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2016-01-18 01:01
in Nsnow, Snow
Whistler/Blackcomb definitely has a nice village, including a handy bus system to and from the airport or downtown Vancouver. Nice lights, and restaurants:
It was then a long ride down the base, snow got worse as we got lower (due to temperatures being too high):
On the 2nd day, we went Heli Skiing, see that page for details.
The 3rd day shaped up to be good, but really wasn't. It was too warm, it was raining on top of fresh powder, and Whistler, again, couldn't manage to open _any_ top lift with real snow instead of rain. Arturo and I rode it for a while, the top of the ride was ok enough powder that would then run into wet mush while we were getting soaken wet.
After a few runs, it was clear that things were only going to get worse, and Whistler would not bother opening any top chairs, so I gave up and went back to our room while Arturo, a glutton for punishment, went to get more wet :)
One run we did together:
The 4th day, I was supposed to ski a 3rd day and take a bus back late in the afternoon, but I had the foresight to call the ski phone and decode the very very little they tell you into "we're not going to open any top lifts today either". They even said "if you're going to ski, please bring your favourite poncho or trash bag". Whoa, really? Needless to say that I was super disappointed with them for not opening anything at the top the 2nd to 4th day in a row, and leaving people to run the crappy bottom. There was some wind, but it didn't seem like a sufficient reason. Either way, we got 1.5 days of powder, but the rest was just rain and no access to the top (and as a reminder, the peaks are lower than the parking lot elevation of many Tahoe resorts).
Anyway, still, it was pretty with all the lights, food was good, Arturo was a happy camper, and the heli skiing was a great experience :)
nice crepe/raclette/fondue/french restaurant
literally looks like we're going snowboarding in the middle of the night ;)
maybe not too bright yet, but early :)
sun did rise before we finally got up (30mn line for the early gondola)
they don't count in feet like kirkwood, but 6 inches is still not bad :)
Avalanche control is too easy, they fly a heli an throw dynamite sticks :)
angry birds, I mean hungry birds :)
See more images for Warm Powder Days in Whistler