Taxman & Vet's Fabulous`Adventure

[Vet]

Poor taxi flew Qantas and I went on UA. UA is marvellous. The movies were all in French but after they plied me with Bourbon & Cokes je can parle vous francais pretty bon.

UA gave every one in cattle class a bed too and exit rows.

We arrived around noon. After at least 5 hours driving with chains at 30mph, we made it to Tahoe Vista. It's snowing heaps in Nth California. graemlins/wow.gif

The Aust wines are cheaper here than in my local Safeway. Taxi is too sozzled to file a trip report.

We're tee'd up for presenting a boomerang and cuttng a ribbon on Wednesday to open a run. Looks great outside. Can't wait til the morning, a Berrocca.

[chunky]

Ah Vet, I just left Tahoe. Didn't ski there and wanted to stay longer but didn't want to take the chance I would get caught up there with the big snow event happening. They reckon the I-80 around the Truckee area was going to be pretty tricky to negotiate and Hwy 50 was going to be impassable.

Wish I was up there. Rained heaps along the California coast.

[Taxman]

Well Vet's crashed and burned and I'm still up (and working!!!!).

Chunky, Truckee area wasn't too bad, but the snow and visibility was quite bad around Donner Pass. Vet drove and I navigated (well I set the GPS). In reality the 190 miles from SF to Tahoe took 6 hours.... stuffed now, but looking forward to Northstar tomorrow.

[Legolas]

Originally posted by Vet:
The movies were all in French but after they plied me with Bourbon & Cokes je can parle vous francais pretty bon.
graemlins/big_laugh.gif

get some sleep vet!

have fun tomorrow

[Vet]

Yesterday was Northstar. It didn't grab either of us as a place to bother returning to. And that's with 50% off lift tix'.

We've just come back from Squaw Valley. According to the local news, 2" per hour was falling. Most of the mtn was closed so we were on this waist deep stuff on blue runs. Taxi was on new fangled phat Blizzards and, omg, he was faster than me. So I got my mojo back baby on some Head Mojos, and liked them.. Taxi's turning into a hoon.

We will upload pics later.

[Taxman]

I had a biiig stack today. I'll upload the pics of Vet and I in the Dewfest. 16th place in the try outs wasn't bad. And then I woke up.

[chunky]

I wanna see what I missed out on.

[Taxman]

You missed out on freeskiing.Coming with us are some pals from snowbomb who have cheap tickets too. (And this week at Kirkwood is $44 tix). Hopefully we booked blue skies - the weather forecast is looking nice too.

The dumps are awesome.

[ 20.02.2009, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Swede]

Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics Pics :D

[ 18.02.2009, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: Swede ]

[Taxman]

Okay, some dodgy Victorian has stolen my login, so please disegard anything written previously. And Swede, here are some pics (too busy skiing to take many):

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009045.jpg

Vet borrowed skiis from Ronald McDonald

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009038.jpg

Vet ripping up Squaw

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009051.jpg

Phat skiis still don't help Taxman

Alpine Meadows tomorrow with Vet opening a newly named run called Boomerang and presenting management with a Boomerang.

[ 20.02.2009, 02:33 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Taxman]

And a couple more:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009018.jpg

Humble accomodation

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009063.jpg

Squaw Valley village centre.... where we saw....

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009058.jpg

John Cleese?

[Totalyrottn]

Looking Good Boys tongue.gif

[Swede]

Looks fantastic!! Keep'em coming
graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/skier.gif

[Taxman]

Awsome days skiing at Alpine Meadows where Vet was greeted by assistant GM Fern Elufson. Vet had the honour of naming the renamed Boomerang Run and presented Fern with a boomerang blessed by an elder to guarantee dumps. Well it worked. 5 ft feel in a week so, hopefully, the Americans will invite us back every year to do the sacred snow dance.

All day spent skiing off-piste steeps and now totally buggered.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009133.jpg

Drive up to Alpine Meadows

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009136.jpg

Vet with Fern Elufson (Assistant GM Alpine Meadows)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009145.jpg

Steep

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009146.jpg

Steeper

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009147.jpg

Steepest

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009151.jpg

Crew overlooking Lake Tahoe

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009157.jpg

At top of newly named Boomerang Run

[ 20.02.2009, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Legolas]

no no no Fren Elufsen, it's a weapon for catching food, it's not actually edible Aboriginal rations of dried kangaroo meat.

