Conference bgsdev::skiing

    70+cm new snow over the course of the past week - base 233cm.  Temperatures 
    cooled down to -15C yesterday as yet another Artic Front made it's way
    down to Whistler.
    
    Conditions were hardpack everywhere but that suited me fine as I was
    skiing with a friend you who was after a day of high speed cruising -
    lots of long runs with no stopping; legs held out fine but my lower back
    muscles are feeling the after effects.
    
    	Owen.

    Some new snow during the last week but none expected for the next few
    days.  SPring skiing arrived early with gorgeous sunny skies and warm
    temps.  Base is currently 238cm with temps yesterday reaching 0C in the
    alpine and +5C in the valley.
    
    Skiing was good all over the mountain with soft slush on the lower
    sections and packed powder conditions in the alpine  The mountain was
    quiet until about 10:30am at which time the queues at all the lifts
    except Black and Orange Chairs started to really bulid up.  It was
    worth being on the mountain early to get those get those early
    uncrowded runs up in the Alpine.  Once the crowds arrived we just moved
    down and skiied the lower stretches.

    34 cm new snow over the weekend - base now at 255cm.  Wind was really
    strong on Saturday with Harmony and Peak Chairs closed but reopening on
    Sunday.
    
    Conditions were excellent in the alpine area with some great powder
    sections to be skiied (they didn't last very long however...)

    By our standards, huge overnight snowfall last night...
    
    69cm (27") new snow with snow currently falling at a rate of approx 5cm
    /hour.  Temps are mild at -3C in the Alpine and 1C in the valley.  I
    wouldn't expect the snow to be all that light or fluffy however. 
    Spring Break base is now at 322cm.

    Base 281cm...
    
    Weather over the weekend was sunny and clear.  Alpine temps about -8C in
    the morning warming up to 0C.  In the valley -2C warming to 12C.
    
    Alpine was hardpacked and dependent on the sun softening as the day
    wore on.  SKiout was in remarkably good shape given the time of season
    though I would recommend downloading as the lower slopes were very
    slushy - why wreck a knee when there's still many a day of skiing left
    this year.

From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]" "Rob Washington" 24-APR-1997 20:05:43.41
To:	"'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
CC:	
Subj:	Whistler Journal Vol. 2 #16 Apr 25 1997

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
  THE WHISTLER ON-LINE JOURNAL - Vol.2 #16 Apr.25
   Brought to you by Whistler Networks
        http://www.whistler.net
  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  IN THIS ISSUE

  RANTS & RAMBLINGS
  WHISTLER THIS WEEK
   * Whistler Announces Replacement of Redline and Green Lifts
   * Intrawest Will Spend $31 Million on Improvements
   * Transportation Study May Impact Mountains' Plans
   * Short Stuff
  ROAD ADVISORY
  WEEKLY WEATHER & SNOW REPORT
  EVENTS & RECREATION
   * Upcoming Events
   * Whistler Area Fishing Report
   * Golfing Update
  QUESTIONS? ANSWERS! COMMENTS.
   * Once Again, Extremely Canadian
  SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING INFORMATION
  CURRENT AND BACK ISSUE INFO

  See a Web-based version of the Journal at:
    http://www.whistler.net/links/Journal/

  Circulation Apr.24 - 2482
  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  RANTS & RAMBLINGS

  If you like spring skiing could there ever be a better reason
  to take an unscheduled holiday than right now. I can't
  remember conditions being better at this time of year. The
  runs down to the lower mid-mountain, which in essence IS the
  skiing experience in Whistler, show almost no rock exposure at
  all. And the bonuses are no crowds, and for the visitor, cheap
  tickets and accommodation.
  +++
  If life were so simple that all our wishes would come true! No
  sooner do I mention the problem with the Redline and Green
  Express chairs (last weeks issue) and what Intrawest might do
  to solve the problem, than Intrawest/Whistler Mtn. announces
  that they will replace the chairs in question. Read my mind or
  what? An excellent choice I might add, that Intrawest has
  made, but tell me something I don't already know. If,
  originally, Whistler had selected the Doppelmayrs that they
  will use now for replacements, then likely the mountain never
  would have been "assimilated" by Intrawest. There's nothing
  like 20-20 hindsight.
  +++
  Thanks
   Rob Washington
    Editor - [email protected]
   Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
    Email: [email protected]

   Need Resort Details?
   Contact: The Whistler Resort Association at:
    [email protected]

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  WHISTLER THIS WEEK

  * Whistler Announces Replacement of Redline and Green Lifts

  Intrawest Corporation announced Wednesday that the troubled
  Redline and Green chairs will be replaced with new express
  quad Doppelmayr lifts at a cost of $7 million Can. dollars.
  The two old Yan chairs had been refitted with new grip
  assemblies last summer, but had a poor performance record this
  season, with numerous shutdowns for repair and maintenance.
  The new Doppelmayr lifts will allow for an increase in
  capacity of 20% and will be ready for the 1997/98 ski season.
  Whistler Mountain's neighbour, Blackcomb Mountain, currently
  has 6 high speed quad Doppelmayr lifts in operation.

