Robinhood, Man in Tights

The Purcell Mountain Range

Barry's new tights

I have neglected to post any of our adventures for a while.   I haven't been in the best mood while recovering from my fractured ankle.  My distraction to my duck footed cast was, of course knitting.

just a sample 

 A reality check indeed.  How such a minor injury can debilitate your quality of life.  I couldn't drive, go for a walk outside with all the ice, or even socialize as I am a bit isolated here in Windermere.





I guess you are wondering why this post is titled: "Robinhood, Man in Tights"  Well, let me explain:

James of Sherwood

Our good friend (and Mountain Friend) Barry of Sherwood, England loves archery. Folklore tells us Sherwood forest is near Manchester where Barry resides near by.  It also happens to be his birthday.

A very Happy Birthday

So, what would Sir Barry of  Sherwood like for his Birthday?  A new pair of tights, of course.  As it turned out, he did wear them with pride for the party.

 My last appointment with the Doctor and final x ray was on 10 March.  Sleepless in Windermere, as I lay awake the night before hoping he would clear me for skiing at 5 weeks post fracture.  After a long night hoping in silence, the morning finally approached.  0800....x ray....wait....Then.....YES, I can ski.  But not without warning. There is still a great risk for re fracture IF I fall the same way.  First of all, the story behind the injury begins with purchasing my new boots.  The boots are fabulous and give great ankle support (one reason why I purchased this specific boot) BUT. The ski tech reset my bindings and DIN.  Personally, I do not like anyone fiddling with my equipment.  Lusti's  Pro shop is the ONLY shop I trust with my life to handle my ski equipment other than Bob.  Being a bit suspicious about my settings. I asked Lusti to have a quick look.  Yes, my DIN was set way too high.  The ski did not release when it snagged a snow snake.  Lesson
learned.  Either way, I am now skiing every day as my confidence builds.   Each day is more adventurous than the last.  Skiing with Bob again is the highlight of my day.  It is good to be back.

The secret 

Bob and Cat are back

Our new favourite run in the POW is Sidewinder through to Hobbit's Hollow and out to View of 1,000 Peaks, Downhill and finally Powder Trail.  A 10+ kilometre run from top to bottom.  Double Diamond in the trees and bumps to Black Diamond, then Blue to a final easy peasy Green run, just in time for a cold pint of B.C.s finest ale.  It's feels so good to be back on my pretty sticks.And then there is Tombstone.  A hidden treasure.  An outdoor saloon on the mountain.  A few of us lucky ones know where this is.  Thanks to a good friend who swore us to secrecy.

Mike, Lev and Bob at Tombstone

We left for Nelson on 10 March to celebrate Deb's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Deb!

 Eight of us piled into two vehicles to make the hippie trek around, up and over the neighbouring mountain range into the Hippiest, Funky town of Nelson, where you will find the remaining Draft Dodgers and bearded, braided hippies refusing to give up the unforgettable era of the 1960's.

Strange looking hat.  It may be alive!

Street musicians, coffee shops frequent every corner along with boutiques, shoppes, eateries and pubs.  Whitewater ski hill is a short drive up the mountain.  Time to ski!!!! My first day after the Doctor let me loose!

Giddy and Goosebumps...excitement and worry, I gear up, shackle my repaired ankle in my boot and hobble out to the loading area just outside the day lodge.  Can I ski?  Will it hurt?  The answer: Yes and Yes.  I can ski, but my goodness!  It hurt.  I still have a fair bit of tissue damage in need of repair, so a couple Tylenol & Advil did the trick.

Whitewater Ski Resort,  Breathtaking

Whitewater had rain over the weekend that transformed the mountain known for its powder into a cement clad carpet of white.  Our tour guide Joanne gave us a 5 star tour on groomed runs and cat tracks.  The only ski able terrain available to us this day.  (a good thing for me, as groomed was all I could master)  It felt SO good, even on the hard packed corduroy.  The vibration from the skis cutting into the corduroy actually felt like a massage turned up to Turbo setting! Shake, Rattle and Roll.  Bob and I skied until noon.

