the smoothest and best ice.”

 Whistler Olympic Plaza

The Plaza started as the site of the Whistler Medals ceremonies, but now you can ice skate and toboggan in the winter, and in the summer, catch a free concert by everyone from Sam Roberts to Loverboy. The covered, centralized gathering spot is currently gives guests and locals alike a new place to meet up, kick back and enjoy the stunning mountain views of the Whistler Valley.

The Plaza also houses lots of 2010 memorabilia, athlete tributes and a memorial to Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili. You pretty much have to check out the Plaza because it’s right beside The Rings and everyone goes there.

The Olympic Rings

The most popular rings to hit Whistler since melted cheese and onion rings (French Onion Poutine!), the official 2010 Olympic Rings almost always have a crowd gathered around them, shooting “Hero” photos and reliving the Olympic dream.

If you stand in front of the rings (no climbing on them, please), raise your arms and close your eyes tightly, you really do feel like a bit of a champion there for a second (or longer, depending on how many drinks you had at après). In any case, the Rings are a must-see and are located right by Whistler Olympic Plaza in the Village.

Whistler Olympic Park

A slower, more peaceful experience can be found just south of town at Whistler Olympic Park in the beautiful Callaghan Valley. Whistler Olympic Park offers self-guided, recreational Nordic skiing, tobogganing and snowshoeing as well as lessons or multi-day programs in skate skiing, ski jumping, and Biathlon (which is not as peaceful as the others, but when else are you going to be able to shoot a rifle on holidays in Canada?)

Take a read of these blog posts to get a feel for what’s on offer at Whistler Olympic Park.

• How to Do Biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park
• A Doggy Date at Whistler Olympic Park
• Fam Jam at Whistler Olympic Park: XC Skiing with Small Kids
• A Family Snowshoe in Whistler

Follow in the Footsteps of Olympians

The easiest way to view Whistler’s Olympic legacies is via a guided sightseeing tour of Whistler. For a tour option that takes you all over Whistler Valley, hop in a minivan with Whistler Valley Tours. The fully-guided tour goes north to Green Lake, where you can glimpse Whistler’s very own ghost town, before you head on to some picturesque mountain and lake viewpoints that only a local would know about, and then down to Function Junction, where Whistler’s two local breweries reside.

In terms of Olympic stop-offs, they go to the Whistler Sliding Centre, the Olympic Rings in Creekside, which can be seen from the bottom of the Dave Murray Downhill, the site of the alpine skiing events, and the Whistler Athletes Centre.

Another (spring, summer and fall) option is to go on a Whistler Olympic Park Combo Sightseeing Tour. The combo part refers to bear viewing as well as Olympic sightseeing, as Whistler Photo Safaris has exclusive access to areas of Whistler Olympic Park where our iconic furry friends like to roam. A little trivia for you – Whistler Olympic Park was the first Olympic Nordic venue to include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums on one site: cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon.

Dave Murray Downhill

Even though it was around long before the 2010 Games, this Whistler Mountain classic (named after a Canadian ski hero and one of the original “Crazy Canucks”) is where they held the men’s Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom events. If you have a need for speed, there is no better run in the country.

The “Dave Murray” is also a locals’ favourite, so you never know who might be up there opening it up and getting some wind in their hair – Ski Cross gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor or her teammate Julia Murray (who is also Dave’s daughter) have both been ripping that run since they were knee-high to an Inukshuk.

Whistler Mountain Inukshuk

Holding it down just outside the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, this Inukshuk is almost always covered in icy rime and blowing snow. The views from up there are absolutely unparalleled, and a photo with this guy will make all your friends jealous for sure. There’s also another set of rings where you exit the Whistler Village Gondola, next to the Roundhouse Lodge.

Inside the Roundhouse Lodge, you’ll find Whistler Blackcomb’s Olympic Legacy Display, which includes stories, photos and the skis of Didier Défago of Switzerland, who won the gold medal in the Men’s Downhill.

The Whistler Museum

Albeit with substantially less adrenaline than the Dave Murray downhill, the Whistler Museum does provide the most all-encompassing look at our local experience in February 2010. Perfect for days when your ski legs need a rest, the museum offers guests the chance to hold the actual torch, see the Paralympic cauldron and experience all sorts of Olympic-related mementos. Here, you can delve deeper into Whistler’s Olympic history.

The museum’s latest exhibit, Building the Spirit: Whistler’s Volunteers of the 2010 Games, opens on February 6 and features stories and artifacts of the volunteers and community members who made the Games a unique experience in Whistler. Their corresponding Speaker Series event, Carrying the Games, takes place at 7 PM on February 6, featuring guest speakers Patrick Maloney, former Weasel Workers president; Cathy Jewett, former mountain patroller; and Cathie Coyle Wood of the Village Host program. Learn more about both events on the Whistler Museum’s website.

Self-Guided Whistler Olympic Legacies Tour

You can download the Legacies of the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games from the free Go Whistler Tours app. In partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Whistler Museum & Archives, it features 18 stops with visual, written and audio content bringing each location to life.

The tour allows you to imagine what it would have been like in Whistler back in 2010 when it welcomed the world.

Where to Watch the Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Whistler

Whistler Olympic Park will have the Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games on their screens at the Day Lodge, and Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting viewing parties at the Corona Mountain Top Lodge (Seppo’s Patio).

Throughout The Games (February 6 to 22 and March 6 to 15), the Whistler Public Library is sharing CBC’s event coverage during their open hours, and you’ll also be able to enjoy themed book displays, colouring sheets, and a community puzzle. Celebrate the opening ceremonies on Friday, February 6 and March 6 at noon to cheer on the athletes with cupcakes and hot chocolate. 

Of course, the best thing about the glory of the 2010 Games was how it brought everyone together under the umbrella of sport, community, friendship and fun. Those themes still live strong in Whistler, so don’t be shy, talk to people you meet in the Village and step out of your daily routine. Everyone is up here for the same things – good times, great snow and a photo by the Olympic Rings.

The post Insider’s Guide to Whistler’s Olympic Legacies appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, are happening February 8 to 16, 2025, bringing together up to 553 competitors from up to 23 nations to compete in adaptive sports. Established by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, in 2014, the Invictus Games support the recovery and rehabilitation of international, wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sport.

For the first time, the games will include the new winter sports of Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding, Biathlon, Nordic Skiing, Skeleton and Wheelchair Curling, in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.

Alin is competing in alpine skiing, skeleton, swimming and indoor rowing and we chatted with him about the upcoming games, what it feels like to be part of Invictus and where to get good pizza in Whistler.

Why Did You Choose Alpine Skiing and Skeleton?

Invictus is supportive of your sport choice. You can have done the sport all your life or you might never have had the opportunity and the games give you that chance. Being part of Team Canada is an amazing honour. I’m actually being released from the military on March 28 this year. It’s an emotional time and this is a unique experience that I’m incredibly grateful for.

I’ve skied on the local hills around Montreal and Quebec, but not at a competitive level. I came to Whistler for the first time last February for training camp one. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, and the drive up the Sea to Sky Highway was just incredible. I was back earlier this month for training camp three. The conditions were great and we got the chance to practice our drills and skills. The instructors are amazing and I’m feeling confident.