[Taxman]

The day was a blast. Alpine Meadows is unpretentious and just downright honest skiing.

Heather located we lost souls and partnered up with Dan and Fern. Dan handed out avi gear and we headed off first to the Wolverine Bwl area. This is awesome terrain, deep pow, open bowls mixed with chutes and tree skiing. Later we toured around the centre of the mountain, and headed to look out points with amazing views of Lake Tahoe.

Overall, the mountain is on the 'must'nt miss' list. (We headed there again today: Californian sunshine can't be beat).

Today we hit the back of the mountain, such as the black runs from a lookout area, and cruisy blues where speed rules.

More pics to come. Unfortunately we keep forgetting to pull out the Canon camera.

[Taxman]

Vet's stolen my log-in again, so the preceeding comments were not those of Taxman. A blue bird day again (yaa), but powder all gone (boo hiss); and phat skis vacuum on hard pack.

Today's photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009285.jpg

Frost on car window

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009289.jpg

Standard lunch - hot dogs and beer.....

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009292.jpg

..... Unless you need a caffeine fix

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009295.jpg

Vet back on skinny skis

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009308.jpg

Taxman - you can't carve on phat skis

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009318.jpg

Sunset over Lake Tahoe from humble accomodation

[Totalyrottn]

Once again Boys very nice

[chunky]

That is a glorious sunset shot...

[Vet]

Brilliany blue skies today, with fluffy white stuff for miles. I hope Taxi's pics of Squaw Valley give the real feel for this place.

Luckily our resident gear hoar needed to try new skiis so at the demoo centre the race squad/masters group adopted us for the afternoon. We hiked, hucked off walls they call 'fractures'. Hurtled down groomers like they were race tracks. Hit cdhutes, and avoided trees (and avoided queues too). Best of all we have the hotline to hook up with them again.

T'was yet another truly memorable day on Taxi & Vet's fabulous adventure. graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/wow.gif

[chunky]

So where are the pics smile.gif

[Vet]

Originally posted by chunky:
So where are the pics smile.gif Taxi's all tuckered out, Chunky.

[Taxman]

Computer glitches..... can't boot other than safe mode, hence cannot download from camera. Will try and find a XP master disk and run fixmbr tomorrow (fat chance in a town with no mobile telephone store).

[ 22.02.2009, 01:52 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Vet]

Taxman here (stealing Vet's computer. Pictures from yesterday's skiing at Squaw Valley.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture159.jpg

Sunrise at Lake Tahoe

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture195.jpg

Tram at Squaw (The GoldCoast Funitel is quicker, but you've got to do it once)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture198.jpg

Pool at High Camp at Squaw

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture237.jpg

Vet auditioning for new WM movie - off Emigrant Chair at Squaw

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture243.jpg

Vet again

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture288.jpg

Hiking Pallisades at Squaw

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture296.jpg

Ice Bar at the end of the day

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Picture300.jpg

Bear?

[Taxman]

And now for some video (no I didn't ski it).

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/th_Tahoe2009304.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/?action=view&current=Tahoe2009304.flv)

[ 22.02.2009, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Bear]

Damn Vet get to a gym please before posting shots like that. :eek: (I now see the error of my ways and am a reformed Bear :( )

The snow shots on the other hand are great.

[Vet]

Saturday was also awesome - spent with the Race Dept's Wm Scott Flint, Paul & Jeff and team hucking more cornices, chutes and glades. These people are nuts hurtling down double blacks like Mosely's run, Silverado at Squaw, cliffs at 'Palisades, The Pocket, Headwall, Magoos and some narrow glade near Granite Chief. There are places these people go that aren't on the maps.


Today was Heavenly. Boooooring blues everywhere. Hopefully the California side is better tommorrow.

Hey Bear, why don't you get a brazilian too???? :D .

[ 23.02.2009, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: Vet ]

[Taxman]

No photos today, strictly skiing (must get my Stockli's back from Vet - phat skiis **** on hard pack). Heavenly Valley isn't (IMO) unless you like gliz and casinos. Currently snowing nicely and expected to continue for a few days. Hopefully more pow days to come.

