The Volvo AWD Whistler Experience... March/April, 2005 [Archive]

coastal

02-10-2005, 08:44 PM

Anyone else here going to the Volvo AWD Whistler Experience (http://www.whistler.volvocanada.com/)?

Check this out... accomodation for one night at the Westin Whistler plus meals, a driving course and a lift ticket for Whistler, which I assume can be used at a later date... Free of Charge!

The unfortunate part is that it's limited to those who've received an invitation by mail... But hope is not all lost as it looks like you can register to receive information on future events.

I'm not sure specifically why we were invited, but I'll take it! Could have been that I registered on their site quite some time ago, or because Volvo thinks my 2001 is due for a replacement :D

We're registered for the March 17-18th, anyone else going to be there at that time? :D

Check it out and register to receive information on future events here:
http://www.whistler.volvocanada.com/

Combustion

02-13-2005, 09:45 PM

Hey Coastal,

It's Mitch! I got an invitation to the V50 event and registered for March 19-20.

Which one was your invitation for?

Mitch

coastal

02-15-2005, 02:17 AM

Hey Mitch,

Which one? Not sure if it was specific to model.. When I registered she asked me for my preference on vehicle, to which I replied XC70/90.

I'll keep an eye out for ya, will probably stay up for the weekend.

Cheers!

Taylor

Art

02-25-2005, 08:13 PM

Just received an official invite myself guys. Hard to pass this one up, eh? ;) We’ll be driving through the area on our way out to the Island around the 9th or 10th of March and will likely set aside some time on the 17th and 18th to take advantage of the offer. I’ll touch bases with you before we leave. :)

John@CdnRockies

02-25-2005, 09:20 PM

Wowee! Have fun up there guys. Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will co-operate. Sure beats being a paying customer and you get to see and drive the new rigs! We will look for your postings.

John

coastal

02-26-2005, 02:15 AM

Right on Art! Be sure to let us know when your reservations have been confirmed, would be great to see you guys :D

Just received an official invite myself guys. Hard to pass this one up, eh? ;) We’ll be driving through the area on our way out to the Island around the 9th or 10th of March and will likely set aside some time on the 17th and 18th to take advantage of the offer. I’ll touch bases with you before we leave. :)

cbob

02-26-2005, 10:59 AM

Yipee! :)

I sent Taylor a note before I saw this thread revived, so I'll try to sign up for the same weekend.

Now... I don't really need a room at the Westin, but I might just try it out for fun. After all, it's just a short walk from home. :D :D

Art? Taylor? Need an extra room? ;)

coastal

02-26-2005, 12:01 PM

This is going to be kool. :D

Be sure to note that March 17-18 is a Thursday, Friday :)

Art

02-28-2005, 02:34 PM

Right on Art! Be sure to let us know when your reservations have been confirmed, would be great to see you guys. :D

Just found out that our reservations for the Whistler event won’t likely be confirmed until Wednesday. The fact that I registered late last Friday will hopefully give us a better chance of slipping in at the start since I discovered that many of the respondents were just beginning to register today.

I assume that everyone else here had their reservations confirmed. :)

AWD*V70XC

02-28-2005, 03:14 PM

This is going to be kool. :D

Be sure to note that March 17 is a Thursday :)

Be sure to note that March 17th is also http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_9_7.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxuk156AYGB) to be sure be sure

Another one of those days when the whole World becomes Irish just to have the day off. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/6/6_14_7.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxuk156AYGB)

John@CdnRockies

03-02-2005, 06:35 AM

In the spirit of Cameron's note ... March 17th is also the day that Faye and Stephanie (our 16 year old) are headed off to Ireland/England for two weeks of mother/daughter bonding. Since neither of them enjoys a pint I will have to triple my consumption back here in Canada (:eek: - looks like taxi for me).:D

John

cbob

03-02-2005, 05:23 PM

I assume that everyone else here had their reservations confirmed. :)

I just got the invite and signed up on Saturday, so I don't know if they will actually phone me to confirm as they claim. Have not heard anything so far.

Doin' the pee-pee dance.

cbob

03-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Faye and Stephanie (our 16 year old) are headed off to Ireland/England for two weeks of mother/daughter bonding. Since neither of them enjoys a pint ...John

If you are lucky, the bonding process in Ireland will leave them both with a taste for Guinness! :p
If you are unlucky, the bonding process in England will leave them both with a taste for "British Cuisine". :eek:

Either way, your days as The Alpha Male will never be the same again. :D :D

Let's hope that they at least let you drive the XC on weekends. :cool:

Art

03-03-2005, 11:44 AM

I just got the invite and signed up on Saturday, so I don't know if they will actually phone me to confirm as they claim. Have not heard anything so far.

Happy to say that we received confirmation via email this morning for the first wave (Mar. 17-18). Look forward to seeing a few familiar faces there. :)

Mike,

I expect you should hear something back within the next 24 hrs since our registration was filed on the previous day. :)

coastal

03-03-2005, 12:15 PM

same here... we're in for March 17-18 :D

John@CdnRockies

03-03-2005, 12:17 PM

Ok you guys, I just want you to know that I have been asked to chaperone your liberated life styles.

