Whistler 2020 Recap
by Judy Bracken
After a delayed departure but on time arrival flight, we entered Canada via Vancouver, B.C., and boarded our comfy bus for the two hour ride to our final destination at Whistler. The dramatic, snowy peaks made a spectacular backdrop, as we grabbed our parkas and entered the icy cold mountain air at Whistler village. People settled into their condos, met with roommates that took other flights or drove cars, and got ready for a week of fun, fun, fun!
Impressions of the first ski day ranged from “It was okay” to “I haven’t waited in lines this long for ages!” On the positive side, encounters with the whiskey jacks, friendly birds that hang around the ski lifts, landing on outstretched hands to get bits of free food from skiers, entertained us while waiting in line. Also some lucky folks found swatches of new powder snow, and Rick, a long-standing NSC member, unexpectedly got into Andrea’s pants! (He forgot his ski pants and borrowed Andrea’s extra pair!).
At the end of the day we gathered to watch the Super Bowl, in which our home team the San Francisco 49ers played against the Kansas City Chiefs. Karen organized a random football pool with 100 squares at $5 apiece. Elaine was the first quarter winner, Roland won second and third quarters, and Sheldon got the big jackpot at game end. Many of us were saddened to see the 49ers lose to the Chiefs, 20-31. Even so, the party atmosphere in the two host condos was in full swing.
Blue, sunny skies and cold, fresh snow greeted us Monday morning. The crowds remained, but the mountain views and soft snow got us smiling from ear to ear. Some of us ventured over the ridge to ski atop the Blackcomb glacier, while others spent the day on the Whistler side skiing together in several groups.
We arose on Tuesday to blustery weather and all over whiteout at higher elevations. What a change from Monday! The snow was really good, but in some places it was like skiing with eyes shut. Vertigo was the theme of the day. The Peak-to-Peak gondola reopened, which made traveling from Whistler to Blackcomb sides much easier. The gondola was an amazing piece of engineering that spanned the valley between the two connected resorts. On one of those rides, Elaine made friends with two Canadian snowboarders who invited all 9 of us in our group on a guided tour to the ice caves on the Blackcomb glacier. How could we resist? We all survived the T-bar ride and rigorous climb to the ridge, but it was hard to see at the top. We carefully made our way down the glacial valley and followed our guides to an icy opening at the bottom. We shed our skis and slid into the cavernous hole, marveling at the boulders encased in the ice ceiling and walls. It was a novel experience and one of the trip highlights. In days to follow, a few other NSC skiers also went to the cave. It may not be there for long, since the glacier is constantly moving and melting.
At the Tuesday night potluck, we roamed the third floor host condos, with dishes ranging from baked salmon to chow mein, curry, and beef stroganoff, along with scrumptious salads and desserts. One of the highlights was the Russian-themed condo with folk music, candlelight and vodka shots to the toast of “na zdarovje!”
As the week and stormy whiteout days continued, we heard glimpses of news from home…Trump’s acquittal, the Iowa caucus, the corona virus, killer avalanches in Turkey. Some folks took days off to rest and enjoy other activities, while others continued to explore the slopes despite the uneven light and snow conditions. Our motto became “follow the lollipop trail” when whiteouts prevented us from seeing where we were going (blue and orange posts marking the paths). We ventured onto lifts named 7th Heaven, Symphony and Jersey Cream, with runs named Panorama, Ode to Joy, and Wishbone. One of my favorites was the Dave Murray downhill, which drops more than 3300 vertical feet in 1.5 miles. This was where the downhill and Super G Olympic events were held in 2010, and named after a man who had been a famous alpine racer and later ran the Whistler ski school. It was said that the average downhill racer made just 30 turns on this run; on my count I did at least 130 turns!
Many of us soaked our weary muscles in the hot tubs after skiing, and on the last day we tubbed under a canopy of large, wet, gently falling snow clumps, catching them in our hands and mouths. It was magical!
We finished off the week with a lively cocktail hour and tasty meal in the conference room of our Delta Suites hotel. Armand recapped the week’s activities and announced next year’s trip to Breckinridge, Colorado. Kudos and thanks to Armand and Karen for organizing such a great trip.
Traveling back to San Fran on a bright, clear day, we thought about the powdery runs, the long and winding ski roads, and the joy of schussing down the slopes of that beautiful Whistler Blackcomb mountain.
Photos from Bill Lee can be viewed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hH9BFobCTcVCC1sM8