The gang

Lunch time at the Fresh Tracks Cafe, known for the best gourmet cuisine of any ski resort across North America.

The story behind Fresh Tracks Cafe and Whitewater begins in Vancouver B.C. where Shelley Adams gained her training and love for food while cooking for the movie business in Vancouver.  After moving to the Kootenays in 1985 she became the owner of the Whitewater Ski Resort where she is the creative director and chef for the cafe.
Her successful book,Whitewater Cooks is also part of the beautiful creations found in the cafe.  Amazing!  A definate on our bucket list for next year.  We will have an eagle's eye watch on the snow report next season.  A powder dump and we are off to Whitewater to play in the good stuff!!!!

Koontaney Lake

The next day, it was a unanimous decision to hang around the town as the snow conditions were far from ideal.  Sue, Barry, Bob and I decided to walk along Kootaney Lake was beautiful.

Looks like fun.  Childen playing!

We stumbled upon an outdoor gym.  What an ingenious idea.  With all the wonderful food over the past few days, we all needed a workout.  Yes, Children playing as we climbed and clammered on the chilly equipment.  We need to keep the maturity level at a minimum.  What a blast!

In the west, we kiss the bear for luck

To complete this post.  I saved the best for last.  To leave this post on a good note.  Literally.....

Inga creating beautiful music in her studio

Lev; also a good friend and wonderful skier joined us many times on the slopes imigrated from St. Petersburg, Russia with his beautiful wife, Inga in 1979 (with a pair of skis, of course) Being a Geological physicist, Calgary was the perfect piece of heaven to relocate for his work as well as leisure.  We are all winter people, migrating to snow as birds would fly to the south. We are true Snow Birds.  Inga, a most incredible pianist, played for the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, not teaches piano for a group of gifted children.

A magical evening

 One day, at the beginning of our ski season at Panorama, we were riding up in the chair to ski one of our favorite runs, with Lev, our conversation was about his homeland and Inga.  " Lev, I would love to hear Inga play the piano.  It would be an honour for me to listen to such harmony....music to my ears, so to speak."  Lev replied, "I can arrange that."  And that was that.  Dinner in Dutch Creek, and a private concert for Bob and myself.  Honoured isn''t quite the word.  Speechless as Inga began playing her grand piano in her studio overlooking Dutch Creek and the Hoodoos.  I have never listened to such beauty.  It was breathless as the notes danced in the room.  We were also treated to a most wonderful Russian dinner, complete with an education on Vodka.


I'm almost done....

Barry, Sue, myself & Bob

To bring all our followers up to date, Bob (Bob's patient transfer service) Barry, Sue and myself.  All four of us being the recovering "Walking wounded"  decided to take the day off relaxing.  It was a no brainer to spend the afternoon at White Swan Provincial park at the hot springs.

Great friendships

 This is a yearly event for Bob and myself.  We packed a lunch, a few cold  B.C. beers and headed up the mountain to the springs.  I could not fulfull my anual dip in the river as the rocks are too unstable for my unstable ankle.  Barry took my place as he made the chilling plunge. The healing sulfer waters excaping the hard rock of the mountains are healing, but smelly.  A shower was in need when we returned home.  Bedtime came early for us last night.

no comment

Goodnight as tomorrow we will be skiing in the sunshine and spring snow conditions.  Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homeward Bound

Honouring an Olympian

We met Doug Anakin two years ago as a mountain friend.  It did not take long to realise Doug's smile would reveal a history of accomplishments.

"It was 1964, Innsbruck Austria (50 years ago) where Doug, Vic Emery, John Emery & Peter Kirby were amateurs competing in the Bobsled competition. At that time, Canada didn't even have a bobsled or any training facilities. Doug and the boys drove from Montreal to Lake Placid to practise.  With no equipment available, Doug wore a plastic football helmet borrowed from the school gym where he worked as a teacher. 

