B.C snowboarders

“Who out there hikes for turns?”

“I used to in CO. I remember hiking for hrs. for a 15 min. run. That's a hardcore way to get in shape. B.C. huh? You lucky %&$^! The closest I'll get is Utah this winter. How many hrs. are the B.C. resorts from Seattle? I've got a brother ho lives there.”

“Mt. Rainer is about a two hour drive in the winter. Snoqualmie pass is only an hour away and both offer great pow runs.”

“I spen about 1/2 of my time hiking. My wife works for one of the resorts around here so I get a pass every year. The "flying couch" is hard to pass up.

But Back Country turns in virgin pow is something wonderful to behold...... So I still hike..”

“We did the Lassen New Year's trip with mtnsteve last year, carried our boards in on our packs , then snowshoed higher for a short ride down. It was fun.

At Mammoth we sometimes go out of bounds to places like Hole-in-the-Wall or Hemlock Ridge which requires some hiking.”

“Before most ski resorts allowed boards on their slopes that was the only way to ride.”

“I'm beginning to hike for turns. I'm finally going to try some backcountry riding in Glacier NP this spring. Very excited for that! jimjar, where do you ride in B.C.? I am hopefully hitting Fernie in March! Would love to ride Whistler one day.”

“Well, today would not have been the day you were hoping for, pineneedles. It was socked right in, and raining almost to the top.

We got a pretty good day in, yesterday, though. Variable weather, and spring-like conditions, below 4800'.

There's no shortage of places to hike up, above the glaciers and bowls, if your looking to get of the beaten path

Interactive terain map of Whistler Blackcomb”

“snow nymph great pic's. I want to ride down there. Snow here in the NW is really bad this year.
pineneedles havn't been to BC but want to head that way. Maybe we meet up in Whistler?”

“Just take an avalanche course first....even then...you never know.”

“already doing that. Now its time to put the knowledge to use.”

“jimjar, you should definetly check out B.C. I assume it's close to you. I'm in TN or I'd for sure check out Whistler with you. I want to hit Whistler next winter (hopefully!).
Thanks for the map Hodgeman. That's neat.”

“I keep meaning to work my way up north but there are so many good hills close to home. One of these days....”

“No offense intended thar.. Jimjar. You do have some good hills close to home, but we're keepin' the 'mountains', up here fer ya !! He He”

“hodgeman, you guys do have the goods up there. Been Mt. biking at Whistler a few times and the trails rule. Can't wait to see it under snow.”

“Me either... He He He”

“Sooo when are you going to show me around the Mountain?”

“I'm sure we could set something up.

If you made it this far a night ahead, it's about a two hour drive from here. Or, I could try to rustle up a deal, on a room at Whistler, but it's getting pretty pricey and there's usually a two night minimum.

The skiing's been marginal, at best, so far this season. How about early March, before spring break?”

“That sounds great. Hopefully we will still have some snow around here come March. It has been a bad year around here.”

“In a normal season, we usually have the 'melt down' party, around the third weekend of May. Spring skiing can be fantastic in April

If it finally cools down enough, to get some serious snow up there, I'm hoping March will be better than it is right now.

The main problem, this year, was that November was warm and December was dry. We got no base at all, before Christmas.”

“Same story down here but now the rain has been comming in and washing what was here away. Going to be a dry summer.”

“Gonna be some water restrictions, for sure. We were already talking about how low the rivers were, during the salmon run, last fall. This season's low snow pack sure isn't gonna help any”

“Hey, I'm headin' down your way, on Friday..... REI etc. Are you gonna be headin' for the coast?”

“jimjar:

"Mt. Rainer is about a two hour drive in the winter. Snoqualmie pass is only an hour away and both offer great pow runs."

Are we talking about the same Snoqualmie pass? 20+ years, never seen any pow there. Haven't gone BC there, but never seen any great lift served runs there either!

Rainier, yeah, lots of space to hike up and ride down. Maybe one time I will...”

“I am have not decided yet on the coast trip. Is it one to not miss?
marmot
Alpental, if you catch it one the right day has all the pow with the steeps thrown in. of course that is not the case this year though.”

“Jimjar - I haven't done the coast trip, yet, as I'm often in Mexico this time of year. But, I've met most of the crew, on other trips, and they're a great bunch. Based on reports, from years past, I'd say it's not to be missed.

I'm just going in, for the first weekend. I have to be back here, by Monday night.”

“Guess I missed those days ;)

Frankly, I never think of anything on the wet (west) side of the crest as having powder. Have been known to be wrong tho...

So, jimjar, if you make it to the beach, when you gonna be there? If you've not been on one of these, they're a blast.”

“Sorry Otter and I will be missing you, Hodge. One of these days...one of these days!”

“Marmot - Can't remember.... are you two in or out???”

“You readin' my mind, Marmot..??...

You still headin in for the wrap up??”

“If i make it out, it would have to be for the weekend only. Damn work always getting in the way of my fun. I could do both weekends. I am torn... Any suggestions?”

“Hodge, Otter and I are in for Thurs thru end. We'd hoped to do the first weekend, and Otter stay the whole week, and I'd come out for the wrapup, but plans had to change (damn...)

Jimjar, this will be year three for Otter and me. We always have a lot of fun. If you've hiked with Strider, you know how much fun it is. This is the one trip that we MAKE happen. I don't know if that helps any in deciding whether or not to go.”

“My arm is twisting. I have yet to meet any of you folks so sounds like this would be the trip. When should I come out?”

“Jimjar - There's a few of us gathering at Strider's on this Friday night, and heading for the coast early Saturday. Many are coming out, on Monday, but if you had to leave Sunday night, so be it.

It sounds like a pretty good group, for the next weekend also.

Marmot - Ya, too bad we're going to miss again. Maybe you two could make the Stein Canyon trip, up here in May.”

“I don't know about this weekend but am thinking I will make it for the second one. I am going to try and put it togther on my end to do both though.”

“Sounds good, Jimjar. Hope you can make it. Don't forget to check your calendar for May, too. It's on the 'trips' page”