About Visiting Whistler During 2010 Winter Games
Did you know that historically the year of the Winter Olympics at host ski resort venues is a slow time?
Many people speculate that accommodation and ski packages to host venues during the year of the Olympics and Paralympics are going to be way more expensive that usual. And others may think that these resort venues are going to be extremely busy during Olympic years.
Here is some information found on the Whistler Blackcomb website. (Whistler Blackcomb is the official host venue of sliding sports for the 2010 Games.)
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Visiting Whistler Blackcomb during the Olympic year will not only be an exciting and memorable experience but a great time to ski or ride as well. Prior Winter Olympic hosts have experienced an "aversion factor" in the year of the Games and guests stayed away. People assume the mountains will be closed or too crowded or still under construction when in fact, none are the case in Whistler. With fewer guests expected on the mountains, skiers and riders next year will have a minimum of 7,500 acres to explore all season long, with more terrain groomed each night than any other resort in North America, and an annual snowfall average of 33 feet to enjoy.
Mountain access will be available all season long via:
Whistler Mountain:
- Whistler Village Gondola
- Fitzsimmons Express
Blackcomb Mountain:
- Excalibur Gondola
- Wizard Express
The Creekside base is home to the Olympic and Paralympic Alpine Events. As such, this area will be the most affected by Games preparation and execution.
The Creekside Gondola will be closed to the public from February 1 to early March and will provide priority loading to Paralympic athletes and officials through to the end of the Paralympic Games on March 21.
While the Creekside Gondola is closed during the month of February, local residents and guests will be bussed to Whistler Village or the Blackcomb Base in order to access the mountains, by a dramatically enhanced BC Transit system. From February 1, bus service will increase 246 percent in bus fleet size, from 39 to 135 buses, servicing Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton. Bus service will run 24 hours a day and will extend to include neighbourhoods that currently do not have bus service. There is a goal to have bus stops within a 10 minute walk of 90 per cent of the homes in Whistler.
Terrain Open
Whistler Blackcomb terrain will be fully open for the majority of the 2009-2010 winter season, weather permitting of course. During the Olympic and Paralympic period, which begins January 25 for course set up, over 90 percent of terrain will remain open with only the runs in the area of the race course on Whistler Mountain closed and training runs on both mountains closed. During the Paralympics in March, again over 90 per cent of the terrain will be open with only the race course and training runs closed on Whistler Mountain.
Terrain Closures
Whistler Mountain Run Closures (January 25 to March 27)
- Dave Murray Downhill (race course)
- Wild Card (race course)
- Jimmy's Joker (race course)
- Upper Franz's (above the skiers tunnel - race course)
Whistler Mountain Run Closures (January 30 to March 27)
- Bear Paw
- Tokum
- Crossroads
Whistler Mountain Run Closures - other
- Bear Cub (February 1 to February 28)
- Raven/Ptarmigan (training run) (February 1 to February 21)
- Upper Whisky Jack (February 1 to February 17)
- Crabapple (February 1 to February 17)
Blackcomb Mountain Training Run Closures (January 29 to February 28)
- Springboard
- Lower Cruiser
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So if you are concerned not having access to lots of great skiing at Whistler this season don't worry! The Resort will offer 1,000's of acres of skiable terrain all season including during the Olympics and Paralympics. And good deals on accommodation and ski packages are still available.
While you are skiing or riding at Whistler Blackcomb be sure to use the SKI KEY racks and SKI KEY locking systems to help keep your equipment safe!
Tags: 2010 winter games, whistler, whistler 2010, whistler blackcomb, whistler blackcomb 2010
