72
MLBLUE
WINTER2017
On our second day of skiing at Shames it costs us $52 for a lift ticket and we
arrived just asBradwas gettingout of his truck.
“Nice timing!” he yelledover tous. “Come tourwithus.”
What’s the plan, Brad?
“Well, we’re going to go up, see what’s going on up there, and hopefully, find
some good snow.”
So the same plan as everyday?
“Exactly.”
And that’s preciselywhatwe did.We knocked1400 feet off our climbby riding
the two-person chairlift up to the T-Bar, then taking that up to backcountry.
ThenBraddraggedus up andover 5000more feet of terrain that day.We skied
theDarkSide, andmultipleother aspects, findingpocketsof freshpowderwhere
we could. Itwas an amazingday. Brad took it easyonus, and at 56years old,we
canonlyhope tobe as fit as him at his age.Wewerewiped.
The next daywewent from skiing on a budget, to the exact opposite: heliskiing
atWhiteWilderness Lodge. 2016was the first year of the lodge’s existence and
they’re creatingwhat they call a “boutique”heliski operation, priding themselves
on small groups, unlimitedvertical and freedrinks at the lodge.All perks thatwe
support.With 1500 square kilometres of tenure, we took off in themorning in
theAstar helicopter, theAirwolf theme song on repeat in ourminds, our quads
ecstaticnot tobe earning turns that day.
We spent two days withWhiteWilderness exploring their tenure and absolutely
loving the experience. Fine dining, outdoor hot tubs and beautiful mountain
scenerywereall aperk,but itwas theabsolute last run that Iwill remember forever.
GeneralManager KenBibby joined us that day, and took us to a peak that had
never been skiedbefore.Hekept calling it theMountainLifeRun.AndnoBS, I
weptduring those final turns. Itwas earlymorningand theworldwas simply too
beautiful towithstand.Hoar frost glistenedoff the snow, thewhite peaks spread
out in every direction. It was so freaking beautiful. And to top it off, the snow
was perfect. Every single minute of our last seven days in Terrace culminated
in this one perfect run. As one single tear rolled downmy goggle-clad cheek, I
realized it contained all the friends, bothnew andold, that helpedme get here.
“Thank youworld formaking this place sodamnbeautiful and the people here
so damn open,” I thought tomyself. “And thank you for lettingme experience
this incredible place.”
If you’re looking for a ski holiday, one where skiing is the focus, then look no
further thanTerrace, BC. Youwon’t be disappointed.
DIY
: ShamesMountainCo-Op:
WhiteWildernessHeliskiing:
GregSturch falling in lovewithWhiteWilderness.
I imagine Zeerip thinking to
himself, “Let’s see what these
Ontario boys can do!”
