Sunrise after 7am on morning #1 of what we were hoping to be a 6 day ski trip with family. The conditions on this first day were even better than the sunrise – clear and sunny, -5 deg C, great snow – and so we thought far away from the COVID-19 developments occurring back home. Day 2 (another amazing day outdoors) ended with a thud when Big White announced it was closing immediately and we had to clear out. Now that’s a shocker! This was the same day provinces implemented limitations of groups greater than 50 people. In hind sight a week on now, it was the right thing as we all needed to get home and hunker down.
The morning views across the Monashees deliver most every time. Because the peaks hide the sun, the sky will lighten an hour before it rises over the horizon producing a myriad of colors (purple, pinks, reds, and orange all mashed together!) and finally fading to yellow as the sun climbs.
I find this picture both calming and exhilarating at the same time. The stillness of the air and clarity across the snow and between the trees, plus the depth of view makes it easy to look at and pretend you are there in person. And then there is the adrenaline rush from making first tracks through snow as your heart beats, legs ache, and you are screaming with delight in your head!
Our hostess is crafting the Gunbarrel Coffee for a pair of guests. Yes, that is a double barrel shot gun she is pouring burning Grand Marnier down and into the coffee, which itself is made with Creme de Cacao, coffee and whipped cream! The stove to left of the coffee was used to heat the gun barrels. This drink was invented 30+ years ago and is available at the Gunbarrel Grill, Big White Ski Resort.
This is the peak of Big White looking West to the Monashee mountains across what they call the ‘Enchanted Forest’. The previous day it snowed like crazy, and this next day it was powder top to bottom. The trees when covered with snow are locally known as ‘snow ghosts’ – great name!
This is sunrise over Mount Tanner and Mount Cochrane, Monashee Mountains, B.C. week of March 10 while skiing at Big White with the family. Yes the skiing was just as good as this view!
life art images 