10 posts tagged “snowboarding”
The snow season in Europe had been crap this year so I decided to flag it away and head over to Canada for my snowboarding trip this year. Although I had been to Whistler before, this trip had the added benefit of being able to spend some time with Cam.
Upon arrival Cam picked me up and headed around to the local pub at Squamish. Mike was well underway already, and although the beer was cold and was going down well, I decided that the wise thing would be to try to sleep off some of my jetlag.
The first day was pretty good, with some nice fresh snow - unfortunately for the others, they had not taken the same decision as me, and were all nursing relatively severe hangovers. However, I had a pretty good day even though it did start raining in the afternoon.
I was also happy that my role of "Lost Boy" from the Canada trip in 2004 had been replaced by James, who ended up riding down the wrong gondola and ending up in the village at the end of the day with no wallet, a malfunctioning radio and no lift home. Luckily he managed to hitch a lift back around to the gondola we were riding.
The rain then continued for 48 hours. 3 weeks worth in fact. This pretty much damaged the snowbase for a couple of days. So once this rain froze, it made for a pretty icy second day. By this stage, James had taken my other title from the last trip "Sick Boy", meaning that it was just Cam and myself.
The hardpacked conditions continued into the 3rd day, and I was starting to get a little down - but at lunch time it started dumping with snow. By the time we had fiinished, 5-6 inches had fallen. This made for a great afternoon, which continued overnight with even more snow. One thing is for certain, when it snows in Whistler it certainly dumps.
The powdery conditions led to one of the funniest crashes of the week, and my creation of a signature move - the half flip. The ramp was around 8 foot high, and was pretty steep - this meant that you needed to bomb down the other side of a valley to get up the ramp. I went in quite hard, but when I reached the bottom of the valley I overbalanced onto the back of my board - and so when I hit the ramp I went into a massive corkscrew and ended up landing head first. Luckily the landing zone was really soft and I was wearing a helmet meaning that no injury ensued.
This was marginally less impressive than the double back flip the guy before me had just done!
Following a couple of days of powder, everyone was pretty beaten up. We also had to pick someone up from the airport, so we decided to go to Cypress ski field. This is the field 20 mins out of Vancouver. Although the snowboarding and several other events of the 2010 Winter Olmypics are going to be held at this field, it was pretty small. A day's worth of flat out groomers was easily adequate.
My final day on the snow started promisingly enough, with another 20-30 cm of snow falling overnight. However, when we got to the bottom of the gondola the rain started again. Unfortunately this turned the nice fresh snow into a heavy substance the consistency of glue. It made for really hard work and was probably not the finish I had hoped for.
As the rain continued into the evening, we decided a heavy night drinking was in order - as it was clear that we were not going to get another day. We ended up in a red neck bar complete with a Ti Chi master giving a demonstration on the dance floor to the music of the local rock band.
My final day in Canada was spent suffering from a hangover and avoiding more rain before heading to the airport. By this stage I had reclaimed my "Sick Boy" status and had a touch of the flu. I thought this would prevent me sleeping on the overnight flight home, but luckily I took some Canadian anti-flu drugs and these knocked me for a six. I basically slept the whole way, although this didn't stop me having some jetlag for the following week!
Well, I've been a bit slack updating the website as I've been pretty busy at work and have been travelling quite a bit, so its now time to try and catch up.
We flew into Austria on the Saturday night, to be met by Stu - the geezer who's chalet we were staying at for the week. Quite a few brits seem to be trying to escape the UK for mainland Europe, setting up similar businesses in this way.
The chalet was pretty funny - felt like it was straight out the 1970's with lots of browns and beiges, and a pretty extensive 'wall of death' - lots of stuffed animals. Although Austrian do seem to like prominently displaying lots of products from the taxidermist...
We spent the first few days at the local field at Maria Alm - called Natrun. On the first morning the most noticiable event was me falling on my face after coming off a jump and forgetting that I had not ridden for 12 months. However, pretty quickly I worked out that although the snow was really good at Natrun, the field was pretty limited, so I went over the back to Hintermoos. This was a much bigger field which was in turn linked to Hinterthaal and other fields up the valley.
Austrian ski fields seem to be really well linked - and nowhere was this better illustrated than at Saalbach - where practically every run was on a different field. The morning was absolutely magic, with bright blue skies and deep powder. Unfortunately by the afternoon it had clouded over, so seeing the bumps on the way back was a somewhat tricky affair. Korina struggled a bit with this, although I must say that I also found it to be rather hard on the knees. We made it back just in time for the last Gondola, unlike a number of people that were left to walk out.
We then enjoyed the first of what was to be several nights out in Maria Alm. Apres ski was pretty funny in Austria - plenty of poor dancing to equally bad music - i.e. David Hasselhoff, Cotten Eyed Joe - all the best from the 80's and 90's! Apparently the key to dancing in Austria is to thrash your hands around in the air, with complete disregard for anyone that might be walking past with a full pint of beer...pretty funny all the same - for Korina and my impressions of this, see the videos...
