The 3D Map of Whistler has been updated, finally! This version has some new features; including descriptions, the ability to overlay your own GPS track (must be in .kml format) and a Summer Map of the Mountain Biking Trails around the valley. Check it out at it’s new domain:

3D Map of Whistler

Summer 3D Map of Whistler

It was created by Whistler 3D Solutions, and is based upon Google Earth, and more specifically the Google Earth Plug-in for web browsers which needs to be installed on your computer. You will be prompted and shown how to download and install it if required.

Comfortably Numb

It is still, and probably always will be a work in progress. So, I would appreciate your feedback, whether to point out mistakes, make suggestions or let me know if it doesn’t load/work for you.

Spankys

Lastly, here is a video showing the page in use. Take note of the feature to show your own GPS track, as you need to ‘drag and drop’ it onto the webpage. The beauty of this is that you never actually upload the file so your privacy regarding where you go remains protected, as unlike other companies, I am not interested in tracking your movements.

The Whistler Sliding Centre (website or location on 3D Map) is an amazing place. It is home to the Bobsled track (and Skeleton/Luge). Those ‘sports’ are borderline crazy and are something you really have to see in person to appreciate.
The Luge World Cup was just held on Friday/Saturday (9th/10th), and yesterday I saw the Women’s Final along with some kind of ‘national relay race’. I have been to various meets held there, and it never ceases to impress.

In other news, I recently acquired the domain name whistlersnowreport.com and will be moving this blog over to it at some point. I am going to think about a new design, hopefully making it more mobile and social friendly. In the meantime it will simply re-direct to this site. I mention this because I had fun playing with the Luge footage I took. Check out the results

Whistler Snow Report

Dry, sunny weather has meant I haven’t been skiing lately. Still, I would go stir crazy if I didn’t get out once in while, so myself and some friends decided to head south to Squamish for some rock climbing. My friends skied in the morning; a few groomers on Whistler. Their opinion was the skiing was decent, off piste a bit hit and miss but the groomed runs were fun – especially The Saddle.

We had a fantastic day, and were surprised the rock wasn’t too cold. It actually seemed to offer more grip than normal (I have heard that when granite gets cold it gets easier to climb, but have never experienced it myself). I wont go on too much, but if you have never tried to climb, I highly recommend it – great physical challenge but an even harder mental challenge.

I plan to ski again soon, but am in no real rush until the snow falls again. It’s a long season and it is only just starting

Anyway, a couple more photos from the climbing.

Burger and Fries

Kelly

View

We also noticed some weird ice formations on the ground. This is apparently surface hoar, which is the kind of layer in a snowpack that increases the risk of avalanches.

Surface Hoar

We (W3DS) have released an application for Android (2.2 or higher) to go along with the iPhone App we released earlier this year. They allow you to see the map data from our 3D Trail Map of Whistler on your mobile device. Using your built-in GPS, you can then see your location

2

It uses the ‘Google Earth App‘, so you need to have it installed. The ‘Google Earth App’ is available for free, and you will be directed to download it from within ours.

It requires an internet connection. We suggest you load our Map while in a WiFi zone (either in your hotel or in a restaurant on the mountains). While still on WiFi, zoom in and around a bit to allow the imagery to load (and cache). Then, when skiing, simply open the ‘Google Earth App’ (our map will still be loaded). We also suggest you increase the cache size of the ‘Google Earth App’ (available in it’s settings). Doing these suggestions will help minimize any data usage.

You can access them at the Android Market by clicking here:
Whistler
Cypress

Interested in the iPhone version instead?

We would appreciate it if you would visit the company’s blog post – and Facebook ‘like’ it

If you just want to get it now – it is available on the App Store.

Update: Here is the Android Version

Here are two screenshots:

Overview

As most people reading this blog are aware, my friend Mike and I have created a 3D Trail Map of Whistler using Google Earth. We are ramping up our work effort in this area and have now formed a company to pursue the opportunity of making more maps for more resorts.

Whistler 3D Solutions has been born

Along with the new website, we have made an update to the map. It is more of a cosmetic update, with a few minor corrections, however we do have numerous more features in the pipeline. Please visit and update your bookmarks to the new home of the 3D Trail Map of Whistler.

We welcome any suggestions, and if you would like us to make a map of your local ski resort feel free to contact us.

Don’t be shy about ‘liking’ it to share with your friends on Facebook. We would prefer you ‘like’ the blog post on the company website – Thanks!

Blackcomb

Whistler Peak

It is available to buy through their online shop – and I love their sales pitch – ‘Pay What You Want’. It is available as a DVD which will be shipped, or you can download it in HD for a little as $2. Who can’t afford a toonie to help some locals boys ‘break’ into the market, and don’t be shy to bump up to $5 (or more).