Photos of Emerald Bay on drive from North to South Tahoe.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/P2220109.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/P2220110.jpg

[Bear]

Nice edit Vet. ;)

Oh and I sent my workout video to Arnie, how else do you explain the slide in his physique since becoming the Governator. tongue.gif

[Vet]

I sent your dvd to him too!!!! Arnie was asking why you use those ice cream cones :confused:

[SnoWhite]

It's all about making it family friendly Vet. He seemed to think the pic would be less offensive if nipples were hidden from view. ;) graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[karen97]

I thought it was a good idea! I had to practically force myself to eat the ice cream so Bear had his nipple covers :D

[Totalyrottn]

Originally posted by karen97:
I thought it was a good idea! I had to practically force myself to eat the ice cream so Bear had his nipple covers :D Was this before or after he stuck them on his chest graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/outtahere.gif

[ 24.02.2009, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Totalyrottn ]

[Vet]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif

After feasting on Taxi's culinary delights, we're sitting in Eagles Nest's bar/lounge atop Heavenly. Veeeeery nice place.

Today we awaoke to a nice overnight dump of powder, and we made it over to the California side of Heavenly. The pics of the lake should show water colours like a tropical island - nice.

Its huge but its not Squaw Valley by a long shot (yet) but it'll really suit Mrs & Ms Vet, and tame enough for graduates of Bears' 'lose weight with beer' dvd.

Taxi's uploading more pics soon.

[Taxman]

Today's photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009314.jpg

Heavenly Valley - Vet lost on the California side

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009325.jpg

Taxman - Heavenly valley overlooking Lake Tahoe

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009332.jpg

Lake Tahoe from Heavenly Valley

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009334.jpg

Casinos down there

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009338.jpg

Lake Tahoe from Heavenly Valley

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009358.jpg

Stateline (and casinos) from Heavenly Valley

[Taxman]

A bluebird day after light overnight snow falls. A one hour drive up the Carson River Valley today to ski at Kirkwood. Met up with Bob (AKA Frank Zappa) who took us up Chair 10 to ride Headwaters and The Wall. The snow up high was super dry packed powder, turning to chowder, death cookies and avi debri lower down.

Unfortunately Vet caught an edge on the run out run and twisted his knee quite badly, but is now the proud owner of the World's most expensive crutches, curtesy of the US medical system.

Vet was carried off in the blood bucket while Taxman and Bob headed over to the back bowls to ski some more untracked. Unfortunately, Vet's fall totaled Taxman's camera (revived much later in the day), so no photos of the back bowl and the very beautiful country there.

Will take Vet to a titty bar tomorrow, so that should make him happy.

Of the five places skiied this trip (Northstar, Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Heavenly and Kirkwood), I would have to rate Kirkwood as my favourite place to ski.

Today's photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009360.jpg

Carson River Valley behind Heavenly Valley

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009380.jpg

Carson River Valley - drive to Kirkwood

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009382.jpg

Carson River Valley - drive to Kirkwood

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009384.jpg

Kirkwood - Looking towards Headwaters from beneath Chair 10

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009388.jpg

Kirkwood - Taxman and Bob (AKA Frank Zappa) above The Wall under Chair 10

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009394.jpg

Kirkwood - Vet tearing up The Wall

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Image000.jpg

Ouch - why does it always happen on the easy runs at low speed?

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009406.jpg

Kirkwood - Needle Peak late in the afternoon.

[ 25.02.2009, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Taxman]

And some video (Vet and Bob) taken on the trail after skiing The Wall

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/th_Tahoe2009409.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/?action=view&current=Tahoe2009409.flv)

[ 25.02.2009, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[chunky]

Aweseome!

[Polaris]

Prognosis on Vet's knee?

[SA]

From the 3rd pic it looks like it was blowing its **** off up there.

[Polaris]

and after a bit of a re read.....
Taxman and Vet are skiing together
Vet blows his knee
Taxman throws him in a blood bucket and then goes off skiing...........

hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting

[Polaris]

just a breeze SA ;)

[Taxman]

Originally posted by Polaris:
and after a bit of a re read.....
Taxman and Vet are skiing together
Vet blows his knee
Taxman throws him in a blood bucket and then goes off skiing...........

hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting Bingo!

You know the saying, "No friends on a powder day".

[ 26.02.2009, 06:12 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Vet]

Update: Pfffft. I've still got one good leg, and one damn good excuse for falling off cliffs and bar stools.

Mondial want to give me an upgrade to business class. Woohoo.

Taxi's right about Kirkwood as a must-ski destination. We're already plotting our trip in 2011.

