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.

The last few days have been a blend of live concerts, giant cowbells, multimedia art shows, national pride, gold medals and beer – lots of beer.

The swelling of Canadian pride is amazing to see. A nation known for its humble nature has suddenly become – patriotic.

From sneaking into Swiss House after their gold medal win in Men’s Downhill to attending the Women’s Luge finals and today’s exciting and dramatic Ladies’ Downhill, it’s been a blast so far!

Barenaked Ladies are playing in Whistler’s Village Square tonight, and then, there’s always the hope of getting into the Our Lady Peace concert tonight. The rest of the Games are bound to bring more adventures and we’re really just getting warmed up!

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.

This threat to humanity is, perhaps, most apparent to those of us who live in mountain resorts. As glaciers across the globe recede and the world’s climate systems become more unpredictable, many of us have found ourselves thinking: “What if the snow stopped falling?“

Growing up in the lush province of British Columbia has reminded me every day how incredible Nature is – and how equally vulnerable she is. We rely on Nature for many things; from providing our drinking water to powering our homes to providing us with a plentiful outdoor playground. But as much as we take from her, we must also remember to repay the favour.

There are many passionate and dedicated people making great strides in their communities and “greening” the way to a more sustainable future. I need not look any further than my own community of Whistler and my own industry, the ski and snowboard world.

Whistler-based Hilltrip is a collective of mountain enthusiasts who describe themselves as a “Social Enterprise specialized in Social Marketing with a focus on Events and Promotions.” Through environment-focused events, they hope to educate people about climate change and how to fight it.

From organizing events for Earth Day, to Whistler’s Enviro-Fest, to benefit concerts, to film festivals Hilltrip has helped raise the profile of environmental awareness since 2004.

Hilltrip also hosts Green Drinks in Whistler at Black’s Pub from 8pm-10pm. It’s a gathering ground for like-minded people to get together and chat about our “environmental destiny.”

Participants receive a free Granville Island beer and appies with donation to AWARE. Then, the jam session begins.

Hilltrip has partnered with many groups along the way. One such group is Protect our Winters, founded by pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones. The goal of POW is to unite the snow industry on the issue of climate change and to encourage mountain resorts to do their part in combating it. The organization already has an impressive roster of partners, including Burton, Vans, Rossignol, Dakine, Transworld Snowboarding Magazine, Teton Gravity Research, and even Whistler’s Origin Design and Communications.

According to their website, Protect Our Winters has donated more than $125,000 in grants to over 20 grassroots environmental groups since 2008.

Last year was a landmark year for POW. They funded the first human-powered film, “My Own Two Feet” and formed the POW Riders Alliance – which gives riders a chance to offset their travel by donating to protect rain forests.

Watch for their latest film, “Generations,” in 2010. This short film, produced in partnership with The North Face will screen at all major US film festivals throughout the year.

Join Hilltrip on Facebook.

Become a Fan of POW on Facebook and Twitter.

The Rad Boob Club, a collective of ladies who met skiing in Golden, BC, has created a calendar highlighting the feminine strength of female skiers. There aren’t actually any visible boobs in this calendar, contrary to its name.

2010 calendars are available on the website for CAD$25 plus $5 shipping and handling. The Rad Boob gals are making their way to ski areas across North America to sell their calendars in person and raise further funds for breast cancer. They plan to raise $10,000 to donate to Rethink Breast Cancer.

Next Tuesday, December 22, Radboob is hosting a fundraising event at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) in Whistler. The ladies will be selling their calendars and there will be several featured slideshows and films about a recent ski trip to BC’s Monarch Icefield. Doors are at 9pm.

There are a few big name skiers who have associated themselves with the calendar, including Ingrid Backstrom, Lynsey Dyer and Grete Eliassen. A few Whistler-based ladies are also featured in the calendar: Sarah Frood, Tessa Treadway, Amy McDermid and Holly Walker, who contributed to the design phase as well.

A number of professional photographers have also contributed to the project. Locals Jordan Manley, Eric Berger and Dave Mossop (Rocky Mountain Sherpas) are among the list. Ski website Doglotion is also part of the project.

Lynsey Dyer’s Words of Wisdom on the Rad Boob website are: “How Alive are you willing to feel? What would your life be for if you already had everything you ever wanted?”

Perhaps, this sums up the reason why these ladies have committed to this cause just as much as it explains why they are so passionate about the mountains they call home.

Become a Fan on Facebook or follow Rad Boob on Twitter.

Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, a film by Brigitte Berman, examined the lift of “The Hef.” I was pleasantly surprised by the film because all I had known about him prior to watching the documentary is that he wears a silk bathrobe and is always surrounded by women less than half his age. What this documentary taught me is how much of a role Hugh Hefner played in the civil rights movement. He supported black actors, comedians and musicians when they were still discriminated against and provided a voice for human rights activists in his magazine and TV shows. He also published blacklisted writers, who were accused of being communists. Anyone who can date seven girls at a time at the age of 82 is a winner in my books.

