In the lead up to the 2010 Olympics all eyes were on Whistler this weekend for the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Throughout the four-day event at Whistler’s Creekside the weather co-operated providing excellent quality & quantity of snow complemented by beautiful blue skies.

Crowds were around the 2000-3000 thousand with many coming out to support Whistler’s local racers Britt Janyk and Quebecer Erik Guay who were each fourth in their races.

Germany’s Maria Riesch has won the women’s World Cup super combined race in a time of two minutes 10.07 seconds. Skiracing.com commenting “Maria Riesch put down a blazing super G run and grabbed the early lead in the super combined World Cup at Whistler Sunday. Julia Mancuso holds second after the super G leg with a run of slalom still left to race. Canadian Emily Brydon holds third”

Maria Riesch then went on in the slalom to win a World Cup super-combined on Sunday. Austria’s Marlies Schild came second by just nine one-hundredths of a second and Sweden’s Anja Paerson was third.

Swiss Nadia Styger won the Whistler women’s World Cup downhill race Friday just ahead of American Lindsey Vonn, who took the overall downhill season title with a second-place finish.

Austria’s Christoph Gruber won the men’s super-G race Thursday ahead of compatriot Hannes Reichelt and Slovenia’s Ales Gorza. American Bode Miller, leader of the overall standings, failed to complete the race.

Austria’s Hannes Reichelt won his first World Cup giant slalom on Saturday commenting “”I know that slope is perfect for me, I can be fast here and that gives me a lot of confidence. It’s good to know you can be fast on this slope in two years, but a lot can happen.”

Bode Miller of the United States held his lead in the overall standings with 1,103 points. Raich is second with 1,058 and Cuche has 998.

The Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee spent $27.6 million upgrading the Creekside facility for the Olympic and although the overall feedback on the course was positive, the spectators we somewhat frustrated by the 30min hike up the mountain to get to the finish line. Vice President in charge of venue management on the Olympic organizing committe, Cathy Priestner-Allinger acknowledged that complaints from spectators were heard and will be corrected by 2010, adding “plans are in the works for a 7,000-seat grandstand at the finish area and fans will be able to line the course to cheer on their countries athletes to gold.”

Overall there is no doubt that as the countdown begins excitement and interest in Whistler for the 2010 Olympics continues to boom!!

Nestled among the trees and overlooking the West Bowl, Rainbow Mountain, Sproat Mountain and the Tantalus Range, this Whistler home is a rare find. At over 5,500 square feet, it offers estate living in Kadenwood’s most private lot.

The exterior of this hand crafted, square cut log home captures and reflects the natural beauty that surrounds it. With a private entrance, motorized gate, heated driveway, feature lighting and unique rock cave entrance to the multi-car garage, privacy and convenience are ensured. Step inside to experience sensational post and beam architecture with custom millwork, expansive windows and the finest fixtures, finishes and integrated technologies that set it apart from the rest.

With honed basalt flooring that frames the entrance, accented by edge grain fir paneling and a gas fireplace, this four bedroom home is a magnificent update to the classic log cabin. Radiant heat and a force air heat pump provide exceptional comfort, while automated blinds, Lutron lighting and an in-wall stereo system create a luxurious environment.

The main living area of the home incorporates the kitchen, dining area, living room and lounge into one great room punctured by lodge pole pine beams and centered around the contemporary granite see-through wood burning fireplace.

Dark Brazilian cherry wood floors draw the eye from the 26 foot vaulted ceiling down to the custom furnishings in the living area. The zebra wood dining table seats ten comfortably alongside cabinetry that hides a SubZero wine fridge. The gourmet kitchen is a mix of shapes with a square island, horizontal edge grain fir cabinetry and a large curved basalt countertop that provides exceptional work space for intimate dinners or catered affairs. Miele appliances including a gas range, double oven, SubZero fridge and built-in cappuccino machine complete the space.

Travertine stone floors that echo the beauty of the Roman Coliseum are the focal point of the master bedroom. Features include a king size bed, custom wool carpet, sitting area, limestone fireplace and a spacious ensuite with an extra large walk-in shower and soaker jetted tub situated in front of a spectacular view window. Limestone floors, wool carpets and maple cabinetry are found in the three additional bedrooms, each with its own ensuite.

This distinctive home includes several unique spaces only available in a custom design. The media room showcases a 100” state-of-the-art retractable screen for the ultimate in entertainment escapes. Find time to cultivate musical talent in the piano room, located above the kitchen with panoramic views of Rainbow and Sproat Mountains and stately grand piano. The exercise room comes equipped with a 50” plasma TV, three cardio machines, a universal gym, a four piece ensuite and expansive space for floor work and free weights.

