Another fab week but so much to do and so little time. I can’t believe it’s the end of week 8 already; only 3 left to go – I don’t want it to end!
So, I’ve decided to invent a time warp machine (no time-travelling for me no sir-ee Bob), just a machine that will let me live in winter 07 for all eternity.
The only slight flaw in my plan is the fact that I failed every science exam I’ve ever taken so I’m asking all you science types and time-warp boffins out there in cyber-space, if you’re reading this please help.
READ WEEK 9
by Rebekah Galligan
We started off week 4 with group instruction on Monday and Tuesday with it dawning on us that it isn’t long until the Level 1 Exam.
For a lucky few Tuesday night was designated for “First Tracks Hut”, (one of the Credit Activities). After lessons, with our back packs full of food, blankets, beers and cards we got the last chair up to the top of Granite Mountain where we found our log home for the night. After sitting by the nice hot fire playing Top Trumps it was time for bed. The following morning we skied down before the lifts open and got fresh tracks all the way!
Wednesday was a day for much needed 1:1 instruction for the 2nd half of the group, it was also the Public Skating evening which was entertaining for both those that had never skated before and those that had! Thursday night Al and Dan did some cross-country skiing under moonlight; out to the Rock Cut Pub where they had “Beer and Wings”.
Skiing on Thursday and Friday was extremely intense, Thursday morning was racing through gates, and Thursday afternoon was time for the “Cliff Dive” (The Cliff being the name of one of Red Mountains double black runs, the name says it all!) along with some other steep and deep double black runs. The next bit of good news was that on our list of runs for Friday was Beer Belly and 3rd Slide (some more double black runs, Whoopee!).
To finish off the week, another Credit Activity; a trip to Nelson. Saturday involved going up to the Whitewater Ski Resort for a ski, and with beautiful sunshine some people finished for a beer earlier than others. Saturday night included food, beer, and rowdy behaviour in the early hours by some in the hostel! Sunday was a much more chilled out day, we travelled to Ainsworth Hot Springs where we soaked in the springs and surrounding caves followed by a late lunch and then a long ride home.
It was a busy week for everyone but it was great fun!
READ WEEK 5
(predominantly) by Peter Deytrikh
I’m sitting here writing this diary entry in a picturesque log cabin at the top of Granite Mountain. We’re spending a night up here to make “first tracks” in the morning!
Recapping on last weeks event: Throughout the weeks instruction we went through demos of what was expected of us in Level 1 and Level 2, Carving: CSCF Level 1, Snow Park skills, and we also looked at the AMP programme, where we found out the level expected of us for to become AMP certified.
Also, on Wednesday one half of the group took the much talked about Wilderness First Aid course, with the very enthusiastic teacher. The other half of the group had an intense 1:1 session with their instructor, which was well needed!
For most of the week the topic of conversation was “The 110th Rossland Winter Carnival” where all of the Nonstoppers dressed up as Chav’s, Retro Skiers, a Snowman, and a Hockey Player. The night involved a parade through Downtown Rossland, then after a moment to warm our cockles by the fire and quench our thirsts with a few beers from the Rossland Radios Ice Palace Beer Gardens, we all ended up at Red House (One of the NONSTOP houses, just around the corner from the Ice Gardens) for an after Carnival Party!
During the weekend there were all sorts of activities going on around the town such as Bobsleigh races down Spokane Street, a Pie Eating Contest, a Rail Jam on Queen Street, and much more…
READ WEEK 4
We really couldn’t have asked for a more perfect week to finish our course on.
After a rather ‘spring like’ March, it started DUMPING snow on Saturday night and didn’t stop until Tuesday morning.
We had 2 awesome powder days for the AMP evaluations and then a bluebird day for our last day with our instructors.
Our fab pros had organised a boarder-x for this momentous occasion and Jack Simpson took home the sink with his mad speed and aggressive skills.
For the final day of the season we had the morning to free ride and then took the NONSTOP bus to a private clearing where we had a huge BBQ and bonfire. Awesome.
What an amazing 11 weeks! I can’t believe it’s flown by so fast and now the end has come and no one wants to go home.
Great times, fab friends, superb skiing and a top town. Thanks you Red and thanks NONSTOP. I’ll definitely be back for a holiday next year.
Tom | March 9th, 2009