Canada’s bobsleigh team Doug Anakin, Vic Emery, John Emery and Peter Kirby, at the 1964 Innsbruck winter Olympics.

Vic Emery, the driver, Doug sat second in the sled as here was the shortest and appropriately named (Mickey Mouse), John sat third and Peter on brakes. 

Lining up at the top of the course, Doug, Vic, John & Peter start by crouching, sprinter-like and in an instant they are off, feet churning solidly on the ice, sled gliding into motion.

The first corner, the Start-kurve, is not a problem. Then come the high S-curves.  The team gets progressively faster and the corners get higher through the next 6 turns. building toward the renowned high speed Hexenkessel (The Witch's Cauldron), the toughest part of the course, which sends Doug and the boys whipping around its big banks with intense centrifugal force.  They come blistering out of the turn at more than 130 kmp.   Holding their momentum through the next 2 turns into Burlepautz curve, they are going too fast, coming out of the turn too high.  Suddenly, the banked ice built up for the corner plum runs out as the track transitions from a corner back to straightaway.  The sled drops down, smashing into the opposite wall and starts riding up alarmingly on the right side.  Both right side runners are a foot in the air....the sled is about to tip.  The 4 Canadians lean with all their weight, breathlessly hoping they don't totter over.  The sled stays upright...barely...& the team rides on, rounding the final 2 corners & crossing the finish line with the fasted time of the day.  

Canada’s four-men bobsleigh team, Doug Anakin, Vic Emery, John Emery and Peter Kirby (center), celebrates its gold medal performance at the 1964 Innsbruck winter Olympics.

They shocked the world by setting a course record and a Gold Medal for Canada." excerpt from The Columbia Valley Pioneer"

Myself, Doug Anakin (Olympic Gold Medallist), Bob

Doug kept involved with Bobsled at the 1966 World championships, and 1972 Olympics, Sapporo, Japan as a coach for the Canadian Luge team.

After much celebration, Doug went back to teaching phys. ed  and in 1990 he and his family moved to the Columbia Valley.  When you do find Doug, he is either skiing at Panorama, or golfing in the valley.

Always a smile on his face and full of energy.  Doug is ready to play outside.  A graceful skier by all means and pretty good at playing the ukulele, to our surprise when he serenaded us at our farewell party two years ago.  

Thank you Doug for making us smile.  We can't wait until the next powder day as we can easily find you in the bowls or at the T bar enjoying a cold beer.  We are very humbled to know such an incredible athlete and friend.   Cheers!

Mike presenting Doug's Portrait

The Mountain Friends honoured Doug in the Village of Panorama with a toast, complete with hilarious stories about his experiences and adventures in Innsbruck in 1964 and beyond.  It has been 50 years since his gold medal and Doug hasn't lost his desire or energy for the sport & life itself.  

Doug with Vic Emery & John Emery  

As for Bob and myself:  Bob is skiing every day, especially since 60 cm + snowfall last week as Panorama has been magically transformed into an epic mountain of stashes, deeps everywhere you happily turn your skis.  He comes home after exhausting his now repaired fine tuned body, collapses on the couch, complete with that goofy snow scaped smile on his face.  

As for me.....hobbles and grovels, I am knitting as if there is no tomorrow.  The thought of all that snow is painful too think about.  

On the bright side of life, Bob and I joined Wilhelm and Gee had a wonderful  dinner at Eagle Ranch golf club  to celebrate Valentine's Day (of course) as well as my follow up visit regarding my fractured ankle.  Yippee!  The Dr. is very please with my progress!  The plan is to have the cast....cast away 27 February then followed by physio.  Yes, I will be skiing.  Hopefully by the first week of March.   

Golden, B.C. and Whitewater Here we come.  We will be heading towards Golden in March to celebrate our good Friend's 50th birthday (Name to be announced complete with birthday photos in a future blog)

 I plan on being in that same deep fluffy powder stash I've been dreaming about, as well as hippie hunting over a cold beer in Nelson.  I will replace my walking cast with a ski boot....finally.

