 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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FigJam, mind if I jump on your Whistler band wagon? I'm off there in a few weeks and have only ever skied the Alberta-side of the mountains before. I'd particularly like to know the best areas on the mountains to head to avoid the crowds (if that's possible...).
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ahhh, come on, surely you have to back that statement up with an explaination/humourous tale?!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| FigJam wrote: |
| Ahhh, come on, surely you have to back that statement up with an explaination/humourous tale?! |
The words Excalibure Gondola in the above post are a link to the explanation.
Why it doesn't look like a link, I'm not sure. But here it is again.
http://www.financialpost.com/most_popular/story.html?id=1083212
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Whistler do a "Fresh Trax" deal where for $17 you get brekkie on the mountain and then an extra hour snowtime before the lifts open to the public.
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Seconded ... a very pleasant way to start the day. Being up that early also means you'll be ready to take an early lunch, which means you'll be back on the snow whilst everyone else is dissapearing into the mountain restaurants for theirs.
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Ooops, I apologise! (it's Monday, my brain has not quite warmed up yet!  ) I do remember reading that when it happened!
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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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The Excalibur was the Gondola where the tower failed in December - all fixed now. Re clothing - it's a long way up from the village to the peak and if you think the weather can be bad from the car park to the top of the summit at Cairngorm, it can be even worse. Good thing is when the weather's bad head for the trees. Head for Symphony bowl on a fresh powder day, a couple of years back it was a day's hiking to play in the powder. Also - get the hiddeen whistler guide books (there are 2 - Intermediate and Expert) - lots of unmarked runs into sections off each chairlift. We're heading over on Saturday - may catch you there!
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Good tip about the guides, thanks big-q! Looks like there's snow forecast for the weekend, so should be nice and fresh for us getting there. 
We're taking a couple laptops with us and the apartment has wi-fi, so should be able to check the weather reports before leaving for the day, should help with the no. of layers decision! I don't remember feeling the cold in Breckenridge as much as some days at Scottish resorts, I think it's to do with the wind chill!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Whistler Brewhouse brews their own beer and does some pretty good food, and if the body is knackered head for Peak Performance physios. Best apres ski massage in Whistler, and a good bit cheaper than the Spas!
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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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Take a couple of free tours with the ski hosts on each mountain: these guys (i) are great skiers and (ii) will know the best places to go.
Read wbsr's blog for day-by-day reports and suggestions (http://whistlerblackcombsnowreport.com/)
Weather reports are partly useful - conditions can change rapidly, and you can find layers of cloud/fog at different heights at different times on the same day.
Ski Peak to Creek the morning after they've groomed it (Wednesday's are usually good) and have lunch at Dusty's
If it's a sunny day, ski the Blackcomb Glacier
Don't forget your waterproofs (although it looks like the weather's set fair for the immediate future)
Despite being a much publicised hangout for celebs, Sushi Village is good value
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Acacia, yes peak to creek after its been groomed is nice. I made the mistake last year of encountering the moguls.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Moe Joe's.
John.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Make sure your ski kit is properly waterproof. When we went last year on a couple of days it was raining at resort level even though it was snowing slightly further up the mountain. We got drenched skiing back into whistler.
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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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I wish. 
Just back from from the "real" BC, and heading out to Alberta in a couple of weeks, so doing my best...............
If you do fancy a lively night out try Moe Joes, but avoid the staff night (if it's still held there) and get there before the queue forms.
Have a good one.
John.
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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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I'll second the Whistler Brewhouse, brown ale nearly as good as from Newcastle, good food and a train running round the ceilling. Big bar at bottom of piste has (or had) ladies giving massages. Wife would not let me partake so let Mr Figjam have one. Good waffles at Horstman Hut. We did a lot of skiing as well.
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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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The skiing is phenomenal. And that's the pistes. Am officially jealous. Everyone is so friendly. Try the poutine at the Glacier caff - what's not to like about chips cheese and gravy... 
We found a brewpub at the foot of the slopes last year called Blacks [I think] that suited the beer drinking, icehockey loving, live music side, and the food was ok.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Poutine.
This is an acquired taste. Personally, I use it as the outstanding example that the French influence in Quebec does not extend to the cuisine.
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In bad weather, mid-mountain Blackcomb is the place to be due to trees.
Some great tree skiing on Blackcomb, check out 'Bark Sandwich' as a warm up, and if you like that, find Outer Limits, In the Spirit, Arthurs Choice, all off Crystal Chair. There plenty others too ...
Try to get first chair, or as soon after as you can. have lunch by 11.30 so restaurants are quieter, and no lift lines between noon-1pm. If its clear or weather is decent, head high on either mountain and explore. You'll have a ball. Hit harmony early and move on after 2-3 runs when crowds arrive. Same for 7th Heaven.
There's only so many poutine that you can eat in your life
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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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Check out the Garibaldi Lift Company for early apres - great nachos and pitchers of beer.
Hike the Blackcomb Glacier if you're a strong intermediate or better.
7th Heaven lift is great for intermediate powder, also hit the Harmony Express for some nice tree skiing - especially after a few inches of new snow.
Good steeps and powder off the Peak chair, but windy and cold so wrap up.
Hy's does fantastic steaks.
I'll third the Whistler Brewhouse...
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Take an Umbrella for time in the village... 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Definitely try and eat a large serving of nachos from Merlins. If you can finish them on your own you are officially nails.
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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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If you like to ski steep slopes try "Extremely Canadian". You do 2 days, one on each mountain. Very, very good - better than Jackson Hole Steep and Deep as I experienced it. Perhaps the latter had got too big.
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FAQ
