Hi,
I'm applying to get tickets for ski events too. If you don't already know, now is the time to apply for tickets at Cosport.com. You apply then find out in mid-December what you got.
All of the below refers to alpine skiing at Whistler--I don't know anything about Cypress events.
What is it like skiing at a resort like Whistler or Cypress (which I know is smaller) when a big event like this is going on? Is it just pointlessly crowded?
First, there's lots we don't know yet about Whistler and spectator access. They haven't decided it they are even going to let private cars drive up there--it might be all shuttle access. Lodging hasn't been released, either--it's still be held for the Olympic committee, which is figuring out how many rooms the athletes/press/ coaches/etc need. There are websites up where private home/condo owners are offering their homes for rent; the ones I've seen usually are renting only for the entire 2 week period, and a 1 bd condo was running around $1000/night (so, 14k for Olympic accomodations). So, it's possible that we won't be able to ski up there--if we can't get overnight accomodation, for example.
If we do end up getting accomodations up there, I seriously doubt the slopes will be crowded. So much of the lodging will be taken up by Olympics people who won't be skiing, and people who want a regular ski vacation sure won't be going there then. Whister is actually quite worried skiers are going to avoid the resort that whole season, since everyone thinks it's going to be crazy all year.
Is it more fun to watch at the stands at the bottom or to watch from midhill somewhere? Is it even possible to watch from midhill?
If you look at alpine ticket sales, you have a choice of A (more expensive) or B seats. They haven't told us if we are allowed to watch mid-mountain. I was there for the World Cup events on the Olympic courses last February, and you could indeed ski on runs that bumbed up against the race course. But, you could only see the racers for a second as they whizzed by, then they turned a corner and trees blocked the view. The official viewing area was only at the end.
What's your opinion as to which events are most fun to watch live? (of alpine racing, aerials, moguls, skicross (like skier X), snowboard cross, etc.)
With alpine racing, you are actually watching most of the race on a huge monitor. Watching GS is kind of cool because you get to see them navigate a number of gates at the bottom (I guess slalom might also be good for that reason, but I don't find slalom very exciting in general). But it is all exciting--even watching most of a downhill or Super G on a screen, people cheer and get really excited.
I am applying for super G tickets on the theory that most people don't know what super g is, and I'll have a better shot getting tickets.
