ACTION EXTREME

Whistler prepares to welcome the world

It's bound to be an action-packed month on the famed slopes of Canadian township Whistler this February. Located two hours north of Vancouver between the majestic twin mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb, it boasts 8,100 acres of terrain, 200 trails, 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers and annual average snowfall of 33 feet and temperatures of -12°F.  Aside from all the skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, golf and glacier skiing both extreme sport enthusiasts and diehards could desire, 2010 will also see Whistler - along with Vancouver - host the Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games.

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21.

The honor of hosting an Olympic event is one that lies at the heart of Whistler's evolution from a remote mining claim to one of the most popular winter destinations in North America. It was a vision that was made a reality by a collective of Vancouver businessman who had been inspired by their experience of the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, in 1960. Fuelled by their desire to see Canada host the Winter Games in 1968, they pinpointed Whistler, which was previously named London Mountain, and formed the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association (GODA). The Association was the driving force behind making Whistler what it is today, and pioneered the opening of Whistler's first ski resort and lift in 1966. Decades passing did nothing to quench the hunger of Whistler to one day host a Summer or Winter Olympic Games of their own; an effort that saw six of their bids consistently rejected until 2003 when they were finally awarded the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Those keen to get a piece of the Games action will be able to attend some 63 medal events centered around: Alpine Skiing (Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super Combined); Nordic (Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping) ; and Sliding (Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton), which will be held at three key venues: Whistler Creekside, Sliding Centre and the Olympic/Paralympics Center.

Creekside Village will be a hub of activity when Whistler Blackcomb hosts the disciplines of men's and women's Downhill, Super-G, Giant slalom, Slalom and Super combined on Whistler Mountain.

The men's skiing will take place on the well-respected Dave Murray Downhill run, while women's skiing will take place on Franz's run.

You don't need to be an Olympian to experience your own Olympic moment. After the Games, the Dave Murray Downhill and Franz's run will re-open to the public on March 28, and will be open each of the following winter seasons for future Whistler Blackcomb visitors to enjoy.

INSPIRATION

It is estimated that upwards of 22.5 million Americans' interest to learn to ski or snowboard is peaked by watching Winter Olympic coverage. But, where do the newly inspired begin? During the month of February and beyond, Whistler Blackcomb will be working hard to answer that question.

Whistler Blackcomb continues to work towards offering vacation packages aimed at newcomers that include rental equipment and a lesson, along with a lift ticket and accommodations.

Whistler really has been busy preparing to welcome the world.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Outside of the weeks during the 2010 Winter Games, the 2009/ 2010 season will be business as usual.

While the whole world will be tuned into Whistler in February, the following months provide an ideal time to experience everything magical about Whistler with the after-glow of the Games.

Many will be interested in visiting during Games-time to enjoy the extraordinary events, excitement and vibrancy of the Village; and, for those seeking an experience that reflects a more typical Whistler winter season, a visit to the resort outside of the 17-day period of the Olympic Winter Games may be preferable.

Whistler is ready and waiting for you in 2010.

Mountain Access

Over 90% of the terrain on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains will be open to skiers and snowboarders throughout the 2010 Winter Games.

Blackcomb Mountain will be using just one run for Games-related training and only three runs on Whistler Mountain's Creekside will be used for the Alpine Skiing events.

In fact, as part of pre-Games enhancements to the Creekside course, underpass tunnels were created to allow for uninterrupted public use during the competitions.

For details of which ski runs will be temporarily closed during the 2010 Winter Games visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/olympics

2010 Accommodation

Accommodation in Whistler for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games is available, and more becomes available on whistler.com and other sales channels every day. Everything from hotel rooms and luxury suites to condos, bed & breakfasts, chalets, townhouses and private homes are an option.

Whistler has a typical inventory of approximately 10,000 bedrooms allowing the resort to host approximately 35,000 visitors on any given night.

GETTING THERE

Olympic Ticket Holders
Ticket holders travelling from Vancouver to events at Whistler venues should do so using the Olympic Bus Network. Tickets for the Olympic Bus Network are on sale now at $50 CAD per person for a return ticket.

The Ridebooker.com Whistler Shuttle gives Games ticket holders the option to explore Whistler after any event, take in the nightly medal ceremonies and experience the Games-time buzz around Whistler before returning to Vancouver.

Day Skiers/ Visitors to Whistler
Day skiers and riders are strongly encouraged to use private motor coach carriers to get to Whistler as there will be no public parking available (including at the venues) at Games time. Coach services operating during Games time include Ridebooker.com, Greyhound and Pacific Coach Lines.

The Spectacular Journey to Whistler
Highway 99, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway, from Vancouver to Whistler, is a breathtaking two-hour journey of ocean and mountain vistas - regarded as one of the most beautiful highways in the world. The road hugs the dramatic Pacific coastline past rushing waterfalls and mountainous islands, then winds through lush, forested canyons on a gradual climb into the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia.

Sea to Sky Highway Permits
Given the need to manage traffic flow to Whistler during the Games, a checkpoint will be in effect on the Sea to Sky Highway near the Alice Lake turn-off, north of Squamish. The checkpoint will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from February 11 to 28.

To pass through this checkpoint within the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. window, visitors to Whistler must have an official permit. Visitors who choose to drive to Whistler by private vehicle should get this permit mailed to them from their hotel before leaving home. It's extremely important that people who have booked accommodation and want to take their own vehicle should check with their accommodation providers for parking availability.

Whistler is approximately a two hour drive from Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport) and approximately five hours from Seattle (Sea-Tac Airport and Port).

CHASE THE DREAM

And if you get a little restless with the Games, there's plenty of action to chase for yourself.

Skiing & Snowboarding

The offerings are plentiful in Whistler with something for the learners through to the professionals.  Take your pick from cross country, glacier, cat and heli-skiing, snowboarding, sleighing, sledding and snowshoeing.

The snow comes white and strong from November through to July, one of the longest ski seasons in North America.

Whistler Arts Festival

Those looking for a local cultural fix can check out the Whistler Arts Festival 2010,  which brings together live music, film screenings, art and photography exhibitions and is on from February 1 - March 31.

The Games by the numbers:

• 86 medals in 17 days of Olympic Games events (57 medals presented in Whistler)
• 64 medals in 9 days of Paralympics Games events (62 medals presented in Whistler)
• 5,500 Olympic athletes and team officials (2,750 athletes in Whistler)
• 1,350 Paralympics Games athletes and officials (1,015 athletes in Whistler)
• 25,000 volunteers
• 85 countries participating in Olympic Games
• 45 countries participating in Paralympics Games
• 55,000 workforce staff
• 3 billion television viewers worldwide

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