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Vancouver, BC
Canada
97 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 07:43 AM
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VANOC closes Cypress Mountain alpine runs to preserve snow
Metro Vancouver/CKNW 980
1/13/2010
VANOC has announced it is closing Cypress Mountain's alpine runs in West Vancouver immediately to presevere snow for the Olympics next month.
The closure comes two-and-a-half weeks early and is blamed on the warm temperatures and heavy rain this week.
VANOC has been running an intensive snow salvaging project, including the stockpiling of snow at higher elevations.
Tim Gayda, VANOC's Vice-President of Sport, says closing Cypress early is the responsible thing to do, given the recent weather.
Cypress is hosting the Aerials, Moguls, Parallel Giant Slalom, Halfpipe, and Ski Cross events.
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 09:29 AM
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| Saw that coming. |
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3022 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 11:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jd22
Saw that coming.
Vanoc and Oly-committee should have included Tubing into a sport, about all that'll slide down that mush now. |
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102 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 12:02 PM
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| What's ski cross? |
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vancouver, bc
Canada
987 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 12:02 PM
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Such a mickey mouse operations. They have all of Mt. Strahan for skiing where there are no olympic activities going on. I don't see the sense in pissing off your passholders so that you can focus all of your equipment to fix up Black mountain for the venues.
You'd think they'd have ample equipment to do both, even if they leave a few runs open for night skiing its better then no skiing almost three weeks earlier then the communicated close. People I know who have pisses are rightfully pissed off. |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 4:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mofo
What's ski cross?
Four skiers/boarders skiing/boarding down the same course at the same time, taking each other out, first one down wins.
I would suspect Cypress will be reimbursed in some way by Vanoc for the lost revenue, bet the season pass holders won't get much in return for buying what will ultimately be a half season pass! |
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 | LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2506 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 4:48 PM
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| People who bought Cypress passes should have figured out what would happen and have no-one to blame except for themselves |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 4:57 PM
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| Ditto to that... |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1047 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 5:03 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by splitboarder
Such a mickey mouse operations. They have all of Mt. Strahan for skiing where there are no olympic activities going on. I don't see the sense in pissing off your passholders so that you can focus all of your equipment to fix up Black mountain for the venues.
You'd think they'd have ample equipment to do both, even if they leave a few runs open for night skiing its better then no skiing almost three weeks earlier then the communicated close. People I know who have pisses are rightfully pissed off.
Not really as like others have stated you knew it was going to close. Cypress does usually guarentee a certain number of skiable days and if it does not meet them you get a deal in the following season and not sure how that will work for next season.
On another note, not sure if you have been up in the mountains lately but even if they did not close there is virtually no snow left and none worth going up to ski. The snow that is left in places is literally saturated all the way through. So your not losing days due to Vanoc but rather mother nature.
Very sad hopefully the colder temps are coming with lots of white stuff for all skiers, snowboarders, snowshoer and other users...I'm itchin! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1009 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 5:21 PM
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quote:
The snow that is left in places is literally saturated all the way through. So your not losing days due to Vanoc but rather mother nature.
there is a foot of snow forecast for them hills over the next few days, all it takes is one cold storm and your good to go
Seems unfortunate but probably not that shocking |
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Outward Bound author of the Seinfeld Thread, who builds his own snowshoes
Troy, MT
USA
3124 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 5:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by LeeL
People who bought Cypress passes should have figured out what would happen and have no-one to blame except for themselves
they also had the option to add on a seymour pass for pretty cheap. <$100 if remember right.
