Updated February 19, 2010
We will be posting updates daily from the Industry House in Whistler, BC, blog-style. Here is an overview of what’s going on at the Games so far. Check this post for the latest.
Freeskier at the Olympics: an Overview
The Olympics are in full swing here in Whistler and Vancouver, and we’re lucky enough to be on-hand to indulge in the festivities.
We’re based in Whistler and staying in an incredible media house provided by the good folks at Whistler Blackcomb. Joining Freeskier at the industry house are Snowboard mag, SBC Skier, Powder mag, Snowboard Canada and ESPN
among others.
On top of the accommodations, the Whistler crew has organized some insane activities, meals, parties and on-snow opportunities. We’re pretty much spoiled rotten.
Since arriving in BC on Saturday, we’ve been back and forth between the various venues in Vancouver and Whistler. The bus ride between venues is a bit of a haul, but it’s cool to be able to go from city to mountain venue son the same day. Both towns are electric, but the vibe is different in both spots:
On the one hand you have the massive city of Vancouver with an eclectic mix of people wanting to partake in their hometown Games. The city plays host to hockey, figure skating, speed skating and curling. The venues for freestyle skiing, ski and snowboard cross and halfpipe snowboarding are located about an hour outside of Vancouver at Cypress mountain.
On the other end of the spectrum you have the smaller town of Whistler and all of its mountain enthusiasts mostly interested in the skiing venues and high-altitude scene. Whistler hosts all of the Alpine skiing events, Nordic and cross country, bobsleigh, luge and skeleton. And while there are different vibes in both places (big city vs. mtn town), the energy is palpable and the spirits are high wherever you go.
If there’s been one obvious challenge of the Games thus far, it’s Mother Nature’s unwillingness to cooperate. The warm temps and rain at Cypress have created epic challenges with the courses, and heavy snowfall in Whistler has created multiple postponements of the Alpine events. As of today, only one Alpine event (men’s downhill) has been completed. Last night’s heavy snowfall put a hold on today’s men’s super combined medal event, which will be rescheduled for later this week.
More from Whistler during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Freeskier checks out the moguls comps at Cypress
Fresh tracks on Whistler Blackcomb
The most baller dinner ever
Lindsey Vonn takes gold in Women’s Downhill
Paul Oakenfold tears up Garf’s – Spyder party
Deadmau5 rocks the Medals Plaza
A morning with the Blackcomb Ski Patrol