Exterior features of this south facing property include an amazing roof top deck, rear patio with gas barbecue, propane heater and granite wood burning fireplace and a large lower level fire pit. Ski-in ski-out trails, maintained by the developments new private groomer, are steps away from this estate with the Kadenwood gondola servicing property owners and guests in the 2008/2009 ski season.

Whistler’s natural beauty takes center stage in this 3000 square foot home. A 22-foot wall of windows provides a breathtaking alpine view and brings plenty of light indoors. The 14-foot skylight and natural wide plank, natural wood floors complement the windows.

With three bedrooms, four bathrooms and an open-concept living area, there’s room to entertain or relax in comfort. The wine room adds character to the space, while the steam room provides added luxury. The gourmet kitchen includes Miele and Sub Zero appliances and heated slate underfoot. A floor to ceiling stone fireplace anchors the adjoining living room. Move easily from one level to the next via a central elevator, made almost invisible within wood shelving units.

Take in the view from the second floor balcony or step through the French doors off the living area and onto the 500 square foot patio. Take in the sounds of Alpha Creek in the private backyard or turn on the built-in exterior speakers and enjoy a soak in the covered hot tub. This property, which was built in 1995 and has been maintained in immaculate condition, also has a two-car garage and has been roughed-in for a security system.

John Ryan of Whistler Real Estate Company was named to the 2008 advisory board of James Schouw & Associates.

James Schouw Advisory Board

After an amazing holiday season, the snow in Whistler continues to blanket our beautiful valley and with over 760cm (25feet) of snow this winter, it is shaping up to be another record season.

Onsite at Fitzsimmons Walk we are in full swing, with concrete foundations and footings being poured this week. Fitzsimmons Walk has also been making the headlines as the first multifamily development to be built within the Whistler Green guidelines, receiving the Silver standard of Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED).

Limited opportunity remains own Your Perfect Whistler home. These luxury townhomes offer innovative design & year-round recreation - right at your doorstep. Richly textured slate, wide wood panels and wool carpeting move you through each bold, contemporary chalet residence. Unique features, including an indulgent soaker tub under a dual-sided, see-thru fireplace and an open concept design enhance and define this modern take on resort living.

And with an opportunity to buy at todays prices in an escalating market, you won’t find anything like it in Whistler.

…driving up prices near ski resorts, as quoted in a Vancouver Sun on Friday, February 01, 2008. The survey found that more than 36 per cent of Canadians who own or are considering buying a winter property are leaning towards ski destinations, edging out the 32 per cent of respondents looking for sun spots. “High levels of demand combined with limited inventory have pressured winter recreational property prices upward,”

This is good news for Whistler, after a relative lull in our market, we are beginning to see an increase in activity. Patrick Kelly, president of the Whistler Real Estate company comments that Whistler prices have increased about 10 per cent over the last year, sales are up 50 to 60 per cent, and the number of listings has declined.

PEAK PRICES

Previously the Top five most expensive homes ever sold in Whistler, and when the sales occurred:

$10,467,289 May 2005

$10,000,000 Nov. 2007

$9,345,794 Jan. 2002

$8,600,000 Nov. 2006

$7,900,000 Feb. 2002

2008: John Ryan represented the buyer in Whistlers highest ever sale at 17,500,000

Whistler Blackcomb No. 1 overall resort by TransWorld and moves up to No. 3 in SKI Magazine’s poll.

Whistler Blackcomb continues to lead the pack as an innovator in the ski resort industry,” says Stuart Rempel, Senior VP of Marketing and Sales for Whistler Blackcomb. “We had an incredible 2006/2007 season, with the second snowiest year on record, the successful debut of the Symphony Amphitheatre, and the launch of our groundbreaking Peak to Peak Gondola project. These top rankings are an indication that all of our hard work has paid off and guests are receiving the memorable experience we strive to provide.”

Transworld SNOWboarding supports attributed to Whistler’s winning formula, Managing Editor Annie Fast commenting “Whistler has the complete package with world-class terrain, parks, and pipes—and they’ve got more of it all than any other resort. Add to that the incredible natural setting, the tremendous snowboard culture, and the sheer number of choices you have from lodging to dining to dance floors and it’s no wonder our readers choose Whistler winter after winter”

For the full report see http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/media/news/season_2007-08/070927.htm