My Day - so far!

Beadraich - With my first day of work out of the way, I now have an even bigger respect for everyone who works tirelessly to put on any ski race. Whether it's the people at Osler Bluff or Chicopee, or the Weasels and Sled Dogs putting on World Cup calibre races the work is exhausting.

I started today with my alarm clock going off at 3:20am, so I could be at Creekside, checked in and ready for breakfast at 4:00am. I arrived a few minutes early and had breakfast, coffee, and watched the news broadcasts of yesterdays tragedy and opening ceremonies.

We heard early on that the Men's Downhill was postponed and we would be working on a new schedule, but no one knew exactly what that schedule was. Rob, my Crew Chief found me and informed me that we would be "Loading" at 6:30. So, I waited and eventually saddled up the gondola and we made our way up, and then skied down to the Garbanzo chair in the dark. Night skiing at Whistler is a little different than Chicopee as the only lights are security lights for the Olympics.

Bootpacking, sideslipping, B-Fencing, bootpacking and more bootpacking made up my first day before we worked our way down and eventually to Chickpee. Chickpee is the crew replenishment station positioned near the start of the Dave Murray Downhill Course, and is a welcome refuge from the cold and wind. (they also have really good soup)

Now for some descriptions, B-Fencing is the first fence that a skier will encounter in a crash and is designed to give way and gently slow the skier while absorbing some energy. This is different than A-Fencing that is in place and under high tension to spring a skier back towards the course, should they make it past the B-Fencing. Bootpacking is a tireless stomping up and down of ones skis and usually done in groups to pack a portion of the race course. Sideslipping is the only method of travel on the race course. It is a sideways slipping of the skis in order to not create ruts or in anyway damage the race course. It's also what you may see on TV in between racers to smooth out corners and ruts on the race course.

Woodsy and I may visit the Weasel House tonight.

Random Photos of Whistler

Beadraich Photos - This is the "Blimp" that is tethered over Whistler Village and is rumoured to be full of hi-tech security and surveillance devices.
One of two stages that provide live entertainment at various times during the games. There is also a large "medals plaza" which will be home to some very big name acts.

The CTV broadcast centre where you will discover that the mountains in the background that you see on TV are in fact, a photograph backdrop.

The fog that has settled partway up the mountian is part of the reason for a postponed mens downhill race today.

3 weeks... plus a day.

Beadraich - So in the last week, I've spoken with my crew chief in Whistler and now I have a better grasp of what I'll be doing out there. I will be a part of a small crew that will likely be responsible for a section of the race course. We could be smoothing out ruts, shovelling snow, cycling equipment and fencing/Willies Bags, or even setting up fencing and gates.

Now, I don't think they will be trusting setting gates with an inexperienced person like myself, but according to my crew chief we will get lots of help, instruction and time to rest.

Am I nervous? Yep, I don't know how steep the pitch will really be, and I've never had to ski with gear, or even much without poles, and I'm sure the terrain in general will be overwhelming at first, but it will be an incredible challenge and experience.

I do know that my Crew Chief stressed, if it feels unsafe, or uncomfortable, don't do it. so that is reassuring and leaves me feeling less nervous. I'm sure I won't be the worst skier out there.

Anyhow, I'm off to work on my list of things that I will need in order to survive the days on the hill, and nights on the town ;o)

Cheers to everyone who has followed us this far, and thanks for the support, encouragement and well wishes.

4 weeks!!

Woodsy - 4 weeks from tonight, we will be tired from a day of travelling on both plane and bus. We will be settling in to our home away from home in Creekside. It is all starting to become a reality. It is very exciting!! Both Beadraich and I have started our lists of things we need to remember to take and things we need to buy still.
I am meeting with our travel companion next week. She is getting excited too! I'll have to figure out what her nickname for the blog will be.
My niece is coming skiing with us this weekend. This is the second year she has done this. It is a fun filled weekend of skiing, watching movies, listening to Top 40 music and good food (she loves a good Caesar salad and steak). It is fun to spend quality time with her. In a couple of years, my nephew will be able to come with us for his own ski weekend.

It's Going to be a Party!

Beadraich - These last few days have been a whirlwind of activity for us as volunteers, with a few e-mails a day with information, and things to do. We now have to spend this weekend organizing how and when we pick up our uniforms, and accreditation.

