We are coming off a fantastic ski trip to Whistler.
We started the weekend at the Ballews’ for some cousin time, also conveniently cutting the drive with an overnight stay in Bellingham. I’m glad you and Eliza get along so well with your cousins. You made home movies on the iPad and spent a lot of time on the punching bag.
We hit the road from Bellingham the next morning, right in time for a snowstorm that blanketed the mountains with a fresh layer of snow. We got after it upon arrival and had so much fun that first day, skiing mostly on the Whistler side. We went to Samurai Bowl, our favorite restaurant in the village, and slammed Korean fried chicken, rice, and soup to end a great first day.
Because of the storm during this otherwise low-snowpack winter, the lines the next morning to get on the gondola at the base were long—and I mean blocks long. A staffer told me he hadn’t seen morning lines that long in the 13 years he’d worked there! Thankfully, those Canadians know how to move crowds, and we got on the Blackcomb gondola in just 45 minutes. That’s like a fast Disneyland line.
We stayed on the Blackcomb side that day and dealt with the longer lines. We also took our time and ate waffles at the famous Crystal Hut. It’s hard to beat loaded waffles on the mountain. What a treat. You and Eliza kept great attitudes as we skied a long day before heading back to the hotel, packing up, and meeting Mike and Jen at their swanky Four Seasons condo, where we stayed the rest of the trip. We took advantage of the awesome pool, hot tubs, and free treats throughout the day.
That high-end Four Seasons service is something else—especially the ski valet. Because the Four Seasons is a decent walk from the Blackcomb base, they actually keep your skis, boots, and poles at a facility right at the base. You just walk over, give your name, grab hot chocolate and baked goods while they put your warm gear out. The staff even offered to put on ski boots for you, which we declined. That’s just too much help. At the end of the day, you drop your gear off again, put on your walking boots, grab more drinks and treats, and head back to the hotel. I’m telling you, it doesn’t get much better.
I know you had a blast at Whistler because of your great attitude—especially skiing an afternoon with Mike and me when we went up the Glacier chair and skied a lot of black-diamond moguls. Although our legs were cooked by the end, you said multiple times you weren’t sure if those runs should be blacks or blues because you had such an easy time with them. Don’t get too overconfident on those runs. We can always improve our skills getting down.
You also got a little confidence check when you fell on an icy flat spot and hurt yourself enough to slow down for the rest of the afternoon. You never know when you’ll take a hit on hard runs or easy ones, so stay alert.
This was also the last ski day on your shorter skis. You’re growing in height and ability quickly, so it’s time to move you onto some new-to-you Atomic Bent Chetlers that should help you ski even better and with more stability at speed.
Fresh powder, good food. What a great family weekend.
Love,
Dad