Big White Ski Trip
I’m in for a climate-shock – After last weekend in rockies, I’m heading to San Diego for the HIMSS conference (currently writing in the Seattle airport).
We got to hit-up two great mountains for a perfect ski-weekend. We’ve been hitting it pretty hard this year, and this trip marked the 13th day of skiing for the year (In greece they keep track of how many “swims” or “banos” on the beach they have – I suppose our equivalent is skiing). Not only did we take some great pictures, but I have even compiled a series of videos (just click below to watch – approx 4 minutes).
You’ll notice how many times I say “it sure is beautiful” – I think the high altitude was affecting the oxygen supply to my brain, and the vocabulary was limited as a result. It happens.
For a breakdown the individual mountains read on.
First time at Big white resulting in the following observations:
- Some great long runs – Mountain’s verticle lift is 2550 ft, resulting in runs that feel nearly as long as Whistler/ Blackcomb’s Skiable runs (although in reality nowhere near as long)
- Fantastic Glade skiing – Glades are everywhere! From wide-open and gently sloped to steep, deep and tight – There are glades ready for any skier’s ability level.
- One Unbelievable bowl - cliff chair is breathtaking – as my video will show. It is serviced by a slow two-seated chair, but it offers multiple exciting entry-points, and seems to be protected from the fog that envelops the rest of the hill.
- Brutal Fog – also known as “Big Whiteout” – We were lucky and the morning fog cleared to reveal some great sun (on both days we were there), but talking to locals really reinforces the belief that fog can be a major issue. Dont’ believe the website’s visibility reports. Unlimited visibility means that you can see twenty-feet ahead of you, and limited means you can’t see the front of your skis.
- Light and beautiful “Champaign Powder” – The difference between west-cost Whistler-style snow and the snow in the interior is immediately apparent – the snow is so light and easy to ski, it can make anybody feel like a pro. We were blessed with some untracked powder runs; it’s these kinds of runs that motivate you to wake up at 5:30am to get to the hill.
- European Village - Village style is not as quaint as Silver Star’s, and not as metropolitan as Whistler’s. There is plenty of ski-in accommodation, but the village seems to be spread very haphazardly. Couldn’t really get too strong a sense of the village, as we spent very little time there (the first day, we just skied the Gem Lake area, and didn’t even see the village)
- Bad Parking - May have been my fault, but signage for parking was brutal – Seems like the first 4 lots you drive by are for season ticket holders only.
Silver Star is marketed as a family resort. The runs on the font-side of the mountain are less extreme they ratings would indicate, but the backside is alot hairer. Observations:
- New Terrain - new glade skiing – It’s been six years since i last visited silverstar, and plenty of new terrain has openned up – I love glade skiing, but didn’t get much of a chance to hit the new terrain (saved the glades for big white)
- New terrain park - in addition to new glades, there is a new telus terrain park. We snuck down the side of it to get the fresh snow, but didn’t do too many of the features – if you’d like to know why, I can gladly show you my blackened toes)
- No line-ups on the backside of mountain - The Vance creek side is serviced by a high-speed six-pack chair, but this is occasionally not enough to handle the beginner/intermediate crowd that hang out on the front side. The Panorama side of the mountain had no waits at all.
- Very nice fall lines – Despit being short, they have some exciting steeps that feed into gulleys on the Panorama side of the mountain. There was one very unique run that fed into a section with burnt tree remains- very eery, I wish I had my camera for that day.
- Unpleasant runouts - After slamming down one of the steeps on the backside, the last thing you want to see is a 2km runout. If your thighs aren’t burning at the end of the run, they definitely will be by the time you get to the chair. This was the largest complaint of the mountain (would have thought they could have lowered the chair location to increase the runout slope)
- More great snow – As with big white – the snow is “pretty”
- Shorter runs – Runs seem short relative to Big White, and very short relative to Whistler/ Blackcomb
- Great old village – Village is themed after the old-west. I like the collection of buildings, and the people working are very friendly.
Both mountains are growing like mad – new facilities going up everywhere. Let me know if you’d like more of a breakdown -
In case you are wondering why we love to ski so much – Here is a quote from wikipedia – It may be a bit quakerish, but it gets the point accross.
Skiing – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Many
non-skiers wonder why skiers are willing to risk such injury. Skiers
have a variety of answers to this question, but a common explanation is
that it simply feels good, rather like flying, and that, when done
carefully, poses no greater risk of injury compared to other sports. Of
course, there is some aspect of danger, but that is part of the appeal.
Skiing is the fastest means of land transport possible without
mechanical assistance. Many skiers have had experiences where they have
achieved a union of the mind and the body by practising this sport;
where the mind trusts the body to perform in an exceptional manner and
the body trusts the mind not to lead it off an un-navigable cliff. A
sense of harmony and of peak experience can result in a feeling of
wholeness of self.
Related posts:
Big White is absolutely amazing!
Some photos I took when I was there!