In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1983. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: Whistler held its first (successfully completed) World Cup downhill race in 1982. Rather than use the traditional route down what is now known as Dave Murray Downhill and ending in Creekside, the 1982 course began near the top of the Black and Orange Chairs, headed down through the Double Trouble rollers, the Pony Trail Flats, Tokum Corner, the Elevator Shaft, across Crabapple Creek, and finished in view of the spectators in the newly constructed Whistler Village. While the race was a success, some of the racers didn’t like the new course and thought it ended too slowly by passing over the flats of Lower Olympic.
Question: If the World Cup race comes to Whistler again which of the mountain’s two downhill courses do you think should be used?
Colin Pitt-Taylor – Chef – Function Junction
The north side of Whistler is just not a world cup course – it’s too easy. The other side offers twice the course to ski racers. That one is a real challenge. The ’82 World Cup was a media event, now let’s have a ski race.
Nigel Woods – Contractor – Alpine Meadows
I think the logistics of moving spectators to the village and the technical safety problems on the old course could be overcome, and should be, as it is a far more exciting route. Whistler Village did its publicity campaign in the last World Cup, now we should think of the ski race. Another whole concept could be taking advantage of the great fall lines on Blackcomb.
Stephanie Sloan – Ski Instructor – Westside Road
Safety rules have changed so much lately that the old course has become obsolete and it would cost too much to change it now. If conditions are good and the course is well prepared I think the north side still makes for a challenging exciting race.
WHISTORICAL 