Culture of a Ski Bum

We live in a strange society as we all know.  The stress, long work hours and the corporate ladder that we all try to climb, if not for status, for our egos.
It is a breath of fresh air.  Literally, when you are outdoors and breathing heavy. A breath of fresh air leaving society behind and living and breathing in a culture where pig tails, hairy faces, and tan lines much like a sorry looking raccoon is acceptable.  It is a lifestyle when everyone has a big smile and laughter is heard throughout the waking day.  Sleep is inevitable!  Try to stay awake after a playful day outdoors, breathing in fresh, clean air and basking in the sunshine, or free facials in the cold crisp wind with snow pellets slapping your frozen cheeks red.

Our daily routine begins with; first of all, waking up.  The most difficult part of the day is lifting our heavy head of the pillow.  We look out the window for new snow and off to the bathroom, brush our teeth, and the rest of the body necessities.  Next, vitamins, coffee...more coffee and a BIG breakfast.  Meat, eggs, toast, plenty of fruit and more meat. (unless you are a vegetarian.  Don't forget the oatmeal with honey!  Pack on the calories.  You will burn it off by lunch time.  Bob does not wear a watch.  His stomach is the most accurate form of timekeeping we know of.  It knows when it is noon as his belly is empty and he is running out of steam.  Time to have lunch.  Dinner is the same routine. 
After breakfast, it is the routine of dressing up in our gear.  Layer upon layer of clothing.  Why is it the bladder alarm signals as soon as the long johns are pulled up.  Don't forget to put on the ski pants before the boots!  We talk from experience.  You don't want to repeat that process too many times.

We wait......and wait, until we see the chair squeak its first round and the safety check is complete.
Time to load up and we are swept off our feet and travel on a high speed quad to the top of the mountain. 
Skiing on natural snow is luxurious.  Soft silky powder that is silent and hypnotic as we dance and sway through the powder above the clouds as we watch the sun rise over the next mountain range a warm our faces and hearts.  Time to play in the trees. 
Tree skiing or glades is a rush.  We have become Snow Junkies!  You just can't get enough.  The more there is, the more you want.
At the end of a typical ski day.  (when the lifts close and ski patrol sends us home) it's time for beer.  The skiing population now migrates to the closest pub.  Here, it is the T-Bar.  Standing room only and a jug of beer to share.  Apr es ski is compulsory. Here, we drink locally brewed beer, exchange stories, compare injuries, and vote on the best yard sale and the craziest ballerina move and face slide in the snow.  Here we alert our fellow ski bums of all the snow cookies, death pies, snow snakes and land sharks we have spotted on the mountain.
The fashion trend of apres ski bum is slippers/ski boots, long johns, turtle necks and helmet head and toques.  Lip balm and Vaseline replaces lipstick. Bandages and knee braces replace any form of bling.
On a powder day, the towns work on a skeleton schedule.  Work on a powder day!  Are you out of your mind!  First tracks and to the top.  This is the unwritten rule of living the life of a ski bum.  Schools will close, banks will post a sign; back tomorrow. Pubs will have the special of the day.  And SKI we will.
We love frozen faces, snotty noses and face masks! Hurting is for pansies and princesses (I'm only repeating what I was told) Suck it up and ski.  Heal at home.  Your physiotherapist is your best friend. And, of course, play hard.  There is always Tylenol and Hot chocolate and amaretto to sooth the body and soul at the end of the day.

WE ARE THE TRUE SNOWBIRDS... We flock to the mountains where there is snow, plenty of sunshine and great cold, crisp weather..Yes, we do suntan!

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head....

View of 1,000 Peaks run

Plus 7 degrees Celsius yesterday and rain.  It rained all night.  My face pressed against the window yesterday afternoon like a disappointed child who just received a detention at school.  What did I do now! Should I have skied today? No, I needed a rest. Don't be stubborn stupid!  I am trainable....and besides, the legs are tired. (27 days of skiing so far) 

Is it snowing up top; or rain?  Wait and see in the morning.

