HPCA 2008 Excursion (Tuesday, Feb 19^th)

For the HPCA 2008 excursion, we will visit the Utah Olympic Park. The Utah Olympic Park was the site of the bobsled, luge, skeleton, and ski jump events for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and is one of two major training facilities for the US Winter Olympic team. Among other things, the park is recognized for having the fastest sliding (bobsled, luge, and skeleton) track in the world.

As part of the excursion, we will take a tour of the facilities, including a visit to the top of the world’s highest altitude ski jump (over 8000’/2500m) and the world’s fastest bobsled track. We will have dinner and drinks in the Alf Engen Ski Museum, which chronicles Utah’s ski history and the history of the 2002 Olympic Games, and includes quite a few interactive activities. Attendees will be able to wander between the museum, bobsled track, ski jump, and other training facilities to explore on their leisure, or enjoy (either by taking part or observing) a number of special activities.

As a special treat, a very limited number of HPCA attendees will be able to ride a bobsled down the official Olympic bobsled track! An experienced bobsled driver, often somebody training for the Olympics, will drive three passengers down the entire length of the Olympic bobsled track. The sled will reach speeds upwards of 80mph and experience 5+ G’s of force, the equivalent of a drop from a 40-story building! Even if you do not ride yourself, we hope you will enjoy watching some of your fellow computer architects flying down the ice! SOLD OUT -- SORRY!

Another special activity, available at no extra charge, will be Extreme Snow Rafting. What is Extreme Snow Rafting? Why, I’m glad that you asked. Riders take a short chairlift ride to the top of the K90 ski jump then walk down the stairs of the inrun to the start of the ride. There you will be fitted with a helmet and loaded on to an inflatable rubber raft by the UOP staff. After that, gravity takes over and the raft races down the K90 Nordic Hill in a matter of 15 seconds. Or, if you prefer, you can sip on a drink and laugh as your friends race down the hill.

Overall, we anticipate the HPCA 2008 excursion being one that you will be talking about for years to come. Make sure to bring very warm clothing (dress in layers with a warm coat and boots) and a bit of courage, and join the fun!