Only a quick drop in but I had my first day out on the slopes today and I am beat! I'm really feeling the 4 hours we had up there. There was only 1 run open which we shared with 100 others from ski teams flying down the slope doing slaloms. Plus the snow wasn't great, ice everywhere.
So you could say we were thrown in at the deep end, but I learnt a lot! All about perfecting our balance and carving turns. We also got a quick introduction to client safety and satisfaction which is not exactly what Josh said (our instructor) because it sounded nicer. However I really enjoyed being out on the slopes, ready to have a great season.
Sorry this post was so rushed - we need to get back and cook food and head to bed - back out tomorrow! Hooefully I'll get some footage this time too!
Wednesday 30 November 2016
Tuesday 29 November 2016
The Lake
Double blog! Exciting! But it's just to say that I went down to the lake today and it was gorgeous. The clear water was like one massive mirror stretching out for miles, reflecting the sunlight and clouds beautifully. Needed to capture some shots so I did my best with my ipad! Take a look! You might even be able to see some Canadian geese out there too
Passing the time
We have been left to our own devices so far! There is snow but just not enough to get on the piste! Yesterday we spent the day on the village to sort out lift passes and things but we didn't get very far! There's very few people around and some confusion about what is going on. We aren't staff members yet so we have to get special Winter Sports Company (WSP) passes for the first 3 weeks and then transfer to staff passes. Which means we have to go and see different departments and things which got messy.
On the upside I got to meet a couple new people who work in the village. We stayed in the Picnic cafe so long to use the wifi and eat that I now know some of the waitresses and their friends who do house keeping in the village. And they're all Australian! This area of British Colombia is a popular destination for Aussies it seems, they're everywhere. We also tried out the hot pools and had a very relaxed day.
Sunday night we got fooled into an all you can eat pizza restaurant. I say fooled because we all got really full, really quick.. but we made up for it in free lollipops afterwards. I enjoyed because the greys cup final was showing on the bar, which is Canadian American Football I think. Ottawa vs Calgary and the waitresses managed to explain to me the difference in Canadian rules, and once we got talking turns out one of them will be working with us on the mountain! Everyone is so interesting here, they work so many jobs and come from all over the world. Running multiple jobs or alternative careers during the summer is how you survive in this town and how you get to live in such a beautiful area. I'm figuring out if I have what it takes!
Last night we had a family meal of steak stir fry noodles and we discovered my housemate Michael may as well be a chef. It was lovely! At least I have someone to help me cook if it does go terribly wrong when I start cooking for myself. Yesterday was also fairly productive. I've set up my canadaian bank account with CIBC (the closest bank to my house) and we have set up a PO box so now I can receive mail. It's such a small town no one has post boxes or delivery here.
I'm trying my hardest to keep you guys informed about what's going on but it's really hard when we have such slow days! Love to all my familly xxx Until next time!
On the upside I got to meet a couple new people who work in the village. We stayed in the Picnic cafe so long to use the wifi and eat that I now know some of the waitresses and their friends who do house keeping in the village. And they're all Australian! This area of British Colombia is a popular destination for Aussies it seems, they're everywhere. We also tried out the hot pools and had a very relaxed day.
Sunday night we got fooled into an all you can eat pizza restaurant. I say fooled because we all got really full, really quick.. but we made up for it in free lollipops afterwards. I enjoyed because the greys cup final was showing on the bar, which is Canadian American Football I think. Ottawa vs Calgary and the waitresses managed to explain to me the difference in Canadian rules, and once we got talking turns out one of them will be working with us on the mountain! Everyone is so interesting here, they work so many jobs and come from all over the world. Running multiple jobs or alternative careers during the summer is how you survive in this town and how you get to live in such a beautiful area. I'm figuring out if I have what it takes!
Last night we had a family meal of steak stir fry noodles and we discovered my housemate Michael may as well be a chef. It was lovely! At least I have someone to help me cook if it does go terribly wrong when I start cooking for myself. Yesterday was also fairly productive. I've set up my canadaian bank account with CIBC (the closest bank to my house) and we have set up a PO box so now I can receive mail. It's such a small town no one has post boxes or delivery here.
I'm trying my hardest to keep you guys informed about what's going on but it's really hard when we have such slow days! Love to all my familly xxx Until next time!
Monday 28 November 2016
Induction to the resort
Saturday morning we got a lift up the hill from our boss Wil, so that we could all have the Panorama resort introduction and explain what they do here. Like where the kiddie ski day care centre is, pick up/drop off zones, nice cafes, looking at the hot tubs and getting all the inside intructor knowledge of the place.
