- Whistler Weasel Workers
Infobox generic
name = Whistler Weasel Workers
img1 =
image_border =
width1 = 150px
cap1 = Whistler Weasel Workers Logolbl1 = Location:
row1 = Whistler, BC, Canada
lbl2 = Registered Office:
row2 = Squamish BC, Canada
lbl3 = Registered Name:
row3 = Coast Alpine Event Club
lbl4 = Description:
row4 = Non-profit society
lbl5 = Activity:
row5 = Volunteer alpine ski raceworkers and organizers
lbl6 = Membership:
row6 = approx 400 local to BC,200 outside BC.
lbl7 = Website:
row7 = [http://www.weaselworkers.com/ www.weaselworkers.com]lbl8 = Logo:
row8 =
The Whistler Weasel Workers is a volunteer organization of alpine ski race workers that has been active in
Alpine ski racing in Canada is largely dependent on volunteer workers who prepare a course for racing and then maintain the course during the event. This activity includes creating and maintaining a hard, smooth snow surface and installing and maintaining safety netting necessary to safeguard both the ski racers and spectators. Volunteers also organize and officiate most alpine ski races. Among officiating and other tasks requiring large numbers of volunteers are those of Gate Judging (confirms that competitors properly complete the course) and Course Security (restricts access to the race course).
In the 1970's, while watching a line of course workers walking, arm-in-arm, "boot-packing" the snow on a steep pitch on Whistler Mountain's Dave Murray track, an early race organizer was heard to say, "They're Weasel Workers", naming the group after the slope on which they were working. The name stuck and from that time, Whistler's volunteer ski race workers have been known as the "Weasel Workers".
In 1984, the organization formally registered itself as a society, under the name "Coast Alpine Event Club". This name is rarely used and the group is commonly known simply as "the Weasels". The Weasels are very loosely organized with membership requirements being simply four or five day's participation as a course worker at a Weasel-supported Whistler ski race. Most members are intermediate to advanced skiers, but the organization includes many non-skiers as well.
Whereas the core membership is resident in the
The Whistler Weasel Worker organization is sustained by strong camaraderie and a shared love of and dedication to alpine ski racing. The Weasels are enthusiastic supporters of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Many Weasels are or have been parents of ski racers competing at various levels, from local club and regional ski races to international World Cup races.
External References
[http://bcalpine.com/pdf/FastTrackIssue2.pdf BC Alpine Magazine Fast Track Magazine] Winter 2006 Issue 2 - Marmots, Sundogs and Weasels, Oh My! - By Jennifer Laidlaw
[http://www.skimuseum.ca/bios/Carney_Owen.pdf Canadian Ski Hall of Fame] - 2004 - (Whistler Weasel Worker Race Chairman) Owen Carney inducted as an Official and a Builder
[http://www.manuelracing.com/ Manuel Osborne Paradis - Canadian Alpine Ski Team member] - remarks about the Whistler Weasel Workers
The Squamish Chief - Aug 9 2008 - [http://www.squamishchief.com/madison/WQuestion.nsf/5126df8a81a0706488256864006122e1/6d88a54cbc721a34882573fd00019622?OpenDocument Big-time ski racing comes home] - by David Burke
[http://www.brittjanyk.com/journal-04-04-06.html Britt Janyk - Canadian Alpine Ski Team member] Apr 4 2006 - remarks about the Whistler Weasel Workers.
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