Canada Olympic Park
Encyclopedia
Canada Olympic Park (formally known as Paskapoo Ski Hill) is located in Calgary
, Alberta
, Canada
. The park is operated by WinSport Canada http://www.winsportcanada.ca formerly the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA). It is currently used both for high performance athletic training and for recreational purposes by the general public. During the 1988 Winter Olympics
, Canada Olympic Park was the primary venue for ski jumping
, bobsleigh
, and luge
. WinSport Canada still maintains these facilities for training and competitive purposes. In the winter, the park is also used for downhill skiing, snowboarding
, and cross-country skiing
. In the summer, COP is used for warm-weather sports such as mountain biking (there are 25 km (15.5 mi) of bike trails) and is also the site of a number of summer festivals.
The park is home to the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, a summer challenge course and zip line. Many summer camps are available.
Major expansions and additions are under way to maintain the park's status as a training facility to gain back business and stature from the Vancouver 2010 venues.
On December 15, 2010, a phase of the Athletic and Ice Complex (AIC) opened which includes 3 ice surfaces to be used by Hockey Calgary and other groups as well as a restaurant. In 2011 the second phase will open which includes the 4th (Olympic size) ice surface to accommodate 3,800 fans. In 2012, the third phase will open which includes gyms, a public fitness center, public sport development center and a high intensity training center for athletes. The AIC is located in front and to the side of the sliding sports training center known as the "Ice House". The track in the Ice house can be seen from the upper floor corridor of the arenas.
The park is located in western Calgary, south of the Trans-Canada Highway
, north of the community of Cougar Ridge and west of Bowness.
is one of the best-known legacies of the XV Olympic Winter Games which were held in Calgary in 1988. It was the main venue for this event, hosting: bobsleigh
, luge
(both at the now bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
), nordic combined
, ski jumping
, freestyle skiing
(aerials and ballet).
Canada Olympic Park is a popular place for people looking to go skiing
or snowboarding
but do not want to drive out to the mountains. The hill is divided into three sections, the downhill racing section, the casual section and the terrain park
.
The terrain park is of exceptional quality, and as of 2006, the halfpipe has been enlarged to be an exact replica of the halfpipe that was used for the 2010 Winter Olympics
in Vancouver
. Other features of the terrain park include spines, handrail
, and tables.
There are currently 6 lifts that are being used on a regular basis, a four passenger detachable high speed chairlift
, a four person standard chair, and 4 Magic Carpets
. There is also a single chair that provides access to one of the smaller ski jumps
, and a double chair (which has been recently removed), that takes people from the base area to near the base of the 90m ski jump tower.
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The park is operated by WinSport Canada http://www.winsportcanada.ca formerly the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA). It is currently used both for high performance athletic training and for recreational purposes by the general public. During the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, Canada Olympic Park was the primary venue for ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
, bobsleigh
Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh or bobsled is a winter sport in which teams of two or four make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled that are combined to calculate the final score....
, and luge
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
. WinSport Canada still maintains these facilities for training and competitive purposes. In the winter, the park is also used for downhill skiing, snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
, and cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
. In the summer, COP is used for warm-weather sports such as mountain biking (there are 25 km (15.5 mi) of bike trails) and is also the site of a number of summer festivals.
The park is home to the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, a summer challenge course and zip line. Many summer camps are available.
Major expansions and additions are under way to maintain the park's status as a training facility to gain back business and stature from the Vancouver 2010 venues.
On December 15, 2010, a phase of the Athletic and Ice Complex (AIC) opened which includes 3 ice surfaces to be used by Hockey Calgary and other groups as well as a restaurant. In 2011 the second phase will open which includes the 4th (Olympic size) ice surface to accommodate 3,800 fans. In 2012, the third phase will open which includes gyms, a public fitness center, public sport development center and a high intensity training center for athletes. The AIC is located in front and to the side of the sliding sports training center known as the "Ice House". The track in the Ice house can be seen from the upper floor corridor of the arenas.
The park is located in western Calgary, south of the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
, north of the community of Cougar Ridge and west of Bowness.
1988 Winter Olympics
The ski resortSki resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
is one of the best-known legacies of the XV Olympic Winter Games which were held in Calgary in 1988. It was the main venue for this event, hosting: bobsleigh
Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh or bobsled is a winter sport in which teams of two or four make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled that are combined to calculate the final score....
, luge
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
(both at the now bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
Canada Olympic Park bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
The Canada Olympic Park bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track is a bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track located in Calgary, Canada. Part of Canada Olympic Park, it hosted the bobsleigh and luge competitions at the 1988 Winter Olympics...
), nordic combined
Nordic combined
The Nordic combined is a winter sport in which athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.- History :While Norwegian soldiers are known to have been competing in Nordic skiing since the 19th century, the first major competition in Nordic combined was held in 1892 in Oslo at the...
, ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
, freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing
Freestyle skiing is form of skiing which used to encompass two disciplines: aerials, and moguls. Except the two disciplines mentioned earlier Freestyle Skiing now consists of Skicross, Half Pipe and Slope Style...
(aerials and ballet).
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
or snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
but do not want to drive out to the mountains. The hill is divided into three sections, the downhill racing section, the casual section and the terrain park
Terrain park
A terrain park is an outdoor area that contains terrain that allows skiers and snowboarders to perform tricks. Terrain parks have their roots in skateparks and many of the features are common to both. One of the first in-bounds terrain parks was the "Snowboard Park" built in 1990 at the Vail...
.
The terrain park is of exceptional quality, and as of 2006, the halfpipe has been enlarged to be an exact replica of the halfpipe that was used for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. Other features of the terrain park include spines, handrail
Handrail
A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide stability or support. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent injurious falls. Other applications include bathroom handrails—which help to prevent falls on...
, and tables.
There are currently 6 lifts that are being used on a regular basis, a four passenger detachable high speed chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
, a four person standard chair, and 4 Magic Carpets
Magic carpet (ski lift)
A magic carpet is a type of surface lift installed at ski areas to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill...
. There is also a single chair that provides access to one of the smaller ski jumps
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
, and a double chair (which has been recently removed), that takes people from the base area to near the base of the 90m ski jump tower.