Now, the exciting thing I have to share with everyone is a link to the party that is going to be called Whistler come February. Whistler Medals Plaza will be hosting live music each night that we will be able to experience.

Inside 2 Months

Beadraich - Yesterday marked the 2 month mark until the start of the Vancouver Olympics. It seems like almost 2 years ago that this began for Woodsy and I. If you have read this blog from the beginning you most likely understand the patience we have had in getting this far, and it's starting to sink in that it's slowly becoming a reality. With the excitement comes some learning and more research. Now really, Woodsy is the researcher, as she already has a list of places to go for dinner, things to do, and places to see when we are out there. Me, I'm lazy with stuff like that, so I called Visa Concierge and they sent me a list of dining suggestions and things to do on our off days.

Now, I'm starting to learn some interesting things about Whistler, BC. It was planned from the very beginning to be a host city for the Olympics. This planning started back in the 1960's.

Thanks to those of you who sent me some stocking stuffer ideas for Woodsy, and of course Carrie at Kenmark Snow Sports as I'm starting to think she is helping Woodsy and I with a few stocking stuffers, and keeping us straight would be a tough job.

59 Days till we fly out, and truly begin our Olympic Experience.

71 Days - But I'm not counting!

Beadraich - I'm starting to get excited, people are subscribing to this little blog which is just a place for us to share our stories and misadventures while realizing a lifelong dream. So, thank you to everyone who is subscribing, and following us. Woodsy and I both appreciate all of the encouragement and support. It's a huge cliche, but for me that encouragement and support really makes it easier and more enjoyable each step of the way.

I have been put in touch with a fellow volunteer who is the self described "Older/Ski Bum Brother" of one of my colleagues in KW. This Ski Bum has spent his life chasing snow, and finding ways to work in the industry so he can ski for free. (Yes, I'm jealous) Sounds like a great guy who is volunteering to learn more about the Weasels, Whistler's very own group of volunteers who make each and every world cup race and now the olympics possible. I'm looking forward to grabbing a few runs with this new friend and hearing some stories of Big White and some of the other BC resorts.

Reflecting on why I want to do this, I keep coming back to the people I'm going to meet. The pints that will be drank at the volunteer pub, and the opportunity to help showcase what a great country I'm blessed to live in.

75 Days away!

Beadraich - WOW, in 75 days Woodsy and I will be boarding an Air Canada plane to Vancouver and preparing to experience something that I know I never really dreamed I would be able to.

I woke up this morning and was loading my snow tires into the car to get them changed and it was snowing. So, I naturally started thinking of the snow they are experiencing in Whistler and how much I want to go skiing tomorrow, But I'm in Ontario and we have only seen flurries.

I must say, it seems like so long ago that the casual mention of volunteering sent us down this road, but it has already been an amazing experience. and now it feels like the last 25 days have just flown by.

Whistler Transportation

Beadraich - Along with the excitement of new sites, and experiences to explore, travel to a new community is always full of a little bit of anxiety for me. It's just that I'm quite used to what lies next door, or around each corner in Guelph, and I don't have that security elsewhere. So, one of the things that I've always enjoyed is reading maps. Yep, just staring at a map and wondering how do you get there from here.

Today, I've spent some time trying to figure out how to complete our transportation plans, looking at maps of Whistler to acclimatize myself with what surrounds our accomodations, and researching how to get to Whistler from Vancouver Airport. I've discovered that Pacific Coach offers an Airport to Hotel/Condo door service which is perfect, since we will have ski's and gear, as well as our usual clothing, laptops, and camera's. We will be booking this in advance to ensure seating for the 3 hour ride to Whistler.

Now, for VANOC 2010, the communities along the Sea to Sky corridor have a significantly improved public transit network, and we will now have a Whistler bus almost at our door step. This is going to be needed when I have to be on the hill at 5:30 a couple of mornings. The really cool thing is that Whistler buses have a ski rack to carry your skis to your destination.

So, the maps are now starting to make sense, I know that I can take a bus to Creekside, and even beyond. All of this planning is starting to make it feel real and closer to a dream come true and I really must thank Woodsy, as she is the one who is a planner. I would be scrambling on Feb 10 to figure out what to take with me.