Good news: my cheap flip video camera can double as reverse helmet cam

Bad news: The last day of Whistler for 2008 was cold, icy and uneventful.

Good times cat skiing at Backcountry Snowcats, January 6 & 7, 2008. 

Bit of a late post, but better late than never. At the start of this epic storm cycle we've been having, a huge posse of us (9 I think) headed up the Duff, I mean Duffey Lake Road, for some deeeeep backcountry shredding. A few hour skin up one of our favourite spots led to a wide open, juicy, chute. Slid a bit up top, then opened up for some fast, wide open turns.

Here's a quick and super random video from the day. Doesn't do it any justice, but pretend you're getting the faceshots...

For lunch break we went to check out the new Lodge we'd heard about in the area, only to have the surprise of the weekend. Knocking twice on the door, nobody answered. After a 3rd attempt, a grumpy dude opened the door and quite bluntly explained that it was a private hut. Then tried to make chit chat about what lines we were skiing to change the subject.

RIIIIGHT. A private hut, on public land, cold chillin' right on the lake shore of a ski touring spot that's accessed from the road within an hour. Make that 5 minutes on a sled. Pretty sure it's a memorial hut for someone we have many friends in common with, but hey, guess it's a selfish memorial? Anywho, love to see how long that lasts in an obvious location at a popular ski touring spot that just got published in a travel guide, and soon a ski touring book.

Words fail me. 

Just when I thought it would never come, my first weekend 6 months after shoulder delivered a cold sunny day with my best friends and light powder.

Jamie telling Calvin and Hobbes how it's going to be.

Of course there was some ice, some rocks and not all the lifts were running. Now my calves, quads and back are screaming. But I can't wipe the grin off my face with steel wool! It's on now, the alpine is open the base is settled and it's all cold smoke from here.

November 11, 2007. First tour of the season. Drove up to the Duffey and ran into a po-lice blockade. Cop: "It's puking up there!". Us: "Heck ya!, that's why we drove all the way to get here". Cop: "turn around". Tough luck I guess. Instead, we skinned up Whistler. Tough going, but maybe that was the summer legs talking. Either way it was deep, and winter is here to stay. By the looks of opening weekend last week, its a go.

Hey everyone,
We're now back in our home town of Whistler to premiere "More For The Astronauts" this Sunday. This is one of our final destinations on the Coors Light DEEP SPACE tour, and we're excited to have a few beverages with all our friends!

**Early Opening Saturday, November 17**

Date: November 14, 2007 Valid: Weekend of November 17-18

Unmarked rocks and obstacles may be encountered on groomed runs. Please obey all on mountain signage and stay within bounds. Ski and ride with care!

Parking

Parking is available in the Village and Creekside Lots.
Base II is scheduled to open on November 22nd

Shuttles

Shuttles available from the village lots to the village gondola.

Guest Relations

FRIDAY – 11AM-7PM at G1 Village, Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge
SATURDAY – 8am-7pm at G1 Village; 8am-5pm Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge
SUNDAY - 8AM-5pm at G1 Village and Creekside
MONDAY – Village G1 8am-5pm; Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge closed
TUESDAY – Village G1 8am-5pm; Creekside and Blackcomb Daylodge closed
WEDNESDAY – Village G1 8am-5pm; Blackcomb Daylodge 12-5pm; Creekside closed
THURSDAY - 8am-5pm at G1 Village, Blackcomb Daylodge and Creekside
FRIDAY – 8am-7pm Village G1, 8am-5pm Blackcomb Daylodge and Creekside

Passes

Refer to Guest Relations for pass pick-up hours

Pricing

Early Season Pricing to November 22 TBA Friday, November 16

Tickets

Lift tickets will be available at G1, Excalibur and Creekside Ticket Windows - weekend only
During the week, G1 will be open Mon-Thurs

Mountain HOURS of Operation

8:30am - 3pm Last upload: 2:45pm

Whistler Mountain is open November 17, with early season conditions. There may be unmarked rocks and obstacles on the runs that are open. Please obey all on mountain signage. Ski and ride with care. Terrain is recommended for intermediates and advanced skiers and riders.

Upload From the Valley Whistler

Whistler
Village Gondola.
Creekside Gondola

Blackcomb
Closed until Thursday, November 22.

Lifts Scheduled to Open

Whistler: Lifts Scheduled to open:
• Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Red Chair, Emerald Chair and Franz’s (weekend only)

Early Season Conditions apply. Mandatory Download is in effect.

Après

Merlin’s Bar and Grill open daily
Garibaldi Lift Company open daily
Dusty’s Bar & Grill open Nov. 16 to run daily

Retail Operations

Base at Pig Alley

108cm – Wednesday November 14

All operations are weather dependant and subject to change…

Via Whistler Blackcomb.

Check it... looks like CRH is applying for a Heliski tenure to that encompasses many rad backcountry skiing areas accessed off the Duffey Lake Road. I'm guessing it's more for the deeper terrain further from the road, but wouldn't hurt to cut the ski touring areas out of the tenure, as per John Baldwin's suggestion in his letter below. I think he sums it up pretty well so here it is...