Best run ever

I just want to tell you about one run. Think Arc 2000, High in the mountains, above the tree line. It was Monday morning and three Atlantic storms had just passed leaving about 90cm of fresh. During the storms we had some great runs but we were restricted to the lower realms due to high winds. Monday brought little wind and no clouds it was a bright, sunny, crisp day. We headed up to the Arc 2000 zone and did a few runs on the more popular part of the mountain. On our third lift I noted one of the highest lifts, The Grand Col (aka the Grand Canard 2, circa Fort 06) had started moving but at that stage was empty. http://www.lesarcs.com/IMG/jpg/plan_2000_pix1800.jpg The call was made to chance it and head the the Col. We weren't the only ones who spoted the opening and it became a dash for cash for the first lift. I would guess we were about chair 15. Just as we got to the top of the lift the first skier came fanging down the piste, knee deep and in fine form. We watched with squeals of delight and anticipation. The chance for just over 1km of steep fresh in bounds is a rare thing and before our eyes it was getting cut up. fortunatly the Col services a high mountain bowl so we were sure our chance of fresh tracks was guaranteed. We hurriedly strapped in and headed off just to the left of the piste. Not too much to say about the actual run but it was awesome. 1km of the smoothest most exilerating boarding ever. The sort of stuff where every turn is one to savour as you push more and more to get lower and faster. There was an appropriate spot to stop about half way down the hill I turned, hands in the air, sreaming wooowhooo, to see the last of GPs run as he delicately duplicated my track about 2m to the left and the see the girls hurling themselves at it with an impressive lack of self regard. 6 runs and 2 hours later the whole area was tracked out. I was proud to be apart of it and Glad to have had my best run ever, Heliskiing inbounds. Monday 20 Feb Les Arcs, France, ES NB GP ER

Euro part 2

OK All of these updates are being posted at the same time due to illness. I'm writing them on the laptop and then heading down to the Information centre to upload. The first two updates have been sitting in the laptop since Wednesday when I was cruelly struck down with the both ends bug. Just as the fist of the three big fronts came marching in I began my 12 hours of pain. The team pulled together and got me to the doctor in the morning passing up the first French powder session in over three weeks. I had an anti vomit injection and was left to sleep it off. Anyway now it's Friday morning and I'm feeling much better. The Second and bigger front has arrived and big fast flakes are falling. I don't know how long I'll last today but it's nice to feel capable of riding a chairlift without potential disaster.

PS For a weather report see Torino, It's just over the hill. (But a 4 hour drive)

Europe Part 1

Canada to France isn't that far... Only a 5.30 wake up, 4 hour Bus trip, 2 hour wait, 1.5 hour flight, 3 hour wait, 10 hour flight, 1 hour wait, 1 hour flight and 2 hour car trip. We traveled the equivalent distance of Sydney to Shanghai but rather than taking the required 11 hours as the 747 flies we took just over 24 hours. I wasn't mentally prepared. Also Business was full so our promised upgrade didn't materialise. Oh well fingers crossed for FRA SIN.

Surprisingly it has been a while since we have seen snow falling and I can assure you that the three Atlantic fronts, the first of which has just arrived, are a cause of great excitement! It was great to have a day to check out the resort in perfect sunlight to get our bearings. It's kind of like Perisher Blue and We're staying at Guthiga. Gav and Ems place is right near the lifts and in a cool little village.

I was warned a couple of time “oh you're going to France, better take your elbow pads eh” I put it down to a Canadian misunderstanding of the intricacies of the French culture but no, they really don't know how to queue. It's crazy, basically you get in line and then it's a free for all. Any gap left is a weakness and delay and shuffling up is a chance for a Frechie to walk over you board and move in front of you. The other perplexing occurrence is despite the 20 minute wait there are still singles going up the 6 seater chair?? Has nobody in the French ski system been skiing overseas? A singles queue is sorely needed. Anyway I have decided to adopt these foreign techniques and now work my way up the lift line with the best of them and go right in the middle to discourage sharing. Look out Thredbo.

Canada part 2

Since I last wrote many things have come to pass. After a few rip snorter days of fresh the conditions slowly deteriorated towards the end of our 10 days. We also had a bout of illness with Warnsie hitting a dodgy Bombay Wrap and Nat getting a little bit snotty (I made it through that round but have since not only gone snotty but in the spirit of globalisation have also contracted some dodgy Euro bug). This ruled us out from skiing everyday but did however open other doors.
Who would have guessed, I love Cross country Skiing! I was dubious when Kingos told me how much fun it is but I take all the mockery back. After experiencing it myself I wholeheartedly

support you on this one Kang (still not convinced about nerdy card games). Very cool and only $15 for the gear hire.

The Ghostriders Hockey team were a dismal disappointments the second time we went to watch them losing 5-2. Also disappointing was the absence of the fish thrower. Despite not fresh snow in the second part of our time in BC, Fernie still provided some great skiing and some great times with Helen and Chris. It was hard saying goodbye but Europe was calling.

OOOOHHH CAAAANADA

After a slightly delayed start everything else has gone like clockwork.
highlights thus far
Had a massive meat feast at Memphis blues
Won a keyring on westjet (who were awesome by the way)
Got some sweet new gear
First day on the snow with a whole lot of fresh
Feeling the burn after not boarding for a few years
Fernie Goastriders Hockey, esp fish throwing fans
G'riders pushing it to extra time with a goal in the last 4 sec and going on to win with the golden goal
Christ Church Fernie, living proof the prayer book is still cool

Be excellent to each other,
even

I can't say it enough people

Make sure you check the Airport line BEFORE you go to the airport.
It helps avoid getting up at 6.00, getting to the airport by 7.00 and finding out your flight is delayed by 5 1/2 hours, like our is. Oh nuts.

Or call your travel agent for more details.