Wowed in Whistler

Although it’s purpose built, Whistler is delightful, especially at night.  Traffic free, it’s full of interesting symbols and beautiful pieces of public art that celebrate the environment, its origins and recent history.   Totems celebrate the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations who traded in the valley.  Bears and fish that inhabit the forests and rivers have been carved of local wood  or modelled in metal and there are references to the hugely successful 2010 Winter Olympics throughout the town.  Lights threaded through the trees light up the plazas each night and an illuminated Inukshuk welcomes visitors to the town.  It’s lovely!

 

 

That's why chairs now have helmet hooks..............

When we started skiing many years ago, few recreational skiers wore a helmet.  They were just for racers; indeed we didn’t wear them ourselves.  And then we went to North America in 1997 where it was compulsory for children to be “lidded”. We suddenly saw the obvious sense in it and became “early adopters”. Fast forward to 2014 and we rarely saw anyone skiing or boarding without one.  As Mr B can still reach speeds of 50mph, it’s incredible that this simple safety measure took so long to become embeddded. That’s why chairs in the mountain huts have helmet hooks…………..

Please use the helmet hook under your chair ....

The early bird catches the bacon!

Needless to say, being British, we were early for the FreshTracks lift queue!  By half an hour!!  But it was worth it.  The breakfast buffet in the Roundhouse was big enough to satisfy even Alex’s monster appetite and there was something spiritual about seeing the sun rise over the mountains.

Once vast quantities of  bacon and maple syrup had been consumed, we blasted down the beautifully groomed  trails before heading across to Blackcomb in the Peak to Peak gondola for a stunning run down the Blackcomb Glacier.  Our early start was merely the beginning of another stunning,  unforgettable day.

Sandwiches give way to Sushi

Being in Whistler meant we could celebrate Nerea’s 20th birthday in style at a local sushi house.  Alex and Nerea had chosen the restaurant as it came well recommended and we all enjoy sushi. We weren’t disappointed. The selection of food was excellent and included both tuna and salmon, much to Alex’s delight as they rarely eat salmon because Nerea isn’t keen on it.  We also had hot sake, which was a first for Andy and me.  How times have changed since we had a birthday party tea with heart shaped ham sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls and decorated butterfly buns!

How did that happen?

Serre Chevalier 1986

When it all began

Watching our daughter ski down really challenging slopes in a stylish and highly proficient manner during our holiday in Whistler, left me breathless.  Just when did that little girl who used to snow plough between my legs in her sweet, one piece suits suddenly blossom into a qualified ski instructor?

I can intellectualise the reasons, not least because we spent a not inconsiderable sum on lessons when she was younger, but, as with so many outcomes of training and education, the impact is still impressive.  And I can feel happy that I made my own small contribution to her achievements!

Whistler 2014 - Happy 20th Birthday, Nerea

Blackcomb Glacier

Blackcomb Glacier is one of the most amazing trails I’ll ever have the fortune to ski. Just reaching the headwall of the glacier is a minor achievement needing a short “skis-off” hike up from the Glacier T-Bar before traversing below a yawning crevasse. The superb, 12k run begins in a huge, wide bowl tapering into a narrower fissure before cascading onto a wide, flat plateau.  At the edge of the snow-field, there was a poignant tribute to a friend. Skiing past, I couldn’t help but think they must have been well loved to be remembered in such a beautiful place

So take Blue Line then Zig-Zag and mind the moguls

Although the old order is definitely changing (as it does and should), I was still entertained when Nerea, needing to leave the ski slopes before her aged parents, felt it necessary to provide detailed instructions on how to find our way off the mountain. That we’ve been navigating our way round ski resorts since before she was born had clearly escaped her notice. It was a charming but salient reminder that our child is now an adult.  I’m just so proud that our beautiful daughter, despite leading her own life, cared enough to want to make sure we were OK

Blue Line