First Day of the Season 2009-10
Written by Robyn on December 3rd, 2009Tyler and I finally got the chance today to go up to Whistler to ski/ride. This was my first day out this season so I spent some time last night getting all my gear ready to leave Downtown Vancouver by 7:15am this morning. Technically, this was Tyler’s second day this season; as he had the opportunity to go to a GLC (Garabaldi Lift Company) Tweetup last week, which you can check out on his Blog. I was very envious that he was able to attend, unfortunately, I had to work.
We were both pretty excited and looking forward to getting up to Whistler today as the weather and conditions were great and as an added bonus were able to make it up to Whistler on a weekday…which means there are significantly less people on the mountain.
We decided to spend the day just on Whistler Mountain and not bother to take the Peak to Peak Gondola to ski Blackcomb as well. The Peak to Peak Gondola is neat, but I do have a slight fear of heights (it is almost 2km high!) and personally, for me, it seems to ruin the experience just to ski the best parts of Whistler and Blackcomb in one day.
We had a great day! We spent some time doing some warm up laps on the a mix of Green and Blue runs which turned out to be fairly tracked out and icy. Then we headed over to Harmony Ridge and back up to enter into Symphony Bowl a couple of times. Symphony chairlift was closed, which was too bad, but I love the views and find it exhilarating to enter into this area of Whistler.
Black Tusk and looking into Symphony Bowl, Whistler Mtn
After having lunch at the Roundhouse the conditions deteriorated a bit. The wind picked up and was blowing hard and the light was flat in the upper alpine. We did a couple more runs and tested out the Saddle off Whistler’s peak. The snow conditions on the Saddle were perfect, except, the light was so flat we had no depth perception. We decided to call it a day after the light grew flat and conditions started to get icy.
Me contemplating my next move in flat light going down The Saddle, Whistler Mtn
Overall, it was a great day, especially, for pre-season with a snow base of 182 cms. Compared to conditions this time last year in Whistler with a snow base of around 65cms we are pretty lucky. Also, I know the Media has been pretty excited about this big snowfall for the 2010 Olympics.
I can’t wait to go back….mostly likely next week when a close friend and ski buddy of mine arrives into town. She only has one day at Whistler so she might have to convince me to get up on the Peak to Peak so she can do all of Whistler/Blackcombs premium terrain in one day =)
