Recalling the Snow as Summer Comes On
Posted: Jun 26th, 2007
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By 6:30am the coffee was brewing and by 7:30am we were winding our way up the ‘Sea to Sky’ towards one of the best ski resorts in the world: Whistler Mountain.
It was the last weekend Whistler mountain was open (Blackcomb remains open until June 3rd) and the final days of the 12th annual TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF)—a celebration of snow culture, art and fashion including all the gravity-defying thrills and adrenaline-fueled excitement that goes along with it.
Our timing couldn’t have been better.
Glorious sunrays illuminated most of the day. Up at the peak on Whistler Mountain, the higher altitude brought wildly fluctuating weather patterns of snowflakes, gusting winds, and moments of stillness in the sun. At lunch, we were able to bask in the sun while sipping a beer. Ah, life in Whistler.
Although only two days remained of the TWSSF (Whistler’s biggest annual celebration of music, arts, snow sports and culture), it was in full swing with mountain life at its finest. The last seven days attracted snow enthusiasts from around the globe for major professional ski and snowboarding competitions, legendary pro-photography and filmmaker showdowns, legendary arts events, live music and, of course, the best spring skiing and riding in the world.
Spring conditions abound with the sun sparkling on the snow, designer sunglasses replaced ski goggles and boarders sported long sleeved t-shirts instead of Gortex coats.
In the village, snow had turned into slush while massive display tents hosting DJ’s were spinning their latest grooves with crowds of people cheering them along. Undeniably, spring fever was in the air. On the slopes, ski and snowboard demos were offering up their toys at the top of the gondola rousing a thirst for the next season’s new gear. With never more than a minute wait for any of the lifts we got in a full day of fun, with no delays.
By early afternoon, everyone had come out to play. Pirouetting skiers dug their poles in the snow twirling around in a graceful dance, couples polka-dotted the mountain taking in the spectacular panoramic views while snowboarders whizzed through the terrain park sliding on and off rails, spinning and flipping as they soared off the jumps.
Après ski began before we even got out of our bindings as the live music of Toots and the Maytals reverberated up the slopes jamming away on the main stage at the base of Whistler Mountain during a free outdoor concert.
Sliding from one festival weekend wrap party to the next, we stopped by a private cocktail soiree at the Adera Hotel then found ourselves at BRAVE ART, an eclectic visual art exhibit showcasing street and graffiti art. As a part of a silent auction, the event featured spray painted body casts of various people (celebrities, too, including Pink), urban art hats, and custom designed surfboards each representing an individuality unique to the surf culture and global warming issues.
By 9pm we were at the catwalk of Fashion Exposed, Whistler’s seasonal fashion extravaganza showcasing next season’s new wears. By the end of the show, my boyfriend was convinced he needed a new snowboard and by the time we arrived back in Vancouver he was convinced we should move to Whistler.
Summer had not yet begun and already the promise of a fruitful aftermath was in the air because the buzz of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF) was sensational.
It was the last weekend Whistler mountain was open (Blackcomb remains open until June 3rd) and the final days of the 12th annual TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF)—a celebration of snow culture, art and fashion including all the gravity-defying thrills and adrenaline-fueled excitement that goes along with it.
Our timing couldn’t have been better.
Glorious sunrays illuminated most of the day. Up at the peak on Whistler Mountain, the higher altitude brought wildly fluctuating weather patterns of snowflakes, gusting winds, and moments of stillness in the sun. At lunch, we were able to bask in the sun while sipping a beer. Ah, life in Whistler.
Although only two days remained of the TWSSF (Whistler’s biggest annual celebration of music, arts, snow sports and culture), it was in full swing with mountain life at its finest. The last seven days attracted snow enthusiasts from around the globe for major professional ski and snowboarding competitions, legendary pro-photography and filmmaker showdowns, legendary arts events, live music and, of course, the best spring skiing and riding in the world.
Spring conditions abound with the sun sparkling on the snow, designer sunglasses replaced ski goggles and boarders sported long sleeved t-shirts instead of Gortex coats.
In the village, snow had turned into slush while massive display tents hosting DJ’s were spinning their latest grooves with crowds of people cheering them along. Undeniably, spring fever was in the air. On the slopes, ski and snowboard demos were offering up their toys at the top of the gondola rousing a thirst for the next season’s new gear. With never more than a minute wait for any of the lifts we got in a full day of fun, with no delays.
By early afternoon, everyone had come out to play. Pirouetting skiers dug their poles in the snow twirling around in a graceful dance, couples polka-dotted the mountain taking in the spectacular panoramic views while snowboarders whizzed through the terrain park sliding on and off rails, spinning and flipping as they soared off the jumps.
Après ski began before we even got out of our bindings as the live music of Toots and the Maytals reverberated up the slopes jamming away on the main stage at the base of Whistler Mountain during a free outdoor concert.
Sliding from one festival weekend wrap party to the next, we stopped by a private cocktail soiree at the Adera Hotel then found ourselves at BRAVE ART, an eclectic visual art exhibit showcasing street and graffiti art. As a part of a silent auction, the event featured spray painted body casts of various people (celebrities, too, including Pink), urban art hats, and custom designed surfboards each representing an individuality unique to the surf culture and global warming issues.
By 9pm we were at the catwalk of Fashion Exposed, Whistler’s seasonal fashion extravaganza showcasing next season’s new wears. By the end of the show, my boyfriend was convinced he needed a new snowboard and by the time we arrived back in Vancouver he was convinced we should move to Whistler.
Summer had not yet begun and already the promise of a fruitful aftermath was in the air because the buzz of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival (TWSSF) was sensational.
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Erica Gehrke
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