Great nice ultra cold early see forever blue bird skies. Light crowds, only lift lines were over 7Th Heaven way early afternoon. Cold and breezy enough that many areas up high didn’t soften much, but protected areas mid mountain got soft enough (including the ski out at the end of the day). Major fun runs during the afternoon frenzy were Saudan and Arthurs Choice. Suadan skier right side in the shade line was nice blown in packed pow and the four times I did Arthurs – perfect untracked (inch or so new making everything pristine…till I finished tracking it up) smooth big drops dodging trees, stumps, rocks, logs and brush – just about perfect conditions for this hamster (my fav tree bump run other than Twilight at Steamboat). Grooming was pretty firm mid mountain, up on Glacier chairs the areas not wind scoured where very nice. Heard big words about Blackcomb Glacier being very nice and one hot lady talked up Ruby Bowl from when she did it on Sunday. Anything off groomers on the bottom quarter of Solar is not skiable anymore, same on the other lifts that drop that low. The ribbon of snow back to the village is getting pretty narrow in places, but what is there is good coverage. The snow guns were cranking all over the mountain most of the day with the cold temps.
Other – The soups were typical Whistler, but we ate at the Crystal Hut - #1 had an alcoholic waffle and I had some very nice Bison Stew (with mashed potato’s and a way to big piece of bread), very good but way to much. First time we have ever eaten there. Noticed that the breakfast options at Rendezvous are pretty incredible and with the exchange rate cheaper than eating at Crystal Mountain. Parking was expensive and easy as usual where we stayed. Boarder crossing pretty much sucked both directions – dang Canucks plugging up the boarder both directions (should have separate lines…or I got to get that Nexus pass). Planned on staying till Thursday….but life in southern Puget tropolis intervened again – oh well. More days up there will come soon. Yee Haa for Blackcomb/Whistler! Its worth the trip