Anyway, Bob and I are off to a friend's place (Walter and Margaret) here on the hill for "Panorama New Year's Eve Recovery Party" and Wine and Cheese. Don't feed the dog! Poor Mickey.  He is a cute 16 year old pup with allergies, who is blind and wobbly. 


Roy from Kingston on Roy's Run

We had a wonderful time.  New friends, good beer, good wine and plenty of food.  All priorities for a ski bum. Especially the food. Mutual ski bums together for an evening and stories begin to flourish.  The best stash of snow, goggle tans and frozen cheeks....both pairs.Quote of the Day: "Ski Naked...it makes your cheeks Rosey"
We have met so many wonderful people here on the mountain.  It will be difficult to leave them behind when we return home, just as it was difficult to leave our friends and family when we left on our adventure west.  It is astonishing how small our planet is when you start meeting people from all over this country and the world.  Yesterday (in the T Bar) having a small celebration with Cindy and Brian and toast their 25th wedding anniversary, we discovered they are best friends with a couple from Caledonia:
Brian and Heather Gagnon.  We have know these people for many years.  Small world!  Walter and Margaret are from Calgary. He is a geologist and has travelled abroad.  Mike and Linda are from North Bay and live here 6 months out of the year and ski and in the summer, they ride their motorcycle.  Yes, they have been to Port Dover on Friday the 13th, a big biker day on Lake Erie. 

The rain has finally stopped and the temperature has begun to fall.  Best news so far.  Gear up and off I go to play with the Mountain Friends.  Bob has his Physio appointment as I am writing this post.  Today he will hopefully be released from captivity and be allowed to join me in the next few days.


Sun, Snow and Smiles

The rain only hit the bottom third of the mountain.  Sixteen inches=41 cms of pristine pow...wow....powder up top. 
Bob just returned......Catrien said she has never seen anyone heal so well and so quickly and gave Bob the go ahead to ski TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Time for a toast. (beer of course)

Back to the blog:

Avalanche Control

waiting!!!

Ready, Set, Powder!

friends of the mountain

Powder....... The Tayton Bowl was closed as well as the View of 1,000 Peaks, Stumbocks for avalanche control and blasting.  The ski patrol set off many explosive charges throughout the early morning.  So we warmed up on Roller Coaster and back to the Summit.  Rumour has it that the View will open at 11am.  Bang! Another charge.  HOLY CRAP!!  I felt the ground shake.  Hope that was the last one.  It felt close.  Back up to the top and wait.  The ski patrol were in radio contact with the avalanche team.  There must have been at least 60 - 70 skiers and snowboarders just waiting for fresh tracks. 

Bottom of Tayton Bowl

It was snowing heavily and the wind is picking up speed.  OK, we can see patrol talking, and maybe....Yes, they are removing the rope.  It was like a race for that last keg of beer at the bottom.  The snowboarders didn't even wait for the rope to be lowered and off they go.  You could hear the laughter and yips and screams of joy as we all progressed through powder up to our knees and mid thighs in some sections.  We have to do this one again!   One run to the bottom: 5 miles and we were beaten with joy and exhilaration.  Time for more food.  Back at 1:30 for more powder runs.  And, if you think the morning was perfect: Well, the afternoon was even better.  Sunshine and a powder bump run. If you have ever skied in powder, you know the feeling.  No drug can reproduce the sensation of gliding through turns and feeling the endorphins rush through your veins.
 The icing on the cake is when I returned home and knowing Bob can now join me in the fun.
He has some catching up to do now that I have 8 ski days more than him!  No, you can't trip me on the hill or hide my long undies!  12 more whiffy free days to go before the wash.
It is snowing heavily and that means more powder and less ice. Let's see what tomorrow brings!


Multi purpose Poles & dill spaghettini

But first:  Home Made Pasta.....YUMMY!