 

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What’s Skeleton Like?

It’s fast, furious and unforgettable.

It’s not as scary as it seems and once you’ve done it, you’re all smiles. Our instructor told us to be like a sack of potatoes and it’s true! You have to be relaxed. You don’t have much influence and the more tense you are, the worse it is.

What’s it Like to be on Team Canada?

This is my 27th year in the military and I’ve had a very specific job role throughout. I knew other trades existed, but I wasn’t that exposed to them and the different mentalities they require. Team Canada is very eclectic, it’s made up of people from all kinds of military backgrounds, and everyone has their own stories and advice.

We’re used to wearing a flag on our shoulders. When we go overseas, we represent Canada, we’re doing our jobs. But during Invictus, I will get to represent Canada in a different way. My role is to compete but it’s so much more than that.

What Do You Think the Power of Sport is?

You can’t separate the mental from the physical. Progression isn’t always as we imagine, it has ups and downs versus a straight line.

You have to try something. With sports, you make incremental changes every day and by addressing the physical part, you address the mental part too.

Sports can bring structure. I have a training plan and a specific schedule. More importantly, I have a goal and objective. By representing Team Canada, I aim to help my immediate teammates, along with whoever reads things like this or watches us compete. If just one person is inspired, if they look at what I’m doing and think; if that guy can do it, I can do it too, then I’m happy. 

What Do You Want People to Take Away from Invictus?

Everybody is going through something.

The Invictus Games and Solider On allow us to progress in our journey via the power of sport. If you’re going through some stuff, I hope today is better than yesterday and tomorrow is even better. It’s not always easy, but you have to try something. Focus on doing the next right thing for you.

Is Your Family Travelling With You?

My daughter, Lea (17) and son, Mathias (14) are coming with me; they’re troublemakers, haha! I’m feeling the spectrum of emotions thinking about them being there. I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. My cup is full. My heart is full.

What Else Are You Doing While You’re in Whistler?

I’d like to experience the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. I haven’t had the time to do it even though I’ve been to Whistler twice! I want to walk around Whistler Village, be a tourist and find a good pizza spot.

Save up to 25% on Lodging + Free $50 Dining Voucher on 3+ Nights

Secure the biggest savings on your trip to Whistler for the Invictus Games 2025 when you book now. Read our dedicated blog for more details on what’s happening in Whistler during the Invictus Games. Our landing page has further details and the schedule of events. Let’s cheer on these incredible athletes!!!

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I have spent a decent amount of time cross-country skiing in Whistler, whether with my old pooch along the dog-friendly trails of Whistler Olympic Park with a child in tow, or making my way up to Journeyman Lodge to ski-tour, or getting leisurely laps in closer to town around Lost Lake.

I love the glide, the fresh alpine air and the full-body workout. As Nordic aficionados know, cross-country skiing, whether you skate or classic, is a fantastic workout. You get upper body, back, core, glutes, legs and cardio all in one fell swoop. I cross-country ski not only for the exercise and the rush of endorphins but also as an excuse to cozy up in the lodge afterwards and enjoy a hot bevy and a treat while the snow falls outside. That’s true winter magic.

This winter, I reached out to Lost Lake Nordic Trails, The Callaghan and Whistler Olympic Park to learn about their latest offerings for the 2024/25 season and they do not disappoint!

Whistler Olympic Park

Nestled in the breathtaking Callaghan Valley, 20 minutes south of Whistler Whistler Olympic Park boasts over 55 kilometres of expertly groomed cross-country trails, more than 15 kilometres of snowshoe trails and a wide network of dog-friendly trails, that weave through thousands of hectares of pristine Canadian wilderness.

As the host of the Nordic events during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Whistler Olympic Park is a world-class destination for classic and skate skiing, and snowshoe adventures. After some time on the trails, you can recharge at the licensed Day Lodge with hot drinks and delicious meals. If you need gear, all equipment is available for rent on-site, as well as lessons and tours.

With diverse terrain and trails for all skill levels, Whistler Olympic Park has terrain for beginners and elite athletes alike. Ski lessons and tours cater to all abilities, including hands-on biathlon introductions.

“Rediscover the wonder of winter among the rugged peaks and towering trees of Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley,” says Catherine Aird, Marketing Manager at Whistler Olympic Park. “Join the excitement as the Sea to Sky region emerges as one of North America’s premiere Nordic recreation destinations.”

New for this year is their expanded hours. Whistler Olympic Park is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and until 6:30 PM on Thursdays, starting in the new year. Evening specials have expanded to both Monday and Wednesday nights from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Specials include $10 rentals, $10 tickets, $10 dinner specials, and eight kilometres of groomed lit trails and headlamp access to all trails.

Other highlights include:

• A new Kids’ Snow Play Area & Learners Loop
• Kids’ Snow Play Sundays (NEW): Drop the kids off with instructors and enjoy a ski!
• New discounted tickets after 2 PM (and for students).
• New camp and lesson offerings
• New exciting sports and community events like the Rossignol Women WeRise (Jan 19) and Invictus Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon (Free Event Access on Feb 11)

Whistler Olympic Park is a non-profit organization and visitor revenue supports Nordic athletes and helps maintain the venue for public enjoyment. Parking is free.

Cross-Country Skiing at The Callaghan

Also located in the stunning Callaghan Valley, The Callaghan’s Base is a gateway to winter adventures like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ski touring. With 40 kilometres of professionally groomed cross-country skiing trails, new this year is a one-kilometre beginner loop close to the base and some new family-friendly facilities to enjoy (more on those below).

Another exciting addition this season is a brand-new 12-person Ski Sauna operated by The Finnish Sauna. After a day of Nordic skiing or snowshoeing, you can relax in the sauna while looking out at stunning views of the Brandywine Mountain Range. Drop-in sessions of 75 minutes are available at 1 PM and 2:30 PM every weekend, or you can book a full Nordic experience package, which includes trail tickets, rental equipment and sauna access. Plus, the sauna is available for by-request, custom, and private group bookings, making it the perfect place to celebrate special occasions with friends or family.

At the base, a groovy, red double-decker bus has been renovated and is the home of The Callaghan Café, which offers delicious meals, specialty coffees and cold drinks, surrounded by mountain views (due to open mid-February 2025). There’s also an exciting new addition for families, the Kids-Slide-Into-Fun-Park, where little ones can enjoy complimentary toboggans, crazy carpets and an obstacle course, ensuring fun for all ages.

Elevated Experiences for Adventurers

“The Callaghan is a landscape for the seekers,” says Keith Byers, General Manager of the Callaghan. It has unmatched access to the most pristine, natural environment in the entire Sea to Sky corridor.  From the base at Alexander Falls to the highlands of the Callaghan Conservancy, our trails are a portal to nature in its pure and wild form.  When you’ve experienced it for yourself, you instantly understand the local’s reference ‘hidden gem’.”

