Mission Central for Volunteer Alpine Ski Race Workers 

 Weasel Worker Recent Activity    

• Home
• News
• Register
• Housing
• Travel
• Crews
• Training
• Photos
• Site Map
• Links
• About

What's planned and what's been going on with the Whistler Weasel Workers.  Read about our future and recent activity.  If this looks like fun, think about joining us.

May 13 -  Whistler Adaptive "Paralympic Experience" Gala.  

April 28 - the third annual Mike and Manny Cowboys Camp kicks off on this date on Baclcomb Mountain. Canadian Team members,  Mike Janyk and Manny Osborne-Paradis will be joined by teammate Robbie Dixon and a team of high-level coaches for the four-day camp on Blackcomb Mountain. This year, the camp will accommodate 12 deserving young ski racers from across BC.  Here's the BC Alpine announcement of the camp, some comments by Manny on his Web site, and our photos and description from previous years.  Weasels Jane Osborne and Bill Scott will again be at the helm, doing the shopping, cooking meals, doing laundry and looking after all things domestic, so the kids and coaches can focus on skiing, training and having a good time.  

Feb 5 - 28  -  The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.   After many years of preparation, the Whistler Weasel Workers became "Smurfs" and turned out in force to create and maintain separate Men's and Women's tracks for the Alpine Skiing events. Weasels John Benbow and Rick Hume did great jobs, respectively, as Chiefs of Course on the Dave Murray (Men's) and Franz's (Womens) downhill tracks.  Local Weasels were joined by dozens of members from across Canada,  the US,  Europe, Australia and New Zealand.  The hours were long and the weather was sometimes terrible, but we persevered and put on a great event. Congratulations to all participants.  Congratulations also to the organizers and crew of Weasel House, which provided much needed R&R and was instrumental in building the camaraderie that kept the crew on track.  See our 2010 Vancouver  Winter Olympic Games page for description and photos.  

Dec 9 -  The Party starts at Whistler Brewing
An unprovoked party broke out last weekend at Whistler Brewing when a small group of Weasels visited our Weasel House Sponsor for  munchies, great beer and a really good time.  The ROC had wanted to make it, but could not get away from counting PC poles. This will be the first of a number of gatherings at the Whistler Brewery pub in Function Junction.  Watch for the next one.  As well as providing suds for Weasel House, Whistler Brewing will donate to Weasel House a cash amount from every pint sold at the brewery up until early February.   Drop in any time, have a pint and say "Hi" to the friendly staff. Introduce yourself as a Weasel.  Help the Whistler Brewery hwlp the Weasels. 

Dec 23 - Good Wishes Sent to John Kucera.
When John Kucera broke his leg in the SG at Lake Louise, we set about to prepare a card of good wishes. It has taken a while to put together, but it got sent off today. John should get it in about a week, Canada Post willing!  The card is 11in, by 17in., with your signatures and greetings covering both sides.  

Meanwhile, great misfortune has beset our team. Jean- Phillip Roy, Larisa Yurkiw, Kelly Vanderbeek and François Bourque have all blown knees, and are out for the season.  Who can imagine the dissapointment these team members feel, and the blow to morale this has meant for the whole team?

The Whistler Weasel Workers extend their heartfelt condolances and best wishes for a speedy recovery for all of our injured athletes.  We applaud the strength and determination of Manny, Robbie, Erik, Emily, Mike, Britt and the rest of the team that are soldiering on with such dedication, to achieve some very impressive recent results.  Go Canada Go!  We're rooting for you and we will be ready for you in Whistler with the best tracks possible.  Don't forget to drop by Weasel House.

Dec 12, 2010   -  WMSC Annual Party and Auction
You're invited!   The Whistler Mountain Ski Club has sent a special invitiation to the Whistler Weasel Workers for its annual dinner auction. The Weasels have attended this event for many years and it has always been a great event.  One of Canada's Premier Rhythm & Blues Band, The Epics   will be performing, with ex-Whistlerite, Dave MacPhail on drums. Watch for more information about Weasel tables.   Look at the  invitiation for details.    See you there! 