Here is the trailer:

Out of the Shadows Trailer – 2010 HD Ski Film by Dendrite Studios from Dendrite Studios on Vimeo.

Personally, I had some issues downloading it (with Chrome), but they responded to my email within 24 hours and I was able to download it using Firefox the next day. So help the guys out, and visit their shop.

Quote from their website:

Featuring the return of PY Leblanc, the forgotten legend Chris Turpin, World Champion Brett Crabtree, Swedish sensation Jon Larsson, and a giant swarm of new comers including Maxim Arsenault, Eliel Hindert, Christian Boucher, Dave Treadway, Mathieu Gagnon Theirault, Ian Cheddar Watson, Dave Gheriani, Adam Topshee, Alex Blais, Athan Merrick, Jake Cohn, Matt Elliot, and Matty Richard.

Look on the Bright Side

Update: It’s released now and I highly recommend it. Great to see a movie that has both skiers and snowboarders in it

Tonight, at 6pm PST (approx 2 hours from now) Voleurz is releasing their latest snowboarding/skiing/skating movie titled ‘Look on the Bright Side’. I do not know much about the company which also produces a clothing line, but I do know that some of the athletes are based in Whistler. It also sounds like quite a few of them have worked as ‘liftys’ here over the years. Since I don’t really know, I will leave it at that.

Here’s the teaser, it looks great – not just an ‘action’ flick but a bit of ‘goofing around’ too.

Look on the Bright Side teaser from Voleurz on Vimeo.

So head over to their website, and see the movie.

• Creekside and Village Gondolas
• Emerald and Red quad chairs
• Franz triple chair

There will also be some terrain park features set up near the top of Emerald chair.

The biggest (only) surprise is the opening of the Creekside Gondola. Normally it doesn’t open until (approx.) mid December and I am wondering if the introduction of ‘pay-parking’ in the Village (Lots 1,2,3) has anything to do with it. In the end the reason doesn’t matter, as I am happy to have my normal upload lift ready to go for Day #1

Speaking about ‘pay-parking’ – I am hoping that the Creekside Parkade remains relatively quiet, however I am guessing the gig is up and pay-parking will result in it filling up quickly. It used to be a ‘secret’ parking place that everyone drove by, but no doubt it will be full on a regular basis now. To clarify, Creekside parking is Free while Lots 1,2 & 3 in the Village will be $8 per day (I believe – and $12 per day in summer). There is still free parking in the Village (Lots 4,5) and at Base2 (Lots 6,7 & 8 ) however they require a longer walk (4 & 5) or a quick drive up the hill.

No photos recently, there has been too much cloud / fog covering the valley – so not much to see.

On to what really matters – the skiing. It looks like opening day is going to be ‘average’. The weather is not playing along yet, with minimal snow and warm temperatures. As of yesterday we were getting rain as high as Pig Alley (1650m) but overnight it changed to snow and I believe the depth is now sitting around 80cm. It is not all bad news, back in November 2008 we opened with a base of 55cm and if you read the post, you will see that skiing is skiing and skiing = fun. This year, with a deeper base and improved snow making infrastructure, it should be even better.

As I mentioned in a previous report, there is still a good chance of a decent dump tomorrow / Thursday (with freezing levels low enough) – and if that comes true, then opening day could turn from ‘average’ into ‘epic’. Okay, maybe ‘epic’ is too strong a word but skiing powder, even just a little bit can make your day!

Lastly, as of today you should be able to read the official snow report including snowfall data on the WB website here. However, at time of posting it has not updated (although the mobile website version seems to have some data). I will continue to reproduce that info here on my site, so feel free to just read my reports

Few things get skiers and riders more excited than the words “early opening,” which is why Whistler Blackcomb is thrilled to announce that Whistler Mountain will open six days early, on Friday, November 19. Blackcomb Mountain will open on Thursday, November 25, Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.

First chair is due to leave the station at 8:30am

Last season we opened on the 14th (the photos in this post are from last years opening) to deep, deep snow. This year wont be the same, still, I can’t wait to get up there. The mountains are looking good, and there is more snow in the forecast (not much, although we might get hit by a big dump around Wednesday/Thursday which would work out perfectly).

I believe the snow pack is still hovering around 70cm, which means staying on/close to the groomed runs (to me anyway). The season is long, and (hopefully) I will practice patience and resist the urge to venture off-piste. Too many season ending stories happen in the first few weeks – so have fun, but play safe!

Early season conditions apply and caution should be exercised at all times as the terrain that will be available is best-suited for intermediate to advanced riders and skiers.

Opening Day Line Up - GLC Patio

Lastly, here is the end of the line from last year – down in the village square! (The building on the left is Fitzsimmons, so the line was quite long)

Opening Day Line Up - Village Square