Vancouver and Beyond

Whistler ready for the world in 2010

Whistler, B.C. – With the Olympic flame extinguished in Beijing, the eyes of the world will now turn to Vancouver and Whistler as the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Winter Games, less than 18 months away.

And though it’s already known as one of the world’s top winter and summer resorts, Whistler – where more than half of the 2010 Winter Games medals will be won and awarded – is ready to give the thousands of visitors, athletes and officials an unforgettable shared experience, says Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s President & CEO.

“The energy and excitement surrounding the 2010 Games has been building in Whistler for years, but it took a noticeable jump during the Beijing Olympics, because we know we’re next,” says Fisher. “All the hard work and effort put in by the Whistler community: The Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, VANOC staff in Whistler, hotels, restaurants and other tourism operators, have put us in the position to walk onto the world stage confident that people who come here before and during the Games will have a memorable experience, immersed in the spirit and the pulse of the 2010 Winter Games in a beautiful mountain winter setting.”

Whistler’s three competition venues are complete: Whistler Creekside for alpine skiing events, the Whistler Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, and Whistler Olympic Park, for Nordic and cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping. Whistler Village’s pedestrian stroll, already lined with restaurants, cafes and pubs, will be dotted with six Live Sites, where thousands of people will gather each day and evening to watch Games events on large outdoor screens, and to take in free entertainment including bands, performing artists, and theatre. Medal presentations will be held at Celebration Plaza each evening. Most of the Paralympic Games events a month later are also held in Whistler.

“We know that people want to attend the events, but people also have a tremendous desire to be with each other and to celebrate with people from around the world. If people are in Whistler Village during the Games, they’ll be in the centre of the action as Whistler adds its own energy, spirit and history to the Olympic legend,” says Arlene Schieven, Tourism Whistler’s Vice President of Marketing. “And remember that throughout the Games period, more than 90 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb will remain open for skiing and snowboarding. Only a small part of the mountain will be affected by the events. As well, outside of the weeks leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games, the 2009/ 2010 season will be business as usual.”

For those who don’t want to wait until February 2010, there are many ways to get a taste of Whistler before the Games. Tours of the Whistler Sliding Centre (whistlerslidingcentre.com) go until August 31 this year, and will continue next summer. Self-guided tours of Whistler Olympic Park (whistlerolympicpark.com) go until September 1 this year, and continue next summer. Both tours provide a close-up and hands-on experience of what those events look like. Skiers and snowboarders can experience the Dave Murray Downhill at Whistler Creekside, where the alpine skiing events will be held.

Another reason to visit Whistler before the Games is the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, opening in December 2008, which will stretch from the top of Whistler Mountain to the top of Blackcomb Mountain and travel a distance of 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in just 11 minutes. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be the longest, highest gondola of its type in the world and will let skiers and snowboarders easily move around to access the best weather and conditions on any given day at Whistler Blackcomb. It will run in summer too, giving visitors breathtaking alpine views.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – opened 2008
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – where mountains, rivers and people meet – embodies the spirit of partnership between two First Nations and their shared values of preserving and sharing our traditional cultures.

The Centre is the first of its kind in Canada, showcasing two distinct cultures: the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. The Centre is a spectacular building located on traditional territory, nestled in a pristine forest and mountain setting. This magnificent venue, designed in the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (underground pit dwelling), houses a Great Hall, museum, theatre, the Squamish Lil’wat giftshop and café.

Whether viewing canoes of different styles from both Nations, discovering how cedar is harvested, learning Salish wool weaving or cedar weaving from accomplished artisans, watching a cultural performance, or viewing a series of films on the cultures, a visit to the Centre is designed to be an enriching and transformative experience.

Squamish and Lil’wat hosts will welcome guests as they approach on a walkway graced with pictograph-adorned boulders and enter through magnificent hand-carved cedar welcome figure doors. Once inside, massive spindle whorls, suspended canoes, intricate weavings and thundering drumming – with a spectacular backdrop of mountains seen through unobstructed glass – provide a truly dramatic setting. Future plans include a traditional Squamish Longhouse, the Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling with fire pit), outdoor barbeque facility and ethno-botanical gardens. The culturally rich program options and authentic arts add a new dimension to the Whistler experience.
Nita Lake Lodge – opened 2008
Perched on the shore of lovely Nita Lake, offering gorgeous views of surrounding mountains, lake and forest, the luxurious Nita Lake Lodge is steps away from Whistler Creekside, site of the alpine events of 2010 Winter Games. The 77-suite lodge features deluxe studio, one, two and three-bedroom suites. Exclusive private residences offer guests the intimacy of a high-end private chalet and the amenities of a luxury hotel. The lodge boasts a full-service spa, wellness centre and lakeside restaurant. The Lodge includes 4,000 square feet of meeting space, two function rooms and state-of-the-art technology for meetings and business functions.

