Nothing could be more Canadian than strapping on a good old pair of ice skates and hitting a rink in the great outdoors for a little healthy fun and recreation.

In addition to every other winter sport imaginable, Whistler has always offered ice skating options – indoors at Meadow Park Sports Centre, and outside (weather and ice permitting) on Green Lake. But this year, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) transformed the Whistler Olympic Plaza’s Great Lawn and Pavilion into brand new skating rinks for the winter season.

Games-watchers will remember the Whistler Olympic Plaza was where cheering crowds gathered every night for Victory Ceremonies and hot outdoor concerts during the 2010 Winter Games. Located right in the heart of Whistler Village, these new outdoor rinks offer great views of the ski hills and surrounding mountain ranges, and are just steps away from a hot beverage or snack at a local coffee shop or restaurant.

Best of all – and in true Canadian outdoor rink tradition – the skating is free! However, if you don’t have a pair of your own skates, rentals are available for $5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

The rink itself is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. – with an hour for ice maintenance between 5 and 6 p.m.

Congratulations to Whistler’s own  Sam Danniels for winning GOLD today at the X Games in Aspen!

http://espn.go.com/action/xgames/winter/2012/story/_/id/7499284/samson-danniels-wins-winter-x-2012-mono-skier-x

Today is the start of the internationally renowned Mountain Bike Festival - Crankworx. This is one of the hottest events in Whistler featuring freeride competitions, pro riding demos, the Deraylor music festival and non-stop entertainment.

Sat Aug.8
Dual Slalom | The Block Party feat. Kranked: Revolve Movie Premiere

Sun Aug.9
Monster Energy DH | Ken Quon XC

Tues Aug.11
Womenzworx presented by Sombrio Girl

Weds Aug.12
Air DH | Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge

Thurs Aug.13
VW Trick Showdown | Deraylor Music Festival

Fri Aug.14
GIANT Slalom | Kidsworx | Deraylor Music Festival

Sat Aug.15
Canadian Open Enduro | Monster Energy Slopestyle | Trialsworx
Canadian Cheese Rolling Championships | Deraylor Music Festival

Sun Aug.16
Canadian Open DH presented by Kona

For more details see Kokanee Crankworx

Each week 200-300 mountain bikers get together for our local cross country ride. Organised by WORCA (Whistler Off Road Cycling Association) the Loonie/Toonie Races are one of the most popular events of the summer.

This weeks race was sponsored by The Whistler Real Estate Company in conjunction with Lawyers - Race & Company and Restaurant - Monk’s Grill. The theme for the race was ‘Country Club’.

Due to the fires there were a few last minute changes to the course, but with some quick organising we managed to have the racers rerouted and on course on time.

Each of the Realtor’s sponsored a corner, directing traffic with our OPEN HOUSE signs. The evening followed with a delicious dinner courtesy of MONK’s Grill and entertainment by local favourite - The Hairfarmers.

A big Thank you to all those who helped out. We look forward to making this inaugural event an even bigger success next year!

May 10, 2009
Gizmo Guys
Contact the Whistler Arts Council for more information.

May 16, 2009
Sightseeing on Whistler Mountain Begins
Whistler Bike Park scheduled to open
Please note that the PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience begins on June 6, 2009.

May 18—June 14, 2009
Spring Skiing
Spring skiing and riding moves to Whistler Mountain, snowpack permitting.

May 22–31, 2009
Whistler Wellness Week
For tickets and more information, please see Whistler Wellness.

May 22–24, 2009
Every Woman in the World Conference
For more information and tickets, see everywomanintheworld.com.

May 23, 2009
Whistler Kids of Steel Triathlon

Every Monday starting May 25, 2009
Wild Willies Come Ride With Us
All ages and abilities are welcome for these fun group rides. Sign in at 6:00 pm at Nesters with rides starting at 6:30 pm. Cost is $2 and participants must be WORCA members.

May 26, 2009
Heart and Stoke Foundation Big Bike Ride
See the famous 30-seat bike up close when fundraising riders arrive in Whistler.

