Whistler Fills Post Olympic Vacuum
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
With Whistler’s 50 year dream of staging the Olympics now half-way through, the famous Canadian resort is now beginning to look at what comes after the Paralympic Games are over.
“The Olympics may be finished but the party isn’t over†is the message from the resort as it prepares to stage Whistler’s longest-running event of significance, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, now in its 15th year, the round off the Olympic season.
The festival brings ten days and nights of celebrations of sports, music and arts; this year with an increased commitment of funding to the community’s core cultural contributors.
“As members of the community of mountain sports lovers, we are constantly stimulated by what the artists, photographers, filmmakers, designers, and athletes are doing, so we’re reciprocating by sending some serious stimulus back their way,†says Festival Director, Sue Eckersley.
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which runs from Apr 16 to 25 after most other resorts have closed, offers recognition to the grassroots practitioners of new school skiing, snowboarding, film-making, action photography, new media, visual arts and design.
Over $85,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the Festival’s athletic events for the best (lycra-free) snowboarders and skiers. More than $40,000 in cash and prizes will recognize the talents of an array of artists.