[Totalyrottn]

Vet, hope your injury recovers quick and that upgrade becomes a reality smile.gif

[Swede]

Luv ur work guys!! Keet it coming.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Taxman:
[QUOTE] "No friends on a powder day". Wow that is dedication to the cause. As much as I like snow in the above case I would at least ski down with the bucket to make sure my mate was sorted out ok then gone back out. Guess that just makes me less of a powder hound than you Taxi.

[Polaris]

Originally posted by Taxman:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Polaris:
and after a bit of a re read.....
Taxman and Vet are skiing together
Vet blows his knee
Taxman throws him in a blood bucket and then goes off skiing...........

hmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting Bingo!

You know the saying, "No friends on a powder day". </font>[/QUOTE]Didn't look like it was "epic, can't be missed, **** everyone else powder" though :confused:

I personally would have hung around with a injured colleague until he was comfortably propped up in the bar before I went back to the fold

[Jahoota]

1. great pics lads :D

2. bummer about the knee Vet :(

3. Frank Zappa! graemlins/big_laugh.gif dead ringer for sure!

[Vet]

Don't be harsh on Taxi - he has to take my socks off. Revenge is sweet! Besides I got to the bar ok, after I hobbled and crawled 5 miles in the snow to the nearest bar.

And as its all business to help the Government, I just used Taxi's Amex to shout the bar.

Tommorrow I'll try to be a snow bunny ;)

[Vet]

Originally posted by Vet:
I hobbled and crawled 5 miles in the snow to the nearest bar. Well every meter felt like a mile. :D

[Vet]

Woohoo, Mondial/travel insurance direct are getting me a business class flight back. But ... I need a deep vein thrombosis injection. I hope I don't have to sit on the spot I get jabbed!

[SA]

Shame about the accident Vet.

How much damage did you do to the knee?

[Vet]

Sssh. It seems ok, just tender to sharp movements and bumps, and that sort of thing. On a positive note I've emailed my boss on the deplorable ski rescue ops in the US:- there's no champagne bucket on their sleds, but at least they tucked me into the bed.


I hope it gets better for the next 2-week trip in a fortnight.

But I've definitely missed the chance to ski with the Masters Race Program at Squaw Valley - how often does one get a national coach asking you to tag along and race in the morning and freeski off cliffs in the afternoon?

Oh well, a little Bollinger in business class should ease the pain. :D

[SA]

Don't forget to ask for the courtesy golf cart ride all the way to the departure gate, escorted through all that pesky TSA stuff.

[Taxman]

Bob (AKA Frank Zappa) sent some photos of the skiing whist Vet was being carted off.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/035.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/036.jpg

No it wasn't an epic powder day, but there were plenty of wind blown stashes and untracked if you were with someone who knew where to look (thanks Bob)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/037.jpg

Plus one of the injured lad

[ 26.02.2009, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Vet]

Thanks SA.

Of course you can see I'm gritting my teeth in pain because the beer wasn't working

[ 26.02.2009, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: Vet ]

[SA]

rofl - beer and recent injury, a fine mix! ;)

[Taxman]

Today was a tourist day with a trip to Virginia City -

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009805.jpg

Road between Carson City & Silver City

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009807.jpg

Abandoned gold mine outside Silver City

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009794.jpg

Hop-a-long in Virginia City

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009820.jpg

Antiques everywhere

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009828.jpg

I had to drag Vet away from...

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009824.jpg

Caught Vet with some good ole boys

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009837.jpg

Taxman gets some ideas for +1 No. 2

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009831.jpg

Sadly needed

[Taxman]

and met the Governator

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009784.jpg


And more of Virginia City

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009816.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009845.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009850.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009851.jpg

[holo]

great pics lads, Kirkwood looks awesome.

Sorry about your knee Vet :(
Hope you are back on skis soon.

[Xena]

Poor Vet!

BTW - did you buy yourself a good stock of those BS bags?

Fab photos - it's on the top end of my list now!

[karen97]

Nice pics and report fellas!

[TB]

Taxi,

Always remember woody allen- v v wise!!

A second marriage is a triumph of optimism over common sense!!

Say hi to Vet, Poor Vet, I injured my knee in Utah-low speed, green run, boring , boring. Blood bucket but... Far to cool for doctors (ask Neil, he knows what Im like)-and I could have flown home business???

