Updated-Skiing Conditions Now Divine- Long Awaited Skiing Shots

Today we went to Whistler (as stated yesterday, below) to have the ultimate Olympic experience. The place is amazing with the longest runs which would take weeks to explore and say that you have done a reasonable job. We had 8 hours. So what can we say? It was wonderful spending the majority of the day on skis whizzing down the mountain and less of it in line and freezing your bum off on the lifts. The scenery was amazing, however our choice of days could have been better. Very low cloud and regular snow 'flurries' reduced the horizon at times during the day to metres, at other times you could get a decent idea how truely magnificent the area is. The kids continued to carve up the hill, but need some work on personal space and giving way. We took the gondilla from mountain to mountain which has the longest suspension of such a lift anywhere in the world. Amazing! (and nice to get out of the wind for 15 minutes) Temperature was -14C at it's coldest without the considerable wind chill factor. Some rosy cheeks being sported! All for now, not many photos to add and too stuffed to play with them. 

Hi Everyone and welcome to our new layout. We listened to the advice and have expanded the width of the posts to Max and rearranged the layout. As a result old postings titles are a little tricky to read, but will tinker when I have time.

We have now had 4 days of skiing for Suzi, Sam, Bear and Ben and Jord and I have had our 3rd. His knee has recovered well, just bruising by the looks of it, (Thank Goodness) however his confidence took a little hit which is to be expected. As a result he has fallen behind Sam, much to his disgust, We have taken the boys as a group through some beautiful countryside with weather ranging from near white-outs to the most perfect day of the season with clear blue skies and views forever from Cypress.

The boys continue to astound us with their progress and lack of fear in trying new and more challenging runs. As can be seen from the photos they embrace speed and amaze experienced skiers we talk to from around the world. We are now regulars on the blue slopes including Humpty Dumpty which Ben chose only for us to find out too late that the run in question was a rather steep mogul run. He also insisted that we go down Bennys Run (Blue), which we soon found was steep, icy and narrow and we were the only people on it. The kids loved it of course, especially when Sam and I crashed into each other at speed (My Bad- didn't give way) with Sam ending up as a snow ball. When we got to the bottom the workers were surprised to see us as the run was meant to have closed 15 minutes earlier. Would have been an interesting trip back through powder and trees to the carpark.  Daredevil acts include Ben disappearing in and out of the treeline (in safe areas) and Bear's new discovered love of jumps. Wiped out the first time, but landed the second mid run.  Lots of air punching in celebration (For those new to skiing Green Circles are the easier slopes, then Blue Triangles, then Black Diamond and Double Black Diamond which are nearly vertical in places.)

Last night after our final day at Cypress, we went to Andy and Jen's for dinner with Dennis and Jen's sister and brother in law. We dined on Dungeness Crab and Sockeye Salmon and Pie. Yum!!! The kids then collapsed into a coma like state while we partied on until after 3. Needless to say, we postponed Whistler today and had a lay day, instead revisiting Lynn Canyon for lunch, a walk on the suspension bridge and short hike. Would love to mountain bike the area like the locals do next visit when it is a little warmer. We were just treated to another fine dining experience from Dennis with his Mexican and Southern American dishes. Again, Yum!!!  Loving spending time with all these guys who we met while they were on teaching exchange.

Tomorrow we are off to Whistler where the majority of the Olympics took place at this time last year. It is apparently out of this world, and arguably the best resort in the world. Hundreds of runs to choose from, Gondila rides etc, and is so high that often you ski above the clouds. Cant Wait!!! The drive takes up to 2 hrs depending on traffic so everyone has already hit the sack ready for our 5:30 wake up call. Up before the sun in winter. Kids wont be happy.

Tuesday we head to Vancouver Island and will ski Mt Washington before visiting Victoria and checking out some museums etc there. Hope to see some Orcas on the ferry ride.

Until next time.
The Wockies
Photos are from Cypress taken yesterday. (Saturday) Views of Vancouver and English Bay and Georgia Strait and the dormant snow covered Volcano is Mt Baker. (Part of the same chain as Mt St Helens I have been told) Ice crystals are from Dennis' front yard where he has a top dressed area where as the frosts hit and the soil freezes, the water takes the path of least resistance and pushes up through the soil and freezes. These crystals are 3-4cm long. Note the rock/ dirt on the top of some of the crystals. Very Cool! U