Ride on the grooming cat to Callaghan Lake (aka the Lake Bump), where you can enjoy high-elevation cross-country ski trails in the serene, sub-alpine terrain of Solitude Valley. Here, you can access Morningstar, Ring, Meadows and Solitude Loops; The Callaghan’s premiere sub-alpine, featuring 18 kilometres of Nordic trails. For a truly special day, enjoy a gourmet lunch from $30 in the alpine dining room at Journeyman Lodge, with stunning views of the surrounding landscape – it’s the perfect way to refuel before heading back down to the base.

Also new this year – level up your avalanche readiness! Practice essential avalanche safety skills at the Arc’teryx/Mamut Avalanche Beacon Training Zone. This public-access park offers a safe and controlled environment to hone your beacon search techniques in the event of an avalanche event.  Practice with your own equipment or rent on-site, just speak to the team at the base and they’ll tell you where to go.

No matter your level of experience, The Callaghan offers something for everyone—from beginners to seasoned pros. And finally, you cannot leave without enjoying a cozy après and gathering around the new fire ring and picnic area!

Lost Lake Nordic Trails

Just steps from Whistler Village lies the Lost Lake Park cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. With 25 kilometres of cross-country trails and 15 kilometres of dedicated snowshoe paths, the views of Lost Lake and Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, make this location unique. You can also double-dip on your ski experience with downhill during the day and Nordic at night with four kilometres of illuminated trails – the only night skiing option near Whistler Village.

“With trails suited for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, you can enjoy the views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains at your own pace,” says Roger Weetman, Manager of Recreation at the RMOW. “We also offer a range of lessons to get people going or to help hone existing skills.”

You can pick up rental gear and book lessons at Lost Lake PassivHaus, which is also home to the Cross Country Connection Café where you can grab a coffee, hot chocolate and snack.

Chasing Tracks and Making Memories

One thing is undeniable: Whistler’s access to premium cross-country trails, set amidst breathtaking and untouched wilderness, is truly extraordinary.

Whether you’re gliding through The Callaghan’s pristine wilderness, chasing Olympic dreams at Whistler Olympic Park, or sneaking in a twilight lap at Lost Lake, there’s one thing I know for sure: I’ll be the mom bribing her kids with hot chocolate and cookies to keep up… and loving every snowy second of it. See you on the trails!

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Five Whistler athletes are headed to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) being held in Gangwon, Republic of Korea, from January 19 to February 1, 2024.

The YOG is the world’s largest multi-sport event for high-performance young athletes aged 15 to 18. This year marks the fourth edition of the Winter YOG and the first in Asia, with 1,900 athletes competing in seven sports across 15 disciplines, for a total of 81 thrilling events.

Whistler has a bobsleigh athlete, a ski cross athlete and three snowboarders heading to the Republic of Korea this year. At the end of December, the Canadian Olympic Committee selected Whistlerites, Talia Melun (Monobob), Anne-Marie Joncas (Ski Cross), Amalia ‘Billy’ Pelchat (Slopestyle / Big Air), and Anthony Shelly and Hannah Turkington (Snowboard Cross). Whistler will certainly be cheering on their local athletes, as well as the rest of Team Canada and all the incredible youths taking part.

Team Canada’s Bobsleigh Team

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced that the two athletes will represent Canada at Gangwon 2024; Talia Melun (Whistler, B.C.) and Isaak Ulmer (Calgary, Alta.) The athletes were selected based on being the highest-ranked eligible Canadian athletes from the 2023-25 International Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation (IBSF) Youth Olympics Ranking List.

Named after the Greek word ‘mónos’ (single), the monobob is an individual event and the only bobsleigh event that will be contested at Gangwon 2024. The women’s monobob event made its Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, after having been on the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games sports program.

Fifteen-year-old Talia Melun recently earned a fourth-place finish at an OMEGA Youth Series event which was held in PyeongChang, South Korea in November – her final event of the eight OMEGA Youth Series events that she competed at throughout 2023 to qualify for Gangwon 2024.

“I have been working towards this goal since I first started, pretty much … but I never thought I’d actually reach it,” Melun told PiqueMagazine in a recent interview. “It took a lot of training, a lot of money and a lot of time, and I didn’t really think that I would be able to qualify, so it’s really, really amazing that I got to.”

Melun has lived her whole life in Whistler with the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) right in her backyard. Her father, Phillipe works there and encouraged Talia, and her older brother Noah, to try sliding sports. Sibling rivalry pushed them both to compete at their best, but it’s the tight-knit nature of the team at WSC that she attributes her success to. Melun is currently fundraising for her Olympic trip to Korea, so if you’re passionate about youth sports take a look at her page and consider donating.

Bobsleigh will take place January 22 and 23 (days 3 and 4 of the YOG) at the Alpensia Sliding Centre, the same sliding venue that was used at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Team Canada’s Snowboard Team

Amalia “Billy” Pelchat (Slopestyle / Big Air), Anthony Shelly and Hannah Turkington (Snowboard Cross) are the three Whistler-based snowboarders on the ten-strong team heading to Gangwon this January. The athletes were selected based on their results from eligible FIS competitions and standing on the World Snowboard Points List during the qualification period.

Hannah Turkington, won gold in snowboard cross at the 2023 Canada Games in PEI and earned a top-10 result at her first FIS Junior World Championship just three weeks later. When Hannah was three, she saw Whistlerite Maelle Ricker win gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics and knew that’s what she wanted to do. Support Hannah on her GoFundMe page.

“Having the opportunity to represent Canada at the Youth Olympics has been a goal of mine for four years. This is the accumulation of a huge amount of hard work and training,” said Turkington in a Team Canada press release. “I am incredibly appreciative of all those who supported me to reach this goal, including my family, coaches, trainers and physio. I’m also grateful for the outstanding Canadian athletes who are great role models for me, especially Meryeta O’Dine.”

Sixteen-year-old Anthony Shelly, who won a silver medal at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, has been an avid competitive snowboarder for 10 years and is excited to perform on the Youth Olympic Games stage.

“I have been doing snowboard competitions since I was six, and I feel like each event I’ve done has led to stronger and better performances at the next event,” said Shelly in a Team Canada press release. “Last season I was able to compete at the Junior World Championships, and while my result was not what I wanted, I really value the chance to see the next level and test myself there. I continue to attend events across the spectrum of snowboarding competitions, from grassroots to FIS, in banked slalom, snowboard cross and freestyle disciplines. All of these experiences since I was six have really brought me to this place of being part of Team Canada for the 2024 Youth Olympics.”

Amalia ‘Billy’ Pelchat came away with three bronze medals when she competed in her international debut for Canada in New Zealand at the 2023 FIS Junior World Championships. She added those to two golds at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in slopestyle and big air. Daughter of former professional snowboarder, Jean-Francois Pelchat, Billy grew up in a snowboarding family and hit the slopes at age three.

 

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Team Canada has won five Youth Olympic Games medals in snowboarding, including a silver in slopestyle and bronze in both half pipe and big air from Liam Brearly at Lausanne 2020 and two gold medals in slopestyle from Audrey McManiman and Michael Ciccarelli, both at Innsbruck 2012. To date, Team Canada has converted three Youth Olympic snowboarders into Olympians – Audrey McManiman, Tyler Nicholson and Liam Gill.

