WHISTLER, B.C. — Lovers of cheese will be chasing a five-kilogram wheel of it down the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain this weekend.
It's the marquee event of the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival set for Saturday.
The first male and female contestants to make it down the hill in their final heat win a wheel of Boerenkaas, produced by British Columbia cheese maker Natural Pastures, and a ski pass for two to Whistler Blackcomb.
Cheese-rolling contestants, who can register on site, must be over age 19. There will be seven men's and four women's heats and the winner from each one competes in the finals.
Last year there were more than 125 competitors and 12,000 visitors to the festival, host Dairy Farmers of Canada said in a release.
Ned Bell, executive chef of YEW Seafood + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, has created seven recipes featuring cheese and will do demonstrations.
Now in its eighth year, the festival also includes a costume contest and tastings. Kids can take part in uphill races.