Nov 27 2009 - Dec 9, 2010  -  Murray Wood at Beaver Creek
For a second year, Murray Wood was the sole representative of the Weasels at the 2009 Annual Birds of Prey downhill. Murray has maintained a connection established four years ago when almost a dozen Weasels visted Beaver Creek to help with the Birds of Prey.  For the past few years we have had the help of an number of Talon Crew here, in Whistler.  Hopefully, after 2010, more Weasels might return the favour and join Murray in his annual pilgrimage.  Murray reports that Beaver Creek is a contender for the 2015 World Championships.  Murray has written a great report on his 2009 adventure.  

Nov 12 - 29  2009 - Weasels again at Lake Louise
Once again, a dozen or so Weasels travelled to Lake Louise to work on the 2009 Winterstart World Cup DH & GS for the men.  Another crew of Weasels arrived Nov 29 to work on the Women's DH and SG.  We'll hear from them later.....please stay tuned.  The weather at "the Lake" was great for the men's setup and races.  There was much more snow than usual, and the temperatures did not get below about -10 deg C.  The Weasel crew included Daves Moore and Shefley, Roger Tremblay, Bruce Lebans, Mai Kudo, Bill Scott, Karl Ricker, Doug Wylie, Brian Humphery, Lockie Brown, John Benbow, Owen Carney and (who have I forgotten?). We saw many of our old friends among the Sled Dogs and had a great time. Things went very smoothly.  Thanks to everyone who purchased Weasel Wear and Canadian Cowboy T-shirts and hoodies, as well as those who so generously sponsored Kegs O'Beer. Congratulations to Manny for his win in the GS, and to Robbie, John and Eric for their great results in the two days of ski racing.  The great sadness, however was John Kucera's unfortunate accident.    CTV has written this great article about us volunteers.

Nov 7 - Second Distribution of Weasel Wear. 
Many thanks to Jacquie and Richard Prokopanko for opening their home for our second distribution and sale of jackets (first in Vancouver). Richard baked for the occasion, served "Weasel coffee", and maintained a steady flow of cheeses, crackers, sausage and other goodies. It was a very pleasant affair.  Weasels on the doorstep sharp at 10:00AM included Bruce Z and others from Seattle, who made a special trip to say, "Hello" and to pick up their pre-ordered jackets. Sales were brisk all day.  Well over half the Club Guard jackets have been sold, so the decision has been made to no longer sell the soft shell jackets to the general public, so as to keep a good stock for our out of town members. Club Guard jacket prices will rise soon. Make sure you get your check in to reserve your jacket at the introductory price.  Some of the very large sizes are sold out.  More can be ordered if there is enough interest, and people show their interest early enough.  For more about our Weasel Wear.......... click here.

Oct 24/25  -  First Distribution of Weasel Wear

With a FIS TD Update meeting just down the hall, as well as  ROC and Crew Chief meetings nearby, things got pretty busy.  Many prepaid coats were picked up, and new sales were very strong.  We also scored a significant number of  Keg O' Beer sponsorships.   Thanks also to Colin Pitt-Taylor who did yeoman service selling coats and keeping records.  Many others helped too.     

The only downer was our Webmaster losing a collection of great photos. Yes, the're all gone!  Humble apologies to all the people who modelled their new jackets and especially to Missy and Stephannie who were such vivacious models.  If anyone who bought a coat can send us some photos of themselves (along with the coat size), please do so ASAP.  Read more about our First Distribution.

Oct 9 / 11, 2009  - Turkey Sale 
Once again, the Weasels had a booth at the annual WMSC ski swap. Many thanks to Peter Allan who once again set the booth up and did our photocopying, to Ken Hicks for the video equipment and great videos and to all those who came to man the booth, promote Weasel House, and to try to sell Weasel Wear that didn't arrive on time. We sold a number of Kegs O' Beer and quite a few jackets and we attracted a number of possible future sales.    Turkey Sale 2009 announcement

June 20 / 21, 2009 -  Weasels Ride for Cancer
Weasels Gerry Longson, Richard Prokopanko and Don Appelle spent the weekend cycling from Vancouver to Seattle in support of the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  Gerry rode on his own, whilc RP and Donny teamed up with Bruce Goldsmid of BC Alpine and Derek Robbins to ride as a team. They called themselves the Rio Tinto Roadies.  Between them all, they raised over $25,000 in donations for the BC Cancer Foundation.  Well done lads! 

