Road trippin'

With a new set of wheels at hand we hit the road. Although still with no money we targeted resorts we could ride at for free with our staff pass.

Kimberley
Just 90 minutes away from Fernie, this was a cool day trip. With only 3 chairs this is not a very big resort. Kind of local and small. This is looking down the main lift line.

Bella carving up what little snow was around.
Our housemates who joined us for the day, two aussie girls, Macca and Leets. Riding the old school double chair.
The highlight of the trip was these hot springs. Although they smelt like eggs and made cheap jewellery turn black, they were really refreshing and WARM!!!!
On the way for an icy dip in the flowing creek.

The record was 40 seconds of full body immersion. Intense cold with pins and needles everywhere. That is a chunk of snow i am holding. Luckily the 40 degree hot springs restored your warmth soon enough.

Sunshine VillageLots of sun. Our first extended trip was up to the Banff area, about 5 hrs north of Fernie.
More in the mountains that what Fernie is. About 700m higher in altitude makes a big difference. Snow everywhere, although not as deep as Fernie. They have only had 3m for the year versus the 9m we've had at Fernie.
The terrain park.The top of the mountain view.
Looking up the ridge line.

Lake Louise
Lake Louise base area. Bella at the top. The actual Lake Louise is to the left of Bella's head and is frozen over.
Looking down the top of the mountain. The right hand side leads down to the base area. The left side is mostly blacks and double blacks. Some guys contemplating double black diamonds in not great snow conditions.

Other stuff around Banff
Some Rocky Mountains.
Some old fancy hotel.A limesonte canyon called Johnstone Canyon. Created over 8,000 years due to water erosion.A frozen waterfall. Only frozen on the outside with the water still flowing underneath as evidenced by the bubbles in the pool.
Up close.Bella wandering through a wintery walking path.
Some happy trippers.

Snow snow Snow

It all started on Australia Day and continued to snow for about 2 weeks straight. We had 176cm in a week and now have had well over 8m of snow for the year.
This was on a 40cm+ day. Seriously deep stuff.
Somewhere in Currie Bowl.
Bella cruising down the Milky Way.
Fresh lines with some guy buried in the middle.
Trees and snow.
Untracked on the left. Open slather on the right. The top of the bowl is closed due to avalance

Other parts of our life that are a little more difficult because of the snow. Our front door for instance. Snowed in up to my waist after all the snow fell off the roof.The local school now has the ultimate snow fort.
And now our front yard compared to 3 months ago in November.In other news in our life, we bought a car. A 1995 Dodge Caravan. Fully decked out with a wooden bed frame in the back and a bunch of camping equipment. Bring on the spring and summer and some road trips.Since the snow we have had some beautiful warmer and sunnier weather. Very photogenic. I have seen way too many sunrises now with the sun not rising until about 8am and me waking up at 6.45am for work. But it does make for some nice colours .Just a peak.The Cedar bowl.Yeah, the Canadian Rockies are a pretty nice place to work and play.

Calgary and an icy shute

Bella's little sister came over to Calgary as she competes for Australia in Skeleton. Think luge but headfirst, photos to follow. So with no family contact in 9 months it was the perfect excuse to get out of Fernie where we have been for the last 2 and a half months.

So it was back on our beloved buses at 2am for another 6 hours of joy. It was weird to be back in a big city with public transport (You mean I can't walk there) . So we arrive to beautiful Calgary with weather of minus something or other and snowing. We fumble our way through the public transport system and make our way to the Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Olympics (yes, the one with the Jamaican Bobsled Team, it actually happened) and Canada's only Bobsled/Skeleton track.

We walked our way up the track just as the event was starting and finally made it to the top of the hill. Wandering into a small room with 24 competitors from all over the world getting ready to do their thing. Now before I build it up too big. The premier Skeleton competition is the World Cup, Ami competes on the next level down called the America's/Intercontinental/Europa Cups.
Stll she is one of only 6 girls who compete in the sport for Australia. Anyway, we manage a quick hug and hello just before Ami throws herself down the shute at 100kph+.

The start.
The getting down bit. The guys on the side in the yellow jackets sweep the track in between sliders. The competitors are reaching speeds of around 110kph at the end of the course which takes all of 60 seconds for the 1.5km.The lying down bit. As you can see we learnt a lot over the 2 days. Well we did actually learn lots. We also got a taste of professional atheletes life including staying at the Sheraton, well at least using the pool and spa.
The Australia Skeleton Support Team. A huge spectator sport.
Some guy mid course.
Ski Jumps. Really stand out in Calgary which apart from this tiny hill is completely flat.
One of Ami's other talents.The happy sisters.

Photos from the hill

These photos took a lot of effort. I had to wait for a clear day when I wasn't working. Doesn't happen a lot here. Also keep in mind that clear day means freezing cold. Gloves off taking photos at -15 is not altogether fun, although somewhat worthwhile.A view from beside the Lost Boys Cafe on top of the hill. Looking back up the valley toward Fernie.
Looking up to the top of the White Pass Chair.Looking down the Timber Bowl. Some frosty trees looking to the highest point on the mountain at 2900m. It's no Andes.
Bella on top of the Currie Bowl. EExxxtrreemmmeee.....The Currie Bowl
On the other side of the hill now.A run down of our lives. Where we live and work.