Jay's Report - February 06, 2005The Perfect StormLike a lot of the locals, I gazed at the lighting storm on Friday night getting grouchier (with a capital �B�) by the second. There was also concern that after the pineapple express ran it�s course, we would need a certain type of storm; otherwise, the avalanche hazard would be too extreme for there to be a proper reopening of runs. Then it came. The Perfect Storm. It started out wet and soggy and transformed into powder. That�s exactly what was required for the snow to be able to bond properly. The result was a manageable avalanche hazard and (with the hard work of the ski patrol) an open ski hill. But for a malfunctioning avalanche gun, the entire hill would have been open. There was lots of it too. The hill reported that The Perfect Storm dumped 34cm but I had 40cm of it in the driveway. White gold. BC tea. It was deep - over the head on Currie, Cedar Bowl, Saddles and Corner Pocket. It was all good. The pictures don�t tell the whole story. We were going way too hard quenching our powder addiction to stop for pictures. The other thing is, it�s better when you don�t expect it. It was apparent no one else expected it either. There were no line ups; like, none. It was just the crazed Fernie powder addicts that were awarded with their loyalty. For those that didn't make it out - bad call. Thanks to all for your spiritual rituals in coaxing the Griz back to life. Some burned skis, some didn�t step on cracks, some did a little prayer, some shaved their head, some even got married (congratulations Megan). I once read of a guy in Steamboat Springs who, as a supersticous ritual for encouraging the skies to be generous, use to stand on his head, naked, with an apple in his mouth. I�ve never done that. But I was thinking of it on Friday. P.S. The annual Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) fund raiser was Saturday night and was a huge success. Good thing they waited until Saturday. Everyone was in a good and giving mood!
|
|