The 2010 Olympics are rapidly approaching; the February 12, 2010 opening ceremony is six months away, but it feels like it is only three months away. While it is only August, the available housing in Whistler has shrunk to a level that is normally seen in November when the ski/snowboard bums show up because they don’t want to waste any time or expense to pay for an extra month of rent before they find the fresh powder on the mountain.
This season, the situation has be exacerbated by property owners hoping to cash in on the Games. Many landlords are not renewing leases for the 2009/10 season in hopes of making some fast and hopefully big cash from visitors. I’ve seen properties listed for rent for as much as $20,000 per month. [Edit: here's one for $70,000 per month!]
The other problematic situation that has occurred because of the housing crunch are listing that have vacancies for one or two months in September and October because of the summer crowd moving out. Most of these vacancies will remain unfilled until the leases expire. Nobody arriving in their right mind would take one of these spots. If they did, they might have to move out of the BC lower mainland until the 2010 frenzy has died down in April.
The last unusual situation are landlords that are requiring their tenants to move out of their dwellings during the time of the Games – as seen in the above posting on Craigslist. This raises a few questions. Where will these people live? Couchsurfing may not be an option because every available couch and likely floor space will already be taken up by family, friends and long-lost acquaintances. Then there’s the 30,000 or so volunteers that will be rolling into town for the Games. Vancouver and Whistler will be bursting with homeless natives and visitors alike. Maybe Vancouver will go back to it’s roots and erect a tent city for the homeless.
After a lightning strike last Thursday, a fire started on the Crystal Ridge area of Blackcomb Mountain. It was mostly contained within the first day as I’m sure workers were pulled off the 100 or so other fires burning in the province. I imagine fires in Whistler are given some sort of priority over other fires given the high profile nature of the location.
For the many firemen in town for the World Police and Fire Games, I wonder if it was a treat or a horror show for them to watch the mountain burning.
As of yesterday, four days after the original fire another fire started on Ruby Bowl, an area with very steep terrain. Blackcomb mountain was closed to tourists and hikers for a few days after the original fire, but remains open after the new fire on Ruby Bowl yesterday. Whistler mountain and the Peak 2 Peak are open with the exception of the backcountry trails which the province has issued a voluntary ban on hiking due to the fire risk. It’s been an eventful week.
As I know all of you like watching stuff burn, here are my photos from the fire. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one. If you’re on a mobile device, click here to view the images.
Kiersten's last run on the Couloir Extreme this season
As the weather in the spring changes, people are starting to leave for the season or pack their skis in favour of their bikes, golf clubs and shorts. It’s a bit of a sad time – but many will be back – I’m sure of that.
Since the conditions aren’t the best because of the high temperatures, sunshine during the day and low temperatures at night causes some hard packed (read: icy) conditions, I decided to venture on the mountain with my SLR – which I’ve only done one or two times before this.
As I was taking photos of places I’ve been before but without my SLR, I met Kiersten. She asked me if I was going to go down the Couloir Extreme. I wasn’t planning on doing it as it was closed because of icy conditions. She mentioned that it was her last day on the mountain. I though for the season – but she said possibly forever because she said she was moving back to Holland after five years in Vancouver.
My heart sank a little; but I know that this place can’t keep anyone away for very long. I told her that I bet she’ll be back.
The last days on the mountain for several people plus some recent images on flickr. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
It’s difficult to sum up the last five months in one word, but I can do it in three – eat, sleep, ski. That’s basically what I’ve been focused on for the past five months since I arrived in Whistler – that’s why I haven’t posted to this blog, my food blog nor flickr. I took today off to recuperate and give my body a break and thus I have the time to post.
Over the five months, I’ve achieved most of the goals I set for myself – as crazy as some of the were – like ski 100 days in a season; ski an entire month (February) and become a certified ski instructor. I’m a few days shy of 100, but will have achieved that in the next week or so. The season will go another three to six weeks, so there are many days left to ski.
Within my ski days, I’ve learned much more that I could have ever imagined. My skiing has been deconstructed and been put back together again – with the help of some great instructors. I ski better, more confidently and have more fun. I can’t wait to take more lessons next season!
Skiing for 28 days in a row in February was a physical challenge, but it was also fun. I could have gone 39 days in a row, but my bus from Vancouver had mechanical problems and didn’t arrive in Whistler until the end of the ski day. In all, I skied 38 days out of 39 before I went on a road trip with a friend. The photos in the link are incomplete because I haven’t had time to post them.
However, after spending five months here, I realize that there is much more to the mountain experience than skiing. There was the breathtaking view of the mountains, some of the best sunrises and sunsets I’ve witnessed and being able to see stars on a clear night. There was also the endless stream of friends, visitors and the people that I met who share the same passion for this place.
In some ways this winter, it was like being in school again. As the warmer weather approaches, so does the end of the ski season. Several people that I’ve met this season will be returning home or traveling to some other city by the end of the month. Some lasting friendships have been formed and I know some of them will return – that’s something to count on.
Day 51: the best day of the season so far was on February 25 (day 51)
I skied my 60th day of the season yesterday – more days than the last four seasons combined. Living in a ski town certainly helps. I’m well on my way to skiing 100 days this season. Even after taking a vacation from my vacation, and if the weather cooperates, I will reach my goal by the end of April – right around the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival – more reasons to celebrate.
Fifty days slipped by rather easily as winter really began on February 22nd (day 48). It was a good month; however, the snowfall is much less than the last three seasons which would be considered epic seasons. The best day that I’ve had, probably over the last four seasons was on February 25 (day 51) where it snowed over 30 cm. This combined with my powder skis made for a very enjoyable day!