Also seen in the crush of riders, as they passed the Peace Arch rest area, were our friends, Peter Bosinger, Elizabeth Urbach and Katrina Amer of VANOC.  For photos and more information, please click here. 

April 30 / May 3 -  Mike and Manny Cowboys Camp.
Weasels Jane Osborne and Bill Scott are enjoying some time off after weeks of preparation for the 2009 version of the Cowboys Camp for eleven deserving kids from around BC. While Jane prepared and served all the meals, Bill busied himself with washing up, keeping things clean and laundry.  The kids had a great time and both Manny and Mike remarked on the progress of the kids in just a few days.  Mike and Manny were assisted by team mate Robbie Dixon and coaches Leslie Clark, Nick Cooper,  Greg Frechette, and others.  Watch for more information as available. Here's more information. and a few photos from the last day of the camp. Well done, all!

Please support this very worthwhile training camp for young ski racers who would not otherwise have access to off-season training and world-class coaching.  Buy Canadian Cowboy shirts

May 2, 2009  -  Annual Weasel Golf Classic, BBQ and AGM
Under cloudy skies, a dozen Weasel teams battled it out on the Squamish Valley Golf course for the not-so-covetted Weasel Golf Trophy. Congratulations to Maria and her crew for organizing another successful event and for gathering a great array of prizes for the golfers. The golf classic was followed by a BBQ and the Weasel AGM at Owen's place. Thanks to Owen, once again, for his generous hospitality.  Colin did the honours at the grill and, as always, Donny organized and set out a great feast.  Watch these pages for Maria's report and a fuller report of the proceedings.  Also check out these photos.  More photos will be gratefully accepted.

April 25 -  Weasels at the BC Disabled Finals
A number of Weasels turned out to help with the BC Para-Alpine Championships.  Approximately 50 racers competed in the one-day event which was topped off by an awards dinner at the Westin Hotel.  It was a low-key, relaxed day that was enjoyed by all.  Congratulations to the Whistler Adaptive Ski Program for hosting such a successful event.  

March 21/22 -  Net Party for CAST Training
After heavy involvement in the J1 Nationals and the IPC World Cup, a small band of Weasels turned out, once again, to re-install B-Nets on the lower portion of the Dave Murray downhill, from the Weasel to the bottom.  The CAST speed team will be here in late March for training and the Weasels wanted to do their part in providing the necessary safety for "our boys".   We had two great days with mild temperatures and blue skies and the work went well.  Notably, besides Chief of Course, John Benbow and daughter Kayla, the youngest of the group can't remember '60'. Read Alpine Canada's message of thanks to the Weasels.

Feb 21-22, 2009  -  Early Start for J1 Nationals 
About 30 Weasels joined Chief of Course, John Benbow, in a two-day weekend frolic on the Dave Murray track.  Although the numbers were off a bit on the Sunday, the "netting B" was a great success and a goodly portion of the B-Net was successfully installed.  The activity was ably coordinated by Bob Miller and Red Ron Hunter.  We had great weather on the Saturday that morphed into snow by mid-Sunday, ending a long drought.  Yoda Shefley provided a quick refresher course on the Alpina B nets.  Many local celebrities were in attendance and a good time was had by all.  The Weasel Army arrives Thurs Feb 26 to tie up the loose ends prior to the start of ski racing on Feb 28.