My favourite car manufacturer has generously extended the same priviledge to this keen driver and skier. Taylor - hide the baby and sharpen your edges - cause Johnny Babes is coming out again for March 17-18th.:D

I received my e-mail confirmation this afternoon and I must admit to having a non-stop grin. Timing couldn't be better. Faye and Stephanie are off to Ireland, so I would love to be otherwise occupied. Perfect as we are due for a new vehicle in less than 2 years (really want to try that XC90 model) now that I'm piling the mileage back on the XC70.

John

coastal

03-03-2005, 12:44 PM

nice :D... Whistler Gathering Part Deux.

John, are you going to stay for the weekend as well? If so be sure bring your skis. From what I've read the offer also includes a day lift pass and more likely than not I'll be skiing Saturday... Would be great to have another day on the boards with ya!

And that goes for you too Art... ;)

John@CdnRockies

03-03-2005, 12:54 PM

I guarantee you that the skis will be lovingly included in my XC armour. Delighted to hit Whistler with you on Saturday (maybe include your Dad?), then head out to Big White and leave the car at Kelowna airport for the week that I'm travelling. At which point I can start the process all over again ...

At this rate, I'm going to have more fun than Faye/Steph!

John

coastal

03-03-2005, 03:52 PM

Sounds like a great plan John, looking forward to it!

I'm sure we're going to make quite an impact with the Volvo people in Whistler :D

Art

03-03-2005, 10:05 PM

nice ... Whistler Gathering Part Deux.

John, are you going to stay for the weekend as well? If so be sure bring your skis. From what I've read the offer also includes a day lift pass and more likely than not I'll be skiing Saturday... Would be great to have another day on the boards with ya!

And that goes for you too Art...

We are definitely good to go! :cool: Leave here for the Island on the 6th to enjoy a mild stretch of paddling, then return to the mainland on the 17th for the Volvo sponsored event.

Yer offer sounds great Taylor, though hardly think that I would make a decent ski companion for either you or John. ;) Hmm...gotta admit, paddling and powder in the same month does sound intriguing. :D

cbob

03-04-2005, 09:41 AM

same here... we're in for March 17-18 :D

Me too :)

Got a confirmation yesterday.

Chatted with a rep on the phone, and it appears there is nothing actually happening Mar 17 except the evening get together.

Now to pray for a big dump in the valley for Thursday AM. :D :D

Combustion

03-14-2005, 09:56 AM

Hey guys,

Post up here and let us know what it was like. I will be there on Saturday as I am on the 19th-20th wave.

Coastal give me a call saturday night maybe we should all meet for some grub.

Cant wait to get up there!

Drive safe all see you!

Mitch

cbob

03-14-2005, 10:39 AM

Coastal give me a call saturday night maybe we should all meet for some grub.
Mitch

I don't know what the plan is for the "reception" on the first night, but it looks like they might be feeding you.
Maybe we could all hook up Saturday afternoon (apres ski) and you can "de-brief" us on our First Wave experience.

Heck-if we could get Kazdog and Barrysharp to show up, we'd have a full-blown WestieXC group meeting. :)

coastal

03-14-2005, 11:46 AM

Not entirely sure of the gameplan but looks like we're gonna have to head back to Vancouver after skiing on Saturday. Maybe some apres that day, or maybe everyone will be around Friday evenin for some dinner?

Combustion

03-14-2005, 01:47 PM

Yeah well we will be up there saturday afternoon to get some shopping and food done before we check in since the check in is so late. I have the computer so just post in here what everyone is up to and coordinate that way?

Mitch

kersti

03-14-2005, 02:44 PM

How come this is only for canadians?

Art

03-14-2005, 10:14 PM

I’m afraid that we have to head back to Vancouver after completing the event activities on Friday. We definitely look forward to seeing all of the first wavers at the Thursday night mixer and, naturally, at the official driving event on the following day. :cool:

Sorry to hear that we're going to miss you by only one day Mitch. Perhaps we can all hook up at the next GTG. Hope to see you in a AWD V50 by then. :)

coastal

03-15-2005, 12:34 AM

barrysharp

03-15-2005, 08:50 AM

Hey guys - what's all going on this weekend - need dates, times and places so I can figure out what I can do if time permits me this coming weekend. I do have a plan to drive down to IPD in Portland but could move schedule about and do that nxt week.

coastal

03-15-2005, 11:04 AM

Hi Barry, this is a Volvo Canada event and unfortunately it's only open to Canadian residents. Some of us were able to schedule the same session so we're kinda turning it into a VolvoXC.com gathering :D

Not too sure what they have planned for us, but will be sure to report back with all the details and photos :)

barrysharp

03-15-2005, 05:39 PM

coastal

03-15-2005, 06:01 PM

sorry Barry, didn't mean to sound exclusionary :o

cbob

03-16-2005, 04:47 PM

Hey.... it looks like we're probably all going to be heading up to Whistler around the same time... Anyone interested in driving as a group, say starting around 3:30pm on Thursday? We could either start here at our place in West Van, or meet up at the shopping mall just off the highway at Caulfeild exit and start from there. Post here if you're in or shoot me an email!
Looks like I'll probably not make a rendezvous. Just got called to come in for my Nexus-Air interview at the airport tomorrow, and I don't know how long it will take. The US Homeland Security is going to want to fingerprint me for sure. :eek:
See you-all at the registration or thereabouts.

coastal

03-17-2005, 11:46 AM

Sounds good cbob... Looks like we're probably going to just see everyone up there too...

