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Last week, Tourism Whistler along with input from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) held a meeting to discuss the impact of the Olympics on local residents and businesses. The idea was to help locals plan ahead to maximize any potential gains, while also letting them know just what to expect in the way of disruptions.
The main point I want to pass on is this: The expected number of day skiers on the mountains during the Olympics is around 2,500. Lets put that number in perspective – from my previous knowledge and experience, the busiest days hit skier numbers of just over 20,000 with the average ‘busy’ day around the 12-15,000 mark. If you use the overall numbers released by Whistler Blackcomb (who claim 2 million skiers per season, over a season of approx 6 months at 30 days per month) you see the ‘average’ number of skiers per day is just over 11,000 (and early season / late season would be helping to lower that number). So only having 2,500 skiers per day during the middle of winter (so hopefully some of the best powder skiing) is going to absolute bliss for those people lucky enough to be counted among that 2,500. Hopefully that will be me on a regular basis.
Update: There are conflicting reports on the number, some people heard (like me) – that the 2,500 is total number of skiers, while some people understood it to mean 2,500 day tickets sold (including people with multi-day passes). So it is possible the actual number of people on the slopes will be 2,500 + season pass holders. Either way, the overall number will still be small.
Update 2: I failed to mention that while there may only be a small number of people on the mountains, the village will be PACKED, with a population around 50,000 people. That is the roughly the same as over Christmas / New Years. Virtually every bed will be taken by Olympic related personnel, who will be working, and not skiing.
One of the main concerns for many Whistler businesses and residents is the availability of parking. During the Olympics, there is NO parking available for anyone not related to the games. This really affects of a lot of residents, as they will not be able to drive to work, and will instead have to rely on public transit. Which brings me to my last point, Whistler and Vancouver will be showcasing some new Hydrogen Fueled buses – part of a ‘green’ initiative. I am not going to dwell on whether or not a hydrogen fueled bus is actually green than fossil fuels once you take into account the amount of energy required to process the hydrogen. Nor am I going to mention the fragile wetlands that were destroyed to make the fuel depot (which I now hear is temporary as the buses will not be staying in Whistler). No, I am going to mention a point that was told to me via the grapevine (which this whole paragraph is really). Apparently the beauty of a hydrogen fueled bus is the lack of emissions it makes, because the only emission is plain old water (20L/hour is what I am told). Fantastic! it sounds, until you hear that the way the buses dispose of that water. Apparently they dispose of the water by spraying a fine mist out the rear end. Mmmmm – that makes me think, is it really a good idea to hundreds of buses driving all over Whistler, and between Whistler and Vancouver, spraying out 20L of water per hour behind them onto the road during WINTER. I can imagine some pretty icy roads being developed. Maybe I am missing something, but that sounds dangerous to me.
Update: Here are two articles regarding transportation in Whistler during the Olympics. Firstly a good read from the local Pique newsmagazine, and secondly, a .pdf released by the RMOW
I must remind you that whole paragraph is based on ‘hearsay’. So, I may be completely wrong, and I actually hope that I am. Otherwise there might be a lot more of this winter.
Greyhound Bus in the ditch
I don’t think 20l/hr is going to do anything to whistlers roads! In that hour surely theyll travel at least 20km so one liter a kilometer one milliliter a meter… Also all regular vehicles emmit water vapour from their exhausts too… I think this is the least of whistlers olympic transport problems!
Hi Greg. We are coming back to Whister this season for our third year and we’ve followed your blog each year. Loving the new look of the website – you’ve upped your game! Will keep watching, thanks!
Hey Dan, you are probably right.
Also, I was under the impression that there were going to be a lot of them, but there will only be 20 hydrogen buses. Initially, I thought that all 135 of the transportation bus fleet were going to be hydrogen fueled.
Im back from the 17th Jan for 3 weeks. Looks like i could no have picked a better year as long as the snow co operates :-s
Greg,
Firstly, excellent site – I’ve used it many a time, even as a lazy local.
Regards your comment:
“Nor am I going to mention the fragile wetlands that were destroyed to make the fuel depot (which I now hear is temporary as the buses will not be staying in Whistler).”
The new depot is most definitely here to stay – it was developed to accommodate transport needs in this area of the sea-to-sky highway for the next 40-50 years.
- Employee of your favorite local bus company
So Greg – every bed is going to be taken up during the Olympics… how much will you charge me to crash at your place??! Being on the mountain in mid-winter with only 2500 skiers/day is too amazing to pass up!
James, thanks for your input.
Basically it is reminding me to think more carefully about how I word my posts. I understand that the fuel depot will be staying where it is. I was referring to (in my mind at least), that the Hydrogen fueled buses are NOT staying in Whistler.
So, I am a little upset at the extra money spent, and the wetlands affected in order to build the Hydrogen Fueling Station part of the new bus depot, which is only going to be used for a short period of time.
If I am wrong about this, please let me know.
Paul,
Unfortunately I have no spare room for someone to crash here. You are not the first person to ask either. My flatmate owns the condo, so if anyone is going take the couch (which is probable) it would end up being one of her friends. Sorry.
Still, keep your eye out, as it is going to be one hell of a good time to be here. Olympic parties and (hopefully) plenty of powder.
Hey Greg,
The Hydrogen buses are here as part of our fleet past the Olympics! Either for a 1 or 2 year period. Should be seeing the first few in service around Whistler as of November, lets hope they are reliable.
Have a good day!
Thanks for the update James.
Any thoughts on what to expect on the mountains mid-January? Can we expect the majority of the mountain to be open for business during that period? Whom could I contact to find out more info?
Hey Maxwell, I am under the impression that both mountains will be fully open during mid-January. There might be a few lifts closed, by all the terrain should be available.
It looks like they start closing access to some runs on Whistler Mountain around the 25th of January, however Blackcomb is fully open, even during the Olympics.
Check out this webpage for lots of information regarding how the mountains are affected by the Olympics.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/olympics/index.htm
In particular, the ‘Whats Open’ tab.
Any ideas of where to park @ Squamish for the BC Transit ride during the games? I assume Walmart will not like us all parked there…
, but I am not paying 100 return for a daytrip.
I want to be there on an empty mountain in February
Sorry Miquel, but I have no idea. According to this webpage
http://www.bctransit.com/olympics/faq.cfm
they are to quote
‘Park & Ride facilities for Squamish are being investigated. Several locations in Squamish are being considered for vehicle parking to accommodate local workforce commuter traffic and spectators who live a great distance from neighbourhood transit service or need to travel outside of BC Transit neighbourhood service prior to 5 a.m.
Please keep updated by visiting our BC Transit Games Service website, travelsmart 2010.ca, and whistler2010.com.’