The cut looked like there was maybe 75% cover on it when I drove home today. not exactly what vanoc wants people to see when they come here |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2009 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 5:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by LeeL
People who bought Cypress passes should have figured out what would happen and have no-one to blame except for themselves
I would think that Cyprus would have informed season pass holders when they purchased their season pass last fall that the hill would be closed for x number of weeks due to the Olympics. I doubt anyone expected the hill to close 2 1/2 weeks sooner than originally anticipated. |
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| Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 5:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Farmer
not exactly what vanoc wants people to see when they come here
I remember the Calgary olympics when dudes were sliding down snow on runs with bare grass as far as the eye could see off the side of the run. only difference here is that with heavy fog you might no be able to see off the side of our runs that far |
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Van, BC
Canada
2789 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 6:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dru
quote:
Originally posted by Farmer
not exactly what vanoc wants people to see when they come here
I remember the Calgary olympics when dudes were sliding down snow on runs with bare grass as far as the eye could see off the side of the run. only difference here is that with heavy fog you might no be able to see off the side of our runs that far
I remember watching bobseld in Calgary in a T-shirt and shorts; I also remember watching the opening ceremonies in about 4 layers and a bellaclava.
Ah Calgary weather.
-Ryan |
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925 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 7:43 PM
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| Cypress season passes were something like $250 this year if you bought early. |
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3022 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 9:12 PM
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| I'm hearing Frogs croaking in my yard the past two days. Warm. |
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 9:29 PM
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Cliff Mass weighs in on the weather, and he does this very well as usual.
"Cypress Mountain near Vancouver, the future venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, was closed to protect its rapidly thinning snowpack. An observing site on the mountain at 3100 ft went from 43 inches of snow on 1 January down to 27 inches today. Not good. But I suspect they will be ok, due to the aggressive snow mining and snow making operations, and the inevitability that there will be some cooler periods when they can build up the snow pack both naturally and artificially. Those Canadians are determined to pull this off and they probably will. And they have a very experienced team of weather forecasters and lots of additional weather gear."
About passes from Cypress - the marketing was as intense as before any previous snow season, no more and no less. |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
1306 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2010 : 11:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mofo
What's ski cross?
I think that's "Ski Gross" which refers to the sport of skiing down mud slopes.
Peter |
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Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2010 : 12:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by LeeL
People who bought Cypress passes should have figured out what would happen and have no-one to blame except for themselves
I bought my 1st Cypress pass this season after several seasons of Y2Play passes at Grouse. Reason was they were going for $269. I'm not sure of the normal rate but I think it was over $1000 so this was something in the range of a 75% Olympic discount. I knew it was a gamble but a pretty cheap one. Even with Cypress closed, my pass will still get me a 25% discount at Silver Star where I'm heading at Spring Break. With the early opening I should still break even ... and they should be announcing some relief for pass holders in the coming days (e.g. reduced rates for next season).
My complaint is with this F'g El Nino character ... |
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155 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2010 : 02:37 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by J Mace
quote:
The snow that is left in places is literally saturated all the way through. So your not losing days due to Vanoc but rather mother nature.
there is a foot of snow forecast for them hills over the next few days, all it takes is one cold storm and your good to go
Seems unfortunate but probably not that shocking
I'd like to see that forecast. One good day would help, but I doubt it would be enough for a 'world class event' Whatever the hell that means.
Last 2 years even with great snow, there was a river running through the ariels event.
Now with warm weather AND no real base of snow from the beginning of the season AND the pineapple express. It seems rather hopeless. Toss in fog and a possible inversion and you get the picture.
I wonder if they'll say 'Best Games Ever" in the closing ceremonies. I highly doubt it. Although they probably will to save face |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
97 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2010 : 08:21 AM
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First of all can anyone remember a Winter Olympics where the ski conditions aren't a concern as they are the most vulnerable of the events to the weather.
In talking to a Cypress employee last night they have laid off all the bar staff in the Lodge until the Games BUT they provided them with an open bar to down their sorrows - apparently one of the bus drivers got into the act as well and they had to taxi a relief driver up the mountain.
If you look at the forecast for the next two weeks it does look cooler as it appears that the warmer and wetter part of the jet is heading south which should cool us down a couple of degrees.
For the sake of the athlete's who have put years of training and commitment into a possible once in a lifetime chance at glory let's hope that the the weather improves and that conditions are ideal.
Cheers. |
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Vanoc closes Cypress early
