Canadian Ski Quest Day 3

We had 2-3 centimeters overnight, not much, but it did soften Red Mountain up considerably. It was nice to have a change in skiing conditions.

This is the stealth camera catching Shizu Yamaguchi on Oil Can.

My guess of the amount of snowfall was confirmed mid afternoon by Rachel Lee, who was able to get a closer look.

Alan Waterson tearing up Doug's Run.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 2

Day Two of the camp, the progress continues. We try to find a challenge everyday.

This is Anne Gourley (in fine balance)

Paul Egan getting the sponsor shot.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 1

Today was Day One of Canadian Ski Quest Camp 3. The snow is firm, still good on north facing slopes and the grooming is superb. Paradise Chair is going again, so happy times are back.

Rachel Lee showing excellent form after a successful Beer Belly run.

Kate Trimble getting her monies worth , also on Beer Belly.

Former Silver Star Ski Instructor Shizu Yamaguchi putting together some nice short turns on the face of Red Mountain.

Paradise Down

Unfortunately the Paradise Chair had some problems today, which led to an evacuation of the lift. These things happen! How they are dealt with is the important thing. For the Red Mountain Ski Patrol this was an opportunity to to put their training to use. Seeing them in action today confirms to me the patrols standard of professionalism. The evacuation was very efficient. Instructions were clear and everything went smoothly.

Aside from the breakdown, the skiing day was great. Hopefully everything will be up and running soon.

Red Mountain Sunshine

I had a day on the mountain with Isabelle and Simon. Beautiful spring weather. It is a bit early but I am sure it will return to winter soon. It was actually quite cold on anything North facing and that snow is not going though the freeze/thaw cycle that the south facing slopes are.

Sally's Alley, it seems as though you are skiing into Rossland. One of the best underused runs on Red Mountain.

Isabelle chasing down her little brother.

Isabelle on the Cliff.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day 4

We are home in Rossland now. What a great trip! I was skiing at Red today with Simon and Isabelle; in Paradise Lodge people were telling me they heard we had a fantastic experience. Word travels fast.

This is Tomi Supenin, from the Revelstoke Snowsports School. Tomi was our guide/instructor for the four days we spent there. A great guy to ski and spend time with. His charming personality and extensive local knowledge really added value to the tour. Thanks Tomi!

The Canadian Ski Quest group with the Monashee Mountains in the background. Photo thanks to Bill Derksen.

Brad Tatnell in the North Bowl. Photos by Paul Egan.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day Three

What do Red Mountain and Revelstoke have in common? Both challenge you to come back and ski them again! The more you get to know them the more you realise there is to know! After today's experience I know I have to come back here, that I have a lot more to learn. The first thing I did when I got back to the Courthouse Inn today was to book next years Canadian Ski Quest dates. They are Feb 6-10 2011 if anyone is interested.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Day Two

Revelstoke Mountain Resort seems to be taking off. We thought it was busy on Monday because it was part of a holiday weekend, but Tuesday was the same. Don't get me wrong, there are still no lift lines, but the parking lot was full and there is an excitement around the place. Revelstoke is setting a high standard, the lifts are first rate, the Ski School is well organised, and the dining in town has been outstanding. The only concern amongst some of the Canadian Ski Quest group is that there is no Rafters like place where the more ski bum like types would be comfortable spilling beer. But given who is skiing here, that addition will likely be accommodated at some point in the future (see second photo).

The Canadian Ski Quest Group at Rockford's Restaurant.
Not the Canadian Ski Quest Group.
Alan Waterson in the trees.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Day one at Revelstoke today. Even though I have skied here last year I am still surprised at how big this place is. You experience three seasons skiing from top to bottom. Coming into lunch today at the mid mountain lodge, I got myself disoriented in the fog. We had been skiing down for quite a long time. I did not recognise where we were. Based on how much vertical skiing we had covered, I told the group I was skiing with that I must have led them past the mid station and we were skiing to the base. We kept skiing for quite a long time and came out at Mid Station.

Roger Kessner skiing the trees on the Ripper Chair

Roger again, about 2/3's of the way down the mountain and still high above the clouds.

Annette Montgomery and John Bowden skiing the steeps above the tree line.

Leona Edwards through the trees.