Myself, with Sue & Annie the Dog

I would like to thank my special friends here at Panorama for kidnapping me and graciously taking me out for Sushi and a bit of girl time..... what a great afternoon, complete with a couple hours of knitting time together.

Skiing above Cloud 9

Above the Clouds

Despite the lack of fresh powder, the glorious views above the clouds take precedence to any whining from us powder hounds.  The temperature in January have been almost Spring like with an inversion.  So it is up, up, and away from the dull gloomy filled valley to Sunny and "warmer" temperatures.

A look from the top of  the Champagne chair.

This day we are skiing the groomed with only a tease of fresh tracks.  As seasoned ski bums, we still can find the powder stash.  Panorama has many secret, or not so secret playgrounds anxiously waiting for the determined snow seeker.


Deb and I found just that.  Right on the left of Stumbocks!!!!  Deb made the plunge first!!!!  Then it was my turn.

Snow Creatures?

The creature on the right somewhat looks like a frozen Ewok from the movie "Star Wars"  We certainly are not angelic Snow Angels!

Just resting!

Ice trees Along the trail

Bob also found some fresh powder waiting for him in Founder's Ridge.  Another one of our favorite play grounds.  How he found a bottomless pit of fresh snow and airspace is beyond me.  And yes, I have the camera.  All tangled up, inverted... quite the invitation for a photo shoot.....h'mmmm....time to try, reluctantly help him out while trying to  hold the giggles inside.  I unclip my skis, only to find out just how much snow there is!  Quickly, I shrink in size as one leg sinks to my hip into a bottomless well of brush, air and snow.



Now both of us are stuck.  With a little help from our friends, like overstuffed infants, we try to upright ourselves and finally take our first steps out of  the family of pine trees.

Australia Day @ Panorama

Suspension bridge @ Dog Lake

It is now the end of January (a blink of an eye) Wow.  


Wednesday is hike day as we join the Invermere hiking club to Dog Lake, Kootenay National Park for a day of snowshoeing.  Again, mild temperatures, moderate snowshoe trails and wonderful people.
We meet at the Black Forest Restaurant to car pool mid morning.  (Valley Time....10.00 a.m.) A big group today.

Crossing Dog Lake 

 What can I say?  The scenery is magnificent.  But, very different in Northwestern Ontario.  The trees are majestically tall and thin, due to altitude and climate.  Tamaracks are native to the area.  Sort of pine trees that do loose their needles. In the spring, it is a burst of yellow as the new growth appears.

Dog Lake is approx. 1 hour up and in Kootenay National Park.  Snow shoeing may look easy, but try to walk on deep snow without them.  It doesn't take long into the trail for the blood to begin flowing, as our extremities quickly begin to thaw.







Our appetites  increase with each footstep.
 Lunch time! What a beautiful dining establishment!