May 30–31, 2009
Dirt Series Women Only Mountain Bike Camp

It’s official! After much back-and-forth, discussions, negotiations and re-negotiations – Whistler will indeed be the site of nightly medal presentations during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
In February 2009 as a cost-cutting measure, Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic organizers (VANOC) told Whistler that medals would be awarded at event venues instead of at Whistler’s Celebration Plaza – already under construction. But after much lobbying from Games athletes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and broadcasters, VANOC was convinced to reconsider the medals plan. The revised $12.8 million Whistler Celebration Sites program, including medals presentations at the plaza site, now includes $6.8 million from VANOC, $5 million from the federal government and $1 million from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

Whistlers Annual TELUS World Ski and Snowboard festival came to an end on Sunday with tourists coming from all over to enjoy the 10 days of music, arts and world class skiing and snowboarding competitions.

Showcasing the latest progressions in the skiing and snowboarding world, with even the arts events packed full of adrenaline. Combining Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series with career-making showdowns of action sports and lifestyle fashion, photography and film, the best spring snow conditions, and burn-the-candle nightlife, it’s a celebration of everything that’s core to mountain culture. In 14 years, the festival has become North America’s largest annual snow sports and music celebration, spawning imitators around the world, and earning the tag, ‘Mother of All End of Season Parties’.

Each year the festival attracts record numbers to Whistler and with our hotels reporting high occupancy levels, this year was no different. Despite the difficulties in our world wide economy, traveler’s came to Whistler to enjoy the incredible ‘top to bottom’ spring skiing and take in the endless free events including the renowned free outdoor concert series.

Interest in the Whistler Real Estate market has also increased these past few weeks, with sales picking up in most segments of our market.

Last Thursday marked the official countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games. In true Whistler style the resort celebrated with live music, parties and Canada’s top athletes.

2010 Facts & Figures

Olympic Games: Feb 12 - 28, 2010
- 85 countries competing
- 5,500 athletes and team officials (2,750 in Whistler)
- 86 medal events in 17 days (46 in Whistler)

Paralympic Games: March 12 - 21, 2010
- 45 countries competing
- 1,350 athletes and officials (1,015 in Whistler)
- 64 medal events in 9 days (62 in Whistler)

Overall
10,000 accredited media
55,000 workforce staff
25,000 volunteers
3 billion television views worldwide

Three competition venues in Whistler
- Whistler Creek / Alpine Skiing: Downhill, Super G, Giant slalom, Slalom, Combined
- Whistler Sliding Centre: Bobsleigh, Skeleton & Luge
- Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park: Cross-Country skiing, Nordic combined, Biathlon & Ski Jumping

The First Time…
- in Winter Games history the competition venues have been completed two years before competition dates
- in Winter Games history a community other than the host city has achieved an official designation
- the Closing Ceremony for the Paralympic Games will be held outside of the host city

Don’t miss your opportunity this weekend to see the world’s best complete in the FIS Luge World Cup! Tickets are just $5 and with Saturday already sold out, make sure you pick up your tickets for Friday.

Two weeks ago Whistler’s Sliding Centre was put to the test with FIS Skeleton & Bobsleigh World Cup events. With sell out crowds for each event, excitement is building with just one year until the 2010 Olympic Games.

February & March 2009 – Whistler, B.C.
A celebration of Arts and culture in the Sea to Sky corridor.

The Whistler Winter Arts Festival is a dynamic two-month program of live music, aerial dance, snow sculpting, film screenings, art and photography exhibitions, and literary soirees, under the sun or under the stars. This year features free outdoor performances by world renowned Canadian musicians including Buck 65, Wide Mouth Mason and Joel Plaskett; storytelling events featuring 2008 Giller prize winner Joseph Boyden – “literally” between the sheets; original short films from BC filmmakers; an exhibition of regional art; and the return of the Canadian Snow Sculpture Team along with three other teams from across the country! We are very pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Whistler Winter Arts Festival by CTV British Columbia - BC’s home for news.

This event showcases Canadian talent and intends to build excitement leading up to full participation in The Olympic and Paralympic Art festivals. For more information please visitwww.whistlerartscouncil.com