Listen to tales from the Sea to Sky region and beyond

When the sun sets behind the mountains, gather to hear legends, myths and tales from the Sea to Sky and beyond.

Tucked into a magnificent and intimate setting, Whistler Live! Storytelling at Blackcomb Bridge is the place to discover Whistler’s rich history and culture. Be surrounded by trees, snow, and the warm glow of a winter fire.

Storytelling at Blackcomb Bridge takes place nightly throughout the 2010 Olympic Winter Games across from Rebagliati Park from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Fiction and non-fiction writers, First Nations storytellers and long-time locals provide local tales, urban myths of Whistler and traditional Aboriginal legends while the sun sets by the warm glow of a winter fire.

Local musicians play acoustic sets for the last half hour each night. This is the perfect way to end a day and to kick off a night of fun at the Victory Ceremonies and Fire & Ice Remix. Visit whistler2010.com/calendar

Contes au crépuscule Whistler Live!

Les contes au crépuscule constitue une nouveauté de Whistler Live!

Tout près du pont Blackcomb, en face du parc Rebagliati, il est possible de se rassembler tous les soirs, du 13 au 27 février, de 16 h à 18 h.

Des auteurs d’œuvre d’imagination et d’ouvrages non romanesques, des conteurs des Premières nations et des résidants de longue date racontent au coucher du soleil des récits du région, des légendes urbaines de Whistler et des légendes autochtones traditionnelles, à la lueur chaleureuse d’un feu d’hiver.

Des musiciens locaux jouent des airs acoustiques au cours de la dernière demi heure de la soirée. C’est la façon idéale de terminer une journée de spectacles Whistler Live! et de démarrer une soirée de divertissement à l’occasion des cérémonies de remise de médailles et du remix Fire and Ice. Visitez whistler2010.com/calendrier

The Men’s Giant Slalom competition, originally scheduled for Sunday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., will now take place on Tuesday, February 23 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Skier Cross Athlete to go for gold on Tuesday, Feb. 23

If you throw a stone in Whistler, you’re liable to hit an Olympian.Watch out for Julia Murray, one of many Olympians born and bred in Whistler.

Murray, 20, is the daughter of the late Dave Murray, one of the original Crazy Canucks who took alpine skiing by storm in the 1970s and early 80s. Her mother, Stephanie Sloane, is no less impressive. She’s a three-time world champion freestyle skier.

Murray is an alpine half-breed who has found her place in a sport that incorporates both freestyle and alpine skiing. With her blond hair and striking blue eyes, the five-foot-seven Murray comes across as laid back and unassuming off the course. But it’s a completely different story on the track. Murray is known as the pit bull because once in the lead Murray doesn’t let go.

She is one of Canada’s top skier cross athletes heading into the 2010 Olym Winter Games but Murray has never forgot her roots.

“My dad played a huge role in the ski world and if it weren’t for the Crazy Canucks, alpine racing would not be the same. In a way it’s the same with skier cross. We are the new generation of Crazy Canucks blazing a new path. So in a very real sense, I’m following my dad’s footsteps.”

Born and raised in Whistler, Murray was on skis before she could walk. She said it was impossible to grow up in Whistler and not love skiing. In many ways Murray represents what Whistler is all about - a hopeful spirit, a passion like no other and the drive to make dreams happen.

Murray recently carried the Olympic Flame up Whistler Mountain and the experience kicked off Murray’s Olympic season.

“Whistler is my home and carrying the torch down the mountain that my family loves was very significant,” Murray said.

Putting the Fan in Fanatic 

It takes all kinds. At Olympic competition events, spectators can sometimes dazzle the television cameras with their face painting and flag waving enthusiasm. But, have you ever seen spectators bringing their own chunk of smoked lamb to a venue? How about seeking out the best locations on the mountain to get to the viewing pods?

Dave Harkley couldn’t believe his eyes. He was at Whistler Olympic Park when he saw a fanatic Norwegian with a smoked hind quarter of a lamb around his neck. As the race progressed the famished fan would simply lift the lamb leg and take a bite.

The Norwegian had a smokehouse back home and wanted to bring a taste of the old country to the Biathlon track as he cheered on his fellows in competition. Harkley recounted the story to anyone who would listen at the Women’s Downhill competition next day.

“He said he had brought a knife to cut off slices off the leg to share, but it had been confiscated by venue security, so he and his buddies were just taking bites,” Harkley said.

It’s stories like smoked meat totting fans that television crews miss and spectators get. A resident of Pemberton, Harkley has seen four previous World Cup Downhills on Whistler Mountain, and said he always tries to get onto the course to watch.

“When you’re standing on the side of the course and some big Swiss downhiller goes by at 130 km/h you can see and hear the … strength, gravity and power. You don’t get that on TV,” Harkley said.

From the Swiss fans skiing around with cowbells as big as small goats, to the American fans with star spangled capes and bare chests baring the letters V-O-N-N, fanaticism really does come to life on the course’s edge.

Share your innovative stories of life during the Games in Whistler at kdamaskie@whistler.ca 

Community Forest the result of partnerships between First Nations and the RMOW

The Lil’wat and Squamish Nations and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) are in the forestry business because who better to be the stewards of the surrounding forests than the community itself?

The three governments are partners in the Cheakamus Community Forest Society, an arms-length corporation, which manages 30,000 hectares of forestland surrounding the RMOW.

On April 9, 2009, the partners signed a 25-year tenure license with the provincial government. As tenure holder, the Cheakamus Community Forest Society sets standards for harvesting that are in-line with the community’s sustainability and cultural goals.

It is also one of the first community forest operations on the BC Coast to employ a new ecosystem- based management approach.

This means timber harvesting is being done without compromising the forest ecosystems or undermining other tourism, recreation, or cultural forest values. It is the gold standard in sustainable forestry.

“Working in partnership with First Nations, we have a unique opportunity to manage our forest

resources locally, which means we can manage our forest to the highest standards of eco-forestry,” said Whistler mayor and Cheakamus Community Forest Society board member Ken Melamed.

“The Community Forest Agreement allows us to move forward Whistler’s sustainability initiatives by ensuring watersheds are well managed.”

The community forest is managed for the benefit of the community, allowing communities to manage harvesting operations as well as other values such as trails and recreation sites, wildlife, water supply, and scenic viewscapes.