Ghana´s Snow Leopard in Whistler, British Columbia

Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong from Ghana, nicknamed the 'Snow Leopard', first stepped on skis six years ago at an indoor ski slope in the United Kingdom. Now, as a qualified athlete for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games next February, Kwame is the sole member of the Ghanaian 2010 Winter Games team.

In July, through an invitation from Tourism British Columbia, Tourism Whistler and the Canadian Tourism Commission, Kwame visited Whistler, BC – the Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Winter Games – to check out the Olympic alpine venues and experience summer skiing on Whistler's Horstman Glacier. Tourism British Columbia field reporter Chris Wheeler caught up with Kwame in Whistler and videos of the extraordinary visit are now posted on Youtube and Tourism BC's website, www.HelloBC.com.

While the highlight of the visit was most certainly glacier skiing on Whistler Blackcomb, while in Whistler Kwame and his family also travelled the new world record-setting PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, went ziplining in Whistler's temperate rain forest, cycled the valley trails, went canoeing on Alta Lake, visited the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott.

"This trip to British Columbia marks an important milestone in Kwame's journey to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and we are delighted to be a part of this exciting occasion," said Rod Harris, President and CEO, Tourism BC. "Kwame and his family certainly immersed themselves into the local surroundings during their stay and had some unique Whistler experiences that we are thrilled to share with potential visitors to BC."

Whistler 2009 - Staff visit by Sandra Potter

Whistler was a revelation – gorgeous – blue skies, good snow – one of my skiing friends who has been to Whistler countless times said it was one of the best days skiing he had ever had. I am a non-skier but I had such a good weekend! I used the Sno-Limo and I could feel my grin stretching from ear to ear as I “skied” for the first time since I broke my back. The Sno-Limo is a new idea – essentially you are a passenger on a sled being guided by a skier from behind – it is fantastic!! You can access all parts of the mountain, we used the Peak Chair as well as Harmony and the new Peak2Peak Gondola. That was amazing too! 11 minutes of picture postcard views and I was lucky, I got one of the cabins with the glass floor so we could see down into Fitzsimmons Creek too. It may be the longest cable car ride in the world but no one told me how smooth it was – no bumps and no heart-stopping swinging. The weekend was action packed, as well as the Sno Limo, I went snow shoeing through the forest, visited the new Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and then relaxed with a wonderful massage at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and still found time for some delicious meals.
I stayed at the Four Seasons – what a treat – glorious comfortable beds, huge rooms, great service and an excellent breakfast!
Flew back last night on one of Air Canada’s new Airbus 330s – very comfy and with its seat back tvs lots of entertainment choices.

Whistler & Sun Peaks - staff visit by Mark Hill

My excitement was tangible as I boarded the Air Canada flight to Vancouver. As with the entire trip the service levels were first class, we had the metaphoric red carpet rolled out.

Once in Vancouver the drive downtown was spectacular with the Coastal Mountains as the backdrop. After a quick shower at our hotel, The Fairmont Waterfront we were met in the lobby by the first of many friendly faces for a tour of this wonderfully positioned hotel. Dinner that evening was in the Pan Pacific which is the envy of all the Vancouver hotels with its position directly on the Waterfront with views of the Harbour & Mountains.

Our one & only full day in Vancouver was certainly action packed. It started with a tour of China Town & Gastown which are interesting areas & rich in history. Then to the Sky Tower which affords glorious 360 degrees views of the downtown & surrounding areas (you can actually see the Mountains of Washington State in America). The highlight of the day was a visit to Granville Island which actually isn’t an Island but a Peninsula. They have a wonderful market & lots of lovely craft shops, the whole area had a very laid back atmosphere. The afternoon was spent visiting the Vancouver Aquarium located in the heart of Stanley Park, the Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mountain where we partook in some Snowshoeing.

