Big snow day today.

And I missed it.

It snowed a lot yesterday and last night, so today would have been a good day to go up the hill. I have one day left on my Edge Card (I bought a five-time ticket) and opted not to use it today.

The highway ended up being closed because of an accident, so nobody could make it up to Whistler unless they were already here. My flatmate (I hesitate to use roommate because in Whistler, that could mean someone you actually share a room with, or the whole house. I'll defer to the more accurate term that Brits use) Andrew went up (he has a full pass) and said it was awesome.

"Don't worry, you didn't miss much. Just a foot-and-a-half of glorious, fresh powder..."

He spent the day with experienced Whistlerites, and was shown good spots that aren't on the trail map. I've been on most of the ones he's mentioned, but apparently it was just awesome up there today.

I'm happy that it was a good day though. The snow's been mediocre this year, so today would have served to lift the spirits of the whole town. Whistler businesses are laying people off and people are abandoning town. This town is a sinking ship for those of us in the service industry, and it casts a pall on Whistler life.

You can read this article in the Pique, our local paper that comes out weekly.

Click here to read the article. Some excerpts:


Unusual local weather mixed with this instable world economy meant bad news for Whistler. Fewer visitors skied here than previous years as Ullr - the Nordic god of snow and unofficial Whistler mascot - failed to deliver his usual blanket of Coast Mountain powder. Worse, the snow pack is volatile. To date, there have been 16 avalanche fatalities in B.C. this winter.

According to Diane Foster, owner of Uniglobe Advanced Travel, her office has seen a huge rise this winter in the number of people leaving Whistler earlier then originally planned.

"We have been extremely busy changing the return tickets of people who had come for the season - and also booking new tickets - for people who are leaving early," comments an astonished Foster.

"We've never had so many changes of tickets. Ever."

A lot of the ticket changes have been for Australians and New Zealanders who planned to go to Europe after the winter season but now want to go earlier, explains Foster, adding that many European travellers also want to head east soon.

"Basically what everyone has been saying in town is their hours are being cut back and there is really bad skiing and no snow. There is no reason to be here, and financially they can't afford to stay," she confides.


So, amid the doom and gloom of a marginal snow season, it's great that a good snow day appeared to make everyone happy. For a little while at least.