Snowboarding events will take place at Welli Hilli Park Resort. Snowboard Cross will be contested on January 20 and 21 (days 1 and 2 of the YOG), while Slopestyle / Big Air will take place from January 24 to 28 (days 5 to 9). The halfpipe event will be the final snowboard event of the YOG and will take place on February 1 (day 13).

Team Canada’s Ski Cross Team

The ski cross athletes were selected based on their performances and ranking during a selection camp and competition in Nakiska, Alberta in December last year. This is where Whistler’s Anne-Marie Joncas snagged the silver and bronze securing her spot on Team Canada for the YOG.

“I’m so proud to have been chosen to represent Canada at the Youth Olympics Games and strive to represent Canada in the best ways I can. I am so excited to experience the sport I love in Korea and to have the opportunity to have new experiences and meet new people from all over the world.”

Joncas’ parents taught skiing and had her on the slopes from when she was two years old, and competing when she was 10. She loves the atmosphere of ski cross, leaning into the discipline’s technicality to get ahead.

To date, two Canadian Youth Olympic Ski Cross athletes have been converted into Olympians – India Sherret who competed at Innsbruck 2012 and became an Olympian at PyeongChang 2018, as well as Howden, who became an Olympian at Beijing 2022.

Alpine Skiing will take place January 21 to 26 (days 2 to 7) at the Jeongseon High 1 Ski Resort. Ski Cross will take place on January 23 and 24 (days 4 and 5) at the Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort.

How Can You Watch the Youth Olympic Games?

CBC Sports and CBC Gem will be live-streaming all the events, and the Olympic Channel will also be streaming the events as well.

The post Whistler Athletes Heading to the Youth Olympic Games appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

Whistler is no stranger to cheering on Olympians as we played host to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and you can connect with Whistler’s Olympic legacy in several different ways this summer.

Watch the Olympics in Olympic Plaza

The lush, green grasses of Whistler Olympic Plaza are a great place to watch the sporting drama unfold this summer with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics featuring 339 events across 33 sports and 50 disciplines (July 23 to Aug 3, 2021). CBC News reported that the headliners from Canada are sprint star Andre De Grasse, multi-medallist swimmer Penny Oleksiak, champion wrestler Erica Wiebe, two-time trampoline gold medallist Rosie MacLennan, golfer Brooke Henderson and soccer player Christine Sinclair.

The Whistler Olympic Plaza was where the medal ceremonies were held back in 2010 for the Whistler-based, Olympic events. It’s continued to be a place of celebration with concerts and festivals being hosted here in the summer months, and an outdoor skating rink and sledding area make it a winter wonderland when the snow starts to fall.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) will be setting up large screens featuring highlights and replay coverage of the Summer Games starting on Friday, July 23. So grab some take-out from the surrounding restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops and find your spot on the grass.

Summer Bobsleigh on an Olympic Track

Switching out runners for wheels, Rolling Thunder is a summer bobsleigh experience at the Whistler Sliding Centre, where an experienced pilot takes you on a ride down the Olympic track (the fastest in the world). You’ll really enjoy this if you have a need for speed as you can clock 90 kilometres per hour when you fly around the final corner.

Read more about it in Rolling Thunder: Whistler’s Summer Bobsleigh Experience. Some physical requirements do apply, so we suggest talking to the team at Whistler.com and booking in advance (Rolling Thunder runs until September 5, 2021).

Even if you’re not a speed demon you can visit the Whistler Sliding Centre (open 9 AM to 4 PM daily). It’s free to do a self-guided tour and you can pick up a track map from the Guest Services building when you get there.

Follow in the Footsteps of Olympians

The easiest way to view Whistler’s Olympic legacies is via a guided, sightseeing tour of Whistler. For a tour option that takes you all over Whistler Valley, hop in a minivan with Whistler Valley Tours. The fully-guided tour goes north to Green Lake, where you can glimpse Whistler’s very own ghost town, before you head on to some picturesque mountain and lake viewpoints that only a local would know about, and then down to Function Junction, where Whistler’s two local breweries reside. In terms of Olympic stop-offs, they go to the Whistler Sliding Centre, the Olympic Rings in Creekside, which can be seen from the bottom of the Dave Murray Downhill, the site of the alpine skiing events, and the Whistler Athletes Centre.

Another option is to go on a Whistler Olympic Park Combo Sightseeing Tour. The combo part refers to bear viewing as well as Olympic sightseeing as Whistler Photo Safaris has exclusive access to areas of Whistler Olympic Park where our iconic furry friends like to roam. A little trivia for you – Whistler Olympic Park was the first Olympic Nordic venue to include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums on one site: cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon.

Dive Into Olympic History

Visit the Whistler Museum, located behind the library, for a deep dive into Whistler’s Olympic history. Spoiler alert – we tried a couple of times before we were actually awarded The Games!

Last year, the Insider caught up with our local Olympic stars to see how they felt a decade on from competing in their own backyard; read about it in 2010 Recollections: Local Olympians Remember the Winter Games. Thinking forward, we have more local talent training at another legacy facility, the Whistler Athlete’s Centre, getting ready for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, hosted in Beijing (watch this space).

Chug a Beer Like an Olympian

After winning a gold medal for Canada in Skeleton, Jon Montgomery is remembered fondly for chugging a beer in Whistler Village. Although we might not suggest the chugging part, we can definitely point you in the direction of some great, local brews that can be found on most taps around Whistler Village.

 

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Look out for Whistler Brewing Co. and Coast Mountain Brewing, these two breweries can be found in Function Junction, a ten-minute drive south of Whistler Village, but their beers can be located all over Whistler’s bar and restaurants scene – cheers! If you fancy something cold with your Olympic Games, the places that have sport on their screens include Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub, Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille (Hilton), Braidwood Tavern (Four Seasons) and Roland’s Pub (Creekside).

This summer, the longer you stay, the more you save with room rates dropping as you book more nights (7 nights from $109 CAD per night). You will also receive a free adventure voucher, which gets you up to $100 off a Whistler activity. 

The post How to Connect to the Olympics in Whistler appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

Imagine racing around a cross-country ski track at top speed, only to come to a screeching halt at your station your heart racing between 150 and 180 beats per minute. You pull out your rifle, remind yourself to breathe and aim at the targets, which range in circumference from a full roll of toilet paper (if you’re standing) to the size of a golf ball (when you’re lying on the ground). 

Equal parts endurance, cardiovascular prowess and deep concentration, biathlon is as much about time as it is about accuracy. The sport combines a ski circuit with several rounds of target shooting (half from a standing position and half from a prone position on your belly). 

Norway and Sweden were first to adopt skiing and shooting in the 1800s as part of their military training, which set the foundation for the modern-day sport. Biathlon officially became an Olympic sport in 1960 (at least for men – women were finally allowed in 1990). The sport has a rich history that’s rooted in Scandinavia, home of the Norse gods Ullr and Skadi, skiing and hunting legends who we mountain lovers still credit for bringing us a bounty of snow each year. 

