Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart Receives Green Light: It’s a Go!
LAKE LOUISE, AB (November 15, 2006) – The Race Organizing Committee of the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup proudly presented by Bombardier has received approval from the International Ski Federation (FIS) to proceed with final preparations, following hill inspection and snow control at the Lake Louise Mountain Resort, part of the Resort of the Canadian Rockies.
Snow conditions have met the FIS standards to host a World Cup. The seasonal snow falls and the resort capacity to produce snow allow organizers to continue with the preparations to host this world-class event in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
Currently, Lake Louise Mountain Resort evaluates the snow depth at 79cm (31”) at the Mountain top. This past week, the upper alpine at Resort has received 77cm of snow.
Helmuth Schmalzl, the FIS Assistant Race Director for the Men’s World Cup circuit, gave approval to proceed with the first Men’s Downhill and Super G of the season showcasing the world’s best and fastest ski racers on Nov. 25 and 26.
Schmalzl described the snow as good racing quality in some areas, but improvement will be necessary in other sections of the race course.
“All race preparations have been carefully looked after by the Committee,” said Bruce Hamstead, Executive Director of Race Operations for the Race Organizing Committee, who toured the course with Mr. Schmalzl this morning. “An army of volunteers have been working hard to prepare for this event, and everyone is thrilled to see the course get full marks and the green light to race next week.”
Over 300 volunteers are involved with the Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart event, with a core group of around 40 working year-round.
The first men’s downhill of the World Cup season will be televised by the CBC in Canada with an additional six international networks on site set to carry the Lake Louise races to more than 140 million viewers worldwide.
Lake Louise is the first North American resort ever to be named to the prestigious Club 5+, the organization that brings together the most famous and historic World Cup alpine racing courses in the world. The Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup races also represent Canada’s only World Cup stop.
The Lake Louise Mountain Resort has a vertical rise of 991 meters with a top elevation at 2637 meters. The ski area stretches on 1700 hectares. Today, five lifts and 27 runs are open to the public.