One of Calgary’s favourite places to ski is getting bigger, offering more runs and more challenge for ski hounds to enjoy.
Winsport unveiled their new $4M project that adds eight additional acres to the facility and 100 feet to the new hill.
There will be bigger runs and more of them geared not just for recreational skiers and snowboarders, but for competitive skiers as well.
They’ve also added a new quad chairlift which will allow an additional 2,400 skiers and snowboarders to be moved up the hill every hour.
There has also been a 30 percent increase in vertical height on the main ski hill which allows the facility to meet the standards to host a World Cup Women’s Slalom race.
Also, a 25 degree grade has been added to the east side of the complex, creating a double black diamond course.
COP now has runs in all three levels of difficulty.
The new expansion also provides for Alpine Canada with a new slalom training facility for the national and developmental teams.
A World Cup skier says he's glad to have a run in Calgary. "We spend eight months a year traveling Europe, South America, competing and training so to have the opportunity to compete at home in front of our friends and families is amazing," says Trevor White.
A World Cup race hasn't yet been confirmed, but the first competition to test out the new course will be held in March.
Officials at COP initially wanted the expansion to open in winter of 2011, but they say on their website that they experienced delays in the land fill requirements.
FIS and Alpine Canada also needed to inspect and approve the vertical specifications.
Canada Olympic Park was the main skiing venue for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, hosting ski jumping, bobsleigh, luge, as well as many other skiing events.
The site also features Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame which was opened to the public on July 1, 2011.
Canada Olympic Park is Calgary’s highest vantage point.