Ski Fast, Shoot Straight

Whistler Olympic Park hosted the biathlon events during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has played a key role in growing the sport in Canada ever since. Today, you can try your hand at target shooting with a 30-minute Biathlon Experience for two to six people (12-years-old and over) in the same household. Tickets for the Biathlon Experience are thirty dollars and must be paired with a trail ticket for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Since the majority of us first-timers are about as good at cross-country skiing as Bambi is on ice, it’s a great idea to include some ski instruction alongside the rifle shooting. You can do a two-hour Private Biathlon Lesson (which includes skiing instruction and shooting), or book the Biathlon Experience for twenty-five dollars as an add-on to a regular cross-country ski lesson or snowshoe tour. The skills and drills the snow school instructors share will get you off on the right foot (or both if you’re lucky).

Picture this: You lay in a prone position, your legs stretched out behind you, one eye squinting, head cocked sideways, and finger hovering over the trigger. With the targets at the Olympic range of 50 metres, the task seems Herculean at first. But, it’s go time and there’s no time like the present. 

“Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop!” Shots ring out. And, the little targets (set to full toilet paper roll width for us mere mortals) change colour from black to white — the colour of a successful strike. It’s not as hard as it looked and it’s really, really fun! 

One of the great things about biathlon is you get to meet the competitive athletes who’ve carved a path to the world stage — perhaps even a future Olympic champion or two. 

 “Shooting is what kept me on skis,” says Angus Tweedie, a biathlon coach and competitive athlete who originally hails from Smithers, BC.

Tweedie, who calls Whistler home now, trains with the Whistler Nordic Development Centre, which grooms high-performance athletes to compete at the international level. Proceeds from the park’s public activities benefit athletes like Tweedie, who train at the venue. Funds help maintain the venue for sport use, which supports the next generation of Canadian biathletes, cross-country skiers and ski jumpers who train there.

Fresh Air and Freedom

Research has proven that play and recreation can have a positive impact on our stress and anxiety. Given the challenging times we’re living in today, it’s even more important to get outside and surround ourselves with nature. Fresh mountain air, spectacular scenery, and the wide-open spaces of Whistler Olympic Park are sure to help you regain your sense of calm and peace amidst a chaotic world.

Aside from the thrilling biathlon experience, the park is a great place to explore by ski or snowshoe. There are plenty of family friendly trails (with chariot ski attachments available for rent). Puppers are also welcome to frolic with their owners in the Sea to Sky Corridor’s largest designated off-leash dog area. There are 30 kilometres of dog-friendly cross-country ski trails and 20 kilometres of on- and off-leash snowshoe trails. Once you’re all done, you can warm up with a hot chocolate in the Day Lodge restaurant, which is open to the public with limited capacity (due to COVID-19).  

Know Before You Go:

• Tickets: You can pre-buy cross-country and snowshoeing tickets online or the day of at the park gate.
  
• Rentals: If you don’t have the equipment, don’t fret. Cross-country ski gear (including chariot ski attachments) and snowshoes are available in the park’s rental shop. Rentals can be reserved online (reservations mandatory for Wednesday Nights).
• Visit Off-Peak: With the increased popularity of Whistler Olympic Park this season, weekends and Wednesday evening discount nights have been bustling. Consider planning your visit at off-peak times, like on a weekday.
• Weather: Check current conditions and forecast at the park before your outing so you can dress appropriately.

The post How to Do Biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

This month marks the ten-year anniversary of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler and Vancouver. For many, it’s hard to believe a full decade has passed since our communities hosted the world, showcased the beauty of the Coast Mountains and cheered our voices raw for our local Olympians.

Certainly we have reminders: Whistler Olympic Plaza is a true community gathering spot (and has an awesome winter skating rink!) while Whistler Olympic Park and the Sliding Centre continue the legacy of the games by giving our next generation of athletes the opportunity to shine, and also provide recreation for locals and guests alike.

But mostly we have the memories — the non-stop party of Whistler Village, the excitement of watching the world’s best athletes perform, the uncrowded runs and sunny skies on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

For many Whistler locals, some of our strongest memories are watching the Canadian athletes compete against the world’s best right here in our own backyard.

That shared love of sport is the real magic of the games. So, to commemorate the ten-year anniversary, The Insider has tracked down some Sea to Sky local Olympians who stepped up to compete for their country, on their home turf, in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Maelle Ricker: Snowboard Cross

Local snowboarder Maelle Ricker had already competed at two Olympics and was a two-time X-Games champion heading into 2010. Her victory in Snowboard Cross made her the first woman ever to win Olympic gold on home soil.

“It was a whirlwind,” Maelle says. “Exciting to think back on, but at the time it was kind of a blur. When I’m competing, I’m on autopilot, so I made a point of treating the Games like any other contest.”

This meant staying at the Olympic Village in Vancouver rather than at home, and making sure she didn’t have her car or cell phone to distract her.

“The morning of the [snowboard cross] race I was in my groove and then I fell at a really weird spot in my first time trial and all of a sudden the nerves, pressure and the reality check hit. My second qualifying run was the most nervous I’ve ever been on my snowboard, but it was a one-in-a-billion chance. I grew up in West Vancouver and the mountain we were racing on was literally up the road from my house.”

Now retired from competition, Maelle coaches for the Canadian National Team and says the “Whistler style” of riding is helpful to boarder cross athletes.

“There is such a wide variety of skills needed to be efficient on a boarder cross course. I think having these big mountains and all these elements of freeriding and racing here at our fingertips is a huge benefit.”

These days, Maelle is the proud mother of a two-year old daughter, who went up the mountain for the first time this season.

Tyler Mosher: Cross-Country Skiing

Whistler snowboarder Tyler Mosher suffered a spinal cord injury in 2000 and spent the seven years prior to 2010 working towards his goal of competing as a cross-country ski athlete at the Paralympic Games.

“Once 2010 hit I was so focused on my goals that I didn’t realize what a huge event it was and what it meant to compete at home. I went to the opening ceremonies and to the Olympic Village, but you don’t want to get sick so I actually left town for two weeks before my events and went somewhere else to train.”

Skiing classic style, Tyler competed in the Para Nordic Relay, the 10 KM and the Sprint.

“Originally, I took up cross-country to help me relearn to walk and get stronger and really, even in 2010 I was there with a double agenda — to compete, but also to promote the inclusion of snowboarding in the Paralympics. A snowboarder kid who loses a leg should not have to put on tights and become a ski racer, he’s a snowboarder! So, I was lobbying people. Whistler is such a snowboard mecca and the adaptive program is so strong here, we were able to be a leader and in 2012 snowboarding was granted inclusion in the 2014 games.”

Mosher competed in snowboarding at those games. A successful businessman, he’s also the current Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Pushing for snowboarding was an opportunity for me to give back to the Paralympic community that gave me so much when I needed it,” he says. “These days I mostly snowboard,” he adds. “But the biggest thing I have to say to anyone is make sure you are having fun and enjoy what you do. If you want to compete in the Olympics or the Paralympics, I think you just need to stay focused and have fun, and don’t choose hockey.”

Justin Lamoureux: Snowboard Halfpipe

Hockey played a big role in snowboarder Justin Lamoureux’s 2010 experience, although placing seventh in Snowboard Halfpipe was admittedly also a highlight.

