Welcome back to winter

Wow.. 2 weeks since my last blog post! Time kind of moves quickly when you're in a groundhog day like period. Thankfully that period now looks to finally be behind us and the winter switch has been well and truly turned back on. This is what the forecast looked like for the week just been

Note the lovely snowfall numbers

Since then we have managed to get a good couple of powder days riding in, with the best being yesterday with 17cm of new snow. I got in early to the Fresh Tracks line (6am... Zzzzz) and was rewarded with a solid day of beating the crowds around the mountain. Unfortunately the camera was particularly bouncy and I don't know how much usable footage I got.

Speaking of footage, before this winter resurgence the back country was riding particularly well. As my season edit isn't going very far I decided to put together a quick video of a couple of days spent off the back of Blackcomb mountain.


Blackcomb Backcountry from Aaron Tasker on Vimeo.

The mountains around here are very picturesque and I couldn't resist putting together a panoramic shot as well. It's best viewed in high resolution so be sure to click on it and download it from the options at the top!

Here are some other fun shots from those days too.

The bootpack setup

This wasn't an intentional shot.. but came out looking great

Another unintentional wonder

Look mum... cliffs!

This igloo is at the top of Blackcomb Glacier and provides some great shelter during windy days

Brandon & I on a not-as-sunny day

The season is moving fast and before you know it Leela will be here with me to hopefully enjoy what will still be some good snow in March. Although we haven't typically celebrated valentines day much, I decided to surprise her this year with a reminder that I'm still thinking of her daily.

A valentines day surprise

There have been some other exciting activities that have taken place to break up the weeks. The Banff Mountain Film Festival came to Whistler and was well worth attending both nights. Highlights would certainly have to be 'Crossing the Ice' (Click for trailer), a tale of the 2 Australian friends who kayaked the Tasman Sea attempting the first unassisted (no kites, dogs, skidoos etc.) return trip from the south pole. For you climbing folk I highly recommend checking out 'Wide Boyz' (Click for trailer) and their journey climbing off-width cracks in America. There were also a number of BMX, Kayaking, Caving, BASE jumping and other fantastic videos. For those of you who like downhill BMX, or the cute factor of a little dog, you have to check out 'Lily Shreds Trailside' (Click to watch for free!)

Last Monday we headed out after work to enjoy a spot of ice-skating, as well as the money that had been earned by every ones mistakes at work. These mistakes if called were written on the FUBAR list and over $100 was raised towards some jugs.. which turned into a few more! Suffice to say it was a great night.. but here's a couple of shots of before the drinking.

The Blackcomb Daylodge rental team of 2013

My first game of 'Shinny'

An impromptu game of ice-hockey is commonly referred to as 'Shinny', and I found out one of the reasons why as I came away with a good strike to the shins. While not the worst injury of the night, a very good time was had by all.

This week I also finally decided to upgrade my ski setup. As some of you may know, I have been deliberating over what skis to buy for quite a while, and in the end there wasn't one that fit exactly what I wanted. So I decided to upgrade my current setup, and keep looking for a ski that fit my 'powder/charger' category. So now the Line Blend's are a bit heavier, but now allow me to go 'skinning' up the mountain. This method of travel uses animal skins which are attached to the bottom of the ski, and a binding that releases at the heel. It can mean travelling up to 3 times faster on snow than carrying your skis, especially on the flatter ground.

The upgrade!

The biggest highlight of the last 2 weeks has to be the ice climbing that I did with Coast Mountain Guides. About 90 minutes north of Whistler in the Lilooet Gorge is an ice climbing area known as the 'Rambles'. The drive is stunning and whilst Pemberton and the other towns on the way through are certainly not as resort like as Whistler, it felt really good to get out of the 'city' and into some real country.

Once we arrived at our site and got kitted up with harness', crampons, helmets, axes, belays, ropes and other equipment between our party of 11 and 2 guides we then hiked another 30 minutes to our ice climbing site. This activity is not for someone who is afraid of exercise!

