Whistler Celebrates Two Years until the 2010 Winter Games

February 14, 2008

Two years from today, Whistler will host the first sport event of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games with men’s ski jumping at Whistler Olympic Park, while the Olympic Flame will complete its journey from Olympia, Greece to arrive in Vancouver for the Opening Ceremony.

The countdown is on and Whistler is fully in the Games spirit with mountain venues. The Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Creekside, completed and in use, and sport, culture and business events taking place all month long.

The 2010 Winter Games mascots, Sumi, Quatchi and Miga, will take part in the two-year countdown today at 6 p.m. at the stage in Village Square, part of Whistler Celebration 2010. Following performances by SWARM and Wil Mimnaugh from 3 to 6 pm, Whistler’s Acting Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, along with representatives from VANOC and the Whistler Arts Council, will lead a community celebration with the annual countdown cake.

The action continues throughout the month of February.

Whistler Celebration 2010
February – 2008
The Whistler Arts Council presents the sixth annual WHISTLER CELEBRATION 2010 as a part of Cultural Olympiad 2008 from February 1 to 29. WHISTLER CELEBRATION 2010 will lead the arts community into the 2010 Winter Games and beyond. This year sees live performances by famous Canadian artists, Canada’s first theatre of ice and snow, Vicious Circles storytelling therapy, and the return of the Canadian Snowsculpting Team along with Team Alberta. Co-presented by Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and supported by the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Province of British Columbia. Visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com.

Celebrate Live in Whistler
Date: February 12 – 17
Time: 3pm – 6pm
This event features an upbeat outdoor showcase of artists whose music and style reflect the youthful energy, diverse cultures and distinctive flavours of Canada.

Feb 12: Two-year countdown celebration, plus SWARM, Wil Mimnaugh
Feb 13: Bombolessé, Hey Ocean!

Feb 14: FreeFlow, You Say Party! We Say Die!

Feb 15: Paramedic, Cadence Weapon

Feb 16: Redeye Empire, Maestro Fresh Wes

Feb 17: Whistler Stories – Whistler Film Festival, Bitterly Divine .

2010 Winter Games Call for Volunteers
February 12
On February 12 VANOC officially opens the application process for volunteer roles with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Workopolis, the exclusive official supplier of online recruitment for the 2010 Winter Games, will be on location in Whistler handing out information about the volunteer program. Visit www.vancouver2010.com. .

Live on Location in Whistler
The countdown to the Games provides an opportunity to attract and invite media to Whistler to build awareness of the resort and developments leading up to the Games. The following media activity takes place this month:
• Canada AM live broadcast from Whistler 3 – 9 a.m. February 11
• CTV evening news live broadcast from Whistler 6 – 7 p.m. February 11-15
• Global morning show live broadcast from Whistler 5:30 – 9 a.m. February 11-15
• Global evening news live broadcast from Whistler 6 – 7 p.m. February 10-15
• Visiting delegation of 40 international tourism and news media to celebrate the two-year countdown to 2010.
• SportsNet, BBC Ski Sunday and many regional, national and international sport and news media during the World Cup. .

The Great Whistler Parade
Date: February 17
Time: 5:40pm
Location: Starting at Marketplace
Professional artists and members of the community will join for a community parade from Marketplace to Skiers Plaza. Featuring a community percussion band, lanterns, banners and costumes, the parade will combine elements of our mountain culture and celebrate our community. Visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com.

.

World Cup Returns to Whistler
Date: February 19 – 24
TELUS presents World Cup Whistler alpine ski event February 19 to 24. Whistler Mountain will host the women’s Downhill and Super Combined on the upgraded Franz’s course and the men’s Super G and Giant Slalom on the Upper and Lower Dave Murray. All medals and race action takes place at Whistler Creekside. The stage in Village Square will feature bib draws for the next day’s race order and free live concerts from acts including K-OS, Hedley and Shad. Visit www.Whistler-worldcup.com. .

Whistler Olympic Park
Whistler Olympic Park has become the most popular new activity in the region this winter. It’s no wonder with the gorgeous new trails and the allure of a variety of races and opportunities to see and experience sports new to the area such as ski jumping and biathlon. Visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com.
• February 16-17 – Cross-Country Coast Cup hosted by Spud Valley February
• 17-18 Cross-Country Coast Cup hosted by Whistler Nordics February
• 27-28 – FIS Cup – ski jumping February
• 29 – FIS Continental Cup – ski jumping
2010 Sponsor Workshop
Olympic guests will visit Whistler during VANOC’s 2010 Winter Games sponsor workshop February 12-14 including 225-plus participants from domestic and international sponsor organizations for the Games. The Resort Municipality of Whistler will represent Whistler at the workshop and make a presentation to the international group. .

Second Visit of IOC President Jacques Rogge
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge will visit Vancouver and Whistler this month in conjunction with the next IOC Coordination Commission meeting to review progress and planning for the 2010 Winter Games. Mayor Melamed and other Whistler officials will take part in the delegation’s visit to Whistler. .

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is the host mountain resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It will be the site of the alpine, Nordic, and sliding events for the 2010 Winter Games as well as the Live Sites program featuring daily entertainment, nightly medals ceremonies, and the closing ceremony for the Paralympic Winter Games. .

For further information contact Michele Comeau, Manager 2010 Communications & Community Engagement Resort Municipality of Whistler, 604.935.8152 or mcmeau@whistler.ca