Hitting the Wall

At around 3pm on day two (Saturday 10 March), we hit the Wall. This is the crisis point when the rigours of the mountain pushes bodies already battling to recover from jetlag over the edge.

This is what it looks like:

Stephen

Andrew

Marianne

Not pretty, is it? (Actually, I think Marianne looks kind of cute)

We were halfway through day two before we figured out why we're so exhausted. We're not losers, after all. Because there are only three of us we're able to cover ground much more quickly than the bigger groups of last year. I'm the weakest skier/boarder of the group, but even I can now ski some pretty gnarly stuff with confidence.

Because I'm in Canada, I was able to write that last line with a straight face.

Having skied ourselves into the ground, we went to bed at 9pm and emerged with fresh perspective for day three. And what a stormer it was. Another ten inches of fresh snow on top of the foot or so that fell in the first two days made for conditions to make a powder hound weep.

Weekend crowds can be a problem in Whistler, but by picking our routes carefully, and eating outside of peak time, we've learned to avoid the worst of them. We made Crystal Chair and Jersey Cream our own, carving lines at lightning speed in Jersey Bowl, practising our powder turns down the steep bumps of Blow Hole, and (in my case) going a little dry-throated as we picked our way between the trees and boulders under the Jersey Cream chairlift.

Trees feature heavily in this part of the world: if you come skiing in Whistler, you're going to end up amongst them, whether by accident or design. Over the past two days we've spent time off the edges of the wonderful Catskinner and Springboard runs, cutting between the trees, avoiding low branches and each other. It's good practice for the gladed runs over on Whistler Mountain.

So far we've only skied Blackcomb - a combination of geography (we're staying at its base), weather and timing having conspired against us. Monday looks likely to be more of the same - a winter storm with winds gusting over 60mph is forecast, which may limit our mileage.

But when we do get over to the big mountain, a myriad wonders await - starting with Harmony Ridge, source of so many great experiences last year. And, of course, Symphony, with its glorious bowls and glades. I can't wait.

To finish, some more pictures - with a little less dribble this time.

Bend ze knees... Marianne coaxes me down a black diamond run in two feet of powder. The Bite, Blackcomb, 10 March 2012.

Time to put the kettle on... Steve leads the home run as the weather begins to close in. Stoker, Blackcomb, 11 March 2012.

Who put that bump there? Andrew gets unintentional air. Stoker, Blackcomb, 11 March 2012.

Poetry in motion (it's sickening). Marianne executes another inch-perfect turn. Stoker, Blackcomb, 11 March 2012.