The waterfall we were to climb

3 ropes were setup at the top of the waterfall by our talented guide, and very soon we were all having a go up the wall. The photo's really don't do it justice.. but a lot of the center section is completely vertical. I was very impressed at how complex this sport is, as not only do you have to puzzle solve your way up the slope, but also how your equipment will help (or hinder) the situation.

Attacking one of the harder parts of the climb

Lookin up!

Placing axes in the wall

The climb

I have some video that I hope to put together with some that our guide took to form a highlights reel of  the day. 

It's only a few days until we are in March, and while January and February weren't the greatest for snowfall there is still plenty of fun to be had! Chris, Amy, Phil and I are now looking forward to this weekend as we head to Revelstoke! The weather forecast keeps changing on us.. but we may strike it lucky with a bit of snow and sun yet.

Not much to report

Although I can't tell you exactly how much snow didn't fall in January (as I expect the Whistler Blackcomb marketing department may be keeping a little tight lipped for now), I can say that it was one of the lowest snowfall totals for the month in the last decade.

Whistler Snowfall Statistics

Unfortunately February is starting off to be much the same. We had one storm that I certainly made the most of last week, taking 3 days off and throwing so much into them that I felt rather beaten up by the end of it! Some good times were certainly had, but once again we are stuck in the blocking high pressure system of despair. At least 6 weeks (maybe more) of this weather has kept the tourists smiling, but the snow purists almost desperate.

So with not a lot to show this week, what happens in a ski town with conditions like this? Well, if you guessed 'Spending a lot of time at the pub' you wouldn't be far wrong!

Camille's leaving drinks

Although.. I have managed to get out into a few other activities as well. I headed down to Meadow Park with Chris yesterday for a good soak in the hot tub, and to feel like an ape on ice skates again. Unfortunately the day didn't end too well as I lost one of my contact lenses. I'm making do with a spare, but I'm back to being a bit blind (at least not completely). A new lens will take a number of weeks to get here, I just hope it will be before our Revelstoke trip.

I think with my video edit I may have tackled a rather large project. It looks like that what I've been working on will most likely become my 'Season edit', so I am trying to put together a couple of short clips to keep people entertained! Stay tuned... but no promises.

Hopefully my next report will include more snow, and more pictures!

We have normality

The blocking high that has kept Whistler in Groundhog day mode for almost 2 weeks finally broke down yesterday and delivered a powder day. I hear Wellington is about to enjoy a similar high pressure system.. except it is appreciated in the summer!

Yesterday I did my first fresh tracks breakfast on Whistler. Fresh tracks is a program where you pay to head up early on the mountain and have a full cooked breakfast at the top restaurant. Then when the mountain opens you get 25 minutes or so of riding before the first people who loaded the gondola at the bottom reach the top. The snow unfortunately didn't deliver as it was quite wet, and on top of a very hard crust. Today made up with that however with 11cm of dry powder and blue skies.


As with anything in life, it's the little things that can really put a spring in our step

While it may just look like an ordinary meat pie.. these are in fact a rarity in Canada (and at $6 + tax I can see why they may stay that way). I can say however that it is genuine, with meat chunks and tongue burning heat. (Remember.. always blow on the pie! Safer communities together.)

Last Friday night's hockey game was highly entertaining. Unfortunately the few photos I took didn't save on the phone so there isn't much to share. Our seats were 3 rows from the glass, and right next to the players box. Hockey is certainly a very fast paced game, and the NHL matches on TV faster again. One of our party from Whistler was also very lucky not to catch the puck with her face as it made it over the glass.

Brandon came with me and gave me the run down on all the rules and intricacies of the game, and although it doesn't seem that way there is actually quite a bit more than just getting the puck in the net and fist fights! (Although it wouldn't be hockey without a bit of roughing.)

Retro Rod

Monday night was our last staff party, and it was quite sedate compared to the others earlier in the season. I managed to get a little in with the retro theme with an old rental jacket (children's size of course). The 200' roll of fluro tape also went down a treat with all. It's hard to believe that we're already half way through the season!

