Xena's long awaited trip report - completed!

[Xena]

I will dribble this report through, as it will take me a while to type up the parts and upload the photos to photobucket. Keep posted - I shall put "The End" when I am finished. I will attempt to keep the diatribe to a minimum, so I don't bore you....and me.

[ 24.01.2009, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

graemlins/snow.gif Stage 1 - Brisbane to Taipei graemlins/snow.gif

China Airlines flight was as good as any other we've been on. We had a 6 hr layover in Taipei enroute to Vancouver, which we actually liked, as it broke the flight up into do-able chunks. We amused ourselves for the hours with free internet stations, an X-box with a giant screen (the boys really should’ve shared with the waiting throngs, but they played ignorant and had it to themselves for a few hours), and free massage chairs……mmmmmm. Dinner was Subway and Starbucks.

The flashy, new terminal 2 at Taipei.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040155.jpg
Giant X-box
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040158.jpg


Internet cafe - notice Princess BF sitting in a luggage trolley, as they don't provide chairs.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040156.jpg


Massage chairs - stores give you one coin, but we collected one from each and had many turns!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040165.jpg

[Xena]

graemlins/snow.gif Stage 2 - Taipei to Vancouver graemlins/snow.gif
Even though Vancouver was been dumped upon with the worst snow they'd ever experienced, with flights cancelled left, right and centre, people's baggage lost, people stranded and unhappy - we seemed to sneak through a small window of opportunity and arrived on schedule.

We enjoyed the Landis Suites for two nights, with an indoor heated pool and hot tub. It had great city views by night.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040201.jpg


We went to West 4th Ave for ski gear (bought none) and Metrotown for large mall shopping (bought nothing.) While on the airtrain, we saw Main Street.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040209.jpg


We also went to Canada Place (who knows what for.)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040212.jpg


Lastly, we visited The Pacific Centre (bought a helmet for Trailblazer, a shot glass for Warrior Prince and goggles for moi), followed by the Winter Olympic countdown thingie.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040231.jpg

[Xena]

graemlins/snow.gif Stage 3 - Vancouver to Kelowna, then Big White graemlins/snow.gif

After sneaking through another small window of paused snowy conditions, we arrived at Kelowna.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040269.jpg

The kids were eager to get into the fluffy, white stuff they so missed.
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We headed onward to Big White, with a grocery and liquor stop first (didn't forget the Hypnotiq.)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040286.jpg

[Xena]

We were pleased that our unit was as gorgeous as the photos showed and very, very roomy. I could get used to this level of accommodation, especially at this price.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040395.jpg

We loved the hot tub on the deck.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040338.jpg


There were plenty of snowy views and pink sunsets from our balcony.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040344.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/sunsetfrombalcony.jpg


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We hurriedly got our ski gear and headed up the mountain for some night skiing. Well……….after one run, I gave up, because I skied like a gumby. I was seriously worried that I couldn’t get it together. How could I be so hopeless? Warrior Prince told me that I needed to go into level 2 lessons. This was not a good start to my skiing holiday and a huge blow to my confidence.

On our first ski day, the powder overawed us. We realised we would definitely need our 20 lessons to learn how to ski it and after last night I would need to use 16 of them. However, I put myself into level 3 lessons and hoped I could cope. I skied adequately and was told I should do level 3 again and this is when I decided that the problem must be the skis, not necessarily all me. I changed for a set of Rossignol Attraxion’s and immediately felt in control and more confident.

It was New Year's Eve - we found the free hot chocolate by the fireside at Happy Valley, ice-skated and snowtubed - which was great fun, but busy being New Year.
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[BlueHue]

Great little resort Big White, I loved the snow ghosts up top when I was there.

Nice trip report Xena, looking forward to the rest.

[Xena]

We searched for a New Year’s Eve event, but ended up eating at home and watching the fireworks from the dreamy comfort of the hot tub. I knew this was something I could get used to.
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On Carnival Night, like every night, I wore my Snowatch jumper - 'Show Us Your Snowatch' - and had my photo taken with a Kangaroo! I met a few darksiders, but only found 2 SW'ers - Main Street and Jo. I did however direct people who asked, to the website! ;)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040358-1.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/?action=view&current=P1040358-1.jpg)

[chris y]

Nic work , great pics graemlins/snow.gif

[Vet]

Thanks Xena.

As they say "Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next".

[Xena]

Phew - this is hard work and I just spilled my chocolate icecream on my shirt - while bulk uploading a few more to photobucket, I shall go rinse.

