Whistler part 2

  Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

So we've been in Whistler 3 days already, so here is the story...
 
The last day in Vancouver was a fantastic day, clear blue sunny sky's. We went past Stanley Park to enjoy the views from there - the park, the city with mountains surrounding it, and the harbour.

Vancouver City

Vancouver harbour

From there we went to do last minute shopping for Whistler, and took it easy till the evening. The evening we went too the Botanical Gardens to look at their Night Lights, which was very pretty. One section of the botanical garden was just lights, lights in the trees, on the ground, on poles and the Christmas hut, where Santa was handing out gifts to the kids. The most spectacular part was around the fountain where they orchestrated a music and light show. 

Vancouver Night Lights 1

Vancouver Night Lights 2

Vancouver Night Lights 3

Vancouver Night lights 2

Vancouver Night lights 1

Friday we woke up in Vancouver, got ready to leave - packed, got the very last minute things - like ziplock bags and biscotti, but we couldn't find biscotti! And we were on our way to Whistler. Unfortunately it was raining and later turned to snow, and the start of a really cold spell (so they warned us), so the situations were not ideal for the most romantic and scenic road that we were travelling on towards Whistler. There is a lot of construction on the road, which made me a nervous passenger - but Steven did really well :o).
 

Apartment View

At Whistler we checked in, checked the room, unloaded and parked the car. First got the rental ski's for me, and ski-passes for the week, and then did a little exploring,

Snowing

Sonja eating snow...

Steven in snow

but it was getting dark so we went back to the room.
The next day wasn't such a great day weather-wise either, but seeing it was our first day here, we couldn't waste it, we had to go up the mountain! I (Sonja) was a little nervous for the first time out skiing again, but the first step (or slide) needed to be taken. Getting in and out of ski boots is a bit of a challenge, a little more difficult than snowboarding boots.

Ski boots

 










It was so cold up on top of Whistler Mountain that our breath formed ice crystals on the gondola windows

Icicles in the gondola

and our snot froze instantly as we got out the gondola on top! (We did NOT take any photo's of this). It was minus 25 degree Celsius with wind-chill! BRRRRRRRR! We went down the first green slope which went relatively well considering the circumstances; my feet just got REALLY COLD. Steven took to snowboarding like a duck to water - he looked comfortable on the board going down the slopes.

Steven

I was a pure novice - I didn't fall though :o). ANYWAY...
 We went down another green slope - building on my confidence. Then we decided to go on the Peak-to-Peak to Blackcomb (the mountain next to Whistler), to try their slopes. (Not such a great idea in hindsight!). We got off and started going down a slope, we were cold, the weather wasn't great, and then we realised we were on a blue run (this is for intermediate to good skiers). Steven didn't have a problem with this run!! But I did!!! Steven did feel bad, but there was nothing we could do, but I tried to get down in one piece (my previous confidence now gone!). Much more ice and steeper slopes, my feet frozen and my hands getting there - I made it down with Steven's encouragement. From there we went home... to the hot tub.
 
The next day was still really cold, we stayed mostly in the village, and went for a nice dinner.

Village square

Exploring Whistler

Today was a beautiful day, with not a cloud in the sky, a fantastic day for skiing and snowboarding.

On top of gondola

Sonja on Whistler

Steven on Whistler

The view from the slopes

Steven on his way

The top of Whistler Mountain

Whistler Village

The mountain was not so icy and even though still cold, much warmer than the previous two days (minus 16 today). We got a few good runs in today, and expect tomorrow to be a pretty good day as well, with the weather improving. We wanted to do a run holding the video camera, but the camera was too cold and told us as much, but fortunately it started working on the way down again.

Camera too cold

In gondola