 Poster: A snowHead
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fleetelise, if the weather is good wonder round stantley park and they also do a bus tour round the area that is quite worthwhile out to Grouse mountain etc
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another update from Whistler.
Some more snow over the weekend brought some nice powder to Blackcomb and 7th Heaven on Saturday, but also low clouds, meaning that dodging between the layers was a continual necessity.
Sunday sunshine brought the crowds out in force, with longish lines at the Harmony chair, but some good lines to be found (although not by Mrs. A who brought off a spectacular face-plant under the horseshoes, and spent 20 minutes looking for a buried ski).
This week I'm doing the Dave Murray Camp, and had the somewhat nerve-wracking experience of having my run down the GS gates watched by the entire Austrian downhill ski team, who are here preparing for the Olympics. - I looked up in the lift line to see Michael Walchofer standing next to me. He's a big guy.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Sounds like you've been having some great snow over there Acacia. Only 4 more sleeps until we fly over. Who was your Murray Camp coach this week? Was it a busy camp?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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All looking good for whistler. Heading off for 12 days on Saturday. Cant wait.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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geetee,
This week's camp isn't a very large one - only 4 groups, coached by Kindree, Ken, Kim and Leslie. I'm in Kim's group. Quite a few serial campers on board this week.
We had about 5-8cm of snow overnight, and clear skies and sunshine today, so some very satisfactory skiing off the Peak chair. Tomorrow is race day - although this might depend on exactly when the 10-15 cm of forecast fresh snow arrives (drool.....).
The Austrians are still here - there was some discussion in the GLC this evening as to whether we might be able to persuade Walchofer to acts as the timesetter for the race.  . Also practising for the Olympics is Axel Lund Svindal, and apparently the Swiss team arrive later this week.
Conditions are generally very good, with slush only at the bottom of the hill.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Acacia, thanks for the update. Sounds great for the time of year if you can still ski out at the end of the day. Hope race day goes well today.  3 more sleeps to go.
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geetee, Drluvski,
The race went moderately well. I didn't disgrace myself and finished comfortably in the top half of the table. Next week's Murray Camp is the last of the season, so enrol and make the most of it!
The promised 10-15cm arrived as forecast, providing some excellent powder skiing off Whistler Peak, and although the visibility was marginal at the top, there was enough to get to the best bits (whilst deterring all but the most ardent of powder piggies). So, some great lines in West Bowl, and today (Thursday) the sun came out all morning providing ideal conditions.
It is warming up, though. The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is for sunshine with the freezing levels to rise above 1000 metres. It's anticipated that temperatures could be around the 12 degree mark, next week.
The rise in temperature is already evident, with the mid-mountain snow being sticky, while the ski-out becomes extremely sludgy: great care had to be taken down the last pitch this afternoon, as the skis kept hitting glue-like patches and trying to come to a sudden stop. However, I'd expect the high alpine to remain in great shape.
I'll be gone by the time you arrive, with nothing to look forward to but 350 sleeps 
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i like the big pubble that forms at the bottom of whistler in front of that 'oirish' theme pub.. most people skirted round the edge of it.. one boarder aquaplaned across it fine style.. one other boarder wasnt quite carrying enough speed with amusing consequences
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Spectacular skiing the last few days, yesterday, Sat 3rd April, we skied fresh powder all the way from Peak to Dusty's , via Frontier Pass, Cockalorum, West Bowl, then through the trees, skiers left of Big Timber..
It's the last Dave Murray Camp of the year next week 6th to 8th... Have fun! 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I love Cockalorum, and it's possibly Mrs NBT's favourite black in the world 
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You know it makes sense.
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geetee,
About 43 seconds. Either he's getting better or the course was shorter. The fastest time was about 34 seconds 
nbt,
Cockalorum was in fantastic shape last week.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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geetee,
Frankie, my partner is doing DM this week, she is with John Kindree's group... Say hi to her (your coach will know her, she is another DM regular) and then I can say hi to you tomorrow, at the end of season knees/booze up at the Brewhouse when I come in to see Tom Pro & co and pick Frankie up..
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Poster: A snowHead
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Well that's it for this year. We had a fantastic time in Whistler and even managed to get fresh powder - just a shame that my legs just weren't up to all of it this year to appreciate it!!! Anyway, we're at the airport now killing time before our flight. Not looking forward to the next 11 hours or so.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Well I arrived home from Whistler yesterday afternoon.
Overall impression - really loved the skiing area, the villages were nice although a little Disney, and I think i've put on a few Kgs from being there!
I found it hard to judge the difficulty of the slopes - being used to the grading system in Europe I found myself approaching blues in canada with less trepidation that I might approach a red in europe and yet in many cases they are probably of similar steepness.
The mountain hosting is a really good idea and not something i've ever come across in Europe. Favourite skiing area - symphony area i think, maybe harmony or possibly 7th heaven. The snow was reasonable when we arrived - the bottom of Balckcomb was still covered in snow, buyt at the end of 9 days the run back into blackcomb was nearly rock/grass/mud. Mostly all week any snow below the halfway point up Solar Coaster express was pretty slushy, and the real low slopes were real leg-breakers so we spent the week downloading in the Wizard chair. A couple of excellent days due to the large ~25cm snowfall in one day and blue skies the next
We stayed at the Fairmont which was a real change from the ClubHotels i would normally use in Europe. The luxury of having a Ski-valet! We were on the breakfast plan so we had breakfast buffet every morning and all my hard work in the gym before we left has now been undone.
What is it with all the Aussies, Kiwis and Brits working over there?! They all seem to be gappers or backpackers and quite frankly couldn't organise a wee wee up in a brewery. The Blackcomb daylodge has to be the worst place I have ever hired my skis from - they just don't have a clue.
Oh, and happy days - I think i'm finally starting to "feel" carved turns, although I'll never be a very good skiier as a week or two a year is all I can stretch to at the moment, mostly due to holiday entitlement from work 
Anyway, enjoyed whistler so much that we're thinking of skiing north america next year - possibly Utah.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| fleetelise wrote: |
What is it with all the Aussies, Kiwis and Brits working over there?! They all seem to be gappers or backpackers and quite frankly couldn't organise a wee wee up in a brewery. The Blackcomb daylodge has to be the worst place I have ever hired my skis from - they just don't have a clue.
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End of season syndrome - the prospect of the sack and withdrawal of "free" pass doesn't have much motivating power when the season is virtually over anyway
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Anyone doing the 09/10 season? I'm trying to plan mine at the moment but its murder trying to get accommodation because of the winter olympics in Feb 2010.
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Skibum22, any luck yet?
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Unfortunately still no luck, may wait until I get over to Whistler in October to sort out a job and accommodation.. its very difficult to organise over the internet and phone. Do you think that leaving it until October is brave or just stupid?
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