While the smell of spring has been detected in Whistler from time to time over the past week or two the snow continues to fall drifting us deeper and deeper into the record books.  Having already surpassed our average annual snowfall early in February we’ve seen no signs of the snow gods easing up.  Coming off the second snowiest season on record last year with nearly 15 meters (1494cm) or 48 ft (588 inches) we are on a steady pace to crush that record.  We had a record breaking February and currently sit on about 1367cm (or 538 inches) of snow with more than 2 months left in our extraordinarily long season.

However, snow falling is never the only thing happening in Whistler.   This week we played host the one of the longest running Snowboard events in North America.  The Showcase Showdown on March 19^th saw 80 of the top riders from around the world come to compete for the 14^th consecutive year.   It is currently Oakley week in Whistler and they have teams all over the mountain and village hosting fun contests and handing out swag.   We also just played host to GMC Cup, a head-to-head team race event between Canadian and US National team members.  President’s week was a huge success and St. Paddy’s day brought families, friends, and hooligans alike together for a celebration of great snow, tons of activities, and of course green beer.

We are also proud to announce that March 12^th was the busiest day in Ski Butlers Whistlers history.  We had several large groups of families to fit as well as several smaller groups but with well-organized preparation and all hands on deck everything went off without a hitch and we had everyone raving about Ski Butlers exceptional service. 

Coming up in April we look forward to more snow of course.  As well as The Whistler Cup (a Jr. race series), the Red Bull Butter Cup Jam Session, and what is usually the biggest party of the season (unless we happen to be hosting an Olympic Games), the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.  This year “Telus Fest” as it’s affectionately know by locals is celebrating its sweet 16^th and the 10 day ordeal boasted as “The biggest annual gathering of winter sports, music, arts and culture in North America, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival combines Canada's largest outdoor concert series with an eclectic mix of snow sports contests and anti-comps, fashion shows, film screenings, photography showdowns, live painting and even a dog parade. Take heed the festival motto: ‘Party in April. Sleep in May” is sure not to let down.

So that’s what has been keeping us busy.  We hope you have all been having a great season as well and will come visit us soon.  If we haven’t seen you by then we’ll send another update when we hit 50ft.

Cheers,

Brent – Ski Butlers Whistler.

After years of bids, planning, paving and building when the Olympics finally arrive they are a wonderful flurry of excitement and international competition and camaraderie.

And in a quick 2 weeks, 4 weeks if you include the greatly under-popularized Paralympics, it’s all over.   In Whistler it didn’t take long for each of the event locations to be shut down and locked up for tear-down and rebuilding activities.  Imagine the disappointment of late winter and spring time visitors who couldn’t even find the Olympic rings in Whistler village.

The rebuilding did occur however, and now Whistler boasts 3 great Olympic legacy venues that guests can visit and keep their hearts glowing. With exciting legacies like the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Medals Plaza, the Games will forever be a part of Whistler's tapestry.

November 25^th kicks off the World Cup bobsleigh and skeleton events on Whistler’s Olympic sliding centre. Nov. 25-27^th Veissmann FIBT World Cup is the first event of a three plus year journey to the next Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. And for all you adrenaline junkies, public sliding will also be offered this season.

The Whistler Olympic Park (site of the Nordic events for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) and Callaghan Country Lodge are partnering to offer public recreational skiing on more than 90 kilometers of cross-country ski trails expertly groomed for both classic and skate skiing, and ranging from beginner to Olympic caliber.

 Located in the heart of Whistler Village, Whistler Olympic Plaza (formerly Whistler Medals Plaza) is designed to be a lasting legacy for generations to come. The Games were a catalyst for this outdoor gathering place for residents and visitors, which feature an open grass lawn, a performance pavilion, outdoor performance spaces, an accessible playground and public art celebrating the 2010 Winter Games. The plaza will also include Olympic and Paralympic memorabilia, such as the Olympic cauldron and installations to recognize the contributions of athletes, medal winners, volunteers, government agencies, and partner organizations involved in Whistler's journey to host the 2010 Winter Games. There will also be a memorial to Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. Whistler Olympic Plaza will act as a hub directing people to Games-related amenities including the Whistler Museum and Archives.   

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have come and gone but the spirit and energy live on in Whistler.

By Bryn Carey, President of Ski Butlers

On Friday night after Bode Miller won the Silver Medal in the Olympic Super G, he told me that he is going out and skiing like he did when he was younger and just pushing the limits and going for it. He also sounded inspired, confident and enjoying these games. These were very good words to come out of Bode Miller’s mouth; a sign of confidence that would later lead to a Gold Medal in the Men’s Super Combined.

Bode Miller and I go back to high school when we raced together in Maine. Bode was always older but none the less a role model. As Bode’s career progressed, my brother Forest Carey became his coach on the US Ski Team. He was then his personal coach for two years on Team America when Bode skied independent from the US Ski Team.

To see Bode win Gold, Silver and Bronze on the biggest ski racing stage in the world, in an Olympics where the media did not see him as a favorite (ask his coaches, they knew he could do this) was something that is special for everyone involved with Ski Butlers, the US Ski Team and of course Bode Miller.

After Bode won gold, he walked out of the finish area and came up to his dad (who I was standing next to and the picture to the left) and gave him a big hug and said “Dad, that was awesome, truly awesome!” He gave the rest of his family hugs and was basically speechless but he had a grin from ear to ear and a look on his face that showed a sense of relief.

In interviews later that day, Bode said, "The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of for the rest of my life. It feels amazing."

Congrats, Bode! From everyone at Ski Butlers!

Go to Facebook.com/SkiButlers to see more photos of Bode and the rest of the Olympic Games.

Go to Twitter.com/SkiButlers to see inside info and tweets from the Olympic events.