Whistler
After the powder express we had enjoyed during our stop to B.C.'s interior, we were unsure if the gravy train could keep chugging along. Our legs were battered and needed some rest but Whistler's huge, steep terrain and stable coastal snowpack beckoned. We were lucky enough to time it perfectly. The upper mountain had been closed for four days due to high snowfall and winds, and remained closed our first day in town. We were more than happy to explore the comfortable confines of our home away from home, the Coast Hotel. After filling up on the fat continental breakfast we headed to the hot tub to soak the legs. A nice long nap in the comfortable rooms had us back in shape and then on Sunday the Peak chair opened for all to enjoy.
Whistler is home to a seriously talented crew of locals. When huge Pacific fed storms blast he high alpine, and the Peak chair closes for days at a time, the anticipation builds. When it opens, it goes off like you wouldn't imagine. Our first day was no different. Huge airs were dropped left and right. Cheers roared from the crowd of onlookers as different lines such as Air Jordan and Idiots were immediately schralped. Many brave souls with less than superhero skills didn't have talent to please the masses and suffered an onslaught of taunts and jeers from the unforgiving lift line. When we finally got up to the top we were surprised to find lots of fresh for ourselves, then we met up with local legend Dan Treadway. This guy lived up to his nickname Dan "big air" Treadway, the first run we took with him. He lined up a 30 footer into a sketchy straightline that had everybody else too scared to follow. Dan hucked it and stucked it, then sped away as if it were effortless. The guy is a bonafide pro and a hell of a nice guy to boot. It was a treat to follow him around his mountain.