Lunch time @ Dog Lake

Complete with seating and a view of the frozen lake.  A great day!
Rumour has it; Snow is coming tonite.  Time to rest.
We awake the next morning.  And, yes!  It's true.  Fresh snow.
Back on the mountain just Bob and myself.  Our time today.  No photo's....just fun.  But we were soooo tired, we could only ski half the day.
That should have been a sign.  Bob began to feel, well. not himself.  Long story short.  He developed the "Man Sized" chest cold.  He did manage to recover after 8 days of sleeping, resting, all without skiing.  Hard to to when the minds says GO and the body digs its heels in with a definite NO WAY!
Sunday, I went solo as Bob was still recovering.  Hind sight millionaires us humans, I should have stayed home as well...
Lindsay and I met at the base of the mountain as usual, realising that Millennium has been freshly groomed. So, after a warm up run on Outrider, we stop and look up the bottom of Millennium.  "Not in bad shape" So the decision was made.  Up the Sunbird chair, then the Champagne chair.  We reach the top of Millennium. We are committed on the first turn.  No way out now.  The grooming was horrendous with an assortment of death cookies scattered across the first steep pitch.  We made it successfully.  Next turn was full of tree tops from pine tree saplings.  Or as we call them Snow Snakes.  My right ski caught on to a sapling and never let go.  I heard a crack.  Immediately, I knew...  I tried to stand up, as both skis were still attached to my boots. (another bad sign)  The one ski should have released. I hesitantly asked Lindsay to call Ski Patrol to the rescue, as my right foot was unable to withstand any weight.
A few minutes later, James, my Knight in Red armour arrives with he mighty sled.  (riding in a patrol sled is not on my bucket list) After a quick assessment, James called for extra manpower, as Millennium is quite steep, especially this pitch. An interesting experience as James wraps me up in a blanket, tarp, strapped in like a Burrito.  Quite comfortable!  A different perspective of the mountain from ground level.
The personal history of this long and steep trail isn't too forgiving.  So, now I arrive in Emergency where after x rays, it is confirmed. I have a fractured ankle.  Not severe, but nevertheless, I won't be skiing for 4 weeks. Not a good way of beginning February.  But, being the ideal optimist.... it could be worse.  If timing is anything....the temperature has taken a nose dive as it has been -30 most days.  The chair lift at Panorama has been delayed most mornings until 11:30 a.m.  Too cold to ski and too cold to operate the chair.  The Sochi Olympics have begun, and I have (for some very strange reason) brought along extra knitting. Like I say, things could be drastically worse.  The Dr. is also very optimistic and feels I will be skiing the beginning of March.  Lets hope so.  Spring skiing is glorious!  Nelson and Whitewater are still in the cards.

I'll be back.....

 I will be a good girl and heal quickly.
Promise!

Pink Lady

Curling Bonspiel, Lake Windermere

Add caption

I will begin this post starting from Friday evening. The Snowflake Festival and Taste of the Valley in Invermere all complete with a curling bonspiel on the Lake.  Everyone is getting excited for the evening to approach.  The temperature is almost tropical, hovering at a toasty -6 Celsius.  The sheets of ice have been polished and pebbled ready for rocks and brooms.  The aroma of chilli and hot chocolate is drifting along the crispy shore of Lake Windermere.

Bob and I show  up promptly at 6 p.m. before the crowd and before they run out of chili, bison burgers and tasty cake.  The bands are just warming up (in more ways than one).  The ice is being swept ready for the around the clock friendly competition.
There is only one problem....I am not feeling 100%. Maybe it is just tiredness, or not?  It was an early evening of good food and hot chocolate while we watch the Bonspiel begin.  Home by 8 p.m. and in bed within the hour.  Morning slithers by quickly as I am reluctant to crawl out from between the warm covers.
We arrived at the slopes approx. 9:30 a.m. still not well, but too stubborn to stay at home, we skied the morning.
This is where the "Pink Lady" comes in.  After lunch, we arrived at Invermere Hosp. in emergency with chest discomfort.  It's a scary moment when you begin to recognise familiar faces!  I go directly to the hospitality suite a.k.a. the cardiac room when the hospital vampire (lab Tech) introduces herself as she siphons off some of my blood. I am connected up to an ECG to rule out any serious issues.   After peeling the intensely sticky leads from my upper body and leg the Doc ordered me up a "Pink Lady"  Hoping it was a cocktail involving Strawberry liqueur and cream, as it was not anything that tasty.  Doc was ruling out tummy troubles.  The recipe for this sadistic concoction is Malox (I'd rather be chewing on chalk) and Lidocaine. For those not so familiar with Lidocaine, it is widely used for dental anaesthetic. "You want me to drink this?" Forget the straw, so I banged it back as if I were a redneck in a Western bar.  Get 'r down!  The Lidocaine isn't so bad, but please substitute the Malox for some chocolate milk at least.  Anyway, I have Bronchitis!  No worries.....until I am told my Ontario Health card has expired.  Glad they took my blood pressure first! Another long story as my card was only issued for a 9 month period instead of 5 years and no renewal notice sent.  Many phone calls later to Ontario Health I am told: "Yes, your card is active, but it is also expired. You do have coverage, but you don't."  Exact words spoken by a not so pleasant woman on the other line. What else can I say, it''s Government.  I won't go on about the issue, so lets get back to skiing.