Resolutions

Playing in the snow pile

What a year Bob and I have had!  We are so fortunate and blessed to be doing and seeing and experiencing life at its fullest. Not without its bumps in the road.  The last bump of the year came as a mogul on Roy's Run for Bob.  Wham! Pow! Bang! Down he went.  Yes, he did check in to the medical clinic and yes, he did tear his calf muscle.  (Only a small tear)  The Doc. said 4 - 6 weeks.  Protocol....h'mmmm.  Let's let Physio call that one!  Catrien de Ruyter from Mountain Air Physiotherapy (here at Panorama) gave us a great treatment plan and will have Bob back skiing in two weeks. We thank you for your expertise and care.  Keep walking, icing and stretching and you will be as good as new!

Tired branches

As for myself, I am on ski day #25 (getting better and faster).  The goal is 100 ski days. So, as a precaution, I banked 5 days in December, just in case it will be my turn for an injury.  Bob has some catching up to do.  He was injured on ski day #20.



Sun Bowl

And the Sun Bowl is open.  The best place to play in the afternoon.

Schober's Dream

Betti

Busy day at the base

The week between Christmas and New Year's, we have had snow fall after snow fall. 


Since I am now a lone skier, I have been joining the Mountain Friends and hanging out with them.  They can't get rid of me.  New snow and deep powder...I'm out there!  We have been finding all the secret stashes on the mountain. I can't wait to show Bob the secrets places!

We were skiing through Founder's Ridge in the trees and bumps, and low and behold, a creek bed.  Yes, down I went.  Skis in the air and landed as if  I sat in a lounge chair. Quite comfortable, if I may say.  It was the last run before lunch and we were all sweaty and hot from top to bottom. (ski run from top of the mountain all the way to the village).  No Whiffy!!! But a bit Stiffy!  A good lunch and back out at 1:30 for more punishment and joy.
 Bob went for a walk and back to watch the World Junior Hockey game.  Thanks goodness for the tournament.  585 square feet of living space and can't play outside, at least there is hockey.  It is truly a Canadian sport.  Just like drinking Beer!  I will discuss the sport of Beer drinking and the culture of a ski bum in a future post.  I am still learning the ropes.  Beer, hockey and skiing.  And there is also ice fishing and curling......


Torch light Parade

amazing!

Tonite is New Year's Eve A Torch light Parade and fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm on the mountain. They did not disappoint!  Spectacular!!!  We have a splendid view from our balcony. And I will be out there with Bob,my best friend and husband celebrating our 14th year together.  I love your dearly.

As for New Year's resolutions, I don't usually make any since there is a very good chance I will not keep them.
This year I am making an exception.
Here is goes:



For 2012, I will play outside more often.  It is wonderful to spend time in nature and inhaling fresh air and feeling the cold air and warm sun on my face.  It heals the soul.

I will make more friends.  It is restoring my faith in society, which can be cold and cruel. 

We are only human and we have good days and bad days.  I will have more good days. 365 good days!!!

I will give back what nature has provided for me all my life. 


I will help others and show them what they are missing in life.

We live in the best country in the world! I will spend the rest of my life exploring and learning the history and everything we have at our doorstep.  Just like the movie "The Wizard of Oz"  "THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME....THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"  Click your heals three times and you will be in a good place....Canada.
I will live each day as if it were my last and embrace life.

Believe.  There are miracles every day!

In 2012, we will be going on some road trips in BC and visiting different ski hills and towns in the area while we are here.  The Powder Highway, Nelson (the biggest Hippie town in the world) Golden, Rosalind, Kimberly and everything in between. More skiing and learning the ropes.  B.C. is also known Beautiful Country and not Bring Cash.   
 In the spring, when we are kicked off the mountain and the golfers take over the land, we will be heading towards home.  The Foothills, Prairies and Lakes will be our destination and as we continue our adventure, we will be embracing this beautiful country.
 Until the next post....

Happy New Year to everyone.

