Vancouver stockpiling snow for Olympic events
John Stall and 680News staff
Feb 08, 2010 09:12:33 AM
With the Olympic opening ceremonies now just five days away, Vancouver is dealing with a lack of snow.
Athletes are scheduled to begin their training, Monday, on Cypress Mountain, just north of Vancouver, but not everyone will be taking to the hills.
While snow continues to be flown and trucked in to dump on the mountain top, organizers have had to delay training for snowboarders competing in the halfpipe and parallel giant slalom in order to protect the snow on those courses.
VANOC CEO John Furlong says snow is being brought in from as far as three hours away from the slopes, and that they will continue the snow relocation beyond the opening days to ensure there is enough to last throughout the games.
International Olympic Committee has said that it remains confident the ski venue will be ready for this weekend's start of the 2010 games.
The IOC has also stated that athletes will still be given ample time on the slopes to prepare for competition.
This has been the warmest January on record for the Cypress Mountain area.