Two seasons later, it only hurts (a lot) when I ski, and I still can't be done with doctors... Yes I am blonde!!

Vet-I did mine first day, rescue second, third layover, fourth back into it. I know yours was worse. Holiday looked awesome guys.

[Vet]

Hey, Welcome to our newest Snowatcher, Hairfarmr.

Taxi & I are definitely planning a return trip in 2011. (Girls, he's house trained now).

TB, make up a great story. Wanna borrow some of those these really useful bulldust bags?

The knee is a lot better today - just don't tell Taxi. I've got him washing, ironing, cooking, and tying my bootlaces tongue.gif ;)

Today there's an inch or two of fine powder on the balcony. I'll give Taxi the day off (without pay of course) so he can go ski. I'm tempted to go on the baby slopes here at Heavenly but how do I convince the Americans that my crutches are the latest European ski poles? :D

[Taxman]

And for the doubters here is a picture of Hairfarmr (Bob - AKA Frank Zappa)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Chair4Zappa2.jpg

A seriously cool dude. Thanks for showing us Kirkwood.

[Vet]

Today on this spot, nothing much happened. Heavenly shut down due to winds so after a nap my male nurse (Taxman) and I went to the Heavenly Village shops. Ho hum. The ski shops have sales but where are the bargains. Seriously, they're mostly overstocked with overpriced stuff that costs less in Oz in $A:confused:

Anyway, we've set up a ski around tomorrow with our local mates and a treat in 3 weeks at the Hard Rock Cafe at Harveys Casino.

[Vet]

Taxi is all worn out.

Today I played snow bunny at Kirkwood whilst, sob, Taxman, Hairfarmmer & Brian hit up the steeps and cornices of Kirkwood. Taxi tells me it was awesome (but no pics - so it never happened).

Its a 'big small' resort - friendly people in a small village. Has heaps of blacks, decent 'true blue' runs and light greens. No queues either.

[ozgirl]

I wanna go to Tahoe

(stamping my feet and crying like a baby...)

[Taxman]

Originally posted by Vet:
Taxi is all worn out.

....., Taxman, Hairfarmmer & Brian hit up the steeps and cornices of Kirkwood. Taxi tells me it was awesome (but no pics - so it never happened).
...... Will post up pictures from yesterday when I get to SF. i had the camera so pictures for Harifarmmr and Brian, but I had to ski the same lines to get the pictures...... Vet's just jealous. :D

[Vet]

Mondial Assistance have me on a 7pm flight tonight, SFO-Auckland direct (with no LA stopover). That gives us 5 more hours to huck cliffs except rotten Taxman won't let me. He was a nurse in a past life.

So its 10am here and we're at our barstools overloooking the lake from the top of Eagles Nest, Heavenly.

Taxi better be posting up some pics - coz I reckon 'it never happened'.

[Vet]

Taxi has lots of time too practice his photostop :D

[SA]

Originally posted by Vet:
Taxi has lots of time too practice his photostop :D He'll need it - tell him to work on the spa shot!

tongue.gif

[Taxman]

Thursday was blowing it's **** off, so took hop-a-long down to Heavenly Village at Stateline. Sort like an over-bloated Thredbo, if you like that sort of thing (i.e. over priced and glitzy). A couple of photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009489.jpg

View from deck at Eagles Nest (WiFi hot spot)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009493.jpg

Deck at Eagles Nest with much frequented bar in background

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009501.jpg

Heavenly Village (AKA Thredbo)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009505.jpg

Heavenly Village

[SA]

Dude. Serious looking brace.

[Taxman]

Friday was back on skis and back to Kirkwood with bob (AKA FZ) and Brian. A really great non-powder day, skiing packed pow off-piste all day. A couple of photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009507.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009509.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009512.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009516.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009519.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009522.jpg

[Podlettte]

I think you have selected your pics to show everyone pretty er.. selectively. Stateline is an all year round town, not a ski town, and the only reason the gondola area is there is because Vail own heavenly resort these days and put it in!

the casino's are on the Nevada side and a part of life in that part of the world, however my mate who lives there says they aren't doing so well due to the Indian gaming in nevada, so are most likely on the way out. Though they do have 7500 cheap beds!

