The Dry Horrors

The biggest news over the last few weeks is that there has been no news at all, at least in the snow department. We've only had a single storm cycle in the last 2 weeks, and it looks to be staying that way for another week or so. We have a temperature inversion at the moment where it is still -5 in the valley, but +5 on top of the mountain.

This creek is an excellent temperature indicator

The one storm cycle that did come through was setup to be one of the biggest days of the season. Walking home after dinner out the night before the snow was knee-deep in dry. Unfortunately waking up in the morning it was to the opposite. The snow had turned to rain with warming temperatures and turned heavy. Thankfully the end of the storm dropped 10cm or so of dry snow, and we spent the next few days seeking it out.

One afternoon's snowfall (with Phil for reference)

Straight after the storm cycle setup this large blocking high that we currently have. Every day is groundhog day.. but groundhog day's aren't bad when they are like this.

Tyler dropping in North Flute bowl

Brandon in the Flute Chutes

Unfortunately almost everything has been ridden, and also with the warm temperatures the avalanche risk is up so back-country travel is limited. Everyone is certainly holding out for the next storm.. but it's a number of days away yet.

Another major event in Canada is that the NHL lock-out is finally over. For those of you who don't follow the sport, the owners and players have been at an impasse for over 100 days. However, with a deadline only days away the issues have been resolved and we will finally get to see some hockey! Speaking of which, I am heading to a Vancouver Giants game this Friday (Not quite NHL, but still hockey).. so look out for how my first ice bashing experience goes!

The busy period has now been and gone, and we are back to being a very quiet store. I'm not sure how long it will last but everyone is thankful for the break. I am looking forward to getting back to why I am here and into the mountains. I have the next 4 days to get things back on track.. even if it is spent in the terrain park and groomers.

Often these dry periods are spent watching movies, making movies and planning trips to get better footage. For those of you holding out, yes I am still working on an edit. I have decided on a soundtrack and am slowly working through the best parts of the video I have so far. In the mean time, check out this clip from the Whistler Blackcomb wonder reels to give you an idea of just how big this place is.

The rest of the spare evenings has been spent researching and planning trips. The first is I am already putting together plans for when Leela gets here at the end of March, but that's going to stay secret! The other is a trip for myself and 3 others to some of the interior mountain resorts of British Columbia. We have decided on some dates in early March, and the target resorts of Revelstoke, Kicking Horse and possibly Sun Peaks. On the cards was a day cat skiing, however as they are all completely booked up it may be upgraded to Heli skiing.. we will have to wait and see!

I'll leave you with what tomorrow morning will look like for me.. as it does every day before skiing. With a solid breakfast!