[Podlettte]

Nice one Xena, I reckon your NYE sounds pretty hard to top!

[chunky]

Awesome!

[Xena]

My lessons helped me to progress and ski non-gumbylike - I graduated from level 4!

The rest of the time at Big White involved skiing Okanagan snow - some champagne powder and snow regular powder, but most times we were at least ankle or knee deep in it.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040287.jpg


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Only negative - day 5, Warrior Prince (+1) did the rotataor cuff in his shoulder (impingement syndrome), so it was his turn to know what it felt like for me last year (and his injury wasn't even as bad!) It stopped him from skiing for a while.

[Bear]

Nice work Xena. :D

[Xena]

We spent some time trying to ski past the photographers, so we could have some action shots. I always seemed to go past them without knowing they were there and when I was ready to 'look professional' they'd have moved on!! Guess I have to learn to 'look professional' all the time then!

Princess BF (12yrs) -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_9774.jpg

Trailburner (12yrs) -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_9719.jpg


Trailblazer (14yrs) -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_4162.jpg

Warrior Prince (+1) -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_4221.jpg

Xena - need to bend ze knees more -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_0599.jpg

[ 24.01.2009, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

Family shot - snowing.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/QP6_4396.jpg

[Xena]

I'll finish BW tonight and do Whistler tomorrow night.

[karen97]

Nice report Xena!

[Legolas]

Thanks Xena,

That looks a lot of fun, can't wait to see the rest (thanks for persevering with photobucket)

Keep the water up tomorrow eh? and take care of yourself woman!!! Aussie season just 5 months away.

[spaz]

Lovin it, Mr's 3rd place.

[Totalyrottn]

Great Report so far Xena, Looking forward to the rest :D

[Xena]

The weather at BW was cold at times -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040635-1.jpg

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http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040620.jpg


But always warm inside.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040710-1.jpg


While at BW, we had dinner with Main Street, Jo and some other friends. We also had our friends from Australia with us over there. They left us to go to Silver Star and we were to meet up again at Whistler. Our holiday at Big White was fabulous! We loved it so much, we weren't sure we wanted to move on to Stage 4 of the trip - Big White to Whistler, via Kelowna and Vancouver.

[Jahoota]

as family holidays go that looks like an absolute cracker. smile.gif

[Xena]

graemlins/snow.gif Stage 4 - Big White to Whsitler via Kelowna and Vancouver graemlins/snow.gif

We again, got our flights out through a small window of opportunity. Our friends ended up having their flights cancelled due to fog and had to catch a bus, missing two days skiing, as a result.

The weather had changed at the end of our Big White sector, beginning to get warmer and by the time we got to Whistler, there had been no new snow anywhere for a few days. Compared to BW, we found Whistler to be a big concrete slope and found it hard to adjust. We were a little depressed at first, wondering if we had skied too much in one holiday, but perservered, hoping to find our 'mojo' soon. Warrior Prince was of course still in pain too, which didn't help. Over the 7 days in Whistler, we grew to love her the way she was and realised that our sport, that we love so much, is fraught with different conditions that we cannot predict, but can still offer something if you give it a chance. We were blessed with bluebird days and spring like temperatures and fast, hardpacked snow that taught us different skills to what we acquired in BW - our attitude changed to a positive one and we had a ball. By the time our friends rejoined us, we were ready to show them a good time at OUR Whistler.

One of my treasured memories of Whistler, is skiing above the clouds blanketing the valley. Ascending through those clouds on a chairlift is magical. Viewing it from above is breathtaking and makes you feel that you are in a heavenly place. We only had one day like that this year while we were there, so I was lucky to have had it. It snowed a little that day too, so these special things were the crucial mood lifting moments for us.

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[Xena]

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[Xena]

The runs were soft topped over a hard base up top, but powder could still be found between trees and off the sides of runs.

Princess BF got stuck in a tree well up to her armpits off the Crystal Chair and it took 2 people to get her out. We were not the 2 people, as she had skied into the trees as she was following us and we were down at the lifts, wondering what had happened to her. I trudged back up the mountain to find her and she had just gotten out by the time I got there. She was calm about it and didn't panic, thanks to some pre-trip warnings and advice.

For the most part, we skied the top of the mountain most of the day - which is what everyone does at Whistler anyway, as it takes you about 45 mintues to GEt up there. For those of you who've never been there, it's monstrous!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC10690.jpg

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http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC10730.jpg

[Xena]

More to come after I come back from the chiropractor.

