Quietly and without any roaring public announcements, Whistler Olympic Park has reached one of its biggest milestones since the 2010 Games: Athletes were training on snow earlier than ever before. On Nov. 8, competitive racers started their winter training on a perfectly groomed 900-metre loop made out of stored snow from last season.
Why is that so remarkable? In preparation for the winter season, every training day on snow counts for a Nordic athlete. The first race in the Sea to Sky area, the Coast Cup #1, is already scheduled for Nov. 30, less than two weeks from now. Without early snow access, skiers have to rely on nature – and have to use alternative, less efficient training methods when the snow does not fly early enough.
During the first two weekends of its operation, almost 350 athletes used the new training loop. Skiers from throughout the province, including members of the B.C. cross-country and the B.C. biathlon teams, as well as local clubs, benefited from the precious “Callaghan Gold.”
Planning for the big project began in April 2013. A snow storage pit was trenched near the biathlon range and in April 2014, natural snow was collected in an area four metres deep, 50 metres long and 25 metres wide. A special sawdust was selected to cover the snow throughout the summer months, during which temperatures quite frequently exceeded 30 Celsius. But thorough planning paid off, the precious snow was preserved and groomers could build the trail at the beginning of November.
With its new Callaghan Gold, Whistler Olympic Park is one of only three early snow venues in Canada. Furthermore, out of those three, it is the only venue that uses natural snow, while the other two facilities use snowmaking to produce the white training surface. The project is a huge achievement from a sport development perspective. And park officials are already thinking of more early snow trails in the future – but let us dream about the real snow first, which will hopefully fly soon!
The Nordic ski areas are getting ready for the season; trails are fine-tuned before the snow flies, signage is updated, staff are being trained. Are you ready? Hurry up and get your season pass for your venue of choice. Ski Callaghan’s early bird rate is offered until the official opening day on Nov. 27, and more information is available on Whistler Sport Legacies’ new website whistlersportlegacies.com/activities/cross-country-skiing. Information on Lost Lake passes (early bird rate also ends on Nov. 27) can be found at www.whistler.ca/culture-recreation/recreation/cross-country-skiing-and-snow-shoeing/tickets-programs-and-rentals. Also, dual area passes for Lost Lake and Ski Callaghan are available at both venues. Cypress Mountain’s products are available through the website cypressmountain.com/nordic-passes.
Editor’s note: Written by Silke Jeltsch of Whistler Sport Legacies, this is the first in a series of columns focusing on Nordic winter sports in the Sea to Sky area.