Feb 5, 2009 -  Brad Keats leads Weasels at Challenge Cup
The Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) will hold their annual Challenge Cup on Feb 26 on Grouse Mountain for teams of disabled atheletes.  Weasels are encouraged to join Brad Keats who will lead a group of volunteer course workers to help with this one-day event.   If you are in the Lower Mainland on the 26th and can help out, please contact Brad at 'courses "at" weaselworkers.com'

Jan  28, 2009 -  A Weasel Worker at Val d'Isere.
The group trip to the Alpine World Championships at Val d'Isere did not pan out due to accommodation issues (sounds familiar?).  However, Partick Muloney has gone as a course worker and has sent a raft of reports.  Click here to see Patrick`s Reports from the FIS Ski World Championships.

Jan 7, 2009 -  Weasel Workers at Lake Louise - 2008
Yet again a contingent of Whistler Weasel Workers travelled to Lake Louise in November to work on the Winterstart World Cup Men's and Women's Downhill and Super G races.   Read the report of John Benbow

Dec 20. 2008 -  WMSC 40th Anniversary

Over 45 Weasel Workers joined the Whistler Mountain Ski Club at Myrtle Philip Community Center in a celebration of the clubs' 40th Anniversary. With an attendance of almost 250, it was a lively affair, enjoyed by all. Weasels helped with the setup, with the food and with the bar.  The evening was a bit of a stroll down memory lane, with many attendees from years gone by. Founding President, Sonny O'Sullivan was present to accept a key to the Whistler Mountain Ski Club cabin and past Administrator, Lynne Hume was honoured for many years of service to the club.

A plaque is being produced by the club honouring Presidents, Alpine Chairs and Program directors dating back to 1968 with many in attendanceat the event.

Presidents in attendance:   Sonny O’Sullivan, Bill McNeney, Bob Miller, Bob Adams, Terry Hale, Gary Taylor, Rod MacLeod, Joan Giannelli, Dick Gibbons, John Cooper, and David Newton

Alpine Chairmwn in attendance:   Owen Carney, Robin MacFarlane, Rick Hume, and John Benbow,  

Program Directors in attendance:  Al Perrett (the club's first coach), Glenn Wurtele, Joze Sparovec, and Jim Pollock

The alumni races were won by Scott Hume 1st on the Men's side, followed by  Jeff Hume and Brian Bennett who were tied for 2^nd. On the women's sided, Victoria Whitney won, followed by  and Alison Leighton and Lauren Jones.

The following is the invitation that has been posted on our Weasel Worker site for a number of weeks, with a link to the original WMSC invitation:

WMSC 40th Anniversary  -  You're Invited!
Lynne Hume writes:

Join us as the Whistler Mountain Ski Club celebrates 40 years of Developing Champions in Sport and Life. The festivities start with an afternoon alumni race on Whistler Mountain  followed by a social at Myrtle Philip School .  We hope to see alumni from all 40 years: racers, coaches, staff, parents, past presidents and directors (age limit 19 and over) as well as our special friends and supporters.

Nov 26, 2008  -  Countdown to Two World Cup Downhills
A contingent of Whistler Weasel Workers has been at work for well over a week in preparation for next Saturday's Winterstart World Cup downhill at Lake Louise.  The first training run for the men is scheduled for today. Training for the women's downhill will commence of December 2.  We wish the Sled Dogs and participating Weasels the best of luck in getting off this first World Cup downhill race of the season.  Good luck too, to our Canadian Alpine Ski Team.  

Further south, Murray Wood is our sole representative at Beaver Creek, this year, as the Talon Crew prepares for this year's edition of the Birds of Prey downhill.  Training is scheduled to commence December 2.  The Whistler Weasel Workers send their best wishes to all of our new-found friends at Beaver Creek.  Aaron, please take care of Murray.

Nov 22, 2008 -  Rotary Tribute to Owen Carney
A couple of hundred of Squamish Rotarians, family, friends and Weasel Workers gathered Saturday November 22nd as the Squamish Rotary Club paid tribute to Owen Carney. Weasels struggled to recognize one another dressed in suits & cocktail dresses - even Patman wore a tie. There was a silent auction, 50/50 draws with fun sports-like activities that kept the likes of Recycle Man entertained and a live auction where guests bid on the "Owen" experience of being a Weasel Worker for a day. Someone actually paid money to hang out in the beer tent.  

