While 2010 Olympic events such as skating, hockey and alpine skiing will be held at a number of venues around the Vancouver/Whistler area, the Nordic portion of the Games has the distinction of being a one-stop shop for athletes and spectators. Constructed expressly for the 2010 Games, the brand-new, $119.7-million Whistler Olympic Park is located in the Callaghan Valley, 18 kilometres southwest of Whistler. It’s the first Olympic Nordic venue to include all three disciplines (cross-country skiing, ski jumping and biathlon) in one site.

The venue’s core area includes stadiums for all three sports, located about 400 metres apart; technical sports buildings at each stadium; an 11,000-square-foot day lodge; 14 kilometres of biathlon and cross-country competitive trails; and two hills for ski jumping (normal and large hill). There’s also 35 kilometres of training and recreational ski trails surrounding the main part of the park.

However, according to John Aalberg, the general manager of the park, the facilities are a little different from what was originally envisioned. “After lots of design challenges, adjustments and teamwork, we were able to fit all the Olympic requirements within a dramatically reduced footprint, compared to the bid plans. The three stadiums and all the biathlon and cross-country competition trails are within one-square-kilometre footprint. The biathlon and cross-country courses are totally separate, but can easily be combined for a longer perimeter loop if ever needed. In the future, it would also be possible to start Nordic combined competitions from the ski jump stadium.”

Construction of Whistler Olympic Park began in April 2005 and was completed in Fall 2007. Throughout, sustainability and eco-friendly considerations were prime considerations. The Day Lodge meets the LEED Silver standard and the use of local materials helped keep things “green. We used and re-used natural and local materials in building the venue,” says Aalberg. “Local rocks, trees and vegetation were crushed, mulched or used as organic base-layers for trails, parking lots and other compounds. This dramatically reduced transportation costs and reduced our carbon footprint during construction. We also used strict environmental management practices and setbacks when around wetland and streams, and had constant oversight by environmental consultants and experts. We kept as many trees as possible, which is seen and felt with the park-like environment at the venue.”

The environment was a big consideration during construction, but Aalberg says they haven’t compromised on the competitive aspects of the venue. “The courses are quite technical, due to modern design elements, as well as the constraints of the natural wilderness and topography. The competition courses, both for cross-country and biathlon, require smarts and great overall technique. They can fool you by not containing very many “killer climbs,” but racers soon discover that they offer no rest at all.”

While the Paralympic Games are sometimes overshadowed by the main event, it has a significant Nordic component. One-half of the events for the 2010 Paralympics will be held at Whistler Olympic Park. The needs of Paralympians can also mean additional design considerations, but Aalberg says they’ve met the challenge. “We’ve tried to design facilities, stadiums and trails that are suitable for athletes with disabilities. The Day Lodge and stadium buildings all meet the required national accessibility standards. Even most of the paved rollerski summer trails are suitable for wheelchair athletes or sit-skiers. For the Paralympic Games, we were able to design a sit-ski course that is exclusive for the sit-skiers. This venue is now perhaps one of the most suitable for Nordic athletes with disabilities in the world.”

Whistler Olympic Park shares the valley with the Callaghan Country cross-country skiing facility, just 10 kilometres away. While some restrictions will be in place during the Games, most of the Callaghan Country facilities will remain open to the public. About 70% of the Callaghan Valley Nordic trail system will remain open. However, only those recreational skiers who have booked accommodation at the Callaghan Country Wilderness Lodge will have access to the valley between Feb. 1-28, while anyone traveling to the Whistler Olympic Park as a spectator will have to book bus transportation through the official website (www.vancouver2010.com). Paralympic Games spectators will be able to drive to parking lots in the Callaghan Valley, where shuttle buses will take them to the venue. Buses from Whistler will also be available.

Despite the fact the Whistler Olympic Park was designed with snow sports in mind, the facility is unlikely to sit empty when the ground is bare of snow. Aalberg says they’re studying additional uses and have already had some off-season activities take place. “This past summer, we tried a few activities, including a mountain-bike race, road-bike criterium, cross-country running race, ski-jump guided tours, a ‘learn-to-shoot-a-biathlon-rifle’ program and Frisbee golf. The restaurant was also open this summer.”

For more information on Whistler Olympic Park, visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com.