I’d heard so many great stories about the Sea to Sky highway & wasn’t disappointed when I finally got my chance to experience this breathtaking journey. Once in Whistler I was extremely happy with my accommodation at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. The highlight of the whole trip was this afternoon’s Snowmobiling. We were taken in small groups up a tree lined, snow capped trail to the summit of one of Whistler’s many mountains which afforded knock out views as far as the eye can see! Dinner this evening was at Nika Lake Lodge which is a new development in Creekside on the banks of the Nika Lake. The hotel has been beautifully finished in dark wood to an extremely high standard. Dinner in the Lodge’s restaurant was exquisite & the views afforded by its position overlooking Nika Lake were stunning.

The following 2 days were all about Skiing the famous slopes of Whistler. Being a complete novice I was relatively relaxed about stepping onto the slopes for the first time & very excited about the new powder that had fallen overnight (approx 5cm). By the end of the day my mood had changed considerably, I was frustrated, angry & ready to consign my ski career to the garbage but was determined to continue the following day. I had to quickly change for a site inspection & evening meal at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The Fairmont has a very imposing lobby which sets a president that thankfully the remainder of the hotel lives up to. The rooms are a good size, beautifully decorated & very sumptuous. We were spoilt in the restaurant to a 5 course marathon which was washed down with the finest BC wine.



I’d hardly had time for my head to touch the pillow when I awoke & headed straight for the Four Seasons Resort for what can only be described as a monster breakfast which included fruits, cereal, traditional & freshly made omelettes. After a hearty breakfast I headed for the slopes again for a more successful days skiing. Maybe it was the breakfast but something clicked up on Whistler Mountain & I returned to the base a jubilant mood.

After two wonderful days in Whistler we headed East to the much more peaceful resort of Sun Peaks. The drive between the two roads along the Duffy Lake Road was spectacular. It was a complete shock to the system after Whistler to walk from one end of the village to the other in a matter of 5 minutes. The first thing that struck me was the beautiful village stroll with the quaint properties on either side. We had another wonderful evening meal this time in the Delta Sun Peak’s restaurant “Mantles” again washed down by BC’s finest Vin Rouge.

My final full day in Canada was spent on the slopes of Sun Peaks. Sun Peaks is blessed with the second largest terrain in Western Canada behind Whistler. The three mountains that surround the village Mt Tod (the original), Mt Sundance & Mt Morrisey create a super backdrop to this fantastic family resort. I had my best days Skiing in Sun Peaks. Looking at the other properties the Delta Sun Peaks & the new Delta Residences stood out head & shoulders above the rest.

I’ve been asked many times what Canadian’s are like & I’ve found it a difficult question to answer. I still can’t pinpoint any specific mannerisms or traits but what I did discover is that they are the most friendly, helpful & welcoming people.

Whistler - Staff visit by Dave Ashmore

The slope in front of me was deserted and above me the sky stretched blue to infinity, snow decorated the trees and my last, but one, run of the day looked certain to match those that preceded it.

I had spent much of the afternoon exploring Whistler’s newest lift-served addition, the glorious Symphony Bowl, which until recently was inaccessible. High on the bowl there are fabulous views across to Blackcomb mountain, lower down there are plenty of challenging glade runs and even the more relaxed, regular, trails have trees to weave in and around.

Working my way back to the resort at the end of the day, I found myself atop an empty Dave Murray trail. I pushed off and, assuming a tuck position, gathered pace. My mind raced – a numbered bib, the sound of cowbells, flags of all nations fluttering beside the piste, for the trail is to be home to the Olympic downhill in 2010. I flew down it, cold wind in my hair and victory in my sights, but all too soon my Olympic dream was over, as I had to cut off it and on to a narrower trail leading back to the main Whistler Village resort.

I might not have booked a spot on the podium, but it was none the less a great couple of minutes ‘living the dream’, part of a great day on a great mountain.

Whistler will host the alpine skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Dave Murray run and other trails that will form the Olympic slopes are all part of the extensive skiing terrain on offer to visitors to Whistler Blackcomb before and after the Olympics. During the Olympics themselves skiers and snowboarders will still be able to make use of all but the few trails set aside for the racing. But if you can, why not get there before 2010 and try out Dave Murray, but remember – listen out for those cowbells!