10 THINGS YOU CAN'T MISS AT WSSF
It’s here! The World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) takes over Whistler, April 10th - 15th, 2018. The showdown to the winter season kicks off today with the opening of the Swatch ART+ Soul exhibit, Electric Six rockin’ out at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC), and seven speakers taking to the stage to talk adventure at Multiplicity. That’s just day one, so what else needs to be on your festival hit list? We’ve got you covered...
1. Storytime at Multiplicity
Multiplicity sees seven speakers take to the stage to for a night of visual storytelling. Billed as the “most inspiring event of the year” it’s hard not to be blown away by the tales of adventure, survival, and adversity. With a range of sports being covered, from climbing to diving, mountain biking to snowboarding the thing that unites these people is their desire to explore and push the limits. Tickets are going fast: https://goo.gl/fVKyTY
2. Art Party Alert!
The Swatch ART+Soul opening après party is kicking off the WSSF action today from 3:30-6:30pm in the Grand Foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre. The work of 45+ artists lines the wall, and it’s also your chance to snag a special edition Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme poster designed by illustrator Morgan Jeske. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Friday, 12-6pm so come in and check it out.
3. Free Music: Kokanee Freeride Club Series
Kokanee is bringing bands and DJs to venues all over Whistler. On Tuesday night it’s six-piece band Electric Six rockin’ things up at the GLC. Then it’s over to Garfinkel’s on Wednesday for the modern house, dance-pop sounds of Miami Horror (DJ set). At Moe Joe’s, Stacey Pullen schools us in techno on Thursday, and the gypsy-rock, afro-funk, latin-punk style of Five Alarm Funk takes over the GLC on Friday. All these events are free and not ticketed, you’ve just got to turn up!
4. A Race of Legend and Lore
After a 16-year hiatus, the legendary Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme presented by Kokanee is back. 150+ racers, including Olympians, pros, and the brave, will tackle a course that takes them from the top of the Saudan Couloir, down Blowout, with the finish at the Jersey Cream flats. That’s 2280 feet (695metres) of thigh-burning terrain, with the top section at a casual 42-degree angle. Catch by-the-minute race updates at the Rendezvous Lodge who have an extended patio complete with a great view of the race course, BBQ, and bar.
5. The Big Air Gets Bigger
We’ve been watching the Big Air take shape - literally. As the snow is being moved into position we’ve had more athletes sign up and we’ve added the peachy summer tones of Erica Dee featuring Miss Christie Lee & Cozy to the music lineup. They will be playing before the skiers take to the air on Friday night, followed by Juno award-winners A Tribe Called Red. On Saturday it’s the snowboard crew with Flipout at the start, and Jazzy Jeff bringing the party home after the athletes wrap up. Full schedule: https://goo.gl/dxdxC8
6. Hot Ticket Cultural Events
Tickets are selling fast for the fan favourites: Olympus 72hr Filmmaker Showdown, Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown, and Intersection. All of these events celebrate the creativity, ingenuity, and style of the competitors and the 1,500 strong crowd shows its appreciation with hoots and hollers on all three nights. Get your ticket bundle for $75 for all three events, or $30 per ticket and be part of the creative stoke: https://goo.gl/G5f6rj
7. Crowning of Champions
A hybrid of boardercross, slopestyle, and obstacle course the Monster Boarderstyle World Championships see four riders run the gauntlet simultaneously. They’re vying for the best time, but also the superior tricks. Dreams can be shattered, glory can be stolen, and you can see it happen at the Blackcomb Terrain Park on Friday and Saturday: https://goo.gl/rdJL2V
8. The Party of the Season
It’s time to buckle up for a dance marathon at The END, that’s six hours of rotating DJs with a thumping sound system, light show, performers, and let’s not forget the wizards. Yes, we said wizards. Join MIja, Sinden, Craze, Case of the Mondays, Smalltown DJs, Christian Martin, Ardalan, and Mat the Alien for the party of the season: https://goo.gl/NSN9Y1
9. Slushy Madness
The Twisted Tea Slush Cup happens on Sunday, April 15—the last day of the festival. It’s the funniest event of the weekend as people send it across an icy pool of water wearing a mix of animal suits and vintage onesies. Spoiler alert—not everyone makes it. Held at the Tube Park on Blackcomb Mountain it’s easy to access and you can sign up on the day, or simply relax and take in the sights. Oh, the sights.
10. Patio Parties
It’s springtime in the mountains so you’d better plan the patio you want to be sipping your cold one on after a day on the slopes. On Wednesday the GLC will be pumpin’ with Skiitour, Neon Steve and Case of the Mondays from 2-7pm, Twisted Tea are hosting a Tropical Tiki Lounge at the base of Blackcomb Mountain on Saturday and Sunday from 3-6pm, and the Longhorn patio have Cut Copy DJs on Sunday, 2-8pm: https://goo.gl/aUGTNV
For more information on the World Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by Whistler Blackcomb and Gibbons Whistler, including the full schedule of events, tickets, and more, visit wssf.com.