Halcyon Hotsprings

Canadian Ski Quest is now in Revelstoke. We arrived via Halcyon Hotsprings where we spent the night. The water at Halcyon really is special. I am not sure what it is but I really notice how soothing it is compared to a regular hot tub. It is naturally heated mineral water, and I believe it actually has healing qualities.

Wendy Tatnell, Joe and John Bowden soaking in the goodness of Halcyon.

Paul Egan, Judy Inglis, and Des Kessner on the Galena Bay Ferry. Brad Tatnell in the background (considering jumping).

Skiing at Whitewater

Canadian Ski Quest traveled to Whitewater yesterday, the official report was 9 cm, but it felt like more. It was a day of pushing our limits,a fantastic day. Skiing with Alan Waterson, Paul Egan, and Brad Tatnell, I had the run of my season on the Silver King side. Whitewater is a small ski area that has inspired (and exhausted) many a Canadian Ski Quest guest.

This is Alan "no fall" Waterson. His middle name was his one time claim. Thankfully the Canadian Ski Quest jacket he is wearing is not visible. Photo by Paul Egan.

Brad Tatnell obviously inspired by his wife's photo. see Feb 10 blog posting.

Honestly, that is not my printing.

Ruptured Patella Tendon Recovery

Canadian Ski Quest Instructor Mike Manara has put together a few highlights of the week view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpiEQsPY9hU The sound track has been dis-allowed, We (mike) are working on it.

This video clip was taken today, I am trying to show that my knee is on its way to recovery. I am not 100% yet but it is feeling great. Two months ago I did not imagine doing this.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 3

Another great day at Red Mountain, still no new snow but the coverage is good and the snow is accepting edging beautifully.

This is Leona Edwards, her skiing is just skyrocketing this week. Upper/lower body separation, angulation: it is all coming together.

This is John Bowden skiing on his 60th birthday in Papoose Bowl.

Canadian Ski Quest Day 2

The grooming this morning was very good. With no new snow so many skiers don't bother coming up, but the skiing is excellent and it was nice to have Red Mountain practically to ourselves. With hardly anyone skiing today the Canadian Ski Quest groups enjoyed many many smooth corduroy runs. We progressed to the off piste once we had skied the corduroy flat.

Canadian Ski Quest instructor Mike Manara on Pale Face

Diane Jobagy showing a nicely centered stance.

Teresa Hill charging through the pow.

Wendy Tatnell ripping up Centre Star

Canadian Ski Quest

John Bowden showing son Joe the safe way.

Brian Power of the Newfoundland Liberation Army.

Joe Bowden showing no apparent concern for safety. John and Joe, father and son, are in Canadian Ski Quest together. Johns birthday is coming up this week and Joe's excellent birthday present for his dad is a surprise day of Cat Skiing at Valhalla Powdercats.

I am riding the lift with both John and Joe and as a conversation starter I blurt: "So Joe I hear you're going Cat skiing on Friday?" Joe looks at John and quietly says "happy birthday!" So much for the surprise (stupid ski instructor)!

Leona Edwards being willfully graceful.

Canadian Ski Quest Instructor Tad Graves checking out the weeks potential terrain.

The rewards of NONSTOP Instruction

Five Centimeters. It is amazing what that small amount of snow did. The skiing and riding was fantastic today. The NONSTOP groups were going nonstop.

Del Hills showing some very dynamic angulation. NONSTOP Instructor Matt Briggs in the background trying to keep up.

Tom Pincus getting some fresh. I think he is giving one of the instructors some kind of signal?

Jordan Rowe showing fine CASI form.

Rick Kilbride flying.

Jon Mart enjoying the benefits of upper/lower body separation.

NONSTOP Instructor Tad Graves-midway through a 360. Yes he did land it*.

Phillip Snook deciding that skiing is better than curling.

Aiden Whitehouse skiing the CSIA way. Compare this to January 14 blog post.

*ON HIS ASS

NONSTOP Snowboarding Talent

The two NONSTOP Snowboard Pros at Red Mountain this year are Matt Briggs, in his second year, and Whistler transplant Drew Hurst. They make a great team and are totally focused on the program. Whenever I see them either on the job or off, they seem to be talking about the progression of the NONSTOP group. It is great for me to be around this level of motivation.

This video clip is of them on the job during their daily training session. As you can see they seem to like their work.