[Xena]

p.s welcome to Snowatch Mr Chiro and don't forget, Big White is the place for your next family holiday!

[Xena]

The kids enjoyed jumping anyhting taller than 2cm and we spent some time in terrain parks videoing them, hence we have less photos of Whistler than BW. The bowls were closed due to extreme avalanche danger, limiting us somewhat, but we had lots of fun anyway, playing 'tag' all day. Here are a few more photos -

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC11364.jpg


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC10703-1.jpg

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http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040808.jpg

The middle of the mountain was at times foggy - as you were in a cloud, making visibility a little difficult. The snow was hard packed and had icy patches here, which had us skiing very carefully, trying to use all of our skills to tuned perfection. However, in the morning this was the best snow, as the groomers had the corduroy to a fine art.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC10718.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/SDC10717.jpg

[Xena]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/95b48207.jpg

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No-one wanted to visit the tree fort, except myself and my friend, and teenage daughter, from the other family that were with us. So, we made them go -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/b625a88e.jpg

The two days that stick vividly in my memory of this trip to Whsitler are the cloud blanket day, that snowed lightly and the last day.

On the last day, I skied with my eyes wide open, ****ing in every moment, enjoying every child's giggle, breathing in the mountain air, feeling every sensation of the snow, taking in every breathtaking view and implanting all these moments into my memory. At the end of the day, we noticed that the Harmony Bowl was open. We had not noticed this all day. We took off like mad things to get there. It was packed, as it was the Saturday of America's Martin Luther King long weekend. We got down to the lift, with me choosing the moist difficult lines (proud of myself), but didn't get another run in the bowl, as the lifts were closing. As we skied out, we went past a powder filled, untouched Symphony Ampitheatre. If we had been game, we would have skied it and been prepared to lose our passes - hey it was our last day anyway, right? Avalanche came to mind, so we controlled our naughty thoughts and skied past it. Low and behold, off the side of the trail, was a powder run. This was clearly the best snow we had seen at Whistler and only myself and Trailblazer had noticed it. I was ankle to knee deep and squealing the whole way down with excitement. It felt like Big White again. We wanted to hurry down to Big Red and do it again, but got stuck on some very dangerous ice, just past Franz's Chair. We only got one run of that, because even though we were hurrying down to get another go, we lost two of our boys (Trailburner and Pacifier - from friend's family.) We had no idea how they had gone missing and were certain we had communicated that we were going to Big Red. We waited at thje bottom of Big Red and eventually had to enlist Ski Patrol's help. Lifts were closing and they were doing the end of day sweeps anyway. I knew Trailburner would be able to snowboard himself back to the unit if need be, but Pacifier was new to this place. Had they accidentally gone to Creekside? Had they skied down to Whsitler base? Did they ski back to Blackcomb to Pacifier's unit, becasue we had checked out of ours? Were they injured? Was one of them in a tree well? We sent our troops off to all possible locations and I kept in contact with ski patrol.

2 hours later, they were found - they had in fact taken the Big Red chair up, thinking that we were ahead of them, waited there for ages and then got the Peak 2 Peak across to Blackcomb and skied down and back to the units. They left a message for us at the checked out unit and then went and sat at the other. Clever cookies! However, I missed my last Canadian hot tub as a result, but was relieved that 'The Lost Boys' were found and it all turned out well.

Getting fed, showered and to Vancouver was now being done at a sprint.

[ 24.01.2009, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

Forgot to mention that at BW we went to a hockey match - what a gret night! AND.....they sold Churros....yum! I again did a Show Us Your Snowatch, wearing my jumper!

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Now, Main Street had said that whenever he doesn't go to a Rockets game, they lose, they only win when he's there.

They won.....and he wasn't there......jinx broken.

[Xena]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040442-1.jpg

We said goodbye to the snow, for who knows how long, and headed to Vancouver and ready for stage 5 of our trip - Taipei.

[Xena]

graemlins/snow.gif Stage 5 - Taipei. graemlins/snow.gif

We had a 15 hr layover in Taipei this leg. So, we booked in for a free half day tour first up. This took us to some Taiwanese shopping streets, fresh food markets and a temple. The kids were amazed at how many people rode mopeds and at how you can drive anywhere, it doesn't have to be a road.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040830.jpg

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The strawberries looked sooooo good.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040957.jpg

But these did not.
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http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040868.jpg

[ 24.01.2009, 10:27 AM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

I found the architecture interested me far more than I would have expected, as I could see and feel the talent, and painstaking effort put into every detail, by hand, rich with meaning and culture. You had to appreciate the history.

