Mountains, Snow and Christmas Feeling

When I opened my eyes, I felt like being in a fairy tale. Before I dozed off it had been dark, raining and uncomfortable outside. Now I was amid a white winter wonderland: Big fuzzy snowflakes floated through the air and stayed lying on the ground. I needed a few seconds to recognize that I wasn’t dreaming.

Instead, I have just arrived in Whistler. Whistler? The famous ski resort in British Columbia where some Olympic events, such as alpine and cross-country skiing, will take place and which is about 3300 kilometres away from Toronto? Yes, exactly. I know, I owe you readers some more stories about my six-week stay in Toronto – and I promise they will follow. At first, while Christmas is approaching, I want you to go on a trip with me to a place where it is easy to get in this special, season-related mood.

Whistler* is created to attract visitors. As for me it worked, I enjoyed my trip. I revelled in walking through the village where no cars are allowed. This fact together with plenty of snow made the atmosphere specific; it looked so quiet, romantic, idyllic, or in one word: Christmassy. Actually, after a short village tour, I started buying Christmas gifts, even though I hadn’t planned to make a purchase before I came here. I paused only once to warm myself up, and sweetened my break with a crêpe with sugar and cinnamon, which I consider to be the ultimate Christmas flavour. My shopping mood could also be connected with the fact that it had started raining and perhaps with the circumstance that there were not so many things to do in this beautiful, but small village – besides skiing, of course, an activity I had planned for another day.

The weather could have been better. Having arrived with my rental skis at the terminal of Whistler Village Gondola, I had to pull my toque and jacket collar tighter because of the wind. Then I was ready for my first run. I don’t like maps. I use them, of course, when I need to know the way to a particular place. Otherwise I prefer choosing the direction by chance.

So that is what I did in the Whistler alpine terrain with only two intentions, first, to test as many slopes as possible; second, to take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. This facility bridges a 4.4 kilometre gap between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain and connects both to one big ski resort. To translate my plans into action until the ski lifts will be closed at 3 pm I didn’t allow myself a break, except for taking pictures. Unfortunately the view was not the best.

While I was driving down the slopes, I checked out the legendary Canadian powder. The question if Canadian snow is actually better than the European one can be discussed by freeriders. I can only say, the snow was partly marvellously loose and soft, just a pleasure to make tracks. On the other hand, I also came across icy spots and heavy heaps. Nevertheless, the conditions in general were very satisfying – even unusually good for late November, as I have heard from several sources. In face of the amount of snow, the long slopes, the beautiful landscape, and some friendly and talkative co-passengers in the Gondola, it’s no wonder that I enjoyed my sports day.

Whistler was not the only famous skiing spot I have visited. I spent a night in Banff, another village which is small in size, but big in winter tourism. It was quite a spontaneous decision to go there; I thought it must be an astonishing experience to see the huge mountain chains of the Canadian Rockies, and it was; thus not Banff itself was my personal highlight on this itinerary, but rather the view from the top of Sulphur Mountain.

There were also two stopovers worth mentioning: frozen and snow-capped Lake Louise and the waterfall in Johnston Canyon Resort. Where else would you get into a Christmas mood if not in such scenic winter wonderlands, at least when no herds of tourists overwhelm the places? I was lucky!

* http://www.whistler.com/village/