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.
She is a Blue Tailed Emerald Hummingbird – Chlorostilbon mellisugus – nesting in a palm tree next to the ‘people’ pool we were hanging at while in Curacao. Within her nest are 2 incredibly small eggs, and the nest itself is a mere two inches in height. I’m not as close to the hummingbird as it appears, using a zoom lens so as not to disturb.
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!
The view back up ‘Village Way’ ski run with peak of Big White Mountain in background, and high alpine skiable terrain. Highly recommend this back country mountain on the border of the Kootenay region British Columbia, for the pure fun of skiing.
Saturday February 13 will be known as the coldest winter day of 2016 at -32 C. and a wind chill pushing -40 C. It snowed all day with blowing winds and poor visibility, keeping us indoors for the day (except for the mandatory after hours hot tub and whisky). Sunday was picture perfect sunshine and awesome powder skiing.
life art images 