Mountain Venues Overview

It's a bit hard to imagine a city hosting an event of such epic proportions as the Olympic Games, wouldn't you agree? Where do they put everything? Sure there are ice rinks in the city for those sports able to be contained indoors, but what about all the skiing, snowboarding, and other downhill events? Not to mention cross-country skiing --- these events need space. That is why these competitions are held outside the official host city of Vancouver - in Whistler and West Vancouver.

Whistler has its own Athlete's Village, separate from that in Vancouver, nestled into the Cheakamus Valley between the river and the forest. The planned occupancy of the Village for the Olympic Games is 2,850 athletes, spread amongst a mixture of apartments, town homes, and hostel accommodations. The Paralympics, which begin March 12th, will utilize the same living spaces with approximately 1,200 athletes.

Whistler Olympic Village, aerial view

The Whistler Olympic Park is home to three separate stadiums within one-square kilometer, each with a capacity of 12,000. Cross-country skiing and biathlon trails take up about 15 kilometers of the space, in addition to the biathlon's 30-lane shooting range and the two ski jumps (normal hill and large hill). Nordic combined is the other event being held here, using both the cross-country trails and the ski jumps.

Whistler Olympic Park, ski jump

Another complex, the Whistler Sliding Center, will feature the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions. Located on Blackcomb Mountain, the venue has a capacity of 12,000 spectators. This site, a little more so than others, is destined to leave a "legacy" for the local community; the facility will be accessible to athletes in training, youth recreation programs, and tourist and public admissions.

Whistler Sliding Center

Alpine skiing has its own 7,700-person capacity venue, called Whistler Creekside. There are two runs: Dave Murray Downhill for the men's Olympic alpine skiing, and Franz's Run for the women and Paralympic competitions. Fun fact: the fastest documented speed for an alpine skier is 148kph, or 92mph.

Whistler Creekside

Last but not least, Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver rounds out the mountain venues for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. This site is the host of two of the most popular outdoor events at the Games - freestyle skiing and all of the snowboarding competitions. I have to say that for the past week I have received numerous requests for Shawn White's autograph. For the record, if I do meet Shawn White, the first person I am getting an autograph for is myself! I'm sorry folks, but I'm a big fan too. There's a pecking order after that, so get your requests in early!

Freestyle skiing and downhill snowboarding events are each open to 12,000 spectators, but the halfpipe (my favorite!) only has a viewing capacity of 8,000. In addition to the 51 downhill runs serviced by 9 lifts, there are 10 kilometers of snowshoeing trails and 19 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails criss-crossing the mountain.

Cypress Mountain, aerial view, Vancouver Harbor behind


Where I want to be, aka the Halfpipe at Cypress Mountain

Hopefully next week I'll have my own pictures of the venues to share with all of you.

Learn more about the Olympic venues and see maps here.