The Whistler Weasel Workers

Editor’s note: guest post from Lockie Brown.

For a very different kind of ski holiday, the Whistler Weasel Workers have congregated, every few years, on the slopes of Whistler Mountain and at other ski racing venues to work together to create a world-class race courses for World Cup, Noram, National Championship and Olympic Alpine ski races.

The Whistler Weasel Workers is a volunteer society whose members share an interest in Alpine ski racing and a joy in the camaradrie and sense of accomplishment in putting on a major ski race. The Whistler Weasels have been active since the 1970’s and have build the track for every World Cup, national championship and Noram race every held in Whistler BC, Western Canada’s premier ski area.

In years when there is no senior ski race scheduled for Whistler, Weasel Workers can often be found helping at other ski racing venues, including the Calgary and Salt Lake Winter Olympics, the World Championships at Sierra Nevada and at Bormio, Italy and at World Cup races at Lake Louise, Alberta and at Beaver Creek, Colorado.

In 2008, the Weasels were active in putting on the Canadian National Championships and four Whistler World Cup ski races. In 2009, the Weasels will assist with the Canadian Junior Championships and with an International Paralympic World Cup to be held on Whistler Mountain. As well, Weasel Workers have assisted with the 2008 Winterstart World Cup races in Lake Louise and with the Birds of Prey races in Beaver Creek. Weasel Workers are also planning to assist with the 2009 FIS World Championships in Val d’Isere, France.

In 2010, the Whistler Weasel Workers will be heavily involved with the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and have been assisting with the planning of these events since 2007.

Membership in the Whistler Weasel Workers is open to any skier who volunteers to work with us for four or five days on a Weasel-sponsored race. There is no membership criterea besides a willingness to work hard, to make many new friends and to become a part of the camaradrie that sustains the organization. There is work enough for volunteers of all ages and for non-skiers as well as all levels of intermediate and expert skiers. Core membership consists of a few hundred “locals” who reside in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia (Vancouver and surroundings). In addition, many members reside throughout Canada and the USA, as well as in Europe, New Zealand and Australia. These “offshore” members travel to Whistler to work on our races, to hone their skills and knowledge, to re-kindle friendships and to enjoy a unique ski holiday.

Visit the Weasel Workers Web site for photos and videos of the Weasel Workers in action and to learn more about our activities and support of Alpine ski racing.