Canada Olympic Park

Infobox ski area
name= Canada Olympic Park, Calgary

picture= Canada_olympic_park_summer_2005.jpeg
caption= Canada Olympic Park, Summer 2005
location= AB CAN
nearest_city= flag|Calgary
lat_degrees= 51
lat_minutes= 04
lat_seconds= 47
lat_direction= N
long_degrees= 114
long_minutes= 12
long_seconds= 57
long_direction= W
top_elevation= m to ft|1250|abbr=yes|wiki=yes
base_elevation= m to ft|1130|abbr=yes|wiki=yes
skiable_area= km2 to mi2|0.4|abbr=yes|wiki=yes
number_trails= 2
longest_run= m to ft|639|abbr=yes|wiki=yes
liftsystem= 2 chairlifts, 4 magic carpet
snowfall= m to ft|1.14|abbr=yes|wiki=yes /year
external_link= [http://www.canadaolympicpark.ca/ Canada Olympic Park] |

Canada Olympic Park (C.O.P.) is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The park is operated by 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 Olympics, Canada Olympic Park was the primary venue for ski jumping, bobsleigh, and luge. CODA 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, C.O.P. is used for warm-weather sports such as cycling (there are km to mi|25|abbr=yes of bike trails) and is also the site of a number of summer festivals.

The park is also home to a National Sports School and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum. Major expansions and additions are currently under way in an effort to maintain the park's status as a world-class training facility.

The park is located within Calgary's limits, close to the city's western edge on the Trans-Canada Highway.

1988 Winter Olympics

The ski resort 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).

kiing and Snowboarding

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 will be 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.

Mountain Biking

In the summer Canada Olympic Park is open for the sport of mountain biking. The high speed chairlift is used with bike racks on the chairs. There are numerous trails on the hill's west side, complete with north shore ladder stunts and singletrack trails. The east trees just contain regular trails, with minimal stunts and jumps. COP is also outfitted with a downhill course that holds competitions through the summer. The trails are designed for all riding abilities. Canada Olympic Park also has a large dirt jump park and trials park. Summer sports camps run all summer with activities ranging from luge to ski jumping.

ee also

*List of ski areas and resorts in Canada
*XV Olympic Winter Games

External links

* [http://canadaolympicpark.ca/ Canada Olympic Park Website]