Night out in Nelson

Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Nelson, BC. ITs about 300ks from Fernie and we decided to fang down as Ash Grunwald was playing at one of the bars there! So Stu and I left early Saturday for a short and sweet road trip. It was the beginning of a trip of perfect timing!!! As we arrived in Nelson we didn't muck around  so we could get a half day of riding at the mountain there..Whitewater. First we made sure we could buy tickets so hurried to Spirit Bar and bought our 10dollar tickets and picked up a free poster. We gained an hour with time travel and rocked up to the mountain at 12.10pm their time....tickets for half day went on sale at 12.15! Yipppeee. Our first chair up (very dodgy looking) then gave me a feeling that it was gonna be one of those trip where everything goes our way when we boarding chair NUMBER 9! my favourite number. So we rode for a little while, did some sweet shadow tricks, lots of tree runs in Whitewater which would be unreal after a dump however were a little chopped up when we went except for our last adventure where we made our own way through freshies closer to the car. Tick...whitewater done and dusted. Then back to town to check into our motel before heading out for something to nibble before seeing Ash. NElson does not have the Australian numbers like Banff and FErnie so the venue wasnt packed but everyone was up and dancing awayyyyy....unreal. We shared a cab back to the hotel with a local who told us to hit up Ainsworth hot springs...so we did.
The next morning after pocketing free jam from the complimentary breakfast stu and i headed to the hotsprings down the road. We stopped on the way and walked down to the Lake's edge to skim rocks and check out the area. Was a warm day and was quite spectacular as the mountains backed the massive lake...many things still look fake because they are just so amazing. Collected a rock for mum as a souvenier and heading onto the hot springs. Ainsworth springs have caves you enter through the mountain that you swim through....very cool (or hot)

The dude we shared a cab with also told us about a ferry that transported vehicles across the lake for freeeeeeee!!! So we left the springs and drove to the dock where the cars were all driving on as we rocked up....perfect timing. The ferry was a wicked way to check out the views around the lake and all the houses that line it, would be an amazing ski area in the Summer that for sure. Off again, destination Fernie, awesome stint to Nelson.

Powder day

We got 16cm today yew!!! Went boarding with Stu early enough to get some fresh runs. Our roommate Harmen did not have a great day however...he hit a tree and broke his leg!!!! We visited him in hospital but he had to ride the ambulance to Cranbrook (about an hour away) as he needs an operation! Bugger it!

Time here is flllyyyiinnnggg by

It has been quite some time since I have added to this blogg! I wont get slack though. Over the past few weeks we have been trying to get up to the mountain as much as possible, even if it is only for a couple of hours. Makes it difficult as the nights out here end up rather large and sometimes find some of us waking up at 7 am in a hot tub wrinkled like white prunes!! haha.
Dennis, Stu, Lehan and I did another Banff trip before picking up Lehan's brother and sister in law from Calgary which was fantastic to catch up with that crew over a drink or many. The trip to Calgary and back to Fernie the next day was painful. I was crawled up in a ball in the back of the van unable to deal with life. We picked up Kristian and Greta from the airport and on the way home were pulled over by the cops for a speeding warning...meanwhile i was covered up in the back not moving or breathing so he didn't see me! Luckily we were off again, back home and back to my bed where unfortunately I stayed for the next 4 days, sick,  my late nights had finally caught up with me.
A Few dumps here and there with warm weather to follow. It has been pleasant riding in conditions where your toes don't feel like they are about to snap off. Jared had a day at work where he had to dress up as a wizard so I got to be the creator for his costume (his beard was made from some granny undies and mop head strings..wicked)
Valentines day was also awesome. We had a group of us have dinner at the McLeod residence, with Lehan in charge of decorations, Stu and I in the kitchen, Jared getting the cider and everyone  bringing a 5 dollar v day gift for a lucky dip. Some very funny presents...some R rated (eg candy penis's and g-bangas with clever slogans printed on the front).. but all in good fun. Once again the night turned into morning with us finally taking ourselves to bed around 5.30. This week the plan is to head to Whitefish to ride and also to Nelson on the weekend to watch Ash Grunw play!!! I am starting to forget what day is what on this killer holiday!!