Unveiling Our History
After two years of planning, research, editing and photo mining, Whistler Nordics are set to unveil an installation on cross-country skiing in Whistler.
Noticing a lack of information about the history of Whistler Nordics when he did a short volunteer stint as club administrator, Dan Wilson (Club President) reached out to the Whistler Museum to co-host a 2024 Whistler Museum Speaker Series on cross-country skiing at the Lost Lake Passivhaus.
That sold-out event, full of rich stories of cross-country skiing’s early days in Whistler, developed into a project proposal to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation to document and display the century-old and at times hilarious history.
“ What I found most fascinating about the resort history was the tireless dedication of volunteers to the vision of a local trail network, hosting regional events, social skis, youth programs and excellence in trail maintenance” said Wilson. “ …that and how the torch, originally lit by the Alta Lake Sports Club, got successfully passed on to the RMOW Parks Department, Whistler Nordics, and retailers like Wild Willies and Cross Country Connection, who ran events to grow the sport.”
Bridge over Fitz Creek to the Lost Lake Trails, Whistler Museum Photo
The installation covers the early days before there were tracks, the Alta Lake Sports Club era when grooming was introduced, the formation of the Whistler Nordics, and how the legacies of the 2010 Winter Olympics helped launch programming that resulted in the club’s first-ever Olympians in 2026.
The installation doesn’t shy away from the early 80s controversy of charging $2 for trail access. The controversy was short-lived, according to Tom Barrett, the RMOW’s first parks planner.
“It caused an uproar at first—but people quickly saw how much better the trails became.”
The installation will find a place in the Lost Lake Passivhaus, which acts as the winter home of the Whistler Nordics, and day lodge for the Lost Lake Nordic Ski Trails. The four-panel installation will eventually be paired with a new gallery of cross-country skiing images through the years.
Lost Lake Passivhaus, Home of Whistler Nordics and the new installation, Sea to Sky Photo
Join Whistler Nordics at the Lost Lake Passivhaus on March 5th at 7pm-8pm for the unveiling. Details below.
Launch Details:
Join Whistler Nordics for the official unveiling of Whistler Nordics and Whistler Museum’s history of cross-country skiing installation at the Lost Lake Passivhaus.
Learn about Whistler’s first trails, find your favourite spot on the first Lost Lake Trail Map, and read about how Whistler Nordics and all the other partners helped to launch Whistler’s first nordic ski Olympians in Milano – Cortina!
Thursday, March 5th, 7-8 pm, Lost Lake Passivhaus
Snacks and light beverages provided. Whistler Nordics beanies on sale for $10 cash or e-transfer with a classic Whistler Nordics sticker.
This project is made possible by a generous donation from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.
Eager to ski? Join at 6 PM for the final toonie - social scavenger ski. No cost. Sign up here.