Hotels we found were cheap in Stateline, and although the food was expensive, I'll agree there, you could order one portion and feed 2 easily! They are lacking places that open at night IMO that serve normal food not gargantuan portions that no one can eat, though my mate took us to one place, that I would go back to in a heart beat. But I'm not telling any of you where it is, cause it's a small local place tongue.gif

As for the resort being boring, well we skied in in 20-40cm fresh dry snow and had an absolute ball, sure it's perisher on steroids, but it's better designed and there are some great tree runs if you ski with a local ;) We had some of our coldest days there, bluebird too think it was 15F the last day we were there.

On the bright side, we're about to leave park City and head back across the looooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg drive across nevada to Truckee. You'd think we'd planned it, but for our last ski they are predicting up to 3ft to fall monday into Tuesday :D :D then we drive to SFO via REI in Sacramento for some last minute gear whoring then it's up up and away with the big kangaroo.

I can't wait to have a decent cup of tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Taxman]

Have a littl video if skiing, but hotel WiFi is almost as bad as Verizon's mobile service; so will post video on return.

6.5 hour drive from Stateline to SF today, dropping Bob back at his place and Vet at the airport. At this time Vet should be in the air (business class upgrade) and I'm about to walk down to Fishermans Wharf for some clam chowder.

[Podlettte]

Originally posted by Taxman:
Friday was back on skis and back to Kirkwood with bob (AKA FZ) and Brian. A really great non-powder day, skiing packed pow off-piste all day. A couple of photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009507.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009509.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009512.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009516.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009519.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z177/purkis/Tahoe2009522.jpg You should have been at Powder Mountain, it was going off!!!!!! :D Blue bird and boot deep and no lift lines graemlins/skier.gif

[Podlettte]

Originally posted by Taxman:
Have a littl video if skiing, but hotel WiFi is almost as bad as Verizon's mobile service; so will post video on return.

6.5 hour drive from Stateline to SF today, dropping Bob back at his place and Vet at the airport. At this time Vet should be in the air (business class upgrade) and I'm about to walk down to Fishermans Wharf for some clam chowder. how come the drive from stateline to SFO took you 6.5 hours? :eek: Took us 3.5 max via the 50!!!!!!!!!

[SA]

They counted 3 hours trying to get up? ;)

[Taxman]

Originally posted by Podlettte:
...how come the drive from stateline to SFO took you 6.5 hours? :eek: Took us 3.5 max via the 50!!!!!!!!! Drop Bob at San Ramon, held up in multi car accident on 101 between San Mateo - Hayward Bridge and XXX SFO, drop Vet at airport, drive to Fishermans Wharf. Drive included 1 pee stop and 1 gas and burger stop.

My bad.S FO not LAX

[ 05.03.2009, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Xena]

So Vet will be back tomorrow?

[Taxman]

Should be back around now. SF typiclly wet and dreary. Still a nice city.

[Vet]

Originally posted by SA:
Dude. Serious looking brace. That brace is gooold (and on second thoughts, they charged me the same price as an ounce). I gor a ride on a race track with Jack Brabham to SFO. Bet you didn't know ol' Jack moonligts here as "Taxi".

I was put on Business Premiere with Air NZ. First up with complimentary admission to United's lounge in SFO. Then off to board. There were Table cloths, unlimited drinkies, and five course meals. And it was free. (Besr & I have revised our dvd - we thought you'd lose weight eating airline food). I missed 5 hours of layover by going to Auckland instead of LA. Woohoo.

12.5 hours of flight passed quickly. AirNZ know how to distract passengers with 5 course meals, apparitiffs and ports. After a loooong sozzled nap, I awoke to 2 breakfasts a feew hours apart.

Then I was escorted thru Customs, went to the AirNZ lounge, put first on the plane to Melbourne(no queuing), get first drinks, and received offers to load the trolley and push my gear for me. The nice security guy took my gear passed the Customs reps and out to the taxi rank. There my disabled taxi awaited me.

So I'm back in the land of the living.

Mrs & Lil Vet are definitely going again in Jan 2011 for 2 weeks and then Taxi and I will have our 'boyz trip' for 2 weeks.
graemlins/skier.gif graemlins/emoticon_skier.gif

[Taxman]

Originally posted by Vet:
..... I gor a ride on a race track with Jack Brabham to SFO. Bet you didn't know ol' Jack moonligts here as "Taxi".

Didn't Bob tell me that the speed limit on the Freeway was 80 mph, except through Placerville?

Good to hear you are back safe and sound.

