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Whistler Olympic Park

Hot Entertainment: Cross-Country Skiing in Whistler

Photo by Steve Rogers courtesy Tourism Whistler

Nordic Nirvana

Downhill skiers and snowboarders tend to receive most of the attention in Whistler, but the cross-country skiers don’t mind. It just means less-crowded terrain for them. Fans of Nordic skiing head to the 56 km (35 mi) of pristine cross-country trails in Whistler Olympic Park, or the 32 km (20 mi) of trails in Lost Lake Park, to work up a sweat—and enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.—Sheri Radford

More information:

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK 5 Callaghan Valley Rd. 604-964-0060 or toll-free 1-877-764-2455. www.whistlerolympicpark.com

Sport of the Day: Cross-Country Skiing

Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK

Featured in the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924, cross-country (Nordic) skiing has been employed by humans for centuries. Winter Games events specify either classic or free technique, or a combination. With classic, skis remain parallel. With free, the skis are shorter and the edges of the skis are used to push off, resulting in a faster race. Events include individual, relay, sprint, pursuit and mass start.—Sheri Radford

Sport of the Day: Biathlon

Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK

Debuting as an Olympic sport in 1960, biathlon has its origins in hunting and the military. Competitors alternate between completing a loop of a cross-country ski course and taking five shots at a metal target, also alternating between standing and lying down for each round of shooting. Events include individual, relay, sprint, pursuit and mass start.—Sheri Radford

Sport of the Day: Ski Jumping

Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK

Ski jumping has been part of every Winter Games. After skiing down a long ramp, a competitor jumps into the air, attaining a speed of up to 95 km/h (59 mi/h) while holding the skis in a V position. Judges evaluate distance and style. Events include individual normal hill, individual large hill and team large hill. The world’s best-known ski jumper is, perhaps, perpetual underdog Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards of Great Britain.—Sheri Radford