Whether you’re into speed and gates or air and style, Whistler-Blackcomb is once again hosting a wide range of events through the winter season that are targetted to everyone from enthusiastic amateurs to seasoned pros, from kids as young as seven to seniors in their 70s.
Events are typically cheap to enter (usually around $25 and even cheaper if you register early) and draw prizes available to participants can include new skis and snowboards, Nintendo game systems, and more. The top skiers and snowboarders in the King of the Rail series can even walk away with cash.
The best place to find out about events is on the Whistler-Blackcomb website on the Events Calendar, under things to do.
Kokanee Valley Race Series
This popular ski, snowboard and telemark race series is for adults 19 and over with no maximum age — last year organizers even added a Men’s 70-Plus category for the first time to recognize some of the older participants.
The KVRS opens for the season with a giant slalom on Blackcomb on Thursday, Dec. 13. There are eight races in the series this year, including four giant slalom races, two super-G races, a slalom and the final team dual slalom.
The cost is $25 per event to take part, although you can save $5 per race by pre-registering through Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations. Day of race registration is available at the Rendezvous on Blackcomb or at the video hut on the top of the Garbanzo Chair on Whistler until 9:45 a.m. A special $120 pass for the whole season is also available, saving up to $40 for racers.
The entry fee includes the race, video playback of the event at the post-race party, awards, and a chance to win draw prizes — including a pair of Atomic skis at every event.
Park Rider Series
The Park Rider Series puts the terrain park skills of skiers and snowboarders of all ages to the test with five events over the course of the winter — two slopestyle contests, two halfpipe contests, and a rail jam.
The first event is the Dec. 16 rail jam in the terrain park on Whistler. The cost is $25 to register on the day of the event in the Roundhouse Lodge until 9:45 a.m., or $20 to register in advance at Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations.
Some events, like slopestyle and rail jams, have become extremely popular in the last few years and pre-registration is encouraged as some age categories sell out.
Because most of the races involve getting air, helmets are mandatory for all events and mouth guards are strongly recommended.
Spectators usually include parents and friends of competitors, but anyone with an interest in freestyle snowboarding or new school skiing should stop by — the level of talent is unbelievable.
As with the KVRS, the Park Rider Series has an after-party with video playback of the day’s event, and all participants are eligible to win some pretty amazing draw prizes. Awards are set for 4 p.m. on competition days at 18 Below, Blackcomb Base II.
King of the Rail
The King/Queen of the Rail is one of the most successful local events, regularly attracting more than 100 skiers and snowboarders of all ages, and often twice as many spectators.
The five rail jams on the schedule for this season will take place on Saturday nights, starting on Dec. 29 at the base of Blackcomb. There are typically two lines on the course, giving athletes a few different options.
The format is similar to past years; the rail jam gets underway at 6 p.m. and wraps up at 7:30 p.m. Participating skiers and boarders cast ballots during the contest for the athlete they thought exhibited the best style on that particular night, with judges on hand to keep the voting honest.
The entry fee is still being considered for this year, but a share of the entry fees will be split between top skiers and snowboarders, men and women, adult and youth, based on the number of entries in each category. Registration takes place in the Blackcomb Daylodge after 5 p.m.
Helmets are mandatory and mouth guards recommended. Shin guards are not a bad idea either.
In addition to the King of the Rail, there is also a women’s only Queen of the Rail on March 8. Same details apply.
Atomic Ski/Snowboard Cross
Interest in ski- and snowboardcross is higher than ever with the inclusion of snowboardcross in the 2006 Winter Games, and the addition of skicross to the 2010 schedule. Both the newly formed national and provincial skicross teams are based out of Whistler this year, and ski clubs are also embracing the sport as an opportunity to keep youth involved in racing.
This year there are two Atomic events planned, one Jan. 19-20, and one March 22-23. That includes a training day, the time trial qualifier the following morning, and the races themselves on the second afternoon.
The cost is $35 to take part, but participants can save $5 by registering early. Early registration at Guest Relations is also recommended to ensure a spot in some categories. There are just 16 spots in the 17 and over categories, while junior division sizes will be set by the number of pre-registered athletes.
Helmets are mandatory, mouth guards are recommended, and pads are just common sense.
Masters Recreational Race Series
There are two Masters races on the schedule this year — a giant slalom on Whistler on Jan. 27, and a giant slalom on Blackcomb on Feb. 17. These events are similar to the Kokanee series, but usually attract a larger field because they are held on weekends. Expect a lot of racers to show up to train gates before the annual Peak to Valley race.
There are two main categories, racer and sport, and age divisions within each category. Participants must be 19 or older to take part.
The cost is the same as the KVRS — $20 if you pre-register, $25 on the day of the race. That includes the after-party, video playback, and a chance to win draw prizes — including a pair of Atomic skis.
In addition to regular race series, Whistler-Blackcomb hosts numerous individual events over the course of the season.
Telus Winter Classic — Jan. 25-26
This event is an annual fundraiser for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, which supports local non-profit organizations with an emphasis on youth. The weekend includes includes three on-hill events — a giant slalom, an improvised snowcross course, and a snowbike course.
Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race — Feb. 1-2
This event has been sold out since the summer, but teams are always looking for a few last minute racers to complete their squads.
The race takes place on the world’s longest giant slalom course, starting at the top of The Saddle and finishing in Creekside. The total vertical drop is 1,443 metres, with 180 gates from top to bottom along 5 km of terrain. The faster you go, the more punishing it is on your body — the top racers are often screaming by the time they reach the bottom as the lactic acid builds up in their muscles.
Each team of four must include at least one female, and teams are ranked according to their cumulative time and combined age.
The race is not the only attraction, as the after-party has become the stuff of Whistler legends. You don’t need to race to get in, but you will have to buy a ticket.
Showcase Showdown — Feb. 29-March 1
The Showdown is one of Whistler’s original freestyle snowboard contests, and has evolved alongside the sport. It started as a halfpipe, evolved into a quarterpipe, became a slopestyle, and then a rail jam. The latest incarnation, going back to 2006, is the pipestyle, combined all of those events into one. It has featured some of the best riders in the world. There is an open qualifier for a limited number of boarders, the best of which will have an opportunity to compete against the top invited riders.
Mum’s Mountain Classic — April 3
This is an annual race and party to celebrate Mother’s Day, with deals on kids camp and first class treatment.
Telus Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival — April 11-20
The WSSF is packed with events, from backcountry Randonee races, to the World Skiing Invitational, to the World Snowboarding Open, to the village rail jam. Even the local mascots face off.
While invites to the main events go out to the top riders in the world, there are lots of opportunities for up and coming skiers and riders to try and qualify.
