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Sea to Sky corridor residents woke up to new, temporary Olympic Games-time transportation realities this week, with limited private-vehicle parking in Whistler but enhanced transit service that's supposed to help get commuters out of their vehicles.
A 135-bus B.C. Transit network — including both new routes within Whistler and more frequent service connecting Whistler with Pemberton and Squamish — went into service on Monday (Feb. 1). Four times the size of the normal Sea to Sky corridor transit fleet, it's set to operate through the end of the Olympic Games on Feb. 28.
Corridor commuters who work in Whistler and didn't have a designated parking spot were forced to take the bus, with the usual commuter lot — Day Skier lot 4 — and other day skier parking taken over by Games organizers VANOC for use as a regular transit hub up before and during the Olympics this month and the Paralympic Games in March.
Whistler Blackcomb (WB) officials reassured those who wish to drive to Whistler to ski between Feb. 1 and 10 that parking is available — for a price.
At least 1,300 covered indoor and outdoor parking places are available in seven locations in and around Whistler Village for prices starting at $20 for a 12-hour period, WB officials said in a statement issued Jan. 26. Skiers and riders were urged to reserve parking spots by visiting www.advancednet.ca starting Monday.
As well, the temporary lot located on the Whistler Golf Course driving range is open until Sunday (Feb. 7) and again March 1 to 21, the final day of the Paralympic Games. The cost for Lot 10 is $20 for a 12-hour period beginning at 6 a.m., or $10 after 4 p.m. Daytime parking can be pre-purchased online at www.advancenet.ca. Pre-purchase is not available for evening parking; payment may be made at on-sit meters, WB officials said.
The Whistler North parking lot, Lot 11, 2.5 kilometres north of Whistler Village off Highway 99, is also open Feb. 1 to 10 and March 1 to 21. Pricing for Lot 11 in February is $20 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and $10 in March. It includes a free shuttle to and from the base of the mountains until 6 p.m..
No day skier parking will be available from Feb. 11 to 28. Day skiers and riders are encouraged to travel to Whistler on private carriers from Vancouver.
For B.C. Transit schedules, the Sea to Sky checkpoint and all your Games-time travel information, visit travelsmart2010.ca.
