Archive for 2005
Back From Whistler
I just got back from Whistler, and plan to post a full report ASAP – hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, a few quick thoughts: – The early season conditions are better than the spring conditions I experienced there in March; most runs are open right down to midstation on Whistler Mountain and the top of [...]
Older Folks Get Into Snowboarding
Whenever I see someone that seems, ahem, “older” (read: over 40) snowboarding, I wonder: Q1) Why? Q2) Will that be me in 13 years? This article, an interesting take on older folks who are getting into snowboarding, provides the answers: A1) It’s easier to learn than skiing. A2) Probably, you ignorant jerk. The more I [...]
Early Storms Mean an Early Start to the Ski/Snowboard Season
I came across a New York Times article today that details how many U.S. ski resorts made it open in time for Thanksgiving weekend this year, which is typically the “unofficial start” to the ski season. Considering many resorts didn’t get open until mid-December, this is a really good development for the industry as a [...]
Countdown To Whistler
I haven’t mentioned it alot recently, but it’s coming: on Tuesday, I will be heading to Whistler! The conditions look pretty good, though they haven’t been getting an overwhelming amount of snow recently: 30cm in the past seven days, for a base of around 85cm. I believe another 10-20 is expected before I arrive. What [...]
Fortress Mountain Is Back!
A few years ago I had the opportunity to stay at Fortress Mountain in the Rockies (about an hour/hour and a half outside of Calgary). While I didn’t get to ski or ride, I was impressed by the accomodations, staff and general terrain. I always thought I would one day make it back to Fortress [...]
This Blog & First Turns
Over the past seven days or so the blog has really started to pick up in terms of attention and readership. That’s great news, and I’m happy to welcome everyone stopping by. But it also made me realize something pretty funny: I’ve got nothing on most other blogs when it comes to the terrain discussed on a daily basis.
Most of the readers and links coming to this blog are from serious riders in serious locales; places with real mountains. These are places I get to hit maybe twice a year. The rest of the time I’m in Ontario, hitting hills that are comparatively tiny. Woohoo! 700 foot, 45 second run. And all of a sudden… you’re back in line at the lift again. So this report has nothing on real locales…
Finally… Snow In Ontario
It looks like we’re starting to see some action in Southern Ontario. A big storm is rolling through, dumping 10 to 30cm on the region. So far I can locate one resort that is opening. Horseshoe Valley says it has one lift and two runs open, and could have more open tomorrow!
Everyone’s Open, Except In Southern Ontario.
The more I look around, the more I feel like I live next to the only ski resorts in North America not yet open. Tremblant is open. Saint-Saveur is open. And Whistler is planning to open more terrain earlier than ever before this weekend. And me? I’m in Southern Ontario, waiting for anything to open. [...]
Vail: Best Opening in 20 Years
According to this Aspen Times article, Friday’s opening day in Vail was one of the best in, well, a long time.
Snow Returns to Southern Ontario
It’s been snowing a bit in Southern Ontario the past few days, although not much is sticking to the ground. Our friends in Western New York, however, are getting a lot – in fact, Buffalo got it’s first real dump a couple of weeks ago. This means some upstate NY resorts are planning to open [...]
