Whistler 12/29/09

[rfarren]

Today was my first day of the season, and boy it was tiring! The day started by putting the fiance' into ski school, which meant I had a late start of it. After waiting about ten minutes for the gondola I reached the Roundhouse at about 10:15. I was starving at the point so I ate a hearty breakfast. Shortly after I skied down to the Emerald lift with the main point to hit the symphony bowl, via the Harmony bowl. I hit the Harmony bowl, which was fine. The snow in the alpine area was pretty good, at least in groomers. I then hit the sun bowl, shooting through the trees, which was not so great. It was steep and the terrain was pretty good, but it was upside-down snow. I guess it sun baked earlier in the week. I then lapped the Symphony bowl a bunch of times. The trees off the flute bowl had some great snow. There was about 5 inches of untracked on top of a nice supportable base. The only problem was there were a few traverses that were literally from hell! But in the end I think it was worth it, as it held the best snow on the mountain. Later I caught the new peak to peak tram, and that was pretty fun. I ended the day with a never ending run from the top of Blackcomb to Whistler's village. For a first day I thought it was pretty good, considering my legs were burnt from a rather intense squash game the night before. Anyhow, I will upload the photo's as soon as I get the cable that connects to my lap top. I don't think we brought one, so you guys may have to wait a week or so. Sorry.

 

[Admin]

Anyhow, I will upload the photo's as soon as I get the cable that connects to my lap top. I don't think we brought one, so you guys may have to wait a week or so. Sorry.

That's what card readers are for!

 

[rfarren]

Anyhow, I will upload the photo's as soon as I get the cable that connects to my lap top. I don't think we brought one, so you guys may have to wait a week or so. Sorry.

That's what card readers are for!

I'm not in charge of the camera. The little lady is. BTW I forgot to mention, but the bottom of the mountain was as EC as it gets. It was a combination of boiler plate and manmade. I was happy though the people who tuned my skis the night before anticipated that, and did a great job.

 

[Marc_C]

BTW I forgot to mention, but the bottom of the mountain was as EC as it gets. It was a combination of boiler plate and manmade. I was happy though the people who tuned my skis the night before anticipated that, and did a great job.

Although I've only skied there on one trip, I got the distinct impression that W/B skis like two if not three different mountains in radically different locales.

 

[rfarren]

BTW I forgot to mention, but the bottom of the mountain was as EC as it gets. It was a combination of boiler plate and manmade. I was happy though the people who tuned my skis the night before anticipated that, and did a great job.

Although I've only skied there on one trip, I got the distinct impression that W/B skis like two if not three different mountains in radically different locales.

Very much so. Personally, when the surfaces are hard it doesn't bother me. My assumption is that during march the skiing is at it's best. If the snow is slightly corned at the bottom but perfect mid-winter snow up high it might be pretty darn good. My other complaint about whistler is: at least right now in the end of December/early January, the days are pretty short. By march I imagine the the days are considerably longer due to it's northern latitude. Nonetheless, W/B is a beast of a mountain.

 

[Tony Crocker]

BTW I forgot to mention, but the bottom of the mountain was as EC as it gets.

One of the reasons W/B is not a good place for beginners.

My assumption is that during March the skiing is at it's best. If the snow is slightly corned at the bottom but perfect mid-winter snow up high it might be pretty darn good.

That's fairly good assumption. 2 of my trips were late March/early April and the alpine was nearly all winter snow. Near the bottom the snow was pretty heavy. On my first trip (late Feb.) the lower Creekside area had ripe corn in early afternoon. The 4th trip 2 years ago was early January: fresh snow top to bottom, so I could live with the short days.

Unlike my Utah track record, I have the impression that my luck has been above average at Whistler. No "sandwich" events with the alpine closed and rain at the base.

 

[rfarren]

As promised here are some photos:

 

[rfarren]