Team 2017

Pre-Olympic Groomer's Report #1
By: Claudia Van Wijk (2009/01/11)

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Our first full-day in Whistler. Dirk’s alarm buzzed at 3am – an early rise for groomers…that will only get earlier as we close in on this pre-Olympic competition for the Nordic events that are being held here in the Callaghan Valley just 20 kms south of Whistler Village. Dirk stopped at the Husky Station for his early morning Kicking Horse coffee enroute to meeting the grooming crew. As chief of course preparations, his responsibilities are daunting with the zero degree temperatures and new snow still falling. 30cms have accumulated overnight and it’s still snowing. In grooming language this snow is called elephant dung – hated, as it is super slick and bungs up the machines all at the same time.

I head up to the Whistler Nordic Centre midday to be greeted by a charming parking attendant asking skiers to park near the ski jumping area and ski in today as they were preparing for the World Cup events. A brand new Day Lodge greet me, where I purchase my $20 day pass for the 100 km of groomed ski trails. It is buzzing with young families pulling little tots in baby gliders, older grey haired skiers looking slick in their knicker-bockers and the usual lycra-clad speedsters – interacting, sharing stories, eating healthy café lunch and taking in the Demo Day. Tents are set up for Fischer, Atomic, Madshus, Soloman as well as well as the new Nordic Shop in Whistler Village started by former Quebec ski rep Savio.

I ski the 5km skate (blue) race trail, then catch my breath in search of easier terrain – down the Inner Passage to the more rolling recreational trails. Around 3pm I’m totally content and find a cozy spot infront of the fire in the Day Lodge waiting to connect with Dirk. He is still getting the low-down on the grooming specifics for the big race days:

All three Nordic events are holding their pre-Olympic competitions over the next 10 days.