Cnd Rockies this weekend?

Had a fantastic day at SSV with my dad on saturday. I was not planning on going up, I was going to study but I got the call around 9am and he said that a half day was in the books for him and why not head up.

I packed up the tankers, dropped my roomate at the airport and headed west to meet my dad. We rolled into the parking lot at about 1:30pm but that is ok, it was always going to be a mellow day with pops and I look forward to spending the day with him more than killing some big lines on these sorts of occasions. We got to the top and were greeted with overcast conditions and blowing snow. Wawa was quite crowded so we decided to head to angel. We soon realized why there was no line-up there, it was socked in, rocky and most of the runs were closed. Not a big deal; off to standish chair it was.

It was day one for my dad this year so the legs were a bit shaky. He managed about 4 or 5 runs on standish and then he decided to head towards the bottom via the jackrabbit area (really nice snow but mellow and short runs = good rest for the legs). I just did laps on standish until last chair at 4. The chutes were a bit bony and there were a few lurking sharkfins but all in all it was a stellar day. I got used to the big skis again (sort-of) and the legs got a good burn on. I got to hang out with my dad for a while and see him ski - quite well for a 55y.o. tele dude on his first day out this season which was great. For all of you that have kids young, be greatful for the fact that you will be able to do fun stuff with them for a long time, it is a wonderful thing that is often overlooked.

The drive home was a plethora of rednecks and yuppie hemi-drivers doing dumb assed shit like trying to pass/accelerate/brake aggressively or tailgate - the road was a sheet of ice. We saw one guy go swerve all over the road, head into the ditch and continue to drive for about 500 yards at about 70km/h (around 45?mph) until he managed to get back onto the road. I reemember looking across at this big fricken dodge kicking and bouncing over buried objects (probably family station wagons that had previously gone into the ditch).

I know a couple of mags were out at SSV but I was only in for a short time and I didn't get a chance to meet up. I hope all the others had a great weekend (I am sure a bunch of them are out there right now as I sit looking at Photogrammetry and the exciting math that accompanies it).

Good to see other people are out there getting some south of the border too, keep up the great TR's and photos.

Yeah,
Coming back from Burstall Pass Sat. night there were lots of cars in the ditch but it didn't deter very many people. Lots of people still driving 110. That was one reason why I wasn't in a big rush to head out there this morning. Hopefully things will shape up for next weekend.

Reporting in from the Southern Rockies.

Things in Fernie have started to change for the good. It started to snow Saturday and continued into Sunday. Today, I was able to finally skin up from the parking lot to the top of the bear. It was really good and lots of people were hiking and skining up(stoke factor way up in Fernie). Boot deep all the way down the bear and decent coverage down lower. Felt good to earn my turns (2hours up for 2 minutes down) but the ratty skins and trekkers make a big difference this year.


Weather channel is calling for snow and colder temps all week. If this keeps up, the hill should open on Friday (Dec 10). [antijinx]

Cool report, Oarhead. I have fond memories of skiing with my Dad. But that seems like a lifetime ago. I'm not really sure why he stopped skiing. I think he got too busy with making a career and providing for the family.

Now he's in his 70s and waiting for hip replacement, replacement surgery. He managed to bust his first artificial hip and is going back for seconds.

Enjoy those ski days with your Dad. They will become even more precious in the coming years.

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Originally Posted by rossibandit

Reporting in from the Southern Rockies.

Things in Fernie have started to change for the good.

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It's about time!! Me and some of the boys are headed there for new years. I am so looking forward to spending some time there this year after having not skied there all last year. 2 friends are moving there in a few weeks, some others grew up there so their family has floor space and I plan on couch hijacking all winter as long as there is some snow. :FIREdevil :cool:

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Originally Posted by Eldo

I kept an eye open for you, Redskea, but all you patrol people look alike to us day skiers. ;) I usually look for Red, and then I'll know you must be close by.

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I thought you must just be embarressed by your internet friends or didn't want to be seen talking to patrolers when you skiied past me at the top of Wawa ;)

I had a great day at Castle with Flanker and some friends. We skinned to the top of Outlaw. Some sweet boot to knee high pow was had, however the bottom was a little sketchy with the snow sharks bitting pretty good. All in all a great day.

Pray for more snow.

It was good Sunday and even did some turns with Redskea and Idris. Still a bit rocky in places but the skis I'm riding if I get 4-5 more days on them I'll be happy. Even a compressed edge is good for a laugh.

Will be out Friday and Sat.

Doug, interested in Fernie for opening Friday?
http://209.91.64.14/cams/fecam2/image.jpg
I've got to try the new 777/freeride combo and hopefully there are a few less rocks down there.

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Originally Posted by PlayHarder

Doug, interested in Fernie for opening Friday?
I've got to try the new 777/freeride combo and hopefully there are a few less rocks down there.

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Not sure if theres more snow but the rocks don't seem to stick out as far though after checking Craig's site looks like lots of twigs sticking up. Think I;ll save my free day on my card for later in season.

Spent the day BC at SS yoyoing a little peak away from Standish. It's filling in nicely, we tried lines all over the place so as to get a feel for the snow and coverage. Got bit by a few sharks and did one endo when I hit a boulder dead on in the flat light, but no real damage. Another week of snow like the last one and some much better lines are going to start opening up.

Snow depth was 2-4 feet, pretty much unconsolidated but consistent. Some definite crystal formation on the lower layer just above the hardpack from the meltdown but no slabbing. It's pretty protected over there so we didn't see any real wind affect. Snow in the trees was a lot less settled, still pretty much baseless but we did our best to break it down a bit. Definite drop in depth at the bottom, and that's where the snakes were biting, but compared to week and 1/2 ago there was a lot more lines available.

Looks like there is more snow coming after a couple of days off so next week should be a good one.

No pic's forgot the camera and it was snowing lightly pretty much all day so the light was flat anyways.

eldereldo