1

During the early 1960's, events took place that would change the valley of Alta Lake forever. A group of Vancouver businessmen and members of Canada's Olympic Committee formed an association called the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association (GODA) to seek out and develop a site to host a future Winter Olympic Games in Western Canada.

2

Alta Lake was the original site for local settlement before the development of Whistler Mountain.
1950
Whistler Valley, British Columbia

3

Past GODA President and longtime Whistler local Garry Watson speaks about the 1968 Olympic Bid.
30 May 2003
Whistler Town Center, Whistler, British Columbia

4

A prelude to North America's Number One Ski Destination.
1965
Creekside, Whistler, British Columbia

5

A site was chosen near London Mountain in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Although the site had many positive attributes it was essentially still wilderness, with the exception of a few existing fishing lodges and a small pioneer community. There was no road access, hydro, water, or sewage system. It is clear that these men must have had a strong vision to venture into this undeveloped territory with the confidence that their plan would succeed.

6

The History of Olympic Bids in the Whistler Valley
29 May 2003

7

In 1960, the Garibaldi Lifts Limited (GLL) was formed with Franz Wilhelmsen as president. The GLL's two main objectives were to finance and supervise required studies for future Olympics, and to erect and operate lifts on London Mountain.

8

Artist's conception of how a paradise should be carved out in Whistler.
1960
Whistler Mountain, Whistler, British Columbia

9

Video about the role Franz Wilhelmsen played in the development of Whistler Mountain.
May, 2003
Whistler Town Center, Whistler, British Columbia

10

Promotional Poster for the1968 Bid.
1961

11

In 1961, GODA bid to secure the Canadian Olympic Committee's nomination to host the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. Canadian experts were brought in to advise GODA on essential facilities required for the individual events. Overall, GODA met all the technical requirements. However, due to a lack of regional development and highway access, Banff was the favored destination chosen by the Canadian Olympic Committee in 1964.

12

Early development stages of the Whistler Creekside prior to its official opening in 1966.
1964
Creekside, Whistler, British Columbia

13

Between 1962 and 1965, the GLL worked to raise money and begin development of the ski area on the south side of Whistler Mountain. Financing for the development of Whistler was hard to obtain without power, a water system, or a road. At that time, the provincial government stated that if capital for lifts and operations could be raised, then they would extend the highway from Squamish to Whistler.

14

Video of John Fraser commenting on the development of Whistler Mountain in the 1960s.
May, 2003
Whistler Town Center, Whistler, British Columbia