Reports from New York confirm that talks between the two hedge fund owners, Fortress Investment Group and Davidson Kempner have reached an impasse. With Intrawest late on a $524 million debt payment, it now appears that the Canadian government may need to step in to save the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Not the kind of news that Olympic organizers need with just over a month before the opening ceremonies.

If you thought Whistler was expensive before, things are about to get even pricier. Pay parking has arrived in the resort. The new fees are not sitting well with locals and tourists and are only fueling mounting anti-Olympic sentiments.

User pay parking had been on the books for some time, but it's no coincidence that it's being unraveled in time for the Olympics. Most business owners say they were never consulted prior to pay parking being instituted.

I find it ironic that over $650 million was been spent on upgrading the Sea to Sky Highway and expanding the "vehicular conduit," yet there's no place to park when you arrive.

On April 13, Intrawest CEO Bill Jensen told reporters at the Summit Daily News that the company may be looking to sell some of its assets. This comes as no big news for those who live or own property at one of Intrawest's many resorts. We've been following the gradual demise of hedge fund owner, Fortress Investments ever since the economic collapse.

Jensen's comments correspond with Whistler Blackcomb's recent announcement that new budgetary cuts would be aimed at year-round, salaried W-B employees, with wages being rolled back to 2008 levels. [See WB freezes wages, rolls back salaries, Whistler Question, April 15, 2009]