Big statement, but today was awesome. Bluebird day on beautifully groomed slopes had me thinking it was the best day I have ever spent on skis. Whistler rocks !!!
Lorraine wasn't well, so both girls decided to give it a miss.
Clive and I headed out around 9am, straight down to the Wizard Express for the trip up the mountain. The next time we saw the Wizard was at 4:30pm when we descended from the heights at the end of the day. We skied Blackcomb Mountain all day and only did 3 or 4 runs twice.
Half way up the Wizard the Gondola crosses over the top of the lift....
From the Wizard, a short ski down and across the mountain to pick up the Excelerator Chair. From the top of the Excelerator a short ski down to the Crystal Chair, where these pics were taken. Three long lift rides so far and still only 3/4 of the way up the mountain....
This run wasn't groomed and it showed us just what sort of crap we skied on yesterday in the fog....
...and a look at the Glacier Creek Chair which takes you almost to the top of the mountain where you take a T-Bar to the very top.
From the top of the Crystal Chair I took this shot of the village....
Also from the Crystal Chair I got good views of the Jersey Cream area....
....and later we rode that very lift, Jersey Cream Express and skied the 3 main blue runs which lead off that chair. Note the big bowl in the second pic to the left of the Jersey Cream area. The wind is blowing snow off the top and just to the right of centre on the horizon the snowline dips, leading to a cliff face. That is the entrance to a world famous double black diamond run, the 'Couloir Extreme'....
We headed up the Horstman T-Bar which runs straight up the centre of the Horstman Glacier....
There is a sign at the load point of the T-Bar advising 'Expert Riders only'. This is one steep T-Bar, especially the final 30-40 metres and has a real tricky unload. When you unload you have less than 5 metres to turn as straight ahead of you is a cliff and a man made tunnel....
The tunnel is there so skiers crossing from right to left to ski the glacier can get across safely without getting smacked on the head by a T-Bar as it is let go by riders unloading.
If you unload to the right of the Horstman T-Bar it brings you to the top of the 7th Heaven area, a hugely popular area of Blackcomb Mountain with nice undulating but not extremely difficult blues. It faces South so is bathed in sunshine all day long and also affords magnificent views looking straight across the valley to Whistler Mountain....
...I did mention it is a popular area....
We have not long come in from a nice meal in Whistler Village and silly me, forgot the camera. It is a very pretty village at night so I will get some pics when we go for dinner on Thursday night.
Lorraine and Diane are definately skiing tomorrow. After the conditions today, they do not want to miss out. The plan is a very early start heading over to Whistler Mountain for some corduroy.
Later....
Comments on the comments:
Maybe the excitement levels are back up again, lol. Truth is, it's been a long trip and the first day at Whistler was tough going and barely enjoyable.
Casey, well done on winning the swimming carnival.
Sue, the pictures are in colour, but cold, snowy, foggy days look like that!!
6 comments:
You lucky, lucky chaps! It is a big place but the runs are the best we have skiied anywhere! Oh we wish we were there too!Have a beer for us under the heaters outside Merlins!
Kiters!
ps dont miss the pancakes at the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb, to die for ladies!
Oh Boy,those runs look soooo good.
Just the mention of Couloir Extreme gave me goose bumps. Thats where Peter had the big fall with Ted Meads, Gerrod Glenn and Tony Delaney and almost went over the cliff.
The whole area looks amazing and glad that you had your best day.
It is just such a huge area it's great that you only have to ski runs one or twice. Brings back lots of memories.
Girls get out and enjoy I am sure you have.
Make the most of it, Charlotte's will never seem the same.
Hi all
Glad to see you boys are carving up the mountain, looks & sounds great, love the pictures of the mountians.
Girls I hope your ski boots will be on tomorrow, I sure the boys have found some nice green runs for you both.
wish I was there enjoying it with you all, keep having fun..
It's very hot here today 31 degrees,
My cold is heaps better thankyou.
Bye ...Love Karmen, Jason, Tayla & Jack.
my cold
Hi Guys
I can't believe the colour difference from yesterday's photo's ... everything looks amazing now. No wonder you are so excited about being out there skiing. Glad you are enjoying it so much boys! Hope Lorraine is feeling much better too.
Lydia was happy to see all your photo's and today she brought in her photo album with pics from her trip at whistlers a few years ago. The place doesnt look like it has changed much.
Keep having fun !!!!
Sue
Well im glad my hopes for blue skies turned out, the pictures look great!
You also seem a lot more impressed with the place now, lol.
The mountain is huge, some pretty long lifts.
Hope Aunty Lorraine feels better and you get the same weather tomorrow, so the girls can ski.
Take care.
Well, after that well described rendition of your days skiing, my calves are aching.I feel like I was there with you. Couloir Extreme!!!! DANGER DANGER!!!! I remember when Uncle Peter came back from that run... he was as white as snow and his hair was standing on end. Don't take the girls anywhere near that one.
Hey Mum, glad to see you found the chocolate shop. Now where did I put my pocket knife???
Whistler is such a pretty village.
Girls, get out there and carve up the mountain. Enjoy every minute of it, because it is is less than a week and you will be back in Sydney living your oridinary lives.
The grandkids are looking forward to seeing you (and seeing what you have bought them).
There is a bar right at the bottom of the big lift in Blackcomb that serves really nice Margaritas. Indulge yourselves.
Love todays pics Bob. I reckon when you get home you should send a copy of your blog to Big White & Whistler management. They may offer you a part-ime job in their marketing department.
Time to go.
Lots of Love
Brenda, Darren, Riley & Kody
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