All this washed over the kids, they were hungry and we had no food that they wanted to eat within view.


The temple -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040903-1.jpg


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040920-1.jpg

Food offerings to the Gods.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040926.jpg

We were given some sweet soup filled with jelly balls and dried ginger - Warrior Prince was smart enough to decline, but we ate/drank ours.

A furniture shop -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040893.jpg

A very old street of shops - the garbage truck sounds like the icecream man!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040859-1.jpg

The street grates were quite ornate.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040866.jpg

[Xena]

Taiwanese soft serve -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040882.jpg

Taiwanese Mathers -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040874.jpg

The bridge over troubled waters
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040902-1.jpg

The troubled waters -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040916.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/84470555.jpg

[ 24.01.2009, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

After this tour, which only seemed to interest moi, we got onto an airbus and headed into Taipei. While fiddling, I discovered the 'burst' function on my camera - multiple shots in quick succession, Why hadn't I discovered this when we were skiing????

When we got there, we were starving, so went to get food. No they didn't take visa anywhere. So, we went to get an ATM to withdraw cash. None would work. We searched for people to help us. We truly felt what it was like to be the foreigner, as people sent us on wild goose chases, obviously they didn't understand us properly, or just simply didn't understand us at all. After an hour and a half, fruaght with fear that we were stranded in Taiepi and would not get back to the airport, we found a HSBC bank and money spat out of the machine at us. We trudged back to where we started to get food. Trailburner had Subway, 3 of us had Taiwnaese stirfry and Princess BF decided she'd play it safe and eat Maccas. She came back saying, "Doh, it's all written in Chinese and none of them understand English!" We told her to point to what she wanted and she sorted it out.

Fed and satisfied, we headed for Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, with the world's fastest lifts (actually Burj Dubai is taller, but still under construction - ask Warrior Prince, he's been there!)


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1040985-1.jpg


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http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/Taipei101-TheWorldFastestElevator.jpg

The top part -
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1050084-1.jpg

The views would be spectacular, if it weren't for the smog -
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I like this shot, because the corner of the building gives you a reference to judge how far up you are, by comparing sizes.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/P1050028.jpg

[Snow Yeti]

I've just spent a bit reading and looking through your pics Xena. I am sad to find out that you didn't visit Revvie, it was only 2 hours from BW ! Well, so they say. I havn't been to any of the other resorts, maybe I should have tried to come to BW for a day (since I get free lift passes anyway) ..!

Don't despair about the heat, it's not too long till the next winter !

Amazing and thanks for sharing your whole trip with everyone, I really enjoyed reading it smile.gif

[24]

loved every post Xena! thanks for the detailed report. only a week to go for us till japan, and any slight mention of snow gets me excited!!!

thanks for taking the time!

[hakenspit]

Totally awesome report there xena, appreciate the effort put into compiling all that.
sounds like you all had a great time.

Why did my parents never take me on holidays like that...I mean just because they didn't ski....

[Xena]

While in Taipei, we even saw Polaris!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/3b072a5b.jpg


We got back to the airport and headed home. We got back on Tuesday and I had to be at work on Thursday. The humidity and heat has been hard to bear - I fainted at work yesterday, but I'll get used to it - more water!

I have a student teacher this term, doing his internship, and he was on the same plane from Vancouver to Taipei, as well as Taipei to Brisbane. I had been hoping that since my head will be snow-filled for a while, that he would be able to do the hard yards for me - guess what - he was at Jasper for 6 weeks and broke his arm snowboarding. I guess we will have to work it out together, but our lumch breaks will be spent reminiscing I am sure! Luckily our theme of work is Antarctica, so at least we will still see pictures of white stuff and cold for a while!!!

So, that's it - The End! Thanks for tuning in to my diatribe!
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[ 24.01.2009, 07:38 PM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[Xena]

Originally posted by SnowYeti:
I've just spent a bit reading and looking through your pics Xena. I am sad to find out that you didn't visit Revvie, it was only 2 hours from BW ! Well, so they say. I havn't been to any of the other resorts, maybe I should have tried to come to BW for a day (since I get free lift passes anyway) ..!

Don't despair about the heat, it's not too long till the next winter !

Amazing and thanks for sharing your whole trip with everyone, I really enjoyed reading it smile.gif Thanks Yeti - would have loved to see Revvie - been enjoying your photos and stories so much! What can I say, but.......so many ski fields, so little time and money while I am ambulant enough!