We went out for dinner quite a bit - which felt relatively cheap as we were used to things priced in pounds rather than Euro - although we did find most of the food to be pretty salty and by the end we were trying to take the least salty alternatives (although still plenty of room for sausage!). The most amusing food mistake was buying what we thought was chip-dip from the supermarket, only to discover (upon trying to eat it) that it was actually lard. With onion bits in it. Very weird...
We also did another tour at a town called Kitzbuhel. Kitzbuhel was kind of like the area where the rich people go (as compared to Maria Alm, which was kind of like a field for locals - i.e. Herman Maier lives there...). This meant that there were lots of inappropriate fur coats and other more incidious fashion crimes at Kitzbuhel...
I snowboarded all the way there from close to Maria Alm, as again, all the fields were interlinked (sometimes with crappy old 1 person lifts or T bars, sometimes with massive new gondolas). Unfortunately I was not as lucky with the weather as I had been in Saalbach - it was snowing and blowing a gale for most of the morning - which, given that there were a lot of long traverses made for some pretty un-fun riding (slow, soft new snow on the traverse...).
Luckily the weather completely changed for the afternoon, and I managed to find some good, albeit slight sticky powder.
Korina had felt too tired to do the tour over to Kitzbuhel, so she decided to catch the train over and meet me. Unfortunately the train she was put on didn't stop at Kitzbuhel, so she ended up going to some random town called Wokel (or something) and then had to come back. So she got there about the same time as me. We were going to catch the train back together, but it turns out that in the meantime it had hit a car (very messy with a snowplow in front) and so we got a lift back with Stu.
The nasty weather conditions I mentioned made the mountains start to look very avalanche prone - and I said so to Korina. I made the mistake (a few times) of going down a run that was closed (hey, I can't read German) - and it was not really surprising to find out when we got back that some Aussie guy had been killed in a big slide.
After Kitzbuhel it was back to Natrun / Hintermoos - the next day they had had around a foot of snow, and all was looking good until it started pelting with rain. I went right to the top of Hintermoos and managed to get above the rain layer where the snow was still good but lower down the conditions were somewhat marginal.
Korina and I then spent the last day at Hinterthaal - it was really a good day as it had been groomed quite well which was easier for Korina. She had a good day, and after a few days where she struggled a bit it all sort of came together to a degree. I spent a couple of hours in the afternoon and went over the back to a few other resorts then came back and finished up with Korina.
Overall we had some really good, quite challenging riding across the week - I'd recommend Austria to any dog-owner! I got a little frustrated because I kept thinking I should just be able to ride like I left off in Canada - but even though I was quite fit it was not the case - with particularly sore legs and knees!
Well, we've now had a couple of weekends in Leeds, which although uneventful have been good in terms of getting a bit of a rest. December looks quite busy, so we'll need any energy we can muster! Weather has gone completely pear shaped, snowing today - although not settling on the ground so i am hopeful that I will get home OK.
Speaking of snow, yesterday I went to Xscape (www.xscape.co.uk), which is 1/2 way between home and my work along the M62. It was a fun, if quite expensive couple of hours (£31 for two hours). Cost more than a whole day on a real field in NZ! Good to get back on the board, and think it was probably good practice for Korina before our longer ski trips later in the season. However, two hours was enough - the slope did not have a very steep gradient and with no jumps or rails, it was not long before I was seeing how fast I could ride switch down the slope, and generally acting like a fool. I'll have to get down there on a Thursday / Friday night after work when they have booters, rails etc set up for everyone to wreck themselves on...
Saturday was my second game of rugby. We lost, and I spent far too much time on the sidelines as a reserve. When I came on it was in the centres, which was quite hair raising as I have never played there before. Didn't make to many areas, and certainly felt fast enough in the grade I'm playing in (although hard to catch the ball as it was so cold!). All in all, pretty disappointing, especially as I got back late and missed both the AB's final match and the Kiwi's tri-nation success.
Having been in Banff a few days now, have noticed that it has a real touristy feel about it - which I guess is not surprising. As compared to Fernie, it feels much more like Vail or Queenstown, complete with wealthy tourists dropping cash for horrendous fake fur one piece ski suits amongst other things.
St Patricks day was a real highlight - it snowed 23cm at Sunshine Village so I had to pay for a day pass to get some unexpected powder. Rode with some guys from the hostel - pretty fun day, completed by one guy snapping his board and bruising his ribs. Went out on the town for St Paddies - pretty funny as people cannot place the NZ accent. So went around telling people that I was Irish just to see if I could. Almost won a contest at the pub, but was flummoxed when they asked me when the Irish Republic was formed. Apparently it was not in 1683 or 1893...
