Comments on: Martin Luther King Weekend in Whistler

By: Greg (admin)

Greg (admin) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:27:46 +0000

I predict the West will kicka$$ over the East

I am not sure about the heli-skiing, as it is something I have never done ( I have done a single drop on Rainbow mountain) , and will probably never be able to afford.

I would expect the heli-skiing companies are using very gentle terrain due to the avalanche hazard. It is unsafe across the whole province, so getting in a helicopter doesn’t mean you can escape the dangers.
Up until this week, it would have been great skiing still, although I would think it is a lot worse after the recent heatwave.

Thanks for the offer Bob, I presume you mean the 27th ? Can you contact me through the form on my about page
http://whistlersnowreport.com/about
as I would no doubt be keen to hook up for a drink and a chat – maybe organize a run or two for the next day ?
I think the snow might just be beginning around then (but probably a few days later) so fingers crossed.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:29:06 +0000

Greg,

I’ll be in town with 4 of my buddies Tuesday afternoon around 5. Once we get settled in to Plaza Suites, we’ll be heading out for some drinks. If you’d like, the first 2 or 5 rounds are on us.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:10:50 +0000

How are the heli-skiing conditions?

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:02:49 +0000

Thanks also for the updates. I’ve wanted to come to Whistler since the 80′s when I was in my teens and I have to say I’m a bit disappointed that conditions are not as good as they could be to get the true Whistler experience. We’ll get there on Sunday in time to watch the all star game and hopefully bring the snow with us. Here’s hoping that next week will bring lots of powder.

By: Greg (admin)

Greg (admin) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:22:23 +0000

Bob, I speak to visitors almost everyday while riding chairs and skiing around. I am yet to find someone who has said ‘It is not good here, I wish I wasn’t here’
Everyone has said they are having a good time and enjoying the conditions. Sure, some of them also want the other chairs open and a deeper base – but in the end , they are having a great time skiing on what we have.
All I say is – if you like Whistler now, you should come back in a good season…
So, basically don’t be too discouraged by the reports. I am comparing the resort to how it ‘can’ be, and when it is as good as it can be, it simply blows away most other resorts.
As for donations, Paypal is the only system I have set up (or even know of). If you prefer some other way, let me know via the contact form on my ‘about’ page.
An easier way….you say you are coming here next week ? We can always meet for a run and a beer.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:35:58 +0000

I appreciate the information Maxwell. I’m coming up next week and am disappointed with many of the reports I’m seeing. I see some snow forecast for next week and HOPING that it does the mountain some good. Your comments are helpful in assessing what I’m most likely to encounter.

Greg, your website has given me a great insight into the area. Thanks for taking the time to write your observations. Do you take any donations other than paypal?

By: Greg (admin)

Greg (admin) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:16:53 +0000

Hi Maxwell, thanks for the updates. I am sure everyone appreciates hearing another persons point of view.
I didn’t ski the last 3 days, I wasn’t avoiding the weekend crowd, it was just something that had been planned for a while. In the end I was lucky it was a long weekend….
There are plenty of guys that like to hear about the under dressed girls getting around – yup Amercian long weekends aren’t all that bad

By: Maxwell H.

Maxwell H. — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:08:56 +0000

Not that anyone asked, but . . .

Was on Blackcomb yesterday A.M. and found conditions to be not so great even on freshly groomed runs. Lots of ice, lots of crud, just not what I was looking for. (We were mostly in the Crystal and Jersey Cream areas, so I can’t speak for 7th Heaven.)

Taking a day off today before our final day tomorrow. Going to go back up to Whistler, and probably check out the Symphony stuff which we haven’t gotten to yet. Also, planning to do the “Fresh Tracks” deal, so we’ll see what it looks like before anyone else gets on it.

By: Maxwell H.

Maxwell H. — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:12:05 +0000

Our first full day in town, and we spent the whole day on Whistler–didn’t actually go up to Harmony–mostly because every other person on the mountain was headed that way. Morning conditions on groomers were quite good: rode soft with a little ice in places. Toward the later afternoon, it went downhill fast. All the runs that I was enjoying in the A.M. were packed tight, very bumped up and cruddy, not what I’m usually in the mood for. The ride down to the base was filthy–bumps and snow-gun powder on top of a solid sheet of ice. All in all though we had a lot of fun and were surprised at the run quality in the morning. We’re going to hit up 7th Heaven in the morning.

One more thing: MLK weekend is kind of a nightmare if you’re over the age of 19. Loud, mostly drunk kids and a whole lot of very young, underdressed girls travelling in packs. Looking forward to tomorrow night!!