No Iffy's, Whiffy's, or Butts

Snowy Christmas morning

Twenty One Days of skiing and no whiffy from the Icebreaker long undies!  Yes, I have not washed them yet.  Nineteen days to go before whiffy and funk.  Maybe longer.  I will keep you posted. As for the butt; from experience, ladies, do not wear thong underwear under your ski suit.  It's cold outside and inside, if you know what I mean.

Santa, The morning after....

As for Christmas Day, Santa did make a final appearance before he left for the North Pole.  He thanks all the children for the extra cookies and milk. 

Santa in disguise

View of 1,000 Peaks

Christmas Day, Bob and I spent the day skiing after waking up to a great snowfall.  Powder!!!! The best present.  Skiing through light fluffy pow....Silence is golden.  If you are wondering, my hamstring is better and I was able to ski small bumps on Christmas Day.  So far, so good. Christmas dinner was in the Great Hall and we were accompanied by many other ski orphans and their families.  The buffet was fabulous.  Except, we woke up the next day with a turkey hangover.  Oh well, "suck it up princess!"  Let's go skiing!

Snowmen at the summit

The Summit

"The Christmas Tree" (and new ski pants)

Sunning Ski Bunny

Skiing in the trees....fabulous, exhilarating and yes, no "hammy" paint.  We were skiing "Tight Spots" a great black diamond tree run and we come across in the middle of the run, out of now where.. a totally decorated Christmas Tree.  Very cool.  It took a great effort to decorate, never mind transport all those Christmas ornaments up 7800 feet and decorate the tree with the steep pitch to complicate matters.
Last run, Bob and I have been playing on Roy's Run and Tight Spots to practise our moguls and tree skiing and down he went.   He describes it as "every muscle in his calf was stretched to maximum"  He said he could visualize the strands of tissue.   No worries, a bit of TLC he will be fine.  We found a physio therapist on the mountain who is one of the best. She is presently treating Manny Osborne-Paradis (Canada's best shot at a Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics)  This is Bob's first sport injury.  Not bad for an old guy!  He has joined the many.  Welcome to "Club Physio"   I have been a member for decades.

Snow Cat

Twenty one days of skiing.  Our goal is 100............ Will we do it.  Well, we have a bet with Jacob, from the General Store here on the mountain.  He is from Denmark, and he is up by one day.  Winner buys the beer!  We will keep you posted.
And for the blog followers;  No shaving...................The ski bums are truly dedicated..........and getting hairy!
To be continued......................

T'was the Day before Christmas

Santa' workshop

T'was the Day before Christmas and the Elfs are working very hard and building all the toys for the girls and the boys.

Merry Christmas

We met more of Santa's elves asking all the girls and boys if they were naughty or nice and checking Santa's list at least once or twice.

Hard working Elves

Frosty the Snowman

Santa has 3 more helpers



 Santa has been very busy and it has been very difficult to find him at such short notice.  We are told Santa will fly out tonite to begin his journey delivering toys for Christmas Day.  Thanks to RK Heli Ski, he will have an early start to his night.  (Hope to catch him tomorrow morning)

Pastor Trevor Hagan

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

On serious note, we did attend Christmas Eve service at the Summit this afternoon.  It is the highest Christmas Eve Service to be held in Canada at 7875 ft. Thank you Pastor Trevor Hagan for such a great service.  We sang Christmas Carols under a wishful snowy sky amongst the trees and the mountains and snow.



It is a wonderful afternoon and great to spend Christmas Eve celebrating the Christmas spirit and the story of the Birth of Jesus Christ

Christmas Eve at the Summit

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Go Tell it on the mountain

Over the hill and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching

Over silent flocks by night

Behold throughout the heavens

There shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo above the earth

Rang out the angel Chorus

That hailed our Savior’s birth.

Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born

And god sent us salvation

That Blessed Christmas morn.

TO ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS....MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BOB AND CATHY....WE MISS YOU ALL

Merry Christmas to all of our blog followers from around the world you have made this blog special to us both.

WE WISH YOU HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.  LIVE TODAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST DAY AND BE THANKFUL OF ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.