Dear Members,

I want to update everyone on our plans going forward for the next couple weeks.

It was our intention to begin outdoor sessions on the weekends with various forms of activity, ultimately wanting to stay engaged with our racers. As we started to research what our options were, infections from a new COVID variant started to seriously ramp up in Whistler, with many infections hitting the younger generation.

Yesterday I spoke with Dr. Fern von der Porten (Member WMSC, 2 kids) who is the Whistler Medical Director to get her perspective. She was very quick to say NO, not a good idea for anyone to be gathering in our community at the moment. She said “Whistler currently has a very high number of COVID cases, including the Brazil variant. We are seeing young and healthy people becoming very sick and requiring hospitalization. Numbers are on the rise. Until we get a better handle on this next wave, I strongly recommend that we take a pause on our training and gathering. The safety of our athletes, coaches and community depend on it. In Ski Racing terms, this wave is the real thing: the first one was inspection, and the second one was a training run. This one is the real event. Time to use every skill we’ve learned over the last year. Every choice matters. Mask up and keep it very tight. This is a scary one.”

This recommendation from a leader in the Whistler community health care is clear and unambiguous. We feel the club needs to follow this advice at this critical public health moment in Whistler. In discussions with our WMSC Executive Committee , and the Lead Coaches. we have decided to suspend further in-person activities for the time being and look at other online or virtual programming we can offer our athletes in the meantime.

The Lead coaches will be sending out Zoom dates etc to get the ball rolling on engaging with the racers.

These are difficult times for all athletes, coaches, staff and membership. We need to band together to get to the other side of this pandemic in a safe and responsible way.

Regards,

Bob

Dear Members,

In light of the abrupt announced closure of WB for the remainder of the season, we want to ensure you that we are reviewing all opportunities available to engage with our racers.

Over the last couple of days Dale, Richard, the coaching team and I have been taking down all the nets on the training center and readying it for next season. Certainly not how any one of us had planned on ending the ski season!

As you all know the current Covid numbers in Whistler are not good. We want to support the community during this period and will therefore pause our activities for the weekend ahead. During this pause the Lead Coaches, Richard and I will spend the time to develop a game plan going forward for April.

We will have a program and each Lead coach will send out a communique early next week in their weekly update.

We appreciate your patience as we determine the best plan for our athletes going forward.

Regards,

Bob

Unfortunately we have just been informed that WB is closed for the season. Rest assured the Board and I will be working on the impact this will have on the Club. Once we have a plan defined, we will be back to you with details.

Thank you again for your support and patience throughout the entire season; this was not the way we had envisioned the season ending.

Regards,

Bob

Due to the closure of Whistler Blackcomb Mountain, we are cancelling the EL and Plan a Practice course.

All fees will be refunded and the course will be rescheduled for a later date.

By now you all have seen the news regarding WB closing until April 19th. We are in touch with the Mountain to determine what programming may be possible post April 19th. There is no doubt that WB will need some time to formulate their plans going forward. Once we are made aware of the plan we will communicate back to the membership.

Regards,

Bob