“Competing under the lights in front of a hometown crowd, it was insane to be able to do that,” Justin says.  “And watching Maelle and Jasey-Jay [Anderson] win was so awesome. The whole experience was rad to watch and be a part of.”

While Justin did come up to Whistler for a few events, and to ride Whistler Blackcomb with his brothers, he says he spent much of the Games hanging out at the Athlete’s Village in Vancouver.

“Just meeting people — every athlete at the Olympics is super amazing and it was really easy to bond with people. I grew up playing hockey so to watch some games live and get to know some of the Team Canada players was amazing. Sydney Crosby and Shea Weber came up and told me they watched my run and said I’m crazy. My roommate, Brad Martin, and I were playing NHL 2010 on the PlayStation and in walks Marc-Andre Fleury, Team Canada’s goalie. So, Brad puts him in net in the video game for the shoot out and after a bunch of rounds I score and win. Brad throws the controller, turns to Fleury and gives him a hard time for ‘letting it in.’ Fleury was cool though — he said, ‘I woulda saved it in real life.’  Those kind of funny random things can’t happen anywhere else. That’s part of the magic.”

Now retired from competition, Justin is still a sponsored snowboarder, a certified ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) guide, and owner / operator / chief engineer at Spline Snowboards; a boutique snowboard and splitboard company based out of Squamish.

Kristi Richards: Freestyle Skier – Moguls

Freestyle Skier Kristi Richards recalls the moment before she dropped into to her run in the finals for Mogul Skiing.

“Flying into Vancouver from our final training camp and seeing a HUGE building wrap of me on the RBC building was pretty surreal,” Kristi says. “But standing at the top of the course looking out into a sea of fanatical Canadians, it’s such a crazy, empowering energy. I felt so charged, so aware and focused. It’s something that really can only be experienced when the games are in your home. So, that was definitely a favourite memory.”

After finishing fourth in the qualifying round, Kristi lost a ski and crashed during her final run. Showing incredible poise, she retrieved her ski, clicked back in and finished her run — stomping her second jump (a back flip with a full rotation) to the roaring cheers of her Canadian fans at the bottom.

Since Women’s Moguls occurred early in the games (Alberta’s Jennifer Heil took silver in the event, Canada’s first medal), Kristi came back up to Whistler to celebrate and enjoy the show.

“Coming home to my friends and family and being a ‘tourist’ for the rest of the Games was awesome. We had access to some great event passes, so I tried to see as many sports and venues as possible. I’m sure I lost my voice at the Women’s Downhill. I’ll find it someday…”

After her competitive career ended, Kristi followed her passion for health and food, and started a holistic food company. These days she also acts as Head Coach for the Ireland National Freestyle Team and runs a high-performance coaching academy.

Mercedes Nicoll: Snowboard Halfpipe

Whistler snowboarder Mercedes Nicoll first represented Canada in a World Cup competition in 1999 at age 16. She competed in four Olympics during her professional career; the 2010 Games were her second.

Coming in as an underdog in Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe, Mercedes says that she didn’t feel too much pressure, but was nervous about making the finals. Which she did, leading to her favourite memory of the games.

“I remember being at the top and [number 1 ranked competitor] Tora Bright came up and said, ‘I love it when you drop in, the crowd goes wild.’ And I said, ‘They do that for everyone.’ And Torah said, ‘No, only for you.’ So, I listened a bit harder and it was unbelievable, it felt like all of Canada was there in my backyard cheering.”

Mercedes landed 4th in the finals, but was rushed to the hospital the next day.

“I had pancreatitis the day of the contest, but I rode anyway. After the hospital, I made it up to Whistler for one day and then back to Vancouver to walk in the closing ceremonies. I wanted to be with the team for this one.”

Mercedes went on to represent Canada in two more Winter Games. Currently the Chair of the Athletes Council and a board member of Snowboard Canada, she recently returned from the 2020 Youth Olympics in Switzerland where she mentored the next generation of athletes as a team mission staff member.

“It’s so less stressful being an ‘old timer’,” Mercedes says. “It was awesome!”

When it comes to Olympic Sports however, Ski Cross seems to be the most suited to Whistler athletes. Born-and-raised Whistler skiers Davey Barr, Julia Murray and Ashleigh McIvor all competed in Ski Cross in 2010. Some attribute Whistler’s success in Ski and Snowboard Cross (Canadian women have won gold in every Olympic Ski Cross to date) to the style and variety of riding in Whistler — the prevailing attitude of pushing the limits probably doesn’t hurt either.

Julia Murray: Ski Cross

 

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Julia Murray blew the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee one month prior to the 2010 Games.

“I had to get surgery two weeks prior to the games just so I could bend my leg,” Julia remembers. “I was on crutches and it was two weeks of physio / gym / icing along with two drainages and cortisone shots into the knee. But, I made it to the start gate! That feeling, the crowd cheering so loud, it’s such an incredible feeling…”

Julia raced despite her injury, advancing to the second round and placing 12th overall. The only time she was in Whistler during the Games was prior to the official opening. Julia was selected to carry the Olympic torch and pass it to Canadian ski legend (and teammate of her late father, Crazy Canuck Dave Murray), Steve Podborski.

“Because of my knee I carried the torch riding on an electric snowmobile instead of skis as planned, but handing it off to Steve Pod…that was incredible.”

Julia retired shortly after 2010 and has remained in Whistler, marrying teammate Davey Barr and starting a career as a writer / nutritionist / celebrity in the blossoming world of plant-based cuisine. She is currently organizing Whistler’s first ever Vegan Festival, set for summer 2020.

Ashleigh McIvor: Ski Cross

Ski Cross athlete Ashleigh McIvor won gold in that same 2010 Olympic Ski Cross.

“It’s still so hard to put into words,” she says of the entire Games. “It still feels like it was all a dream. Or magic — out of this world energy, positive vibes, everyone running on a higher frequency so that the power of the collective was much stronger than the sum of its parts. I somehow managed to channel that into the performance of a lifetime.”

Ashleigh remembers staring down the expectations, the pressure and the fear of failure, injury, or even just disappointing the local fans.

“I remember the moments when it would begin to feel overwhelming and I was faced with a choice: continue down that rabbit hole or rise above, be in the moment and focus on the task at hand. It was really about being strategic about which thoughts I wanted to dwell on.”

Trying to treat the race the same as any other event and reminding herself that she could “only control the control-ables,” Ashleigh won her first heat and the quarter finals.

“And I CELEBRATED those victories, so by the time I rolled into the semi and the finals I was so fired up! And the rest is history. To attend an Olympics on home snow is a surreal dream come true, but to win a gold medal there… life quickly shifts gears. So many people had put so much into supporting me and I had a responsibility to them. The media creates expectations or a reputation and then the public adopts that. I took the role very seriously, but at the same time, my sense of identity almost got wrapped up in the role of ‘Olympic Gold Medallist’ for a while. Luckily I had great mentors like [Canadian ski icon] Nancy Greene and my coach Willy Raine [Nancy’s son].”

