BOW VALLEY SKI SWAPS

Do you have some gear that you need to sell?

Are you after a pair of skis that will hold an edge over Fallaway better than your old P9’s? Here’s the deal!

The Banff Alpine Racers Annual Ski Swaps are set for Saturday, October 10th in Canmore and Banff on the 17th. The Swaps are a great place to pick up equipment for your kids, something for yourself or to sell the items your family has outgrown.

CANMORE – 710 Main Street (the old SAAN store location)

Sale: Saturday, October 10th, 2 pm to 9 pm
Early Bird Sale: Saturday, 1 pm to 2 pm ***
Consignment: Friday, the 9th, 5 pm to 9 pm; Saturday 9 am to Noon

BANFF – Mount Norquay Lodge

Sale: Saturday, October 17th, 2 pm to 9 pm
Early Bird Sale: Saturday, 1 pm to 2 pm ***
Consignment: Friday, the 16th, 5 pm to 9 pm; Saturday 9 am to Noon

*** Early Bird tickets are available Saturday morning during Consignment. Tickets are limited to 100 per day at cost of $10 per person.

NEWS FROM THE GAMES

Questions are abound about what and may not be happening at the Games of 2010. Some points of clarification:

ACCOMMODATIONS

The VANOC Alpine Working Group is very comfortable in announcing that accommodation needs for all volunteers are handled and that they will be suitable both in facilities and location, IE rapid response to changes in the work schedule and weather conditions. Please do not expect more details on this topic until sometime in November at the earliest.

For those of you who were considering camping alternatives, it appears that RV sites will not be available. Private arrangements may still exist but will not be covered in the greater accommodation plan.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Volunteers are asked to be considerate of Olympic Partners when importing products into the Venue. EG: Coca-Cola and its family of products, Powerade, Dasani, Nestea, Full Throttle, Minute Maid, Fruitopia et al, hold exclusive rights to the Games. Products manufactured by competitors of any Games Partners, international or domestic, are taboo.

Remember to pack your refillable water bottle and coffee mug - it's good for the environment and an excellent tool to avoid brand concerns.

OLYMPIC BRANDING POLICY

Wondering about the logo police? Trying to figure out why coloured duct tape will be your friend in February? Questions pertaining to branding and logo use at Games Venues are available via http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/about-vanoc/the-vancouver-2010-brand/protecting-the-brand/-/33052/32798/13kxv7q/2010-olympicparalympic-brand-m.html.

CHECK-IN & TRAINING

As noted previously the process of travel, arrival, accreditation, uniform pick up, room assignment, Venue specific training (safety video, job specifics etc) will require 2 days in advance of your 1st day on snow. Please budget approximately 2 hours for the check-in process while Venue Training will be in the neighbourhood of 4 hours.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION TENT

The Alpine Skiing Venue at Whistler Creekside is the only location of all 2010 Olympic Host Sites to be fortunate enough to have this type of facility. Thanks to Owen Carney and the Alpine Volunteer Committee for securing the site, the necessary accoutrements and all their work in making it a reality.

At this time several initiatives are underway for you to get involved in including a garment purchase opportunity as well as keg sponsorship in Weasel House. Please visit http://www.weaselworkers.com/Misc/Weasel_House.html for more details.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE

The Resort Municipality of Whistler in conjunction has created the following document for residents and visitors alike to answer questions about getting around the Village at Games time. This information is current as of July 2009 and is subject to change.

http://www.whistler.ca/images/stories/2010/Whistler%20Game%20Plan%20FINAL%20PRESENTATION%20-%20July%2029.pdf

BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR & TECNICA

Thinking about a new pair of boots to for course work this winter?

Are you looking for something that is lightweight but still skis well? Then look no further, your search ends here.

Thanks to our friends at BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR the TECNICA Agent AT Touring Boot is available to The Sled Dogs at a cost of $425.00 plus GST.

The Agent AT is high volume ski touring boot featuring a three buckle design, skiwalk technology and is available in half sizes from 25 to 30 based on limited availability. More specifications of the Agent AT boot can be found at:

http://www.tecnica.it/site/skiboot.php?site=1&lang=1&idPrn=2&idN=40&idP=57

This is an exclusive offer and is available only via BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR, Banff, Alberta and is not valid elsewhere in Canada. All orders must be received no later than Thursday, October 15th, 2009.

