WB - 14-23 April

Well, it's Telus festival time at WB,which is always a complete exercise in debaucery.

Here's the stage set-up:

Pretty real.

So, what's one of the best things about WB in April and the festival?

Right - the demo tents -

So let's see - do I try the Cham 94 first, or next year's Kastle's, or the new Rossi's or some Solly's, or, or. Well don't worry, I tried them all, and, of course, I now have ANOTHER pair of Kastle's sitting in my room tonight. The Cham's were nice, but compared to next year's MX88, they didn't stand a chance - not even close.

The tents will be open again next week so I sure hope I don't try anything else that I have to have......

Conditions - hard in the morning (who's going to be first with the pun), so best to sleep in a bit, then get up top around 10-10:30.

Snow got really nice in tha afternoon, but of course near the bottom it got sticky (so don't go to the bottom!)

Supposed to be some snow in the alpine tomorrow, so let's see.

I decided since I missed April 1 gaper day festivities, I'd make today my "let's see how many nasty color combo's I could put together" day. This is what happened -

Not pretty, but effective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

Nice, my eyes are still adjusting

 

Love those demo madness days!  Enjoy and hope you get some fresh. 

You're just jealous. I could sell you the complete outfit once I'm done with it? Make you a hell of a deal.

Anyway, yesterday (Monday) sorta sucked. For one it seems like I've pulled a muscle in my gut, and every time I hit a rut or bump I have to let out a yelp. For another it was snowing at the VERY top (off the gondola), but raining as soon as you got down a bit. Combining that with blustery winds didn't make for much fun. As I have the "rest of the season spring pass" I hate to not get any turns in, but it was a very short day on the hill.

Taking a couple days off to be in Vancouver, so hopefully my gut will heal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

OOH pulled abs or possible hernia?  Careful here bro' been there, done that.......

 

That outfit really belongs to you!  I want your blue shell

Don't think hernia as it's SLOWLY healing up - just a pulled muscle from kayaking last week I guess.

So, how was WB today?

Pretty darn good. Some freshies up top -

And it was gently snowing most of the day -

Symphony didn't open on Whistler, and with the snow expected tonight, tomorrow could be excellent over there.

Down lower (Dave Murray and down to the mid station), the corn was just like it should be. A couple of inches deep and just waiting for your edges to trench it -

It seems criminal that Whistler closes this Sunday, as the coverage is total and complete, even in the trees, but OK, the economic reality is that 8200 acres of gnar can only survive  when there's enough people on it.

With the Telus festival, for sure the season's going out with a bang, and this afternoon they were readying the jump for the big air contest -

This is what the venue will look like for the competition (Saturday)

So, you may have heard that we had 20cm last night (about 8 inches) last night in celebration of 4/20.

What did it look like? - it looked like this (no this isn't Steaux )-

and this -

and this -

So, how much was it - it was this much -

So, I went back to the Hilton waiting for a delivery, and (finally) my new skis arrived. So, what do I have at WB now? I have this -

The new 108's will be up for sale soon, as I LOVE the old ones, and I managed to find a pair, and now they're here, with another pair in FL  (yes, FL, anyone looking to make fun? - let's see what you got) that'll go to SLC in the autumn.

OK, I've come to love Kastle's, sue me, but they're freaking awesome, so now I have the 88's and 108's here, and can just cruise over to Fanatyko if I need something bigger.

So, it looks like it'll be sunny tomorrow and Sunday, so let's see how the hill holds up.

Demo days this weekend again - Man, I hope I don't find something else I like,,,,,,,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaii50 

Snofun, where did u get the new 88s? Does FanatykCo have them. I am in the village also and will hopefully demo tomorrow.

Nope. Long story that I can't go into right now. Enjoy the demo tents.

Oh my, how was today - luscious, just luscious.

The sun came out to play, and the snow turned to corn, ah, it was Delicious.

Since it's the end of the season, it's also gaper day(s) -

Even Batgirl made an appearance -

And superman was getting geared up  (I thought he used a phone booth?)

Ahhh, yes, the demo tents were back in full swing - tried 3 other skis out today. Some good, some not so....

there was also a LOT of folks doing tricks, maybe getting ready for tonight's "Big Air" finale to Telus week -

Here's a decent shot I managed to get with Blackcomb's 7th Heaven in the background- (they're coming off the jump to the left in the picture above)

So anyway, two days left on this mini-vaca, hope the weather holds out.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuk1w1 

I'm here, checking your pics and chewing my fingers thinking, "only 8 more months with a good November...".  Probably 9, I'll wait until the holiday crowds have left.

 

Great report(s)!

Yo - WB's still open until the end of May - sack up and get out there, then you don't have to think about another X months!

So, Whistler closed on Sunday. What a shame.  There was some nice scenery -

But the sad reminder of the chairs coming off the Peak chair for the last time this winter season -

This is what it was like Mid mountain - great coverage even in the woods -

So Monday was Blackcomb. Yes, just as predicted it was raining, although the hard early morning showers gave way to intermittent showers. The clouds were ominous however. I was thinking, hmmmm, when will the lightening start?

Sadly, snowlerbladers decided it was their turn on the hill, and a flock came out. No doubt, much hilarity ensued. Here's  some shots of one losing it 

Snowlerbladers everywhere. Pathetic.

Notwithstanding the bladers, the snow's consistency was divine for spring snow. Fast, trenchable, just delicious. I had originally intended to only take a couple of runs to call it a ski-day, but man, how I didn't want to get off the hill, but the fine folks at the Hilton gave me a late check out, and I didn't want to abuse their generosity (too much)., so I got off about 2:15.

SO, the bad news is that I left Monday afternoon. The good news, is that due to circumstances partially within my control, I'll get a couple more days in this weekend.

Oh, also - as an aside I got a Volvo S80 as my rental for this trip. What a dreadful car. More nanny buttons and noises and alarms and whatnot than I've ever seen or heard in a car, even after (trying to) disable everything. Would you believe the radio went deal and bells went off after 1+ hour telling me I should stop and take a break from driving - all the distractions of bells and whistles and whatnot could cause an accident. Horrible car. I should have stayed with the Mazda I'd originally reserved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

Gotta love the lead blade runner there in his hazard vest and pants- I think I should sear that next season and I will pick one up for Kneale as well

Well, one guy looked like he had his jammies on still -

Snowlerblades and Phenix. Gaper personified. Could only be worse if it was AC30 and Kjus -

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuk1w1 

 

$800 (flight) plus at least $300 for hotel/condo is a bit much to ski in the rain when:

 

Snowed yesterday. Fly within the Great Satan and drive up and it'll be less than half that $.