After much deliberation (and a second blown knee), Ashleigh retired from competition in 2012. These days she spends most of her time with her four-year-old son and balances a career skiing / biking / modeling / speaking / supporting brands and broadcasting with the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC).

“Accomplishing more than you ever imagined you would in your chosen field is a very special thing,” she says. “I’ve really endeavoured to appreciate what I have and what I have accomplished, to allow myself to enjoy it all, and to focus on what’s truly important. I think that is the spirit of the Whistler life. And Whistler life just feels sooooo good.”

These local Olympians help us to look back, but you can also connect with the Games in Whistler whenever you visit – the spirit lives on here all year-round.

The post 2010 Recollections: Local Olympians Remember the Winter Games appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

Whistler has a strong connection to the Games. We’re lovers of outdoor adventure, the thrill of a challenge and the celebration of something hard-earned. Although this anniversary marks year ten and should be revered, it’s worth bearing in mind that we like to keep the Games vibe alive all year round.

This anniversary is a handy reminder of what you can take advantage of right here in Whistler thanks to the Olympic legacies, whether you’re a visitor, long-time local, medal-toting Olympian or athlete-in-training.

“Having the Winter Olympics in your own backyard is something special. Not many Olympians get to say that they competed at the Olympics on home soil and not many will get the chance. The experience was unforgettable: the country banding together to cheer us all on and a community full of pride made the 2010 Winter Olympics so very special. You can’t wipe the smile off my face when I think back to those Games. I can’t believe it was 10 years ago!” — Mercedes Nicoll, four-time Olympian.

Thanks for Letting Us Have a Go

Everyone can slide like an Olympian – that’s what the team at the Whistler Sliding Centre says. Since the Games, the Sliding Centre has launched a public skeleton and passenger bobsleigh experience where you can have a go on the same track (albeit farther down) that the Olympians tackled back in 2010 (it’s the fastest in the world).

Over the 2010 Olympic dates, the Sliding Centre is hosting the BCLA BC World Cup #3 Luge and BCLA BC World Cup #3 Bobsleigh and Skeleton events, which are open to spectators (and free). Check their “This Week on Track” page for current schedules. On February 15 – 17 (10 AM – 2 PM), children and youth (ages seven and above) will be able to try “Snow Luge” for free, presented by the Whistler Sliding Centre’s luge coaching team.

Whistler Olympic Park is located south of Whistler Village and was the venue for biathlon, cross-country skiing, Olympic Nordic combined and ski jumping. Now, visitors can take advantage of over 120 kilometres of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in the Callaghan Valley.

For that distinctly Olympic experience, have a go at biathlon. On February 2 they’re hosting recreational biathlon races and on Saturday, February 15 from 10 AM to 2 PM you can try it for only $10 with proceeds going towards biathlon athlete development. There will also be an interactive demonstration that challenges visitors to try specialized biathlon rifles used by visually impaired Para athletes.

Also, on February 15 any volunteer from the 2010 Games gets free entry into the park (you need to bring some form of volunteering proof).

In the summer months, you can hike to the top of the ski jump for great views over the valley, it’s also utilized by races like Tough Mudder and Red Bull 400, where they race up the ski jump (yep, literally run up all 400 metres of it).

Thanks for Our Epic Concert Space

Whistler Olympic Plaza was where the Whistler Medal Ceremonies were held and it’s now a hub for concerts and picnics in the summer, tobogganing and ice skating in the winter.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has graced the stage, as has Usher!

The Plaza is home to Whistler’s Olympic Rings, Paralympic Agitos, Olympic Cauldron, athlete tributes and memorial to Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili. It’s also where we watched the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games unfold in Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and where we’ll gather to connect with Beijing in 2022.

Thanks for the Memories

Lots of Whistler locals signed up to volunteer and proudly donned their blue “smurf” jackets as they welcomed the world to their home. There’s a reunion party planned for Wednesday, February 19 during Family Après (Editor’s note: Family Après is no longer running) at Olympic Plaza to bring volunteers, torchbearers, staff and athletes back together to reminisce and celebrate. Another place to take a walk down memory lane is at the Whistler Public Library where they will be screening footage of Team Canada and setting up a Games Memories Photo Display.

If you ask anyone who was in Whistler over the Games, they’ll have their own special story and you can read some of these at the “Building the Spirit: Whistler’s Volunteers of the 2010 Games” exhibit at the Whistler Museum or you can record your own memories at the Whistler Public Library.

“Running the torch through Whistler Village was a magical moment that marks my lifeline. There is a pause when two torches meet – a fraction of silence before the ‘boom’ and the fire – and then you run! I ran, skipped, twirled and leapt. I was pregnant, “full”-filled, and yet light on my feet, carried by the crowds and buoyant with the honour of representing that moment. Throwing high fives and high kicks, while stressing the security detail, I ran through an unruly path fuelled by the human spirit of ten thousand new neighbours, and joy. That night began the reality of what was to come, and it was the mystical Olympic spirit that journalists have woven into our living rooms through television and typewriters since we were kids. It started with one light. It was the awakening of the Games in the place we call home. – Heather Paul, Olympic Torch Bearer.

You can hold an Olympic Torch and find out more about the bid (we tried more than once to host the Olympics) at the Whistler Museum, and if you want to see an Olympic medal, head to Whistler Municipal Hall where they will be on display.

Thanks for Making a Statement

The 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were the first Games to host Pride programming.

The Whistler Pride and Ski Festival happens each year in late January / early February. Read Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Whistler Pride Festival for a firsthand account.

Widely considered as the largest gay-friendly mountain resort in North America, Whistler is proud to be the destination of choice for gay and lesbian travellers year-round. Featuring a diverse community, Travel Alternative Group (TAG) approved accommodation, and legally-celebrated marriage equality, Whistler has easily become a destination hot spot for adventure-seeking LGBTQI travellers.

Thanks for Keeping the Dream Alive

At the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Canada came away with 26 Olympic medals (14 gold, seven silver and five bronze) and 19 Paralympic medals (ten gold, five silver and four bronze). With facilities like the Athletes Centre, as well as the Sliding Centre and Olympic Park, Whistler is a training and accommodation hub for athletes from around the world. Take a look at some of the athletes coming up the ranks, hoping to get a shot at the Games in Next Gen Athletes Find Their Calling at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

So, it’s time to grab your red mittens, dust off those blue volunteer jackets, and get those cow bells ringing as Whistler brings the magic of the Olympics back to life with a series of anniversary community-focused events.

Thanks 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games – you were rad and left a legacy behind that we’re pretty stoked about.

You can take a self-guided tour of  the Games legacies or opt for a guided bus tour. For more ideas on how to connect with the Games in Whistler see 12 Ways to Experience the Games in Whistler.

The post With Glowing Hearts: Whistler Celebrates the Games 10th Anniversary appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

When Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Canada made Olympic history in the sliding sports category with bobsledders from the same nation winning gold and silver in women’s bobsled. Men’s skeleton athlete, Jon Montgomery, also snagged a gold medal, making it a great year for Canadians. So, surely you’d need a bit of training to tackle the tracks? Nope. You need no prior experience, just a sense of adventure.