Contact Pat Gillespie at (403) 760-7601 for more information and to place your order.

(BOOT COLOURS NOT NECESSARILY AS SHOWN)

SUPPORT ONE OF BANFF'S OWN

Many of you have come to know Banff resident Paul Stutz over the years at Lake Louise. This spring after a season that could be described as none descript at the World Cup level, Paul was not named to the Canadian National Ski Team for the first time since 2001.

Paul believes that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level of our sport and is presently training hard to ski his way back onto our National Ski Team. He is focused, motivated and has something to prove.

To assist Paul in his pursuits this season a fundraiser is planned in Banff on Friday September 25th at the HooDoo Lounge, 137 Banff Ave, at 7:00 pm. All proceeds from the evening will support Paul in his quest to return to the Canadian Team.

The evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions and the opportunity to meet Paul and hear about his pursuit of the podium on The White Circus.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by contacting Paul via paul@paulstutz.com

SURVIVOR: SNOW FENCE

The weekend of September 12th and 13th saw nineteen Sled Dogs descend upon the Lake Louise Ski Resort for two days of work in the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Under clear blue skies and 27 degree temperatures the crew set off on two tasks:

1) The installation of snow fence in above Tickety Chutes
2) An inventory clean-up air fence in the parking lot.

A crew of fifteen headed up the mountain on the snow fence mission. On site they were greeted by 400 pieces of T steel and 5000 feet of fence that was flown into place by helicopter. Gear was stashed but not staged: the 50 rolls of snow fence was hand bombed from the Oly Top uphill while 150 pieces steel was ferried by hand from the top of the Gulley downhill. Gruelling work - great job everyone!

For next year’s episode Survivor: Snow Fence, a safety video will be crafted after Sled Dog extraordinaire Jim Long took one for the team Saturday afternoon – a self-inflicted fence pounder to the back of the head. Jim will be receiving the Sled Dog Purple Heart for his wounds sustained in the service of ski sport.

Meanwhile down below, the rest of the Dogs spent what they might have thought was going to be an easier day in the parking lot. Their day: manhandling the entire inventory of air fence. Each piece was unrolled, inspected, patched, cleaned – they tend to get moldy, and patched where necessary, and there were a few of those for sure. For those who have not fought with air fences before these guys did not get off easy.

Saturday evening found the crew at The Lake Louise Inn, with dinner and accommodations looked after by the ROC. Word is that much food and wine was enjoyed and a good time had by all.

A big thanks to all the Sled Dogs who came out as well as to our friends at Laggan’s Mountain Bakery who donated lunch both Saturday and Sunday. The crew was:

Jim Hittel • Michael Barr • Dan Mcintyre • Vanessa Bouwman • John Ford

Barrett Boitson • Michelle Torresan • Pat May • Jim Long • Sharon Boitson

Irma Hurlbert • Mike Kirker • Colin Macdonald • Ralf Walicki • Doug Brack

Tara Wesner • George Motter • Doug Savage • Jim Brewington

IT'S HERE!

Welcome to The Sled Dog Blog the new home for all things Sled Dog: Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup news, plannning for 2010 Olympic Winter Games and other alpine racing info.

The weather is cooling off here in the Foothills of the Rockies. Leaves are beginning to turn and the first work party of the fall is this weekend at the Lake. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered their time to help out.

Summer was quiet on the work front, however a great time was had by all at the 1st Annual Dog Day Afternoon at the Calgary Stampede. Thirty four of the Greatest Volunteers on The World came out on Friday July 10th to enjoy friends and sunshine at the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.

Not only was the local contingent well represented at Dog Day but also Kingston, Ottawa and Vancouver as Doug Campbell, Andy Wolff and Carleigh Whitman joined us!

A special thanks to Pat O'Brien for helping cooordinate the day's events.

Mark your calendar's now for the 2nd Annual Dog Day - Friday July 16th, 2010.