13 cm fresh snow in the Alpine in the past 24 hours with more forecasted... Sounds like we're in for a great time on the hill as well. :D

See ya'll in a few hours :D

HeadXC

03-17-2005, 11:47 PM

I received the invitation and will be in Whistler after the 8th, man does that burn my but, oh well next time. How are they going to do winter driving when snow is more expensive than the cars per square footage?

coastal

03-19-2005, 10:15 PM

just got back from Whistler and wow... What a great experience?! To add, was especially great to share the experience with the rest of the VolvoXC.com gang!

Huge thanks to Volvo Canada for rolling out the red carpet and then some. Here are a few pics from the day... You can be sure there are lots more details to follow...

Pushing off at the start of the day...
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8526.jpg

Green Lake Lookout in Whistler
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8553.jpg

Joffre Lake parking lot
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8578.jpg

Continental Log Home Factory (don't worry, everything will be explained in time ;))
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8583.jpg

Green River Service Road
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8640.jpg

Banks of the Lillooet River
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8657.jpg

Parking lot at the Pemberton Golf and Country Club
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8675.jpg

Lots more stories and photos to come!

XC70Geo

03-19-2005, 10:49 PM

Coastal, thanks ;) , I'm looking at your picture at Joffre Lake parking lot
"and I think to myself what a wonderful world" :)

cbob

03-20-2005, 09:35 AM

After a pleasant spring day thrashing Volcos
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=507&stc=1

Ma Nature slapped up side the head with 20 cm of snow.
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=508&stc=1

But I'm missing something with posting pix.
Whenever I post on other forums using this software, and use the "manage attachments" function to load images, I get a full sized image right in the editing window.
Why am I just getting thumbnails, attached to the post???
The "properties" of the URL show them to be full-sized.

Help!
I need image posting instructions

SYS

03-20-2005, 10:17 AM

just got back from Whistler and wow... What a great experience?! To add, was especially great to share the experience with the rest of the VolvoXC.com gang!

Thanks for these wonderful photos, coastal!!

By the way, what kind of vehicles are those in front of an XC90 at the Continental Log Home Factory? Am I seeing Volvo vans? I have never seen a Volvo van....

SYS

barrysharp

03-20-2005, 12:39 PM

Ok Taylor - what's that van-looking Volvo at the Log Home Factory location?

coastal

03-20-2005, 12:46 PM

SYS

03-20-2005, 02:23 PM

van thing? Perhaps it's the angle of the photo, but those are just two V50's in the front, and an XC90 in behind. I was figuring there were going to be questions as to why we were hanging out at a log home factory LOL
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_8583.jpg

Well, I must say I got completely fooled by the photo angle. From that angle, the V50 in the foreground looked as big as the XC90 in the back. :o

Okay, now that we got that outta way, what were those Volvos doing there at the log factory?? :D

Combustion

03-20-2005, 09:09 PM

Hey Guys,

I just got back from the 3rd leg and i have to say by looking at your photos Coastal you had a nicer day than we did. As you may have heard, whistler just got dumped on last night which made our experience a little different than yours.

I had a great time as it looks like you guys did as well. I will post up some pics later. Too bad we werent on the same session.

We also won an award? How about you guys?

Mitch

barrysharp

03-20-2005, 09:14 PM

Are those Peg wheels on the V50 in foreground ? They do look nice and sporty - just like on my S60R. :D

Art

03-20-2005, 10:57 PM

The Whistler event was a huge success and Volvo Canada spared no expense in treating all of the participants to a fun-filled and truly exhilarating AWD experience. http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif Once again, it was great to be able to hook up with Taylor and his wife Tricia, and forum members John@CdnRockies and cbob. :) Had an awesome time!! :D

I'll be sure to send the rest of my pics of the two day event over to Taylor.

Heard there was a mudslide on the Sea2Sky earlier today that washed out a chunk of road near Squamish. Hope that none of the participants in either the first or second wave were affected by the slide. :(

AWD Ice Carving
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/AWD%20Ice%20Carving.jpg
XC90's at Green Lake Lookout
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/Green%20Lake%20Lookout.jpg
Pemberton Staging Area
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/AWD%20Staging%20Area.jpg
http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/AWD%20off%20road%20course.jpg

coastal

04-04-2005, 10:46 PM

how's this for a delay... Art, I've uploaded your photos to the gallery now. :o

Hey Mitch, how was the Winter Test Drive in the SNOW?!!

Amazing what a few days in the mountains can do. :D

http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/2005-whistler_awd_event-art/131-3135_IMG.JPG

http://www.xc70.com/pics/thumbnails.php?album=251