Details for the upcoming trip to the interior have been a little more firmed up. Looks like it's going to be 4 days riding on the first week of March. Phil, Amy, Chris and I are already counting down the days. I'll throw up some more details closer to the time.

Tonight/Tomorrow in town is all about 'Straya day (Australia Day for the uninitiated). This is a very popular time for drinking, cricket, drinking, footy and more drinking for the large amount of Australians that are in Whistler. I think I'll be giving town a miss tonight and tomorrow, but here's an indication of how wild it gets.

Note the times!

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!

New Years - Ski bum style

After a very snowy December, the last few weeks have been contrastingly dry. This has meant that the sun has come out a lot and the tourists are happy, but not a lot of riding being done. With a large number of people being sick as well, I have been called into work quite regularly and am doing around 6 days a week. This will go well towards funding a planned trip (more on that shortly), but my legs are starting to get a bit sore from a lot of standing and not much movement!

On the 30th I decided to have a break day, and joined Chris in his Ford F150 for a trip down to Squamish during the day. I was really glad just to have a day with no cares on timing, and enjoy the views on the drive out. It certainly made me realise that while we are not in the 'Alps' we are certainly in the mountains!

Only 300m above sea level

New Years eve itself was certainly eventful! As it was a busy morning on the mountain with not a lot of fresh snow, I decided to spend the morning practising my back-country beacon search techniques. Whistler Blackcomb has an early dedicated to this where they bury practise boxes with active beacon's in them. I was happy to find that I hadn't gotten rusty, but as always I learnt a few more things.

From the top of Glacier Chair

As it was Chris' birthday, we had a casual day ripping some groomers and then deferred to Crystal Lodge for a drink. This is certainly one of the most picturesque places on Blackcomb mountain.

Enjoying a birthday drink

Unfortunately I got called in to work for the afternoon. They were that desperate for the assistance that I came directly off the mountain and worked in my ski gear. For 4 hours I was in my ski boots dealing with customers, bending down to fit boots, and trying to walk. It was only the next day that someone pointed out that I could have just put on a pair of snowboard boots!

Not wanting to waste time, once I left work I headed straight to Merlin's where I had left Chris earlier in the day. The next 5 hours were spent happily talking, drinking and celebrating each New Years day as it came in around the world. The major talking point seemed to be around me being the only one in the bar still in ski gear, but as I had work the next day I decided to head to the fireworks at midnight in the village, and then quickly home to bed.

New Year's Day at Whistler Blackcomb

The Holiday Inn looking good in the sun

Unfortunately there's not much more to report. It looks like we are going to finally get some fresh snow over the next few days. Unfortunately I don't have much time off at all.. but things will look better in a week or two no doubt. Until then I will keep my creative cooking alive, trying to keep a bit of kiwi eating in Canada!

Bacon & Egg Pie

A White Christmas

The busy period is certainly upon us! With most of the North America's on break, the expectation is to have around 25,000 people on the mountains over the next week. Work has changed from being sent home early, to being called in to deal with the crowds. While this does mean a little less time on the hill, it does wonders to covering the arrears I have with staff housing.

Christmas has also come and gone, and while it's the first I've had away from home for a while we still managed to eat too much, stay up too late and share much. I actually felt like I had 2 Christmas days, as on the 24th it was not only a fantastic ski morning but a Skype call home to share presents with the family, and a shared dinner at the flat after a few hours work made for a big day.

Christmas day itself was mostly spent at work, but another dinner was soon to be enjoyed. While I felt like the lone colony member invited to the British empire.. Amy, Phil, Ed and Lucy together with myself managed to put on quite a spread.

Would you believe that since I left Vancouver, I have not travelled more than a couple of km's in either direction! That finally changed last night with my first trip to the nearby town of Squamish. With 6 of us piled into Chris' Ford F150, we hit up the all important stops. Walmart, Save-On-Foods and Timmy Horton's! What I thought was just a coffee shop turned out to be a sandwich/doughnut/snack amazement. I'm told these are all over Canada.. just not in Whistler.

Bemused at the need for a photo...

