From the Snow to the Desert

Glenwood Springs welcomed us to Colorado with 6 inches of the white fluffy stuff...... Many fresh lines at Sunlight to be had.

A day snow shoeing up Marble valley proved for a bit of fun. Removing your shoes in waste deep snow is not a good idea.

Beer and hot pools after a hard days play is alway a good combonation... especially when the hot pools are free.

An snowy walk up to the Hanging Lake rewarded us with some pretty sights. The climb down, however, was a little dubious. Ice + rear end = bruises

16 inch powder day at Highlands, Aspen... The photos speak for themsleves.

A supersize jar of stout quenched the thrist after a day of freshies at Snowmass.

Ice climbing at Rifle cheers to Craig.

We took a weekend trip from snowy Glenwood into the desert of Moab, Utah (three hrs drive away). Stopped in at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks to check out the insane terrain. See for your self.... although the photos dont really do it justice.

Big thumbs up to Craig for putting up with us for a few weeks. Keep the homebrew brewing.

Next stop ...... Viva Las Vegas!!!!

Snow Snow Snow

Got to Revelstoke, a small snow covered town, on 1st Feb. Crashed at Brett's and Benie's places for the week while checking out what the slopes of Revelstoke had to offer. Celebrated Waitangi day with three other kiwis with a few beers and a barbie in the garage.
















Brett, Kev, Ken and I hit the road and headed south for a roadie to Mt Baker. Took the 20 min car ferry across a lake near Nacusp.

















Stayed a few nights at Rossland.... Canada's highest town? Allowing a day of riding at Red Mt. The two pic show the conditions of either side of the Mt.

Heading east eventually we tried some cross country skiing at Manning Park. Pretty amusing afternoon for 4 keen boarders. Stayed the night in a little cabin in Osoyoos, which was sweet after we finally worked out how to turn the heating on.

























Crossing the border into the states we headed for Mt Baker. A windy wee drive up to the ski field was a nice change from the super highways we had been travelling. Two days of boarding in sweet conditions, plenty of terrain to explore.

The cabin Brett found us was a pearler, sleeping 8 with a hot tub and pool table. Managed to cram almost everyone into the tub after a hard day on the hill.









Returning to Vancouver for a few nights we had a mint view from the 15th floor of Paula's appartment. A stroll down to Deer Lake made for a pleasent evening.











Took the bus back across the border to Seattle for a restfull night before embarking on our Colorado adventure.

Banff & Jasper

Finally hit the slopes and had two pretty sweet days, one at Sunshine and one at Lake Louise. These mountains are massive with gondolas and padded seats on the chair lifts. Riding midweek meant there were no lines either. Stayed at the Banff YWCA for a spell where the central heating was so hot that we'd have the windows wide open (-20 out) and hung round in shorts and singlets.









Hired a rental car, worked out the crazy 4-way stop traffic rules and headed north through the Ice Fields Parkway.








Stopped at Lake Louise lake on the way and I managed to fall through the ice. Frozen feet for a bit.









The road through the Ice Fields was snowy and icy with massive glaciers. Saw some cool ice walls which are waterfalls in the summer.
















Got into Jasper about 5pm and the snow started falling. Stayed at a sweet as hostel with an open fire and heaps on NZ tunes. Headed to the Marmot Basin next morning for a day of the fluffy white stuff.

Frozen to a crisp

A long flight NZ to LA with little sleep left us in a groggy state for the mission through LA airport. The Air Canada flight was good. I watched Al Gore babble on about global warming to put me to sleep. As we approached the Calgary runway, the pilot announced over the speaker 'cloudy skies with a temperature of -23 degrees'. Stepping into the air bridge moments later confirmed the announcement. Global warming.... yeah whatever. Chilling in High River with Shaun and Jacqs now. Off to a hockey game.

We are on the Move

Well, we are into the home straight with just 7 days to go after some R&R up in Northland. Been sussing out the "to do" list and sorting through the car load of stuff that represents our NZ lives. Beagle's for sale and snowboards are packed. It's hard to know whether to look forward to -25 degrees after simmering in a nice +25 for several weeks. Time will tell.