The evening featured our own Gary Taylor as a speaker who kindly paid tribute. A great speech Gary and you made us proud. Other speakers were MLA Joan McIntyre and Owen's neighbour, Rose Fast, who well roasted him. But the highlight of the evening was Owen's son Mike's tribute. It was heartfelt, revealing and he did a great delivery that included quips such as wondering how Owen got into the Skiing Hall of Fame when it was Mike who was on the National Team.

Money raised went to support The Linda Carney Rotary Cares Fund, the Squamish Rotary Foundation, the International Rotary Foundation and the Casa Colibri Medical Clinic in Guatemala. After the official ceremonies closed, it is rumoured that Weasels continued to pay tribute to Owen by keeping him up late into the next morning so that he was well prepared for his 8 AM trip to Lake Louise.                                           Report by Cindy Burton

Here's the original announcement and invitation to Owen's tribute dinner and here are some words by our President and our Chief of Gates, who organized a Weasel table.   Also, here`s a Squamish Chief newspaper report on the event. 

Nov 15, 2008 -  Crazy Canucks Book Launch
Janet Love Morrison has travelled across Canada, Europe and South America to interview over seventy people in researching her new book, "The Crazy Canucks  Canada's Legendary Ski Team".  The book is published by Harbour Publishing and includes a foreward by Peter Mansbridge.  Here's the announcement of the launch, which was held in Whistler. 

Nov 13, 2008 - VANOC Alpine Open House
I think all Weasels who attended wish to thank VANOC for its friendly hospitality at Dusty's, last Thursday night.  It was a great affair, very low key and very social.   Perhaps the best effort yet!   Getting together like that was a great start for the season and  I think most of the attendees felt pretty pumped up.  There was just one short speech, with well-chosen words and the rest was getting to yak with your friends and enjoying the good food.    Well done, VANOC, and thank you.  In case you missed it, this was the invitation.

Oct 10, 2008  -  Turkey Swap
Thanks to Peter Allan for setting up our booth in the WMSC ski swap tent and to all the Weasels who came out to show the colours and pump flesh. It's always a challenge snagging people into conversation when they are hot on the trail of the years greatest ski deal, but we managed to talk to a goodly number of  possible future Weasels.   We were at it from Friday night until Sunday night.  Thanks also to Ken Hicks for providing his usual Weasel and ski racing videos.  Here is the original announcement.

Sept 30, 2008 -  Summer Activity Program Ends
Thanks to Don Appelle and his committee for organizing two outings on Grouse Mountain during the summer, with special thanks to Boris Duff for making available the Grouse Mountain Ski Patrol cabin and for providing a great meal of Boris-cooked hamburgers.  Both evenings were a great success.  Even though the second evening was a tad damp, a hardy group of stalwart Weasels hiked the Grouse Grind.  Older, and wiser attendees rode the Skyway.    Here is more information with photos

May 3, 2008 -  Weasel Golf, BBQ and AGM
The annual Weasel Golf Classic, BBQ and AGM came off without a hitch.  Past President, Don Appelle conducted the AGM with the usual alacrity.  Pat O'Connell (Patman) remains our President.  Race Chair, Owen Carney announced plans for a super-beer-tent (The Weasel House) to be organized and funded by the Weasels in 2010.  Thanks to Owen for offering up his house again for the BBQ and to Shefley and the two Appelles and others for services in the kitchen and at the barbecue.  Well done all, and congratulations to the winners of the many prizes and trophys for prowess on the links.  Here is a little more information and some photos.  Please check out the list of sponsors who so generously supported our golf tournament.

March 1, 2008  -   Looking back on the 2008 Whistler World Cup 
The Pontiac GMC Canadian Alpine Ski Championships and the Telus Whistler World Cup races are finally over.   A month of hard work building and maintaining two world-class downhill courses. For some, there were months of preparation before the Weasel Army started work, at the beginning of February.  There were many special challenges this year, but we came through, the weather came through, in the end and we had a very successful World Cup race series.   Take a look at more retrospective comments.