Even though there’s no free public parking in Whistler during the Olympics it hasn’t stopped Brydon Parker and Ira Hunter from finding places to put their limousine in the resort.

In fact, they’ve been given much more than free parking spots: free highway permits, Whistler Blackcomb lift passes, Olympic event tickets, food, beer and more.

Don’t worry about accommodation, though — the Victoria buddies have that part covered at least.

By now you’ve probably heard about Parker and Hunter and their 2010 Olympic media gimmick, Living in a Limo. In recent days they’ve been featured on countless TV and radio stations and are getting recognized as the limo guys almost everywhere they go.

They’re doing just what the name implies — living in a limousine for the duration of the Games, travelling around Vancouver and Whistler to experience Olympic sights and sounds.

Parker said the pair decided to make a documentary about the Games experience, and they’ve been interviewing everyone from top international athletes and music stars to regular Janes and homeless people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. All the while sleeping and eating in the used limo they bought for the journey.

The two have spent about six days in Whistler since the Games started on Feb. 12, and Parker said highlights so far have been interviewing former local Olympic snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, music stars Swollen Members, Swiss multiple medalist Simon Ammann and others. In Vancouver, the experience of feeding hot dogs to homeless people really stood out, he said.

The Olympic vibe is a little more laid back in Whistler compared to Vancouver, Parker said. Whistler locals make up a “tight community” that’s taking the Games in stride, he said.

“There’s not too many negative Nellies up here. Everyone’s pretty positive,” he said of Whistler.

The limo guys have been posting snippets of interviews and personal Games experiences on their website (livinginalimo.com) and You Tube. Parker said Living in a Limo gimmick started as a media test to see how far they could go, who they could interview and how much sponsorship support and attention they could get.

“Somehow the word just exploded,” he said. “It has turned into a grassroots phenomenon.”
Though the flatulence in the limo is starting to get a little crazy, Parker said he and Hunter keep things pretty tidy and clean the inside of the vehicle each day. The guys are using local spas to get cleaned up and keep the limo smelling fresh. The air freshener sponsorship doesn’t hurt, either.

Parker and Hunter work for Absolute Underground TV and have a support team working on the technical side of things from Victoria, Parker said.

Based on the success of Living in a Limo at the 2010 Olympics, he said the plan is to come back to Whistler for the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival in April. The guys are starting to seek out local sponsors for the return trip.

Parker said South by Southwest, Burning Man and other high profile festivals are also on the Living in a Limo agenda.