Banff is famous for a few things, including:
- Wildlife strolling the streets (although haven't seen any yet)
- Proximity to 3 ski fields (Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay)
- Apparently having the highest per capita rate of STD transmission in the US / Canada (according to some random guy on the chairlift)
I'm not sure if these things are related, but it certainly seems like a bit of a party town. A real atmosphere of being here for a good time, not a long time. However, overall I have found Fernie to be a bit more friendly and less pretentious.
Anyone considering staying in Banff - avoid the Samesun hostel - its dirty and has a bit of a reputation for theivery. Nothing gone missing yet, but sometimes the kitchen is overflowing with garbage which is relatively unpleasant. There are 2 other hostels, although neither is as close to town as the Samesun. Although the Samesun is pretty nasty, still has a pretty good crew of long termers there for the season.
Well, the road trip was somewhat interesting. The swedes had purchased a 1981 Ford Custom truck, which was huge - so the 6 of us had no problem fitting in. However, $500 doesn't buy you much truck in this country, and as a result, the Ford:
- Had a gaping hole in the passenger side floor, big enough to spray you with road dirt
- Had no indicators
- Needed to be crash started regularly
- Had no seatbelts in the rear seats - in fact, the rear seats were just a tool box with a couple of squabs on it
Pretty fun trip - group being the 2 swedes, the 2 Guernsey boys, myself and Mic the Aussie. We met another kiwi from Fernie in Lake Louise and all rode together for a few days then everyone except Mic and myself headed back to Fernie.
Lake Louise is a massive field, spread over 3 mountain peaks. Although they are also having a rough season, the extra altitude has kept the snow base in a bit better condition. It was pretty icy initially, with quite a few moguls, but the last few days have seen a few cm of snow which is helping.
Louise also has the biggest park and superpipe I have ever seen. Have been taking it easy since wasting my back which is still not 100%.
After leaving Fernie, headed on to Kimberley for a few days. Kimberley turns out to be more of a family field than Fernie, and also had less snow. That said, on the back of the mountain there was still some OK riding to be had.
Kimberley turned out to be a very weird Bavarian themed Canadian town. It was dead quiet, could almost see tumbleweed blowing down the streets - I guess because the season has been poor and most families stay in the Condos up the mountain. The Bavarian theme was completed by a 20 foot cuckoo clock in the middle of town (with yodelling Bavarian cuckoo) and the miniature Bavarian village constructed in someone's backyard (see pictures to be attached).
There also seemed to be a relatively high red-neck ratio, complete with good old boys driving around in a convertiable pickup covered with mud in the middle of night.
In total spent 3 days riding at Fernie with Dean and Stacy, the Guernsey boys from Fernie. Then we met up with Ingva and Hendrix (the Swedes) and Mic the Aussie for our road trip to Lake Louise.
Been a few weeks since I added anything, so decided to do a whole heap at once.
WHITESWAN HOTSPRINGS TRIP
Hostel organised for a group to go to the Whitesprings hotsprings - which are in a provincial park about 1.5 hours from Fernie, and close to absolutely nowhere. Hair raising drive in not improved by icy road, cliffs and logging trucks going the other way. Logging trucks in a forest park - seemed odd to me too! Picture didn't come out too well as the springs were so much hotter than the creek next door that all you could see was steam. The mission was to lie in the creek as long as possible then jump in the hotsprings. An Aussie named Craig proved he was either tougher or more stupid than everyone else by lasting 7 seconds...
CODE SWAP DAY
With the season pass everyone received a number of vouchers, one of which was for a high performance rental. A group of us decided to swap codes last friday for the day. It was interesting to see who picked it up quickly and who did not. Obviously those of us that had done it before had an advantage, and I was pleased to see I could still ski after a 9 year hiatus. In general, the Brits seemed to take longer to pick it up than the Aussies, Kiwis and Europeans...
HAPPENINGS SINCE
Eventually I got sick of riding my Salomon which kept delaminating, so I purchased a new snowboard. The last 3 days were a bit odd - always takes me time to get used to new gear. Yesterday it all came together and had a really good day. Unfortunately the last run of the day I was going through the terrain park, cleared a massive jump and came down clean in the landing zone before catching an edge and completely wasting myself. Smashed my back and am now walking like I am 80 and also whiplashed my head into the snow for good measure (thank god for helmets). Taking a day off today to try loosen my back up - going to go sit in the hot tub at the pool for a bit.
Pretty interesting that they doll out big jars of anti-inflammatories and strong painkillers at the drug store with no script if you just say you've got some sore muscles! Also interesting to note that physio is not that big here, whereas chiropracters seem to be relatively more popular...