Clouds over Invermere

After a few days of laying low and knitting profusely while I am getting cabin fever, Bob is catching some groomed runs enjoying the sunshine and the T Bar (I am feeling better)  " I am skiing tomorrow!"

The Rat House

We catch up with some good friends slopeslide the next day.  Still no new snow. "It's coming" we are told. Still, a great day. Bumps in the morning and groomers in the afternoon. Time for a Bladder break, and a convenient outhouse to the right of the Sunbird Chair.  Last season the same privy was missing the door. What do you do when you are a woman? (my She-Wee is still in my kayaking life jacket back home)

Butt Biting  Rat

Now, the door has been replaced.  I'm told by my ski buddy to "Watch out for the rat living in there! He'll jump up and bite you in the Butt" Well...a snow rat? Or an outhouse rat?  What shall he be?
 What shall we name this 4 legged Mountain Friend?  We shall "Warn the tourists of the terror of the mountain"  All in a days' fun, of course. And I did relieve my full bladder... in the village at the base of the mountain.

Hoar frost on the road down the mountain

Tomorrow, I will be 100% once again, thanks to Oil of Oregano and Rx from Doc.

Feel the flow against the Snow.

Ski good, or eat Wood!

Just get out and Ski...............

Skier: pronounced (Ski'er)

Ice flow on the road to Panorama Mountain Village

Definition of a Skier: The art of catching cold and going broke while rapidly heading nowhere at great personal risk!
Skis:  a pair of long,thin, flexible runners that permit a skier to slide across the snow and into debt.
Bindings:  Ingenious automatic mechanisms that attach the skis to the ski boots at the heel and toe. Bindings very effectively protect skiers from potentially serious injury during a bad fall by releasing the ski from the boot, sending it skittering across the slope where it trips another skier, who avoids serious injury when his bindings release, allowing his skis to spring loose and trip two other skiers, who fall, causing their bindings to release before they suffer serious injury, sending their skis into the path of four other skiers, and so eventually causing the entire slope to be closed, thus protecting every skier in the area from serious injury.
Boots:  (see: pain)

Happy to be on the hill again

Yes, we both need new ski boots.  Bragging rights to actually wear out your boots. So, off to Cranbrook shopping.  Gerick's Ski and Cycle shop was recommended to us and this is where it all begins.  Shane is our boot fitter today as he begins to questions us on skill level, preferred ski terrain, age (ha ha), weight (you think?) and ability.  After the interrogation, it is time to try on boots.  My turn.  A quick measure and we begin.  I have always had good luck with Nordica Boots as this is my first pair to try on.  As I struggle, push, and squeeze my foot into the liner, then repeat into the boot shell it is then to shackle tight any air space left between my toes. not bad, but not perfect.  I requested a stiffer boot with more ankle support. Shane recommended a new model "Soul Sister" by Full Tilt Boot Company and made in Italy.  Pretty funky looking boot, as it looks like a retro cable boot right out of the 1970's.  Shane recommended this boot as it would be a more customized fit for comfort and ability. Perfect fit! Of, course, it is considerably more expensive!  Since, our VISA card needed to be cancelled as it was compromised during our travels, Bob insisted he wait for his new pair of boots. We will definitely return to Gerick's.
Time for custom fitting my new boots. remove my socks, stuff cotton balls between my toes, Shane tapes my feet with green drywall tape (very attractive) slides on a stocking, then a neoprene cap, another stocking, then the boot liner, another stocking and into the cooked (and very warm) boot shell.  Shane did warn me that this would be a bit uncomfortable. He shackles up the boots very tight.  "O.K. now stand up and invert your toes on this wood plank and balance for approx 20 minutes."  Sounds like a mid 13th century torture chamber.  When the hammer stops hitting you in the back of the head, it feels good!  Off with the boots, tape, cotton, etc. and back into the newly formed Soul Sister.  WOW...just heavenly, and time for lunch.
The Cottage Restaurant:  Borscht, home made breads, a BLT with chicken noodle soup.  I say, one of the best lunches on our list! Beth and Pat Thom, have been owners for 24 years. Everything served at this lovely establishment is hand crafted every day.

