By KYRSTY SEMENCHUK Staff Writer

“Living in the world’s best ski resort, commuting to the office via my snowboard, working with the best colleagues I have ever worked with, having an 8,171-acre playground in my backyard and being at the forefront of the Winter Olympic Games – I’d definitely file my experience in Whistler so far as a dream come true.” 

Greg Vallentin, right, leaping through the Olympic rings on the top of Whistler Blackcomb. Submitted photo

“PR, on the other hand, I thought would complement my journalism diploma nicely. It gave me the best of all worlds: I get to write, but also got to try my hand in advertising, marketing, media relations, you name it.”

Since kindergarten, Vallentin says that writing was always something he preferred over other children’s activities. Now with the Winter Olympic Games right around the corner, Vallentin expects to have little time for sleep.

“I’ll be in Whistler doing media relations for Whistler Blackcomb, the official alpine skiing venue of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. Our mountains, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, will be home to luge at the Sliding Centre, Super-G, downhill and slalom, among others.

I’ll be working with media throughout the Games ensuring they get the best possible Olympic and Whistler Blackcomb experience,” says Vallentin. After his busy schedule for this upcoming month, when not working Vallentin is looking forward to free time on the hills.

“When not in the office, I’ll be out watching the events and snowboarding pretty much every day since our mountains are 90 per cent open to the public during the Games, and 100 per cent open afterwards. I won’t, however, be sleeping at all.” He has spent the past five years working toward his dreams, keeping an internship that paid only $100 a week and requiring he work 50 plus hours.

However, his doing this opened the doors to Whistler where, he says, he has always pictured himself living one day. “I have to admit, these last five years have been pretty good to me. I’ve always had a solid idea of what I wanted to be, and the steps I need to take to get there. It hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but it’s a ride I’m glad I’ve taken.”

Regardless of the bumps in the road, Vallentin is where he always saw himself and living his dreams in Whistler. “He was a delightful student to have in class, and when he left the college, he worked as hard as he needed to to succeed,” says Nancy Geddie, co-ordinator of the Public Relations Graduate Certificate Program. “

His work ethic, his determination and his understanding of what public relations is supposed to be – we recognized these things in him, and his employers must have too. We are very proud of him.” After leaving a positive mark with his professors at the college, Vallentin is understandably looking forward to the Games and the thrilling but hectic agenda ahead.