Included a picture of the old gothic courthouse in Fernie as I thought it was one of the only pretty buildings in town - as Fernie has been burnt down about 3 times (was rumored to have been cursed until about 1950).
Certainly the snow conditions have been cursed this year, with rain last night, and more forecast on the way. Think I will head up to Banff around the end of the week unless we get some more snow.
Right when I was starting to get annoyed about the lack of snow, it started dumping. 50cm fell over the last 48 hours, with more forecast for this weekend. Really has been the saviour of the season I feel, and has meant that the snowboarding has just been epic over the last few days.
On saturday, it was snowing so hard that I didn't dare take my camera out on the field. I was sure that the snow / moisture would make it freak out. However, was able to take a couple yesterday.
In an odd turn of fate, I was about to do a run and asked some guy at the top what the time was. After telling me it was about 11am the guy suggested that he was from the Calgary Sun newspaper, and did I mind if he took a few shots of me on the next run? Not sure whether he got the shots published, but maybe that was part of my 15 mins of fame!
Been riding with a mentally deficient Aussie named Craig who seems to like hurling himself at trees, and a dutchman named Thony who looks like Jesus!
OK been up the hill @ Fernie. It appears that their tag line is more reminisent of a Tui beer billboard...
Considering going up to Lake Louise near Banff to try find some snow...problem being that I've already paid for accommodation here...
Started snowing today, but as these shots show, it will take a crap load to save Fernie's season.
Despite what the poxy map shows, I'm actually flying East to the USA rather than circling the globe to get to Colarado!
My journey to the US was fraught with the usual failings of a vague traveller - for example, dropping my boarding pass whilst walking through Auckland international airport and leaving my jersey in the departure lounge and having to run off the plane to get it. Trip was pretty smooth on Qantas all the way to Denver.
A couple of examples as proof that Americans truly are insane -
1. "The Governator" t-shirts for sale in LA airport with pictures of Arnie from the Terminator on them
2. Lite Beer being advertised as both 'low calorie' and 'low carb'. I guess this is a place where appearance is everything.
3. 60 year old women at Vail wearing make-up like 20 year olds. All women caking on several kilos
4. For guys - an obsession with replacing gear when it has got some minor scratch - having to have gear that no one else has (latest stuff). Also due to prices being 50% lower in the US
Got to Keystone where I was struck down by a nasty bout of altitude sickness for a couple of days. Luckily I had got some Doxin from the Dr before I left, so I recovered quite quickly - but then managed to contract a headcold from Jess "Infectious Betty" Thomas. I also did not realise that alcohol has around 3 X the potency at altitude - leading to a couple of huge nights off 1-4 beers!
Got on pretty well with Jess's American 'room mates', and went out for a few drinks with them a couple of times (Jess being booted out of the pub quite early for not being 21. Also went 10 pin bowling, which for whatever reason is massive over here! Took a hiding in the first game, having not bowled since I was 10, then came a respectable 3rd in the second game bowling a 120 game.
On to the snow - well, it didn't snow for the first week and a half that I was here - only snowing in the last 2 days. Mostly rode at Keystone, but also went to Breckenridge and Vail. All the mountains are huge over here, but the lack of fresh snow meant that they were quite icy until the last couple of days curtailling my desire to ride in the trees or try much in the way of hard lines. The icy conditions meant my riding felt quite rusty for the first week or so, then it all came together. They have really good park facilities to, so I spent some time learning new grinds etc.
When Jess and I went to Breckenridge, we took a wrong turn and ended up on the 4 lane interstate highway to Denver! Took us 20 mins to find a dodgy exit where we could turn around (emergency vehicle tunnel...)
Also, saw a few guys from the Rookie Academy instructing at Keystone - they were pretty surprised to see me!
Keystone was pretty quiet most of the time, although we went out to Breckenridge for dinner one night and town was pumping! Keystone would have to be one of the most stupidly set out base resorts - its really difficult to move about and the bus schedules mean you have to change bus often to go to different base areas. And there is no Internet access (well, there actually is, but no one knew about it, including guest services). That said, still have not found somewhere where I can put pictures on this site...
$10 worth of food in the US also gets you a massive meal - especially if its not fne dining (e.g. burgers etc). In Breckenridge the meal was overflowing on the plate, makng for quite a challenge (still, I managed somehow...!).
Keystone also has a really weird 5 star restaurant in the 'outback' - luckily for me, Jess's room mate worked there, so we went there for lunch and paid about $12 for some of the best duck and veal I've ever had. It was the sort of place that provided complementary slippers for diners! This was how things seemed to work - if you knew people, and / or tipped well, they would try to hook you up - meaning we often paid 'happy hour' prices for beer, 1/2 price meals and I also never paid more than $30 a day for lift passes (usually around US$75) .
I'd like to thank Jess and room mates for their hospitality - overall had a great time even though the snow conditions were a little disappointing.