Since 2011, the team at the Whistler Sliding Centre have welcomed thousands of people who have conquered the ice. This is definitely a bucket list experience and one you should consider ticking off on your trip to Whistler.

Here’s how it went down for both myself and our web editor, Kristen Wint.

Passenger Bobsleigh

Whistler Insider: Kristen Wint

 

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That’s me in the front — in the “Champagne” seat —best seat in the bob, right behind pilot Ryan. #whistlerslidingcentre #bobsleigh #worldsfastestbobsledtrack #rideofalifetime #onlyinwhistler

A post shared by Kristen Wint (@kwintessential.ca) on Dec 16, 2018 at 9:22pm PST

I saw the Sliding Centre as it was being built for the 2010 Winter Olympics and later stood trackside, watching in awe, as Olympic athletes flew down it at insane speeds, but I never pictured myself on said track until recently. I must have been feeling adventurous the day I signed up, because when I found myself standing right beside the track as I waited to be shuttled to the top, I wondered what the heck I was thinking! The structure is impressive and intimidating, but the thing to remember is that the passenger bobsleigh experience was made for regular people who want a little taste of the sport. It’s done safely and at much saner speeds than the pros reach.

After a thorough orientation session, I had some serious, last minute jitters. They were quickly calmed by chatting with the helpful staff who suggested I sit in the “Champagne” seat (the second position directly behind the pilot) as it’s the “smoothest” ride in the bobsled apart from the pilot’s spot. The “bob” seats four people – one pilot and three passengers.

Our group was driven up to the Corner 7 starting point (about two thirds of the way up the track) where the thrill of anticipation began to overtake the stressed-out butterflies in my gut. We were fitted with helmets, watched a quick video and then were introduced to our pilot, Ryan Taal. Ryan was a competitive sliding athlete in both skeleton and bobsleigh and is now Head Coach of Bobsleigh at Whistler Sport Legacies. He was friendly and incredibly experienced (which further put me at ease), so I asked him for a few last minute pointers. The basic gist was to sit upright, keep your back straight and do your best “Hulk” impression. As soon as the G-forces really kick in (mostly at the notable Thunderbird Corner), you may find your head pulling from side to side. You can avoid this by hunching your shoulders up and keeping your head locked down in between them. I held Ryan’s last words of wisdom in my mind, tightened the chin strap on my helmet and waited as the rest of the passengers positioned themselves in the bobsled.

The rest was history after we set off with a very small push and some cheering from onlookers. I held on for the ride of my life, feeling happy that I hadn’t chickened out. As staff had said in our info session, just when you really start to feel the G-forces kicking in and you’re wondering how much more you can take, you are almost at the end of the track and it’s done. If you listen carefully, you can hear me screaming in exhilaration at the end of the video. Our top speed that day was 124 kilometres per hour, but that’s nothing compared to the pros who can clock speeds of up to 150 km/hour. The passenger bobsleigh experience is an incredible rush and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you’re sitting on the fence, all I have to say is . . . you can do it!

Key Information: Bobsleigh

• You need to be at least 14-years-old (14 and 15 year-olds are positioned in front of a parent or guardian in the sled – they can’t go on their own)
• You need to weigh between 90 lbs (41 kg) – 285 lbs (129 kg) in full winter clothing
• You need to be between 4’6” (137 cm) and 6’8” (203 cm) in height
• A guardian needs to sign the waiver for anyone under 19 and kids need government-issued ID to prove their age

Public Skeleton

Whistler Insider: Dee Raffo

A sack of potatoes. That’s what I was told to emulate as I hurtled down the Whistler Sliding Centre track headfirst at up to 100 kilometres per hour. Think like a potato – mellow, grounded, not phased by the walls of ice and G-force pressure.

I have never had a need for speed, so winding my way around six bends of an icy track on what looks like a dinner tray was definitely something that took me out of my comfort zone. In a giddy haze of excitement and well, primal fear, I listened to the safety talk. Why were they talking about potatoes and chickens? That’s mostly what I remembered as we made our way to the track. As I took my place at the top of the Maple Leaf start (a third of the way up the Olympic track) I’m glad they had used such visual analogies.

Distribution of weight on the tray, I mean sled, is key. If you lift your shoulders up it’s going to take the weight off the front of the sled, which gives it the freedom to start wobbling around. This little movement creates a ricochet effect that can make the sled bang into the sides of the track. This leads to the chicken analogy. You don’t want your elbows taking the brunt of the wobbling, so you don’t want your elbows out like “chicken wings”, you keep your arms firmly tucked in at your sides.

So, armed with this poultry advice I lay on the sled. A member of staff gives you a push, so there’s no run and jump involved (this would involve way too much speed and accuracy) and then you’re off. Human instinct made me want to lift my head to see where I was going, but I tried to connect with my inner potato and focused my line-of-sight just a touch off the track, directly in front of me. The ice is whizzing by only inches from your face, which is a little disconcerting. The banking started to intensify as I made it around the bends, and then at the final corner aptly named “Thunderbird Corner”, there was a distinct feeling of the G-forces kicking in, pushing me farther into the sled. I don’t remember it being difficult to hold my head up, but I certainly felt the pressure change. Then I was coming into the finish corral and gravity kicked in as I started to go uphill.

The whole thing lasted around 30 seconds. It was so fast. With legs like jelly I stepped off the ice as they helped lift my sled off the track. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. You have to put this into perspective as I’m one of those people who tends to shed a few after tackling a gnarly bike or ski run. I think I did a bit of both, a manic laughter and tears combo. Then you get to do it again on run number two! Beware, the competitive nature of this sport is catching. My tip – get your speed suit on by taking a few of those bulkier layers off to improve your time!

Key Information: Skeleton

• You need to be at least 16-years-old
• You need to weigh between 90lbs (41 kg) – 220lbs (100 kg) in full winter clothing
• You need to be between 4’6” (137 cm) and 6’6” (198 cm) in height
• A guardian needs to sign the waiver for anyone under 19 and kids need Government issued ID to prove their age

The Public Skeleton and Passenger Bobsleigh run from December 20, 2019 until March 29, 2020 and they go whatever the weather! Wear warm winter clothing (try to avoid anything too puffy), warm gloves and winter boots with good grip. Spectators are permitted, so give them your camera as you can’t have anything dangling off you as you slide (including hair and jewellery).

How to Get to the Track

You can drive to the Sliding Centre (it’s on Blackcomb Mountain) and park right next to their Guest Relations building, or in the adjacent Lot 7 (both free). You can also catch the BC Transit bus “Staff Housing”/Route 7, and then walk uphill until you see the sign for the centre on your right.

However, the most fun way to travel though is via the Excalibur Gondola at the base of Whistler Mountain (check to see if it’s running first). You don’t need a ticket as long as you don’t have your ski or snowboard gear with you. Jump off at Blackcomb Base II, walk across the ski slope (watch out for skiers) and through parking Lot 7, then turn left uphill and look out for the sign on your right.

Whistler is a thrill-seekers playground. Learn more about what you can get up to in Whistler with the team at Whistler.com – they’ve got adventure covered. 

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