Cat skiing on Outrider...66 kmph!!! Woo Hoo

Once back from Cranbrook and a sound sleep, it is time to work my new "Ballerina Slippers"  I strap on my gear like an over anxious child.  Out we go with phone in hand with a new ski app. "Alpine Relay". I tend to be an  endorphin junkie, and this new app is just more encouragement that just isn't necessary!  A few days with new boots skiing with my nee app, I reach 66 km per hour.  Crazy, for an old girl.  I think 66 km will be my max. speed as we aren't made of rubber and bounce like we used to.

Bob, Husband and best friend

It is great to ski with my Best Friend, and husband Bob (who is 130% recovered from surgery) for another glorious season. Panorama does feel like home....our winter home.  We have been visiting here for the last 15 years to ski. The terrain has everything a skier would want from greens to double diamond bowls.  We are breaking in our muscles, joints and bones gently this year as we have been taking more days off than our previous seasons.  More room for Apre's ski time.
After a morning of great skiing, we break for lunch in the Great Hall at Panorama.  Since this is the year for the Sochi Winter Olympics, and Para Olympics, Panorama is host to the most incredibly talented Para Olympians in the world. Sochi 2014.

Ski Team from Japan

All the Alpine teams are here.  We met, Mick Brennen, U.K. a hopeful for

Mick Brennen

His inspiration, drive and talent is such an inspiration to both of us.  A very humble and wonderful athlete!  We had the pleasure speaking with him, as well as learning about his journey here.

Mick's Sit Ski 

 Mick served his military life in Iraq, where he was severely injured. After a long recovery and rehabilitation, he was introduced to the world of the Sit Ski.  Mick has only 4 years of skiing under his belt.  His strong drive and determination through his injury and recovery to be one of the best athletes in the world as he approaches Sochi.  Words cannot express how this young man inspires the rest of us!  We wish him all the best in his Olympic journey and his journey through life.  Go for the Gold!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We will be watching.


Bob and I are skiing all day these days.....Building stamina despite all the training we put ourselves through to prepare for the three months skiing.  Time for some apres' time.  An evening of  presentation, "The Geology of the Panorama Ski Hill" by Walter Benstead BSc, P. Geol.  and a very good ski friend.  Walter, who has and interest and passion for rocks as well as skiing, wrote and published this very informative book.

Bob & Walter

"The rocks beneath and around us are a fascinating story. The Panorama Ski area is an 18 km. drive from the town of Inveremere. It is along this road that we see some of the best, most easily accessed exposures of the area's bedrock foundation. They are an intriguing story that enhances our area ski trip with a knowledge of the geological history and structure on which we traverse"  So..without the rocks, there is no skiing! Actually, it is these same rocks that cause injury to the bottoms of our skis!  Bitter sweet rocks, snow snakes, land sharks and death cookies.  Skier beware.

Snow Snake:  an invisible but malevolent creature whom skiers, blame for causing their falls.  Other troublesome unseen slope dwellers include the rack rat, who knocks over carefully propped up skis; the pole cat, who snatches ski poles from skiers' hand just as the chairlift starts and flings them into the snow below; the piste weasel, who momentarily obscures or reversed trail marking signs; and the powder parrot, whose weird squawks make it appear that an exasperated skier has just said something extremely crude.

Time to ski.....