The oldest kid in the family is working as a instructor at Whistler so we decided to pay a visit .Now we know booking skiing advance is a roll of the dice so did not have our hopes up. Before leaving , received the news that it rained top to bottom just last week after a snowfall,sound familiar. Anyway ,of we went . Driving up to the hill ,the country side had the familiar eastern look with frozen over melted snowbanks along the road under grey skies. Once in the village ,a quick check of the snowbanks confirmed what i thought ,frozen granular .
Jan 14 Clear skies and temps just above freezing. Over 90% of runs listed as open ,not that you could ski them as frozen ski tracks were everywhere off groomed trails. with clear skies and a warm sun ,we salvaged the day by skiing steep bowls that were taking in direct sunlight softening up the snow. Basically a spring day. Overall a good day despite limited options.
Jan. 15. No sun with thick overcast and reduced visibility. High alpine bowls in fog and cloud were off the table as skiers made there way down following the markers along the cat tracks skiing over frozen granular and ice . Very eastern type of experience as too many skiers funnelled on to the same trails scraping away and holding a edge while sliding sideways. Gave up on the upper mountain and headed to the mid mountain to find the same experience as once again only blues available with too many skiers merged on to the runs. By midday fog and snow mixed with sleet made the visibility almost nil. Became concerned of being taken out by another skier and called it a day as only groomer blues on the table. Skied down to the lower mountain where it was pouring rain-wow.
Jan 16. Heading out, rain in the valley ,6 inches of new snow up on the mountain. Will see what it is like.
Jan 14 Clear skies and temps just above freezing. Over 90% of runs listed as open ,not that you could ski them as frozen ski tracks were everywhere off groomed trails. with clear skies and a warm sun ,we salvaged the day by skiing steep bowls that were taking in direct sunlight softening up the snow. Basically a spring day. Overall a good day despite limited options.
Jan. 15. No sun with thick overcast and reduced visibility. High alpine bowls in fog and cloud were off the table as skiers made there way down following the markers along the cat tracks skiing over frozen granular and ice . Very eastern type of experience as too many skiers funnelled on to the same trails scraping away and holding a edge while sliding sideways. Gave up on the upper mountain and headed to the mid mountain to find the same experience as once again only blues available with too many skiers merged on to the runs. By midday fog and snow mixed with sleet made the visibility almost nil. Became concerned of being taken out by another skier and called it a day as only groomer blues on the table. Skied down to the lower mountain where it was pouring rain-wow.
Jan 16. Heading out, rain in the valley ,6 inches of new snow up on the mountain. Will see what it is like.
at a comment like this about what IMHO is the #2 ski destination in North America. But when the commenter lives 20+ minutes from #1, I sort of understand. But not completely, as I'm not the type who wants to ski exclusively at the same place, even if it is #1.
