A long way to the ski hill

These are the stairs that we train on here in Rossland - many laps each day - NOT

This is Red Mountain in the background - not too far from town to the hill

Christmas time in Rossland

It really is as cold as it looks


Emma made this snowman in the backyard



Kate at ice skating - another family tradition.

Ho Ho Ho

Crowds at Red Mountain

As you'll see from the photos, they really do need to get the crowds at Red under control - these are of the main run down the mountain.

Fun at Ainsworth Hot Springs

It's not easy - when not skiing a quick soak at Ainsworth Hot Springs

The springs are on the edge of Kootenay Lake - not a bad spot for a soak followed by lunch

30cms of new snow and everyone's happy

Strange creatures inhabiting the backyard - they come out when fresh snow has arrived

An elusive snow creature - caught by surprise but now hiding behind the garage

Opening day at Red or should I say Rafters

A picture paints a thousand words - we did actually do a few runs before retiring to Rafters for Nachos and rehydration

In the snow - at last

We really look good in our cross country skiing outfits - too bad it was -15C at the time

Is that Kate the snow angel that I see !!

It's good to have a catcher at the ready

Watch out - Emma out of control

Kate on the toboggan - with Emma providing power takeoff

26th Wedding Anniversary

Fiona & I went to our favourite local restaurant for our 26th wedding anniversary
The big news of the day was that she decided that we're heading off to Canada on 30 November 2009 for 2 months this year - only because there were some really cheap flights !!!!!

a fuzzy friend

on the way back from fernie emma met a fuzzy friend.





hey whats that- fuzzy friend



oh hello-fuzzy friend

LOL!!!!!!

Frost Bite

the other day it got so cold that the first signs of frost bite where appearing.

so we had to get really rugged up...

Darth Vader returns.

Kate I'am your father.

http://canadianskiquest.blogspot.com/2009/01/change-is-here.html

And here is Emma in all her glory

http://canadianskiquest.blogspot.com/2009/01/all-basics.html

Check out Fiona at her finest

Cross Country skiing - what a day

A whole bunch of largely Aussies enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures out cross country skiing yesterday followed by a few drinks at the Rock Cut Pub.


Shows how warm it was - no jackets in sight

Paul - although from the UK has been granted Aussie status

Gayle - the cross country skiing star of the group left us all jealous

We certainly covered some country and the necessary recovery time today has let me update the Blog.

Fernie ski school - they ski them hard

Fernie condo

Finally make it to Fernie via Nelson - Kootenany Ferry ( the longest free ferry ride in the world ) - overnight at Creston and then on to Cranbrook and Fernie.
Nice to finally arrive after 3 days of trying to get here

Of course, the roads all opened today so our timing is brilliant as usual

Photos by Miss Kate


out the window



your never to old for a hug from a teddy

the bunk

a plant

staircase

fernie condo

nice stair case

is it nice coffee.

the worlds largest spruce tree

here are a few pictures from earlier in our trip
Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula Washington State



its 1000 years old...




michaels 6ft !

Trip to Revelstoke and beyond aka Ground Hog Day

We spent yesterday driving to Revelstoke or at least that's what we thought we were doing. About halfway there, a very nice BC roads man standing by a big closed gate told us that the passes were all closed due to avalanche.
So two hours later we had returned to Rossland and back up to the Shovel for me !!!!!

First thing this morning decided to go to Ainsworth Hot Springs on a revised route to Fernie. Having learnt from our experiences, we checked roads on internet first - alas the road to the Hot Springs was closed and when we called the resort to see if they had any other information there was also a distinct lack of electricity.

So we've now found a route via Nelson and then ferry that should have us in Fernie by Saturday. By the way did I mention that the direct route to Fernie was closed due to avalanche.

As the nice BC road man said " This is the country that we live in"

Michael shovelling roof

It's pretty deep on the carport