[Jahoota]

what!?!?!?! :eek: I don't see any sled'n pics??? How can you going sking at BW or Whistler and do some sled'n! didn't the males of the clan insist on it???? It combines the 2 of the best things in the world - snow & petrol! :D

[skijacski]

Fab Xena,


Maybe you will visit Utah one year and see the dry powder, which appears to be deeper than they say it is.

Feb 6 is my day - now back to the tiling ......

[Podlettte]

Great TR Xena, thanks for all the effort!!

Yeti - it's easy for you to say don't despair about the heat, but it's been over 35 every day this week with 50% + humidity nearly every day too. Today was 42 with 60=70% humidity. it's been the worst week of summer I can remember for a long time :(

The hot dry days are ok, cause you can deal with that, but humidity is just impossible to deal with :(

[Xena]

Yes - Utah - it's on the list!

[Swede]

Great report! Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us stuck with hot summer.

[Farty The Snowman]

Well done Xena, awesome report...

Memories to treasure forever!! smile.gif

[Vet]

Fab pics and report Xena.

Come on Yeti, stop shovelling snow and show us your snowatch!

Pods, get a visa and move to Melbourne. tongue.gif

[Polaris]

Originally posted by Xena.:
[QB] While in Taipei, we even saw Polaris!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z59/xenamojo/3b072a5b.jpgYou never know where I might pop up! graemlins/cold.gif

I usually look more like a snowmobile though ;)

[Podlettte]

Originally posted by Vet:
Fab pics and report Xena.

Come on Yeti, stop shovelling snow and show us your snowatch!

Pods, get a visa and move to Melbourne. tongue.gif You had your share of stinkers last week, no thanks! I'm thinking mountainous area with easy access to a beach.... Know anywhere like that?

[Vet]

Lake Tahoe, Pods. And there's no annoying sand atm.

[Podlettte]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif I need waves, I don't do beaches without waves!

[Xena]

Well, I personally am over this humidity!

[SnoWhite]

Thanks Xena. Great report!!!

Pods, I was looking out over Tura Beach this morning and back in Jindy just over 2 hours later. Had cooled off nicely here as well. tongue.gif :D

[Xena]

My topic moved.

[Markopolo]

Xena, nice report.

Tragically fantastic !!

[Xena]

Thanks MP! A Tragic I am - been inducted with Hypnotiq and fine Carvers fare!!!

[Straight_Line]

Excellent report. Thanks for taking the time.

[main street]

Fantastic report Xena !!

Hehehehe..... love when a plan comes together ;) :D

[Xena]

Hello MS - what you up to?

p.s we are having planning talks for 2010 in our house atm.

[ 07.02.2009, 11:05 AM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[snowzer]

Great report Xena, I'm contemplating a trip to Big White in Jan 2010, you have given me a real taste for it now.

[main street]

Originally posted by snowzer:
Great report Xena, I'm contemplating a trip to Big White in Jan 2010, you have given me a real taste for it now. Hehehehehe..... start at page 1....

http://www.snowatch.com.au/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000161;p=1

Then,.... when you get really serious about it.... looky here...

http://forums.ski.com.au/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=348458&page=1&fpart=1

& you're in luck !! this years thread only has 260+ pages.... Last year we cracked the 350 mark !

graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[snowzer]

Yes, I've been wading thru it,
great reading, I love hearing about anyone having a good time in the snow.
My (and +1) aim is to ski every continent.
Canada is next on the list, Big White really appeals to me, maybe 'cause we have been skiing Hotham for the last 10 years and there seemed to be a link there, somewhere, I forget now.

[Xena]

Main Street is the man with all the knowledge on Big White, so ask him all the questions.....but be prepared, once he gets his hooks into you, the outcome is Tragic!

[Xena]

p.s MS - another newbie, awaiting Tragicity! Get him Rex!

[chunky]

BW is an awesome place to ski. We thought about heading up to Canada - 12 hour'ish drive from where we were in the US but the 2600+km drive back to LA didn't appeal to me.

[Vet]

Check some airfares (and luggage rules), Chunky, eg ( think) $49US from Seattle/SFO to Disneyland. /John Wayne Airport. After all, your kids will agree 2 trips to Disneyland is better than one :D

[Xena]

For you Snowzer -

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/full_0125iI.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/362899360_24e4e3f946_b.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/951965520_4df992f262_b.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/mark1811/2272783621_917356f8db_b.jpg