Photo: courtesy of The Question newspaper

I recently demoed the Skeleton Sport Experience program in Whistler as a preview to the public program, which launches Feb. 16:

A la Olympic competition, an echoing voice from the control tower calls my name and all of a sudden, I’m lying stomach down on a narrow sled, my head facing an icy track and my arms gripping the side handles tightly. The only thing that lies between me and rapid acceleration is a track crewman holding my legs. But then, after quickly checking that I’m still game, he lets go. My first try at skeleton in the Whistler Sliding Centre commences.

On this first attempt, I hear nothing – I only feel it. The sled rumbles down the track, rapidly picking up speed as it whizzes around corners with names like “50/50″ – as in there’s a 50/50 chance of making the turn. I’m screaming; partially from fear and partially from exhilaration. By the time my body hits a g-force twice that of my body weight, I’m completely terrified.

“Just don’t let go!” I keep thinking, repeating the advice I’d been told at an earlier one-hour information session. Head down, grip tight, I hold on through the final corner, Thunderbird. Just one year ago, world-class athletes were charging through this very turn on their quest for gold – albeit a few clicks faster than my piddly 97.2 km/h. As I slow, I begin to hit the sides of the outrun like a ping pong ball.

When my sled finally comes to a complete stop, the track crew grab me and help me get off the sled. I’m shaking all over and my head feels spacey, but the adrenaline is still pumping. I want more!

My second attempt at skeleton is less vocal – but equally as nerve racking. Now I know what’s in store and it thrills and scares me.

My second run was 98 km/h, which I’m proud to say is among the top 4 times of the day. They later emailed the results and as you’ll see, Chris Gailus from Global TV got top spot:

Whistler Sliding Centre Results

The Skeleton Sport Experience Program, which launches Wednesday, takes approximately 3.5 hours and costs $130 for 2 timed runs and the opportunity of a lifetime. The experience – which caps out at 20 participants – runs from Wednesday to Sunday starting at 2:30pm through to March 20. Check this link for more information and to reserve your spot. The bobsleigh experience with professional pilot launches in November 2011.

You might ask: “Would you do it again?” and my unequivocal answer is absolutely, in a heartbeat! In fact, people all across the Sea to Sky Corridor have been getting into recreational sliding. All you have to do is take 2-day intro to sliding course and register with the BC Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association. For more info on how you can get into recreational bobsleigh or skeleton, check out this website.

So, what’s the deal with skeleton?

My British beau, Neil, will be proud to note that skeleton was invented in the late 1800s by Englishmen living in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Skeleton, inspired by the English sport of cresta sledding, was named for the skeletal resemblance of the original sleds. Skeleton made its first appearance at the 1928 Winter Games, and then took a 20-year hiatus, before reappearing in the 1948 Winter Games. After another 54-year hiatus, skeleton came back with a vengeance at the 2002 Winter Games. Read the full history here.

IF YOU GO … (which you must do!)

• Skeleton athletes wear skin tight outfits, so the less drag the better.
• Just let your body go limp. Think: “sack of potatoes”.
• Don’t try to steer. Let the sled do the work.
• Remember to breathe and stay calm.
• Don’t let go of the sled.

OTHER LINKS

My article on Vancitybuzz.com

Dave Ebner’s article in the Globe and Mail

Lisa Richardson’s take on Skeleton

1. Olympics & Paralympics
It might seem a little a little obvious, but February to March 2010 was a time unlike any other. The energy was higher than it’s ever been (the highs and the lows). From wielding random Swiss cowbells, to pin trading with strangers in the streets to burning the candle at both ends, it was a blur of national pride and events and humanity. I remember sitting in Merlin’s watching the men’s gold medal hockey game with 200 of my closest friends. And when Sid scored that final goal – pure joy hear ’round the nation!

2. Scuba diving With manta rays in Hawaii
Nothing describes the other-worldly experience of scuba diving with manta rays. Those alien bodies gliding gracefully in water, their gentle eyes looking into mine with wonder. It was simply one of the most memorable experiences of my life. With amazing adventures like these I could easily live a life aquatic:

Read more about that trip here.

