MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Fall 2017

44 ML BLUE FALL 2017 The only reasonable thing to yell is, “I’m the best skier in the world!” And for those few seconds I might as well be. Peak and the White Pass Quad take you up into the alpine, where there are no more trees, simply a view upwards to the rocky peaks of the 2,134m Polar Peak. It’s a rocky, snowy landscape that inspires awe and a dizzying sense of humility. We make it to the ropes right when they open up the Lizard Bowl; the entire town is here. We join the bumpy traverse, a little slower than most, with some shredders on giant fat planks passing and saying, “Woah, the little guy’s gonna get the goods! Don’t lose him!” And it’s true. The snow is ridiculously deep. It’s the kind of snow that locals wait years for. We drop in just off the far end of the Cedar Bowl and for six glorious turns through virgin, untracked bottomless powder, the only reasonable thing to yell is, “I’m the best skier in the world!” And for those few seconds I might as well be. The word “epic” gets thrown about way too often these days, but it totally applies to the current conditions. Then I look up to see Taj struggling; it’s up to his chest and he can’t even get started. “It’s too deep!” he yells, and from anyone else I’d say those three words together were a blasphemy. But he’s probably right; it probably is too deep for him. He crashes a couple times and yells, “Uh, a little help over here?” A catch phrase he’ll become known for in our little group over the next few days. We set him on a cat track down and ski the deep snow to the side. It’s deep and it’s awesome. Sharing it with three generations of family is an experience I will always adore. Over the next three days the resort opens one bowl after another and we get fresh snow every day. Taj becomes more proficient and is hunting for freshies on black diamonds with us in no time. On the fourth day we head to Kimberley. I’ll admit I’m reluctant to write about Kimberley. It’s a beautiful little community and I fear what it may become if it gets the tourism success it deserves. Set in the heart of the Kootenays, life seems to, at least after a big dump, revolve around the ski hill. It looms over the tiny town of 7,500 and can be seen from just about every angle. The ski hill itself never gets much recognition in ski media, but that’s exactly how the locals like it. Because even seven days after a big dump you can find fresh tracks. The locals will tell you it isn’t the biggest, gnarliest mountain, it doesn’t have the steepest terrain, or the fastest lifts. They’ll tell you that it’s just plain fun. A couple days skiing there proves exactly that to us. And according to some locals, Kimberley got even more snow than Fernie in the recent storm. We do endless laps of the fast and challenging luge track that is the kids’ run off the North Star Express. We chase, and find, freshies off the Easter Triple Chair and relax in the outdoor hot tub at Trickle Creek Lodge. For three more days we ski powder, meet old friends and revel in what is an incredibly friendly and vibrant community. The beauty of a three-generation ski trip is that all the noise of daily life fades away; chores, work, school, screens and schedules disappear. The clutter is forgotten and we focus on the time, the moment and the people at hand. The reason that skiing is one of the greatest sports in the world, is that we all have something to do together; something that’s fun, challenging and accessible for all ages. It’s an active exploration of the mountain. As parents we all talk about creating great memories for our children. This trip is our best piece of parenting yet. And I have to admit, we made some incredible memories for ourselves as well. skircr.com