It’s that time of year the Pagans and Druids used to refer to as “Imbolc” — the heart of mid-winter. Fact is, after a triad of ski-family firsts over the last weekend, all resulting in considerable Ibuprofen and icepacking for ol’ dad, a guy can’t help but feel more mid-life than Medieval.

Seize ups and spasms aside, last weekend’s parental adventure has if anything proven that the true spirit of skiing blazes bright here on Planet Whitewater, even while a 42-year-old’s dream of shredding Ymir Peak is officially flickering. Faintly. Like, basically out.

Regardless, for rockstar or seniorly shredder, this neck of the Kootenay woods always offers up all-time skiing experiences. Cliché as it is, there are memories of a lifetime to be had on any given day. 

Cases in point: last Thursday night under the lights at Salmo. A first for dad and the seven-year-old. Even with the clattery ice and grassy patches, the smiles for both were earstrap-to-earstrap on the hill’s formidable T-bar (despite the unavoidable lower back-n-butt-burn experienced whilst riding with someone half your height.) The sight of the kid trying his darndest to ski switch in the shadows, his ski-coat zipper loaded with a dozen Whitewater day passes whipping him in the lips, rendered true joy. 

Same thing Friday afternoon for the two-and-a-half year old’s very first day on the boards. As any parent will attest, the handle tow’s no place for the weak of core or patience. Even while cradling the not-so-little one in both arms, her skis jabbing Daddio in the nether-regions and prerequisite hoola-hoop firmly gripped in mouth, the same happiness ensued as the arduous evening before.

Then, Saturday. With a bluebird day illuminating the resort and its famous super-cirque in full spectacle, the entire clan made its first-ever family-of-four trek up to the mountain. Mom, a Trail girl born and bred at Red, made her first turns with her son, while dad and the toddler divvied up a pre-tour Summit Burger with buddies, parked next to the pub.

Go figure, three hours later after Ma and munchkins had buzzed back home in the beater, Dad skinned to Ymir’s summit — another first — with a few other near-40-somethings leading the way. Popping through a blanket of afternoon cloud for the final 200 yards, the cumulous carpet stretched from horizon to horizon, brimming just below the peaks of the Purcells, Kokanee Glacier and the Valhallas. No peak shredding for Pops though. Found a fresh, far less foreboding line.

But still took a header in the bowl.

Another day. Another dream.

The Pagans got it right. We’re in the heart of it.

Say, pass the pills would ya?

— DARREN DAVIDSON

Coming this Sunday, February 14th, The Whitewater Ski Team will be hosting 180 racers competing in the West Kootenay Nancy Greene Ski League. Racers between the ages of 4-13 will run slalom and GS courses, competing against team members from surrounding areas.
The Kimberley North Star Racers have a team of twenty kids coming for the event. There are 72 kids on the Whitewater team, seeing a jump from 21 kids just two years ago.
Come on up to the hill on Sunday, and help cheer on the teams!

The first year of the AABBS Society has turned out to be a great success. The Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries Society is a non profit group that provides avalanche awareness training for youth in the kootenays. One and three day training courses have been provided to nearly 100 kids over the ‘09-2010 season. The society would like to give special thanks to groups like the Nelson Credit Union,
Whitewater Winter Resort, Gravity Adventures and Kootenay Mountain Culture for there generous support of this great cause.
Look out for more training courses in your area next year, and help keep our youth educated about the risk and rewards associated with backcountry travel and adventure.

It was more like a classic Kootenay party with dancing hippy kids and snowbank firepits rather than an IOC-sanctioned event, but the Olympic Gear-UP Winter Carnival was a great time nevertheless. There was no corporate sponsorship putting a damper on the festivities- just an open invitation for locals to celebrate our own version of the games. Security was minimal. Rumour was, the only person who got out of hand was Kirk the head of skiing operations when he got his hands on all those fireworks. Beijing eat your heart out!

Kids of all ages took part in various events on Saturday- highlighted by a scrumptious buffet at the lodge, which was rocked by the Wassabi Collective. The evening culminated with a torch-lit ski descent down Sluice Box gracefully executed by various Whitewater staff. Fireworks capped it off, keeping us all amped for the final event, which was the luge descent down the access road on the way home.

Thanks for lighting it up for us Whitewater! An extra special thanks to all the staff who make this place what it is.

Torch-lit parade heading straight for the lodge

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Marshmallows were available for dirtbags who couldn't afford the $20

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More events such as Whitewater’s very own Olympic Games competitions took place on Sunday but I was too hung-over to attend.

What better way to test out next years Rossi and Dynastar product then to make a stop at Whitewater. The team is on a 3 week trip of the Kootenays. Some of the top Skiers in North America hit up Whitewater yesterday for some great food and fun skiing.