They explained to us briefly how the year will go. It looks like we are going to be super busy which is great for me - I need the work! This year Panorama won a 'best resort' award which means bookings have been through the roof. Every holiday will be busy and we should expect to work Christmas! The instructors here are so enterprising, they all run jobs alongside instructing and have different jobs in the summer too. Our landlord is also a senior instructor, and a painter and employs instructors from the school all the time. I keep chatting to the staff around to see what jobs are going - I even hard that they do summer camps! Maybe that's something I should keep my eyes on.. at the moment though the best one I've seen for part time work is the local A&W, look!
It all incredibly beautiful with deep green trees engulfed in snow, in rows climbing up the mountain. The rocky cliffs look stunning when the sun hits them just right, to such an extent that every now and again we all just stop and admire the view. However there isn't enough snow to get on the mountain yet, so we start riding on Wednesday. Which means we were left to our own devices in town (Invermere) which is a nice little town, but it is dead. Because it's still preseason there's no one about! Shops open late and closer early and there is no one about! I can't wait till the season starts so Town picks up and we can start working!
It all incredibly beautiful with deep green trees engulfed in snow, in rows climbing up the mountain. The rocky cliffs look stunning when the sun hits them just right, to such an extent that every now and again we all just stop and admire the view. However there isn't enough snow to get on the mountain yet, so we start riding on Wednesday. Which means we were left to our own devices in town (Invermere) which is a nice little town, but it is dead. Because it's still preseason there's no one about! Shops open late and closer early and there is no one about! I can't wait till the season starts so Town picks up and we can start working!
Friday 25 November 2016
First Night in Invermere
Rocked up at the rack shack (my house for the next 5 months!) with my 5 sound roommates today. We all have queen beds and a big kitchen, living room and even a sauna!! It's going to be an epic season.
But we had to sort out rooms. The fairest way we could think of was an endurance challenge. Last man standing in a sub zero lake 10 mins from the house chooses first.. and then the next last person etc..
We are also so competitive and stubborn that everyone lasted over 10 mins waist deep in the lake, the final 3 went to around 20 mins, risking hypothermia and losing toes for bragging rights and the best room. It was hilarious and so dumb. My feet were solid blocks of ice for a good 30mins afterwards and I had no feeling in my legs. What are we doing with our lives. It was a good laugh though and our land lord thought it was pretty funny too.
Now we've had some warm food and a complimentary cup of tea from the local takeaway so who took pity on us. Now we're going back home for sauna, beers and card games. What a night!
But we had to sort out rooms. The fairest way we could think of was an endurance challenge. Last man standing in a sub zero lake 10 mins from the house chooses first.. and then the next last person etc..
We are also so competitive and stubborn that everyone lasted over 10 mins waist deep in the lake, the final 3 went to around 20 mins, risking hypothermia and losing toes for bragging rights and the best room. It was hilarious and so dumb. My feet were solid blocks of ice for a good 30mins afterwards and I had no feeling in my legs. What are we doing with our lives. It was a good laugh though and our land lord thought it was pretty funny too.
Now we've had some warm food and a complimentary cup of tea from the local takeaway so who took pity on us. Now we're going back home for sauna, beers and card games. What a night!
Thursday 24 November 2016
Vancouver
I'm currently at the travel lodge tonight before our trip to Calgary and panaorama tomorrow. I'm am absolutely knackered. Met so many new people today and it was a long day of travelling, and meeting so many new people. I've manned to my stay up till 9:30pm Canada time (6am Uk) to try and change my body clock but we'll see. Just been out in the freezing wind and rain to a nice grill restaurant with live NFL with some of the other interns. But my highlight today was the pikey bloke who was a row in front of us got kicked off our flight by police 5 mins before take off. Which made us 1.5 hours late. He was definitely on something.. just had a wrong feel about him and I think everyone was relieved to see him leave. But he managed to slip Matt - another intern his business card. Turns out he's called Charm Soda and has a great facebook page. We almost got in trouble for joking around about the predicament, but it was an exciting start to the trip for sure!
Here We Go Again!
Airport Blog!
My favourite. I love sitting down on the peripheral of a crowded airport, sipping over priced hot chocolate, writing about my next adventure!
I've just gotten all tried and sweaty lugging my massive suitcase and snowboard around, but now it's all sent off to magically reappear in Canada I can start getting hyped for my trip and start to meet my new snowboarding compadres. I've stocked up on food and water and even found the correct adapter, so I'm all set for my trip. It's going to be a long day! The destination however, makes it all worthwhile. 5 months in Canada, here I come!
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