Documentary: Best Worst Movie

Switching gears, Best Worst Movie, directed by Matthew Paul Stephenson introduced the audience to the cast of cult B-Grade horror film, Troll 2. Jason Whyte, a writer for efilmcritic.com introduced the film as his favourite documentary of 2009. Stephenson, a child actor who starred in Troll 2, revisited the cast 18 years after the film was released and examined its cult phenomenon. The story unravels into a crazy tale of what happens when you combine an Italian director, a language barrier; a cast of amateur actors; and horror movie enthusiasts. I was pretty much laughing throughout the film and am now so excited to watch the 80s classic: a film about a family that goes on vacation and encounters a colony of vegetarian goblins who try to turn them into trees. You might note that there are no actual trolls in this film.

On Saturday evening, was on a VIP party at the Blake Jorgenson Gallery before heading to the Pique Newsmagazine-sponsored film, A Single Man.

Special Presentation: A Single Man

This highly anticipated film is the directorial debut of Gucci design legend, Tom Ford and is already generating an Oscar buzz. The modelesque characters, beautiful cinematography and truly compelling story are clearly the work of a man with amazing eye for detail and art.

The Dose.ca Official Afterparty at the GLC was the ultimate end to the evening. Ace McKay was there to add a little flare with her Go Go Dancing partner, fishnets and hula hoops. Meanwhile, local DJ Mat the Alien spun his characteristic mash-up house music. The highlight of the evening was definitely Edmonton-based singer, Krystle Dos Santos, whose buttery voice croons out soulful jazz-inspired tunes.

Whistler Film Festival ended on a high note – really high, like Mont Blac, Chamonix high. Sunday’s Closing Gala brought the film Edge of Never directed by William A. Kerig, was an absolutely perfect way to end a weekend of arts and culture by bringing us all back to the awe-inspiring range of rugged peaks that surrounds this mountain town.

Closing Film: Edge of Never

Whistler was founded by people who live their lives on the edge of nature – and occasionally pay for it with their lives. The death of Whistlerite and legendary big-mountain skier, Trevor Petersen in 1996 was a blow to the ski world – and most significantly to his tribe of fellow adventure-seeking mavericks.

The Edge of Never focuses on Petersen’s son, pro skier Kye, who sewed his roots in the park and has, with age, gravitated towards big-mountain skiing like his father. Kerig assembles a motley crew of old school skiers – from badass skier Glen Plake to well-respected French alpinist, Anselme Baud – to groom Kye to ski the very run that killed his father: the Exit Couloir on the Aiguille du Midi on Chamonix.

Chamonix – which, at times has averaged one alpine death per week – is no stranger to danger. Those of us who have never been there ourselves, were absolutely blown away by the vastness of the mountain and the incredibly sketchy off piste access points. Let’s face it – we have it pretty easy here in Whistler. No climbing over steep stone walls and iron ladders to grab our fresh turns.

Edge of Never wasn’t just a film with ski porn; although watching Glen Plake in action was certainly a lot of fun. It told a much deeper story about what drives people to dedicate their lives to the mountain life. And there’s no better place to tell that story from than Chamonix, the heart of alpine culture.

The Trotsky is a film about a young Montreal teenager who is adamant that he is a reincarnation of Leon Trotsky and vows to live his life in the exact same timeline as his idol – including the exile and later assassination. Starring Jay Baruchel – the tall-lanky character actor of Knocked Up and Tropic of Thunder fame – The Trotsky’s characters are rich with human depth, entertaining idiosyncrasies and offbeat humour. From an ex-hippie turned professor, who still smokes weed to a neurotic lead character with a passion for social revolution, I found myself getting pulled into this quirky world and even learning a lesson or two about standing up for what you believe in.

I’ve never heard anyone described as a “demonic concubine,” but I would have to say the scene where Trotsky called one of his teachers that very thing was my favourite part of the entire movie. In fact, the entire movie is rife with humorous gems and lead to a few great bouts of laughter from the audience.

Preceding the feature film was the annual Whistler Stories short film series. The Turning Season In Whistler took viewers on a journey through Whistler’s mountain biking culture; while When Hugh Met Joe told the story of when Hugh Smythe met Joe Houssain, leading to the now united company of Whistler Blackcomb. I have to give a shout out to my friend, director Jim Budge, who did a great job of telling that historical tale.

I’m off to the VIP lounge for charity blogging and tweeting and will be enjoying several films this evening.

You can also check out more photos and our live blogs on Whistler 24 during the Whistler Film Festival.