3. Celebrating a bestie’s 30th birthday
We share the same name, and a whole lot of memories too. My dear friend Amber and I met in Australia nearly 10 years ago. We bonded over an adventure on the Great Ocean Road and when she moved out West, we became inseparable. I was proud to help her celebrate her 30th birthday this year on an evening cruise of Vancouver Harbour. Neil etched this glass for Amber’s birthday gift:

4. Witnessing true love
Neil and I travelled back to England this summer to attend the wedding of our two good friends: Alex and Cherie. I’m a sap at the best of times, but there’s something about this wedding that really touched me, though I’ve only known the two for a short time. The setting: The Lavender House, a quaint hotel just on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. A vintage 50s pin up bride with fire-engine red hair marries a Star Wars fanatic with a big heart and a soft spot for Green Day. Perfection.

5. Sending a friend off to India
My dear friend Liana. My snowboard buddy. My fellow yogi. She’s a free spirit. Has always followed her heart and will always follow her heart. This summer, we sent her off to India for 7 weeks to study at an ashram. She made it home safely, but her send off…well, it was a magical night. Just a few of us on a beach with a bonfire – a typical Vancouver summer eve. The kind of night that memories are made of:

Thanks to Proctogon and Tyler Mills for inspiring me to look back on the year that was!

The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games ended in Whistler last night amidst a colourful fireworks display, waving flags and a few tears. After years of planning and anxious anticipation followed by the most inspirational six weeks many of us have ever lived – we are left feeling lost. The 2010 Winter Games are over. Now what?

Here are 10 ways to cure your Olympic hangover. An Olympic “hair of the dog” if you will:

1. Plan your trip to visit or volunteer for Sochi 2014
2. Organize your new-found pin collection
3. Make an Olympic-themed scrap book
4. Vacation somewhere hot – stat! Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome has ideas
5. Go to the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival April 16-25,2010
6. Embark on a 30 day yoga challenge
7. Try a new hobby. What about painting and surfing all at once?
8. Make a new five-year plan
9. Redecorate your living space
10. When in doubt, spring skiing and riding is the perfect cure for any hangover!

Outside, the sun shines golden bright – the first sign of sun in a few days – and a random hockey game has broken out on the sidewalk.

In Whistler Village, Blue Rodeo is jamming to a packed crowd. There is red everywhere and street performers are wandering through the ecstatic crowd. The mood is pure joy.

This is the moment I will treasure forever: the day Canadian men’s hockey team won gold on home ice, making Canada’s gold medal count the largest of any nation at the Winter Olympic Games and throwing our entire country into a frenzy of pride.

The 2010 Winter Games have meant so many things to so many people. To me, it has brought out a feeling of national pride that I’ve never felt before. It’s introduced me to new experiences: from wielding a giant Swiss cowbell to learning about the difference between German and Bavarian culture to swigging foreign vodka at the Bearfoot Bistro’s Belvedere Ice Room. The Village of Whistler has been the backdrop of many memorable moments. Remember gold medalist Jon Montgomery as swilled a jug of beer on his way to a CTV interview?

Or the Whistler appearance of Canada 1 and Canada 2 women’s bobsleigh teams that owned the podium with gold and silver?

Then, there were the concerts; everything from Canadian bands, such as Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, and Blue Rodeo to pumpin’ DJs like Deadmau5 and Chromeo.

The last 17 days have been a blur of old friends, new friends, concerts, multimedia shows, random characters, patriotism and amazing experiences. These amazing adventures over the last 17 days will forever be etched in my mind. These have truly been some of the best times of my life and I’m so very proud to be a Canadian and proud of the positive lasting impression the world has of our country:

We are a nation with hockey fever. We say “thank you” to our bus drivers. We love William Shatner and Neil Young. We have moose and beavers and mounties and we can laugh at ourselves and our mistakes, as per the closing ceremonies. I hope you all enjoyed the Games as much as I did and see you in Sochi 2014!

With a global oil crisis looming in the next 40 years and an estimated 1.6 billion people expected to travel (as per UN World Travel statistics) the question of how to maintain tourism without damaging indigenous cultures or our environment any further, is on the minds of many.

One of the topics that rings true to me today is “voluntourism.” Bruce Poon Tip, CEO and founder of Gap Adventures brought to the table examples of how a business model can be sustainable. From creating the first ever women’s weaving group in communities along the Inka Trail to creating Tanzania’s first ever World Aids Day, Gap Adventures has inspired travelers to not only experience new cultures, but also make a difference in the remote communities they visit.

Carbon offsets might be today’s trending topic, but tomorrow’s solution could very well be much more innovative and effective. I’ve been live tweeting from TEDxWhistler all afternoon. Follow me on Twitter to find out what we’ve been learning about sustainable tourism at this very interesting event.

