Vancouver Information and Newspaper

Some Olympic athletes competing at Cypress Mountain are being sent to train at Whistler to preserve the snow that organizers have been trucking in to the West Vancouver venue.

Tim Gayda, vice-president, sport, said most of the courses are finished and ready for competition, and organizers want to keep it that way by reducing traffic on the snow-deprived mountain.

Practices for free riding and free skiing have been moved to Whistler, and some of the half pipe training has moved, too.

“(They’re) making sure they have enough snow to weather the duration of the Games,” said Gayda, adding the white stuff is still being moved to the venue by helicopter.

“The focus is getting the field of play at its best,” he said.