Dec 062012
 

The Whistler Sliding Centre is one of the legacies left behind by the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Here is where you will find the 1,450 metre long ice track with a 152-metre vertical drop over 16 corners where the World Cup Skeleton, Luge and Bobsleigh athletes compete and train regularly. Want to feel just like one of the athletes racing here? You’re in luck as the center offers visitors a chance to try their skill at these sports. I wasn’t too sure how I felt about that since speeds range around 140 KM (almost 90 miles per hour!) but more importantly the disclaimer from the Sliding Center handout read:  “Participants should use the washroom before the start of the run (due to gravitational pressure on bladder during runs)”  which definitely reinforced my decision.

I think I’ll stick to the sport of skiing (for now, at least).

Today at the Sliding Center, it was the second day of the 2012 IBSF (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation) World Cup. We heard from locals and friends alike that this was an event that we absolutely had to see.

“Monica, you can be right there and practically feel the wind that comes off the racers as they swoosh by you at amazing speeds,” my friend Todd tells me with great enthusiasm.

Paying the $10.00 entrance fee we walked into the center and immediately felt the excitement in the air ring straight down to our bones. People were everywhere, cowbells were ringing in the anticipation of the upcoming races and in general the feeling here was one of complete, pure excitement.

Before we knew it the announcer comes across on the loud speaker and alerts us to the start of the Skeleton races and everyone gathers close to the track.

The races were breathtaking with the Canadians earning four medals in all between the Friday and Saturday races. Luckily for the spectators there were outdoor heating posts, hot chocolate, chili and the can’t-be-missed beer garden to keep everyone warm and comfortable while enjoying the races.

Soon enough it was time to head back down to the village. We downloaded from the Blackcomb gondola and began our walk through the village making our way back to our Airstream which was waiting for us at the Riverside RV Resort.

“Mommy, that was so awesome!” B tells me as we are strolling through the village.

I had to agree with him 100%.

Whistler is such a fun place to come and visit be it with your travel trailer, RV or opting to stay in the lodging within the village. There is so much to do here and explore that you will want to come back again and again. This was our first time coming here with our Airstream and to be honest, I wouldn’t travel any other way. Our home away from home is my favorite place on earth.

Dec 032012
 

Photo Credit Randy Lincks

{Written By Hubby}

Having visited Whistler and Blackcomb for decades,  traditions amongst friends and family at this ultimate recreation resort have become firmly rooted. From the Peak to Valley and Sudan Coular Extreme Races, summer backpacking in Whistler’s back country and of course celebrating the American Thanksgiving holiday at North Americas top rated ski resort have been nothing short of amazing.

Whistler is always the first ski operation to open and has the most and best quality snow in the early season.   On Thanksgiving morning we knew we were going to have a lot to be thankful for.   Awoken by the thunder of avalanche control explosive detonations alerted us to an over night accumulation of 22 cm of new fluff and it was opening day for Blackcomb Mountain.   Had I died and gone to heaven?  Nope — I just woke up at Whistler Resort.

I met up with a couple visitors from Silver Star and Revelstoke (or “Revy” as some like to call it).   We skied the seemingly bottomless powder until our legs turned to jello. Throughout the weekend, other families and friends from the Seattle area joined us and the kids had a blast!   They loved the Jersey Cream chair the best.  Last Chair ride was Crystal lift.   The four of them raced down Zig Zag Run to the bottom of Excalibur.

The kids downloaded on the Blackcomb Gondola to the village where nachos and hot chocolate awaited them.   After that they enjoyed a playful swim in the Pan Pacific pool.

What more could you ask for (except to do it again tomorrow)?

Photo Credit Randy Lincks
Photo Credit Justa JeskovaPhoto Credit Bruce Rowles

Nov 232012
 

Here we are at the Riverside RV Resort in Whistler, British Columbia.  This post is coming to you via the Whistler Public Library (a fateful glass of water ended the life of my laptop) and for that I am forever grateful as I have been eager to share with you where we are, what we have been doing and what we will be up to.

We left Seattle around 2 pm and arrived in Whistler around 8 pm a couple days ago.  We made our way straight to Riverside RV Resort where we had reservations waiting for us.  It was completely, absolutely pitch black outside and we could hardly see a thing but luckily the resort is well marked and the sites are easy to find.  Other than that, we had no idea what was around us until the next morning.

When we awoke we opened the curtains and we were welcomed with a beautiful setting.  Our site is directly across from the Riverside Green Putting Course and our view was nothing short of peaceful and very beautiful.  On our first day the resort and village were snowless; however, fast forward to day two and it literally dumped.  It was soooooo beautiful with all of the snow and everyone was out hitting the slopes of Whistler and Blackcomb.

Riverside RV resort is honestly such a wonderful place to stay be it with your RV or in one of their cozy cabins  Not only does Riverside offer up free wifi, free showers, dvd rentals and dining, they also have a shuttle service to and from Whistler village.  Don’t feel like shuttling it?  No worries, I was happy to hear that the village was a pleasant 20 minute walk away.  And I did I mention that everyone here is incredibly helpful and sooooo nice??

On our second day, Hubby and friend Todd (who is an amazing ski photographer), took B skiing on Blackcomb Mountain and they were all very excited to get going.  For me I decided to head into Whistler Village and get a sense of how things are here in Whistler.  Twenty minutes later and here I was . . .

The village was alive with people everywhere.  Shops and art galleries GALORE.  Restaurants beyond your imagination.  I was overwhelmed yet so excited to be here . . .

I was also excited to be here because this afternoon is when we are going to watch the World Cup Bobsleigh and Skeleton races at the Sliding Center here in Whistler.  I spied a few of the particpants from Russia taking a walk through the village.  I was tempted to ask them for a photograph but I was too shy (need to work on that).

Fall colors are everywhere here in Whistler Village and it was a beautiful sight.  It was the long Thanksgiving weekend holiday afterall and I was thankful to be here with hubby and B.  We celebrated Thanksgiving in the Airstream, just the three of us.  I went grocery shopping at the local market and it was obvious we were not the only Americans celebrating the holiday here in Whistler.  I was perplexed however as so many skiers people were buying huge turkeys and it was already 6 pm.  As for me I picked up two turkey breasts and cooked them up in the cast iron skillet with some stuffing in the Airstream.  It was cozy and peaceful and a tradition we are getting used to.

 

Stay tuned for more Whistler stories coming soon!