Checking out the cross country skiing at Whistler Olympic Park

Heather in front of the Olympic Rings

By Keith and Heather Nicol

    We recently had a chance to check out some of the cross country ski trails at Whistler Olympic Park (WOP).  I had been asked to run a 4 day Level 2 CANSI ski instructor course and so it gave us a chance to see the area under a variety of ski and snow conditions. Unfortunately while we were there we had some wild weather including a forecasted 80 mm of rain on Friday, January 31 (not sure how much actually fell but it was alot). Then it cooled off so conditions for the next day were icy and on Sunday we had some sunny periods which gave way to snow in the afternoon so we had lots of variety. Overall we were impressed by the grooming which kept most trails skiable despite the changeable weather.  Although we didn`t see too much of the mountains when we were there when they did peak out they are impressive. 

Love those mountains

     Whistler Olympic Park hosts quite a few events and Manager Nadine Steenhoek told us that they had just held the Western Canadian Championships and the BC winter games trials in December. But since they were the site of the 2010 Olympic Biathlon and Ski Jumping events they also hold various activities and events associated with those sports as well.  Nadine also mentioned that they host a wide variety of youth and adult ski clinics and programmes as well as a popular women`s day which this year attracted close to 100 women! They also have 12 full time biathlon competitors who train at their facility which is a bonus for promoting that activity. Nadine also mentioned that they try to get on snow early with the `Callaghan Gold`which is basically stored snow from the previous winter which is covered by sawdust to keep it through the summer.  This allows them to lay down a 1.5 km track so that skiers can get on snow in early November which is impressive.  <

Our group trying some classic skiing in the stadium

     Currently they have approximately 55 to 60 km of xc ski trails and approximately 17 – 19 km of snowshoe trails. And this is just for Whistler Olympic Park. More ski and snowshoe trails can be accessed  at Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures which is just across the road with intersecting trail networks.  So the bottom line is that there is lots happening here...way more than we realized.  We plan to get back up to this area to more fully explore it and for our readers who ski or snowshoe you have until April 5 this year to check it out.  See for more info: https://www.whistlersportlegacies.com/whistler-olympic-park/overview