We started off at NiX ice theatre, a play put together by The Only Animal production company. The temporary theatre, built at Whistler’s Lost Lake, is constructed out of ice and snow. The play, put on as part of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

Here’s the making of video:

The play tells the tale of a post-apocalyptic Ice Age where three strangers – cold, both inside and out – meet and interact in bizarre ways. Throughout the play, the snowy backdrop is used in dynamic ways with multimedia projections.

The capacity of the theatre is approximately 120 people and it I will warn you, it IS pretty cold in there. You do get a fuzzy seat warmer and small blanket, but I recommend wearing your ski gear and bringing extra blankets.

To get NiX take the No. 6 Upper Village bus from the Gondola Transit Loop to the Lost Lake bus stop. From there, the NiX shuttle bus drivers will pick you up and drive you to the theatre.

From NiX, it was on to Monk’s Grill in Whistler’s Upper Village – or the base of Blackcomb Mountain. They have a satellite ice bar set up just outside the restaurant. Just look for the big glowing cube and be prepared to enter into a different world – for a brief time.

The ice bar is tiny, but very impressive with intricate carvings of Olympic proportion; including a Canadian bobsleigh, ice tables and an ice goddess. Upon entry, you’ll receive a arctic-style parka and a drink voucher for one cocktail served in an ice glass and poured from the ice bar.

It’s a very “cool” experience.

Patriotism was rampant throughout the village. I’ve never seen so many Canadian flags, toques, shirts, mitts and scarves. Even the random German flag and old dude chanting “USA, USA!” were welcomed.

Folk music kicked off celebrations in Village Square in the early afternoon. This stage will see the likes of the Barenaked Ladies, Matisyahu and plenty more Canadian artists who are playing throughout the Games.

Later in the evening, an estimated 15,000 people crowded into Skiers’ Plaza to watch the torch travel on snowmobile withCanadian skicross athlete, Julia Murray, on skis with Crazy Canuck ski racer, Steve Podborski, and finally by foot with local mountain biking star, Tyler Allison. Tyler was selected to light Whistler’s community cauldron.

I was in Montreal when I first heard that Vancouver/Whistler had won the Olympic bid. Even so far away, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of the world’s largest party coming to my backyard. After all, I had arrived in Sydney, Australia just one month after the 2000 Summer Games ended and the atmosphere was still electric.

Now, after years of anticipation for some – and opposition for others – we are just 4 days away from the kick off of the 2010 Winter Games. I can’t believe it!

As someone who has grown up in this incredible province of British Columbia, I’m truly humbled by the fact that the world is descending upon our communities to watch the best athletes on the globe compete. I can’t wait to see Whistler Village come alive with music, art and people from all over the world. The Olympics are what we as individuals make of them. As we all know, this opportunity comes around but once in a lifetime. Let the Games begin!

For a full list of Whistler Live! bands and DJs, check out Whistler2010.com.

The 2010 Winter Games – touted the “Green Games” by organizers – is, perhaps, the perfect time to create dialogue around sustainable tourism and Whistler’s role in that future. And there’s no better time to do that than on Day 7 of the Olympics.

TEDxWhistler, an independently organized TED event, will take place on February 18 in Whistler, and will also be broadcast via live webcast around the globe. You might recognize the TED talks for their “ideas worth spreading” videos on a variety of topics.

TEDxWhistler: Tourism’s Place in a Sustainable World, is organized by the Whistler Centre for Sustainability, a non-profit organization that was created by Whistler citizens and the municipal government.

The four speakers are: Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures; Valerie Langer, the Director of British Columbia Forest Campaigns for ForestEthics; Wade Davis, a filmmaker, anthropologist and author; and river conservationist, Mark Angelo.

As Government 2.0 picks up steam, this event is reflective of the new transparency. Whistler will certainly be impacted by climate change – and this community will have to band together to find its role in fusing our tourism industry and sustainable practices.

TEDxWhistler runs February 18 from 1-4pm. There are a only total of 100 seats available so if you can’t be there in person, watch the livestream from the comfort of your own home, office or even classroom.

If you feel inspired, submit your vision of sustainable tourism in Whistler. There are 30 seats reserved for the best entries.

I’m intrigued to see what discussions will come out of this session and how the ideas percolated at TEDxWhistler will inspire the future of Whistler’s sustainable tourism industry.

Disclaimer: I know the organizers of this event. However, I am not writing this blog for monetary gain and am genuinely interested in the topic.