Olympics!

Years in the pursuit and planning but over in a flash! The Olympic and Paralympic Games flew past us leaving memories. Each games was unique in character, athlete's and events but equally memory filled.

It is hard to know where to start but this video off youtube gives the flavour of one of the biggest days- the last day of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the Gold Medal mens hockey game. It seemed fitting to spend it in Village Square where the successful bid was annoucned in July 2003. It was an essential Canadian day and Blue Rodeo finished the afternoon off in Whistler with a free concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da0KZYEemZw

In the days since the end of the games the Whistler real estate market is active. The world has seen us and the buyers are here. Many purchasers who have been sitting on the sidelines for several months have jumped in this past 2 weeks. Prices are very good with some properties selling at 2002 levels and others at 50% off the peak.  Interest rates still low and Greater Vancouver has a renewed appreciation of what lies in their backyard.

It's been years in the planning & making, a 17 day celebration of sport, arts & culture and it is over! The finale could not have been any better in Whistler. Huge crowds in all the squares, bars & patios for the Men's gold medal hockey game and then Blue Rodeo.

The Village Square has been the celebration site for Rob Boyd winning a world cup downhill at home, winning the 2010 Olympic bid with Blue Rodeo being a classic Whistler band. They played Dusty's last stand years ago in Creekside.

The party is not over with the Paralympic Games in a few days and then the April Ski & Snowboard Festival coming. Families had a lot of fun up here over the past 17 days. Whistler is not the Village. Eddie Bauer, Canski, Earls are not Whistler. Don't be distracted by them when the real joy in a day outdoors playing with friends & family in the mountains. No one can ever take that away!

It was an exciting day for the British fans at the ladies skeleton. They won gold and followed shortly after with Canada winning gold at the mens skeleton. The weather has been gorgeous the last few days and the setting in the Whistler sliding center offers beautiful views and alpenglow.

This evening Whistler will see the first gold medal presented to a Canadian in the Village. It has been fun celebrating other countries wins with them at the medal ceremonies but tonight the RCMP will raise our flag!

Here is a shot of the colourful crowds at Whistler Olympic park. The ladies pursuit was exciting. THere are tickets available every day starting at $25. Love or hate the games once its starts it is about excellence in athletics and very exciting.

A gorgeous evening at the Whistler sliding Center for the men's doubles luge. Bobsled on the way!

There is nothing like European fans! All nations are well represented with cow bells, flags and more. The Village has a fun party atmosphere and is very family oriented.

With 10 days of sunshine coming Whistler glows. Real estate in Whistler is a great long term investment in your family and capital appreciation.

Call or email Sharon at 604-905-2827

The Weasel Workers are well known throughout the ski racing world for their dedication to producing the best possible race course conditions. Long hours with many of them going up at 3 am to be on course. If it snows they are moving fencing for groomers and replacing fencing. The courses have been in excellent shape but we have some very challenging freezing level conditions for the next three days.

One of the perks for the volunteers is free beer after their shift. Sarah and I are pouring beer in the tent and meeting volunteers from the Whistler & Greater Vancouver area, Sled Dogs the course workers from Lake Louise as well as those who have travelled from around the world. It gives us lots of chances to talk about how great the real estate is here in Whistler!

It's a gorgeous time to wander the evening and enjoy the lights. Some of the houses are now open- Swiss House in Deer Lodge, Austria House over by the entrance to Lost Lake Park and Price House in Pan Pacific Village.

Most of the hotels are now pretty much full so showing more difficult. We expect a great deal of enthusiasm after the Olympic Games from our Greater Vancouver buyers. Most Lower Mainland residents don't realize how awesome their backyard is. Whistler is a short drive on an improved highway to a wonderful family experience.

Interest rates are excellent right now. Call Sharon @ 604-905-2827 and get ready to buy real estate in Whistler this March. Then sit back and enjoy summer outdoor sports with your friends & family.

On Friday February 6 the torch finally arrived. It's been a long road for the flame. Whistler started chasing the Olympic dream in the early 1960's with 2 failed bid in the 60's and 70's. The crowds were huge with Barney Bentall playing in Village square prior to the torch.

The Village is ramping up and we are seeing lots of athlete's as well as sponsors, military and police. There has never been a better time to own in Whistler. Three billion people will be watching and soon know what a great year round resort we have in Greater Vancouver's back yard.

Part of the 2010 Games Cultural Olympiad, Nix is set at the end of the world by Lost Lake in Whistler. It's a gorgeous setting and performed in a snow bound set with the audience of 100 sitting on sheep skin seat covers and fleece blankets on their laps. This will be a great memory of February 2010 in the resort host venue Whistler. Enjoy a quiet evening away from the crowds!

You never know who you can meet on the chairlift..

So far the Games experience has been a lot of fences going up, lights on trees in the Village like Christmas on steroids and security at the post office. Oh yes and increasingly limited parking.

On red chair and heading up for their first day skiing Whistler are John & Mitch from the Armed Forces working security for the Callaghan back country. Not only the first day at Whistler but also Mitch's first day on skis.

It was really an awesome first day both for the views but also that nicely groomed hero snow for the learning experience as well. I guess all those years of the Dave Murray coaches yelling at me finally paid off. I did remember a few of those instructions and have a chance to yell them at someone else.

A fun day and a taste of that Olympic experience everyone talks about. They will have binoculars on your at the Callaghan events so wave!