Canada - So Good They Should Have Named it Twice!
So what has been keeping me busy this last week? The snow of course! I spent 5 days on the slopes in Whistler Blackcomb with a snowboard strapped to my feet. When someone described Whistler to me as “Aspens bigger, better brother” I was doubtful – after all, Aspen has held the most-beautiful-place-award in my mind since I visited it a few years ago.
They couldn’t have been more right – these mountains are huge! Don’t believe me then check the stats here. I’ve never heard of another resort where you need to take a minimum of 3 lifts to reach the summit, and don’t worry; it is worth the ride up. It has over 8,000 acres of terrain, making it the largest in North America and has a “Peak-2-Peak” gondola that has an unsupported span of over 3km with a high point over 400m off the valley floor – the place is breathtaking.
I got a great last minute deal on a hotel for 6 nights, so was able to live the life of comfort for a week or so whilst tiring my body out riding for over 6 hours a day! The hotel was ski-in, ski-out on the Blackcomb side and was a mere 8 minute, free bus ride from the village – spot on.
I was pretty nervous about getting back on a board – after all it has been at least 3 years since I last gave it a proper try – but it all came flooding back and I made it from hotel to lift without a single stumble. This would be one of my only rides without some form of fall.
The first day on the slopes was busy: lines at the mid station on Blackcomb were at least 200 people deep. I later found out that it was particularly bad that day because it was an American public holiday – though nobody could tell me which one. This worked out for the better in the end; it meant that the bottom section of hill (that was riddled with easy blue runs) was relatively clear and allowed me to work on my technique and build up the confidence levels.
Overnight there was a ridiculous amount of new snow (over 30cm!) so the “pow pow” (yes, that’s what the “cool” kids call it. Seriously) was awesome. Powder is much harder to ride through so I got stuck at least a half-dozen times and had to resort to unclipping my bindings, digging myself out and trekking through the deep stuff back to some more solid footing. Despite this downfall, you have to love powder! It is the best riding surface and doesn’t hurt nearly as much as combed slopes to when you inevitably bump your way downhill on your backside.
I met a lot of new people on the slopes, or to be more specific, on the lift rides up hill. There was Desiree and Blinky; two amazing snowboarders who took me to the terrain parks and through trees. Then there was Louis; a skier who I rode with for the full day who took me to the peak for the first time (a 7km run to the bottom), got horribly lost with (having to walk back to the base of the mountain!) and introduced me to the miracle that is honey lager! Next up was Mark, Ant and David – 2 skiers and a boarder – around the same ability as me and we pushed each other to improve our riding (my switch stance improved no end that day). Last up was a group of about 6 skiers, complete with guide, who I shared the Peak-2-Peak with: these guys offered to show me some great black runs from the summit and I was more than happy to tag along.
Unfortunately, on my last day riding at Whistler, my legs had decided to punish me by cramping up pretty hard. It was a day of short runs and many stops. A day to be spent on the terrain park trying to land some good air! I am proud to announce that I managed to land my first ever 360s (albeit sketchy ones), 180 grabs and all kinds of straight grabs (tails are my favourite so far)!
Yesterday I left Whistler and hopped on the 10:30am Greyhound and arrived in Banff this morning at 4:25am (yes, it took that long)! On the second leg of my bus trip I met a chap called Cam: my own personal tour guide of the passing scenery. Cam seemed to know everything about everywhere and pointed out all sorts of sights to behold as we passed over picturesque mountain ranges, alongside beautiful lakes and weaved along rocky ridges. Unfortunately it gets dark around 5pm here so I missed out some of the best stuff (according to my fellow passenger) – so on the return route I need to sit on the right hand side of the bus and I will get the best of views of the bits I missed.
I need to go grab some lunch, so I will leave it there for now!
Chat soon,
George