Currently in lounge at SFO. Got to love Qantas Club membership.... left with 42 kg of checked baggage, no exess charge; come back with extra pair of skis and pressies for GF's, Ex and Jnr, must be over 50kg booked and no excess charges.

Vet can you lend me you brace though, couldn't get an upgrade to business class, I need a scam.

Also don't forget to start physio ASAP so you are right when you come back in a few weeks.

[Vet]

1. go to QF Club fruit bowl;
2. select banana
3. slip on said banana.
4. go First Class.

Easy peasy Taxi.

[BlueHue]

you are home, but you're missing out on the storm of the season, up to 8ft is predicted to have fallen by tomorrow night smile.gif

Resorts closed due to wind right now, so we're about to head out to check out downtown truckee.

As for your 6.5 hour trip, going via LAX isn't direct to SFO from here, that's a fair detour!

[BlueHue]

whoops, that was me Pods, not BH, he stayed logged in to the public computer graemlins/big_laugh.gif

[chunky]

I'd love to get a seat upgrade. Never happened :(

[Dr D]

Originally posted by chunky:
I'd love to get a seat upgrade. Never happened :( Won't ever happen if you travel with kids. tongue.gif

[skichic]

Originally posted by Dr D:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by chunky:
I'd love to get a seat upgrade. Never happened :( Won't ever happen if you travel with kids. tongue.gif </font>[/QUOTE]1st class on domestic United with 3 kids in tow tongue.gif It can happen ;)

[Vet]

Why not buy knee braces in bulk at wholesale and really save.

[skijacski]

Originally posted by Taxman:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Vet:
..... I gor a ride on a race track with Jack Brabham to SFO. Bet you didn't know ol' Jack moonligts here as "Taxi".

Didn't Bob tell me that the speed limit on the Freeway was 80 mph, except through Placerville?

Good to hear you are back safe and sound.

Currently in lounge at SFO. Got to love Qantas Club membership.... left with 42 kg of checked baggage, no exess charge; come back with extra pair of skis and pressies for GF's, Ex and Jnr, must be over 50kg booked and no excess charges.

Vet can you lend me you brace though, couldn't get an upgrade to business class, I need a scam.

Also don't forget to start physio ASAP so you are right when you come back in a few weeks. </font>[/QUOTE]If you are a Qantas club member you still get 3 bags of 32 kilos each, and if you are going at the pointy end you can have up to 5, which I did one year, but that was after I was in NY for 7 months.

+1 just left SLC Utah with +3 bags - no problem at all - even for the domestic legs as they honour the international weight for the company you are with or Qantas Club etc. (Know this as I was chatty with the Delta lady while +1 checked in with 1st class. If you have an international booking they should not charge you anything for internal american flights, as they are now charging for domestic flights for ors.

International rocks.

graemlins/snow_cool.gif

[chunky]

Originally posted by SC:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dr D:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by chunky:
I'd love to get a seat upgrade. Never happened :( Won't ever happen if you travel with kids. tongue.gif </font>[/QUOTE]1st class on domestic United with 3 kids in tow tongue.gif It can happen ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Lucky you!

[Taxman]

Back on plant earth and looking through the pics and video, nothing new or worth while posting up. Considering the season the Tahoe has had, we were very lucky to arrive on the tail end of a storm and get a bit of a top up at the end.... and yes it would have been epic to have stayed on another couple of days (Bob AKA FZ advises that they are currently getting dumped on - well enjoy it boys).

From the trip, places skiied in order of preference:

Kirkwood
Squaw Valley
Alpine Meadows
Heavenly Valley
North Star

Pods, there is nothing wrong with Heavenly and we did get into the trees out between Big Dipper and Milky Way Bowl, it just I'm not into the big resort thing, enjoying the laid back atmostphere at Kirkwood and the northern end of the Lake much more. Just a personal preference.

Heading back in 2011 and I'd be looking to spend a week at Kirkwood and a week at Squaw (which gives very easy access to Alpine Meadows).

Now just need to think where to head in 2010 - probably Canada (Alberta) or Europe. TB, you still interested in Kamchatka?

[Vet]

I've just booked the freq flyer seats for the family trip in Jan 2010 on vaustralia Mel-LAX-Mel compliments of Amex's promo. graemlins/woohoo.gif I week at Squaw/Alpine followed by a week at Heavenly/Kirkwood plus a 'little sight seeing' drive back to LA.

Re 2011, Taxi, you're on.