I also managed to somehow ski 28 days in February and 29 days in a row. The streak was broken when the bus from Vancouver was delayed. February was all about skiing, eating and sleeping – and not much else.
In the 60 days I also took five lessons which dramatically improved the way I ski. I took lessons before, but my days on the mountain were always limited to practise what I learned. I also think the quality of the instruction at Whistler Blackcomb made a difference. This was the first time I took lessons here and the style was much different than other resorts in North America. This combined with the positive attitude of the people that work here is probably why WB is consistently ranked as one of the best ski resort in the world.
Today, day 61, is also my birthday, I think I’ll celebrate by going skiing! :^)
My flickr set of my days on the mountain so far. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
West vs. east; Vancouver on the left and Toronto on the right. December 2008.
It feels like I’m trapped in the Twilight Zone in some sort of crazy weather spiral. However, the weather I’ve been experiencing over the last several years has been so drastically that crazy weather seems to be the norm.
When I arrived in Whistler earlier this month, it was warmer than usual and there was not enough snow to ski. Then it became too cold and snow started to fall slowly. When I returned to Vancouver before Christmas it started to snow – and snow it did. I think there was a snowfall warning issued daily for over a week on Environment Canada.
I flew from a snowy Vancouver to a rainy Toronto on December 24th – barely making it because there was a shortage of crew available in Vancouver because many flights were canceled from several centres in the west. Toronto is now enjoying spring-like weather. It reached almost +15c yesterday. Warm enough not to require a hat or gloves – something that I was never without in BC this month.
Much of what I do is dependent upon the weather so I will be glad when things return to what we once knew as normal – except in the mountains where it should snow as much as possible!
A familiar pose. Riding the Revelstoke gondola. Photo by Jae from South Korea.
The number refers to how many days I want to spend on the mountain this season – on skis. I’d also like to take photos. Maybe self-portraits or maybe just of the scenery. I take photos everyday anyway so hopefully this won’t be a bother for me.
The season has gotten off to a slow start so far. The weather has been a bit unusual in the past month. First it was too warm and not enough snow. Then it became too cold when there was an arctic flow of cold air. This caused the temperature to dip to -25c at the peak of Whistler mountain on some days. It was also about -13c in the village on some days. The weather is starting to return to normal now. It’s snowing more frequently and the temperature is almost normal – which should be in the range of zero to -10c on the mountain.
My ski days for December will only be six – not much considering I’ve been in the mountains for the greater part of three weeks. The weather has been a factor – if it had not, my count would probably be 20 by now. I look forward to January and the rest of the season!
My daily photos from the album 100 days on flickr. Click the image to advance to the next image.
That’s how many hours I was in transit last weekend from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. After arriving at the airport, I was told my flight was canceled; I ended up getting on the previous flight which had already been holding for three hours. I almost didn’t make it to NYC on Friday. After waiting a few hours, I was on the phone to American Airlines inquiring about a refund – which they did offer to me – but at the last moment, I declined to take it. Moments later, we did get on the plane and we took off around 10:30 p.m. I was in Brooklyn by 2:00 a.m. and the party was already started.
Watching the sunset while waiting for my flight at Toronto Pearson airport.
On the way home on Sunday evening, I arrived at JFK airport late because I missed one of my connections which delayed me enough to miss the boarding cutoff time. I ended up buying a bus ticket and arrived back in Toronto by 7:00 a.m. Monday morning. I basically went home, showered and left for work. It was very tiring and it took me until Thursday to feel normal again.
On a lark, I called American Airlines to let them know of my weekend. They were nice enough to give me a credit for my missed flight so there will be another trip to NYC in the works.
Relaxing at JFK after missing the check-in cutoff time.
Watching the sunset in Manhattan before catching my bus.
The Megabus; I paid 80x that; but at least it got me home.
In a friend’s short film, Berlin, the main character states that, “adventures are as common as rooftops.” – I definitely like an adventure. Perhaps that’s why I like being on the roof so much. Actually almost anywhere up high where I can get a good view and a different perspective. This includes mountains, airplanes, tall buildings and, of course, the roof of buildings. Mountains and airplanes are more difficult to come by, however, buildings and rooftops can be had almost anywhere.
Toronto and New York rooftops.
Sometimes even the rooftop isn’t high enough.
My rooftop set on Flickr. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
I don’t normally like long commutes in cars, buses, trains or planes. However, I think they are a bit more tolerable if they are done at night and I can get some sleep and arrive rested at the other end of the journey first thing in the morning.
With advances in technology, the amenities for the traveler is much more diverse. Recently several new bus services between Toronto and New York were introduced with rates starting at one dollar. I didn’t get a one dollar fare, but it was close. I took the Greyhound Neon service which featured movies, electrical plugs and wireless Internet.
In the end I didn’t get much sleep because there was a short delay at the border and a couple of other rest stops at midnight and 4:00 am – but this is more for the driver – plus the air conditioning was way too cold and the seats were passable, not the most comfortable; but I’m not complaining based on what I spent and where I went.
The reward – at the end of the Lincoln Tunnel – is always worth it as I witnessed below.
Here is a set of photos of my trip from Toronto to New York – the road trip portion only. Taken mostly while on the bus. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
More pictures from New York to follow in the coming days and weeks!
Couchsurfing, Culture, Recreation, Vancouver, Whistler | Garry August 11, 2009 | 
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