It has 7 seats, a V6 engine, electric windows (one of which doesn't work - yep that's right the driver's window), cruise control, air conditioning, an AM/FM tape deck stereo and a mere 280,000km on the clock...one lady owner drove it the shops and back on weekends only - yeah right.
Of course the even funnier story is that when Pup went to buy it he was heading out to buy another van; but he got lost, stopped at a car yard for directions and well...the rest is history.
It has enormous buttons and switches in it, handles like a sponge cake and needs about 500m to come to a complete stop from any speed. But is is in pretty good nick mechanically and we love it!! And now that we have all saved a few dollars and the winter is drawing to a close we are taking it out on the road at any opportunity to visit the surrounding mountains.
From Big White there are a number of excellent ski hills between 2 and 5 hours away - weather permitting. In the past few weeks I have visited Revelstoke (photos to follow), Red Mountain and Big White's sister resort Silver Star (photos to follow) - which at only 2 hours away is a good option on the mornings they get fresh snow and we don't.
Making the trips even more affordable is that almost all the mountains in the interior of BC have a reciprocal arrangement for staff where the staff of each mountain are entitled, on average, to 2 free day passes and 4 additional day passes discounted by 50%. At Silver Star we ride for free all season so its just the cost of petrol.
A fortnight ago Tim, of North Vancouver fame, was heading to the interior with some mates of his for a 10 day tour of the local hills around Big White. I took a Friday night off work and joined him for the last three days of the trip which included Red Mountain and Big White. The 4 hour trip to Red took me pretty much due South to the US Border which I followed East for an hour or so before turning back to the North and up to Red. To break the ride up I stopped in Grand Forks for some chowder and picked a hitch hiker up for the 20km from Grand Forks to Christina Lake...nice guy (the hitchhiker that is).
Red is one of the oldest ski hills in North America with a history dating back almost to 1900. The ski area is actually made up of Red and Granite mountains which meet in a valley. Despite the name most of the ski-able terrain is actually on Granite. Granite is quite unique in that is a conical shaped ski hill ride-able on all sides - imagine if you asked a 5 year old boy to draw a mountain - they just drew Granite.
Red is famous for its steep terrain, excellent tree runs and extremely slow and ancient lift system. From the day lodge its a 28 minute trip to the top of Granite on two lifts...none of the chairs are detachable and you take your life in your hands boarding them. It's one mountain where the lifties actually posses an important skill set, swinging the chair just before you board to make the take-off bearable.
We got to Red a few days after a good dump and being a quieter hill there was still some good snow to be found in the trees. We rode in-bounds all day Friday and sampled most of the good areas on the hill. We even nipped up Red Mountain for one run just to tick that box.
We were kindly put up by some friends of Tim's in their beautiful ski-to/ski-from apartment and on Saturday they joined us on the hill. Knowing the area well and with little fresh snow in-bounds they took us past the ski-area boundary to hike the next ridge line (Record Ridge) for an unforgettable day of heavy hiking, fresh lines and deep powder. The long hike up was well worth it - so much so after lunch we did it all again.
The morning sun on the snow of Record Ridge
Part way up the ridge - looking back towards Granite Mountain.
Tree
Looking back over Granite Mountain from the top of Record Ridge
Looking away from Granite Mountain from the top of record ridge
Heading back down the side of Record Ridge back towards Granite
Bottom of Powder Fields - Granite Mountain
Coming down off Record Ridge after lunch
Tony coming down off Record Ridge
I can`t remember where this is might have been the bottom of Beer Belly on the Friday...
After two great days of riding we set off back to Big White with Tim and I in my trusty van and the others in a nice new Landcruiser. Fair to say despite us leaving well ahead of the other and that they had to stop for fuel it was not us waiting at the top of Big White for them. It turns out the headlights on the old girl are not what they used to be. We got home eventually.
The next day we broke things up with a spot of skiing at Big White as the snow was average. I have posted the photos below to prove that I have actually learnt how to stand on my skis. The guys that taught me to ski are making their way home tomorrow morning. They leave on a month long trip through the states in a 1994 Ford Explorer that they picked up at the auctions in Kelowna for $1,000...great old car - all the best fellas.
4 comments:
Wow, the scenery! Glad you are having a great time.
We'll forgive you for being so long between posts. After weeks of religiously checking the site we have been rewarded!!
As "the mof" said – we, too! It all sounds still absolutely great so our envy hasn't diminished. Good for you!
Now we need a photograph of the vehicle!
We definitely need a photo of the vehicle, Perhaps a bit of video too. I can't believe you can buy something for $750 that can actually make it up a mountain!
Post a Comment