Community invited to learn about venues and sports

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced that The Whistler Sliding Centre will open its doors for tours this summer, providing the public with the first opportunity to personally touch and feel one of the 2010 Winter Games venues. Located on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler BC, The Whistler Sliding Centre will be home to bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions in 2010. It is one of only 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world, and one of four in North America.

Whistler Olympic Park will also host tours this summer, offering members of the public the opportunity to explore the trails and recreational facilities that make up the venue, and a first-hand look at one of the world’s most sophisticated ski jumps. During the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler Olympic Park will be home to biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. Located 15 kilometres south of Whistler, the facility opened its doors to both recreational and competitive skiers during the 2007-08 winter season.

“Tours are a great opportunity for the public to get a first-hand look at some of the most spectacular facilities of the Games and to learn about the sports they will host,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC executive vice president, sport and Games operations. “Visitors will leave with a great sense of anticipation for the thrilling competitions that will take place there this winter, and in 2010. This is also a great chance for residents to familiarize themselves with the world-class facilities that are now in their own backyard, and what will be an important part of their community for years to come.”

Canadian athletes who have driven The Whistler Sliding Centre track have said it is one of the fastest and most challenging in the world. After participating in the christening of the track in December 2007, Pierre Lueders, four-time Olympian, and the most decorated slider in Canadian history, noted: “It’s definitely the fastest track in the world and that’s what makes it so difficult.” Canadian skeleton racer Michelle Kelly agreed, stating, “It’s an exciting track and what’s hard about it is that it has crazy speed, but any loss of concentration and you can get in trouble because it is technical as well.” Over 13 days of Olympic competition, athletes will compete for a total 24 Olympic medals at The Whistler Sliding Centre.

Self-guided walking tours of The Whistler Sliding Centre will begin on July 3 and continue until the end of August. Admission for these tours is $5.

Beginning June 15, free, self-guided walking, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park will be available during park hours. Visitors interested in guided tours or tours of the ski jumps, however, must book in advance at www.whistlerolympicpark.com or by calling 604.964.2455. Admission fees for guided tours of Whistler Olympic Park will vary depending on tour choice. Proceeds from the tours will be directed towards general administration and overhead relating specifically to the summer 2008 venue tour programs. Both The Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park are wheelchair accessible.

After the 2010 Winter Games, The Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park will provide sport and recreation legacies as well as economic opportunities under the direction of the Whistler Legacies Society.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
QUICK FACTS

The Whistler Sliding Centre

One of only 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world
Highest vertical drop of any track in the world: 152 metres
Track G-force is expected to reach 5.02 Gs (men’s luge)
Highest speed reached in inaugural 2007-08 season: 147.9 kilometres per hour (four-man bobsleigh)
A thin ice surface measuring between two and five centimetres is produced and maintained by hand
The track measures 1,450 metres from start to finish, with an elevation change of over 150 metres
350 tons of concrete were used to construct the track
The track has 36 on-track cameras and 42 “timing eyes”
Energy-efficiency initiatives, designed to minimize refrigeration plant energy use, include an ammonia refrigeration system. Ammonia is one of the most energy-efficient refrigerants, producing no chlorofluorocarbons (which contribute to ozone-layer depletion and global climate change).

Whistler Olympic Park

First time in Olympic Winter Games history that all four Nordic disciplines (biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing) are occurring at the same venue
The only snowmaking system at the venue is for the ski jump landing hill
The venue has approximately five kilometres of paved rollerski trails and six kilometres of lit trails to enhance training opportunities
The venue will host 30 per cent of the Olympic medal events and 50 per cent of the Paralympic medal events
Athletes will ski an average speed of just under 25 kilometres per hour during cross-country ski races, reaching maximum speeds near 60 kilometres per hour
During the men’s 50-kilometre race, the athletes will climb approximately 2,000 vertical metres (more than twice the vertical of the men’s alpine downhill course at Whistler Creekside). The winning time for this race is expected to be approximately 2 hours, with an average speed of almost 25 kilometres per hour
Sustainability initiatives include an on-site waste water treatment plant to use leading technology (tertiary membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection) for high-quality discharge to local surface water. During Games-time, as with other outdoor venues, temporary wastewater collection infrastructure will be in place to accommodate high user numbers.
Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com