To keep myself entertained in the evenings without spending too much money I have started working on my next edit. There has been so many good days that I will let the pictures and video do the talking. I even managed to get a morning in on one of the biggest snowfall of the season so far (30-40cm overnight).

Getting airborne..

I have called this "Midget's Meadow" on the grounds that no-one has told me otherwise yet!

And this is what pillow's look like from above!

Powder Turns!

Always safe to ride with friends in the trees

We have also been gifted some great blue sky days that have made for good hiking opportunities. Brandon and I managed to get up into Flute bowl the other day. For a 20-30 minute hike we were rewarded with a number of deep powder turns. It certainly would have been easier with a touring setup, but I am holding off until spring!

Not a bad view

Brandon on the cat track

I'm sure there is more to tell.. but my mind is still a little fuzzy from being rather sick the last few days. It managed to knock me around a bit, but I'm coming back around now.

Christmas is coming

Life in the village is certainly starting to get a bit more crowded. This weekend is the start of the Christmas holiday season and already it feels like the number of people doubled over night. This means two things. First, I am going to get a lot more work.. which means more income, that I kind of need due to the lack of early season work. Second, the slopes are going to get a lot busier.. so time already invested in finding the hidden spots should hopefully pay off! Can't do much about lift lines however.

 

 

If you've wondered where I have been the last couple of weeks, the biggest bit of news is that the alpine has finally opened here. I am once again in my comfort zone, and happy to be back on the steeps! The first day that peak chair opened I didn't stop riding until the lift closed.. then had dinner at 3:30pm, as there was no way I was waiting for lunch, and a much needed beer. I didn't take the camera with me that day (bad decision), but I did want to focus on my skiing and make sure I would be comfortable in the conditions here.

With my confidence up, I also managed to get in to the zone which I have been looking at ever since I first looked at a trail map for Whistler. It's called 'Spanky's Ladder', and if you ever get a chance to go up it, the description is apt. The climb is almost vertical at points, but thankfully short. This gets you access to some fantastic bowls and chutes on top of the Blackcomb Glacier

The trail map of Blackcomb Glacier

This week when the sun came out, I had two fantastic days up in this region with plenty of fresh tracks, fun snow, and air time. Some great footage was taken, but I have yet to put this together into an edit.. so for now the stills will tell the story.

Blackcomb Glacier (Main Entrance)

Awesome pow turns

 

Pretty quiet out here!

Gladed Tree's on a blue sky day

Discussing line choice at the top of Spanky's

Lower entrance to Diamond Bowl

Believe it or not, there's skis in there somewhere!

Hopefully the multitude of photos this update makes up for the lack of them earlier. If you want to see more just check out my Facebook page as I regularly put photos up.

Another highlight of this week is that I was lucky enough to take part in the 'Slide for Hunger' charity event. Although you may think this sounds skiing related, it's not! In fact it involves sliding down an icy tube at speeds up to 100km/h about an inch of the ground wearing nothing but a helmet on a small sled. It's called 'Skeleton' and if you watch the Winter Olympics (or the video below) you will see what i mean! I wasn't allowed to take the video camera with me, but I think the others reactions sum it up nicely.

Whistler Sliding Center - Skeleton for hunger from Aaron Tasker on Vimeo.

Some of you may have noticed that I track my days on the mountain using an application called 'Alpine Replay'. I've hit a number of milestones over the last couple of weeks. Over 1000km total distance travelled this season, a new top speed of 95.4km/h, and the top of the leaderboard worldwide for vertical drop for the season thus far!

Last night I got to see all the extended family on Mum's side for a while as it's her birthday today (Happy Canadian birthday mum!), and also opened my care package from home. Thankfully I am now well stocked with many Kiwi chocolates, cookies, candy, spices and Maggi cook in the pot! I'm trying my hardest to ration them all.. but it will be difficult.

The snow is falling thick again outside, and this storm could well bring us another 70cm+ over the next 5 days or so, and as the peak didn't open today it could mean a big pow day is set for tomorrow! I have the next 2 days off.. so here's hoping they will deliver. Until then, I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas build up, and are being good to each other!

Does it get much better than this?