Whistler Weasel Workers
Encyclopedia
The Whistler Weasel Workers is a volunteer organization of alpine ski race workers that has been active in Whistler, British Columbia
(BC), Canada since the 1970s. The Whistler Weasel Workers is a non-profit society dedicated to the advancement of alpine ski racing in British Columbia and Canada. The Weasel Worker's major activity is the preparation and maintenance of ski race courses and the support and organization of ski racing competitions.
The Weasel Workers have participated in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
, in all World Cup, Canadian Championship and NorAm alpine ski races that have been held in Whistler BC. The Weasel Workers have also participated in international ski races at other locations, including the FIS Alpine World Championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain (1996), and in Bormio, Italy (2005), in World Cup
alpine ski races in Lake Louise
, AB (2000–present), and in Beaver Creek
, CO (2006), as well as in the Winter Olympic Games
in Calgary
, AB (1998) and in Salt Lake
, UT (2002). The Whistler Weasel Workers participated in the 2008 Whistler World Cup and they played a role in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games
.
Alpine ski racing in Canada is largely dependent on volunteer workers who prepare a course for racing and then maintain the course during the event. This activity includes creating and maintaining a hard, smooth snow surface and installing and maintaining safety netting necessary to safeguard both the ski racers and spectators. Volunteers also organize and officiate most alpine ski races. Among officiating and other tasks requiring large numbers of volunteers are those of Gate Judging (confirms that competitors properly complete the course) and Course Security (restricts access to the race course).
In the 1970s, while watching a line of course workers walking, arm-in-arm, "boot-packing" the snow on a steep pitch on Whistler Mountain's Dave Murray
track, an early race organizer was heard to say, "They're Weasel Workers", naming the group after the slope on which they were working. The name stuck and from that time, Whistler's volunteer ski race workers have been known as the "Weasel Workers".
In 1984, the organization formally registered itself as a society, under the name "Coast Alpine Event Club". This name is rarely used and the group is commonly known simply as "the Weasels". The Weasels are very loosely organized with membership requirements being simply four or five day's participation as a course worker at a Weasel-supported Whistler ski race. Most members are intermediate to advanced skiers, but the organization includes many non-skiers as well.
Whereas the core membership is resident in the Lower Mainland
region of BC (Vancouver and surroundings), and in Whistler, Squamish
and Pemberton
, BC, Weasel Workers reside throughout Canada, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and many countries in Europe.
The Whistler Weasel Worker organization is sustained by strong camaraderie and a shared love of and dedication to alpine ski racing. The Weasels are enthusiastic supporters of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Many Weasels are or have been parents of ski racers competing at various levels, from local club and regional ski races to international World Cup races.
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately north of Vancouver...
(BC), Canada since the 1970s. The Whistler Weasel Workers is a non-profit society dedicated to the advancement of alpine ski racing in British Columbia and Canada. The Weasel Worker's major activity is the preparation and maintenance of ski race courses and the support and organization of ski racing competitions.
The Weasel Workers have participated in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Whistler Creekside in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The ten events were scheduled for February 13–27, 2010; weather delayed the first event, the men's downhill, two days until Monday, February 15....
, in all World Cup, Canadian Championship and NorAm alpine ski races that have been held in Whistler BC. The Weasel Workers have also participated in international ski races at other locations, including the FIS Alpine World Championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain (1996), and in Bormio, Italy (2005), in World Cup
Alpine skiing World Cup
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is the top international circuit of alpine skiing competitions, launched in 1966 by a group of ski racing friends and experts which included French journalist Serge Lang and the alpine ski team directors from France and the USA...
alpine ski races in Lake Louise
Lake Louise Mountain Resort
The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive...
, AB (2000–present), and in Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Resort
Beaver Creek Resort is a major United States ski resort near Avon, Colorado, run by Vail Resorts. The resort comprises three villages, the main Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead to the west...
, CO (2006), as well as in the Winter Olympic Games
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
in Calgary
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, AB (1998) and in Salt Lake
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, UT (2002). The Whistler Weasel Workers participated in the 2008 Whistler World Cup and they played a role in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
.
Alpine ski racing in Canada is largely dependent on volunteer workers who prepare a course for racing and then maintain the course during the event. This activity includes creating and maintaining a hard, smooth snow surface and installing and maintaining safety netting necessary to safeguard both the ski racers and spectators. Volunteers also organize and officiate most alpine ski races. Among officiating and other tasks requiring large numbers of volunteers are those of Gate Judging (confirms that competitors properly complete the course) and Course Security (restricts access to the race course).
In the 1970s, while watching a line of course workers walking, arm-in-arm, "boot-packing" the snow on a steep pitch on Whistler Mountain's Dave Murray
Dave Murray (skier)
Dave Murray was an alpine ski racer. He was noted for being a member of the Crazy Canucks, the Canadian downhill racers of the late 1970s and early 1980s known for their fearless racing style...
track, an early race organizer was heard to say, "They're Weasel Workers", naming the group after the slope on which they were working. The name stuck and from that time, Whistler's volunteer ski race workers have been known as the "Weasel Workers".
Whereas the core membership is resident in the Lower Mainland
Lower Mainland
The Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...
region of BC (Vancouver and surroundings), and in Whistler, Squamish
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Pemberton
Pemberton, British Columbia
Pemberton is a village north of Whistler in the Pemberton Valley of British Columbia in Canada, with a population of 2,192. Until the 1960s the village could be accessed only by train but that changed when Highway 99 was built through Whistler and Pemberton.-Climate:The climate of Pemberton is...
, BC, Weasel Workers reside throughout Canada, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and many countries in Europe.
The Whistler Weasel Worker organization is sustained by strong camaraderie and a shared love of and dedication to alpine ski racing. The Weasels are enthusiastic supporters of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Many Weasels are or have been parents of ski racers competing at various levels, from local club and regional ski races to international World Cup races.
External links
- Volunteers at Whistler Do the Grunt Work, and Love It Feb 24, 2010 - NY Times - By John Branch
- Canadian ski racers receive valuable training time on 2010 Olympic hill Apr 3, 2009 - Alpine CanadaAlpine CanadaAlpine Canada Alpin is the governing body for alpine ski racing in Canada. Alpine Canada represents coaches, officials, supporters and athletes, including the elite racers of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, Canada's Ski Cross Team and the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team...
- Canadian Ski Hall of Fame - 2004 - (Whistler Weasel Worker Race Chairman) Owen Carney inducted as an Official and a Builder