Don't forget our steering committee has to file a report on our findings on spas, massage, and ski resort management :D Am I right in thinking we can claim those Martinis as expenses?

[Taxman]

Reasonable alcohol costs whilst travelling is fully deductible.......... :D Anyway, weren't they for medicinal purposes????

[chunky]

Just remember Canada in 2010 will be an Olympic year for them.

[TB]

Actually Taxi I might be, 2010 will be a ski year...however I did think Utah was worth a revisit, if they werent weirdo religious freaks Id move there.

Thoughts??

[TB]

Forgot the SCG type nazi lite beer lovers bit.. that is also bad.

Fortunately the slopes and snow is so good I can bear the crowd at the state liquor store.

[Taxman]

Sounds lke beer and prawns night coming up. PM?

Visiting some Utards could be worth while. I also hear Wyoming is nice.

[ 06.03.2009, 06:59 AM: Message edited by: Taxman ]

[Vet]

Everyone should get a knee brace and crutches. The Vets have been upgraded to Eagles Nest at Heavenly with a elevated jaccuzzi overlooking Lake Tahoe.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Vet:
Everyone should get a knee brace and crutches.Nup would prefer to keep my knees fully functional thanks. ;)

[Podlettte]

They aren't the tree's I'm referring to Taxi, there are better trees to be found elsewhere ;)

Did you have a look at sugar bowl?

We only got kirkwood on a hard pack day and while I found the steeper runs enjoyable for using more technical skiing, it didn't do much more for me, though I'm sure it would on a full on powder day (and so I'm told by my mate, it's hard to beat apparently).

I loved Northstar, but it had nothing to do with steepness of terrain and all to do with landing there on the first few days of the storm system this week. Best runs all trip as after lunch we had fresh tracks and almost the whole side area to ourselves! people headed in as the snow got heavier! I had no idea it was 3.30 and last lifts had been called I was having so much fun smile.gif

[Vet]

Flat + Powder is still flat, Pods.

We were tempted by Start Haus to try Sugarbowl, but a ton of powder fell and we had Squaw Valley all to ourselves, and these tickets. The place was empty - the locals must've retreated to their bars. Several lost souls walked down hill in waist deep pow whilst Taxi, on his new Blizzard Titans, rocketed down with impunity. (My Head Mojos couldn't keep up or I let him get down first. I can't recall which excuse I had) He was in Heaven.

At Flatstar (Perisher on Asprin) we just had a trail map whereas at Kirkwood, Alpine & Squaw, we had locals, staff, an instructor and 3 coaches showing us nooks, cornices, slots and crannies to hike up and huck off. We were invited to join races too. I think local knowledge, and living with friendly Romans when in Rome, adds to a mountain's 'enjoyment factor'. We didn't have that at Northstar.

Overall, Taxi saw more of Kirkwood that I did (sob). We're certainly going back there.

[Podlettte]

We didn't have it at Northstar either! We just had 37 inches in 24 hours and a midweek day to ski it!

I can't tell you what the rest of the resort is like at Northstar, we only skied one lift to be honest as the line was longer elsewhere, but most people on our lift were skiing the terrain park so we had the runs with boot deep and the trees with (for me) a few waist deep and regularly mid/high thigh deep turns every run!

after lunch all our tracks where pretty much covered, so we had freshies all to ourselves as most people headed home or elsewhere smile.gif

None of us needed it to be the steepest gnarliest terrain to have the best runs of the trip, the snow amount and quality did that for us

[Vet]

a pic of our friendly hosts from Squaw.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii316/velkytatry/SquawSlide09051.jpg (http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii316/velkytatry/?action=view&current=SquawSlide09051.jpg)

[Vet]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii316/velkytatry/tahoemarch09681.jpg (http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii316/velkytatry/?action=view&current=tahoemarch09681.jpg)

I'll be interested in seeing pics of accom in Japan. This pic is Eagles Nest 1 bedroom unit's lounge/tv room. Very nice for around $92us a night.

[Podlettte]

got any bigger pics vet? where in tahoe is that? south obviously as you've got heavenly passes, but up off kinsgbury grade, up near the stagecoach or boulder lift?

[Vet]

Sorry Pods, I'm technologically challenged

The first is above, and between, Stagecoach and Boulder lifts. The other is on the beach at Tahoe Vista. I've got 2 others (and season passes at Squaw too).