Lynsey Dyer, Matty Richard and Mike Hopkins represented Rossignol while Erik Roner and Rachael Burks were on the mountain in the new Dynastar product.

Many of the athletes had not been to Whitewater and although the fog made it tough for viewing everyone was impressed with the great terrain and fantastic food.

I think you may be seeing a little more of these folk skiing WH20 in the near future!

Although it looks like a lesser sporting event has bumped Whitewater’s annual Coldsmoke festival back a week, it’s still on the calendar. It’s in March this year, a great month for powder if you listen to the armchair meteorologists in the lift line. I personally think that “when you’re there” is the best time to visit Whitewater, but March and the Coldsmoke are two times not to miss. No lift lines and lots of fun events.

I thought I’d post my slideshow from last year’s Cold Shot photo showdown that took place during the ‘09 Coldsmoke, to get people stoked for this season- or at least lull you into a skiing rhythm. Most of the images were shot at Whitewater. The music is by Brett Dennen. The talent consists of: Bud, Craig, Mary, Clay, Orry, Simon, Ivan, Ruby, Scott J, Xavier, Tai, Johann, Jodi’s breast, Jack, random snowboarder dudes, the Atlas crew, Alani, Rosco, Kaden, Scott M, Murray, Carl, Salmo ticket guy, Pete V, and Al on zamboni. It just goes to show how many friendly and mostly photogenic locals frequent this area.

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View Slideshow

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Orry Grant sending it large in Trash Chutes

Keep it cold and smoky.

Steve

www.steveogle.ca

Mikael Pilstrand shoots Torkel Karoliussen at WH2O. KARI MEDIG PHOTO

If you happened to be in the lift lines on Thursday and Friday next to a guy with a strange accent and a bright red one piece suit, you were probably in the presence of legendary Norwegian free-telemark skier Torkel Karoliussen. The K2 and Norrona clothing sponsored athlete was on a road trip with Swedish ski photographer Mikael Pilstrand to capture images of epic Kootenay powder for Scandinavian ski magazines Fri Flyt and Brant. I had a chance to catch up with Torkel and Mikael to ask them their thoughts on their trip to WH2O.

KM: What brings you guys to Whitewater?

TK: Pow.

KM: Wow, good answer. So where are you coming from on this trip?

TK: Well, we’ve been on a pretty crazy but epic road trip and we got the word that the conditions were great here….so we came.

MP: It was definitely worth the drive!

KM: Cool. So Mikael, what do you like about taking photos at WH2O?

MP: The terrain is just awesome with all the trees. It’s just playful, great terrain.

KM: And Torkel as an athlete, what’s the best part about WH2O?

TK: Pow.

KM: (laughing) Good answer. How about all the pillows, I heard you talk about the pillows earlier.

TK: I love jumping, and there’s lots to jump off of so this is my kind of ski area.

KM: And when you first came here you mentioned that you would like to come back with your young son. So you think it’s a good family friendly hill?

TK: Sure looks like it. There are lots of doods and doodettes rippin’ with their kids and you can put them in a day care for an hour so mom and dad can go out and play. That’s how I want it to be with my son for sure. It’s chill here.

KM: And what’s your sons name?

TK: Maximillian Hygge

KM: And what does the Norwegian word ‘hygge’ mean?

TK: It means ‘good times’.

KM: So your son’s name is Max Good Times?

TK: Yep.

Read more about Torkel Karoliussen and the Heroes of Telemark with photos by Kari Medig in the current issue of SBC SKIER.

-KARI MEDIG

If getting them to school was this easy, life would be perfect. There they were, up early, helping each other scarf back the cereal, getting their gear all organized and in the truck. It’s been far too long since the sunny corn days of spring. “C’mon you guys, let’s get going already!” Words we harp Monday to Friday. Words being harped at us for opening day. And thank goodness for that.

Opening day 2009 at Whitewater was one of the best in recent memory. Both the Silverking and Summit rolling smoothly. The trees full of fresh powder. Friends and family rushing up and down the lifts. The kids rediscovering their old jump stashes in the woods. Even Sprollers was fantastic. Finally, the light beginning to fade and lifts about to shut, the kids harp on us for one more ride. Visibly bummed that it’s all about to end. But all it takes is me saying, “Every weekend for the next five months boys,” and the smiles return. The Whitewater of Winter is back. And for the parent of two young shredlings, it doesn’t get much better.

-Mitch Scott

Its 9:00pm and I’ve just woken from a deep sleep. I could have sworn I was dreaming about skiing deep November powder at Whitewater?  I just found images from the tasty early season opening scattered across my computer desktop. There was no such dream, the ache in my legs is the proof.

Back to sleep for me and back to Whitewater bright and early tomorrow morn.

Enjoy the shots!

Mike Hopkins @ wh2o

Mike Hopkins @ wh2o

Mike Hopkins @ wh2o