Whistler

We just got back from our yearly spring pilgrimage to Whistler, the largest and best ski resort on the continent.

This year's trip was fantastic - even compared to other times we've been there. Contrary to the uninformed hyperbole you might have heard on coverage of the Winter Olympics (it's always slushy down by the village - get over it) Whistler is having a spectacular year. In fact, it's now the 2nd snowiest year on record there; more than 560" have fallen (about 47 feet of snow). Of course it compacts down; at mid-mountain there's a very respectable settled base of ~12 feet of snow. Trails that I've known in the past to be dotted with shoulder-high pine trees are wide open this year with nary an obstacle in sight.

We didn't bother with our large camera, but Anya took tons of pictures with her BlackBerry.

Although Whistler will be open through the end of May (at least), this trip might have marked the close of our skiing season. It's been a good one, though; we were able to ski from November - April (basically half the year). I like summer - don't get me wrong - but I'm already looking forward to next winter.