  * Intrawest Will Spend $31 Million on Improvements

  Aside from the $7 million that Whistler will spend on new
  chairlifts a further $24 million will be spent on new
  facilities and improvements.
  On Whistler Mountain the investment will include:
  1) A Pipe Dragon, a machine used to shape and groom the
  snowboard half-pipe.
  2) Several new snow cats plus minor upgrades to snowmaking.
  3) Summer trail grooming to improve early season ski
  conditions plus work off the Peak chair.
  4) Expansion of the bike park with an improved trail system.
  5) Work to start at Whistler Creek with flood control work and
  a new daylodge infrastructure.

  Blackcomb Mountain's improvements will include:
  1) New intermediate trails in the Crystal area and 60 acres
  of trails in the Catskinner Chair area including new novice
  trails.
  2) The terrain park will increase from 4 to 16 acres.
  3) The purchase of another Pipe Dragon.

  As well, $10.7 million has been set aside for employee housing
  with new accommodation going in near existing staff housing on
  Glacier Drive and more units in Millar's Pond.

  * Transportation Study May Impact Mountains' Plans

  A $300,000 transportation study by Ecosign Mountain Resort
  Planners and Reid Crowther Consulting Engineers may have a
  significant impact on the master plans for Whistler and
  Blackcomb Mountains. The purpose of the study was to look to
  the future to develop a plan to work with the 2.3 million
  visitors per year that are anticipated to visit the resort at
  buildout, up from the current 1.6 million.
  Some of the findings:
  1) While the Whistler Creek to Whistler Village section of
  Highway 99 is at its peak congestion in winter, the highest
  volume of daily traffic is now in summer.
  2) Whistler Mountain at buildout will require another lift in
  Whistler Village while it will not require another lift in
  Whistler Creek.
  3) Village North, and the day skier parking lots near it, will
  require a "moving sidewalk" into the Village lift area or
  perhaps a gondola to Blackcomb Mountain.
  4) Transit needs a free lane to travel in to encourage even
  more people (who tend to be mostly working residents at
  present) to use it.
  4) Staff housing (in particular Blackcomb) plays a significant
  role in keeping cars off the road.
  5) Encourage services that are found only in one area to be
  duplicated in others to avoid unnecessary traffic.

  * Short Stuff

  As the black bears come out of hibernation, and soon after
  start their early season foraging, conservation officials once
  again warn Whistler and area residents to store their garbage
  inside. Winter bird feeders, barbecues and virtually anything
  that has organic remains will attract bears and should be
  stored inside. Garbage habituated bears and those that become
  "comfortable with humans" such as hand-fed bears invariably
  end up being destroyed. There's no easy way to say it folks,
  they shoot them stone cold dead so don't leave your garbage
  out and don't feed 'em.
  +++
  The largest concentration of Bald Eagles in the world will be
  protected by a 420 acre site on the Cheakamus River near
  Brackendale (40 minutes south of Whistler).

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  ROAD ADVISORY

  Rock slope stabilization work will be underway at Tunnel Point
  from:
   April 21 to May 30
   Mon-Thurs 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
   Fridays   9:00 AM to Noon
   No work on weekends or holidays
    Phone 1-604-990-5200 for more info.

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  WEEKLY WEATHER & SNOW REPORT

  * Overall

  Once again we return to very favourable spring weather with
  mostly sunny skies throughout the week. Alpine temperatures in
  the early morning range from -6 to -3 C. (21-27 F.). Valley
  temps hover near the freezing level to start the day but can
  rise up to 18 C. (65 F.) on these warm spring afternoons.

  * Snow Conditions

  There was a light snowfall in the alpine last Sunday and a few
  centimetres (an inch or two) during the week. Very good
  conditions in the alpine, although variable depending on
  exposure, as would be expected in these constantly changing
  spring conditions. From treeline down, "hardpack on machine
  groomed" (somewhat icy) in the morning, softening by 11:00 AM
  and becoming heavier later in the day, especially near the
  bottom of the mid-mountain. As of Thursday morning Apr.24 the
  alpine base sits at 282 cm. (111 in.) down from last week's
  289 cm. (115 in.).

  Alpine:
  April 22: Sunny skies and STRONG high winds blow snow into the
  leeward northerly slopes. Conditions in the alpine continue to
  AMAZE. Snow varies from chalky carving snow on sheltered
  slopes to ice, sun crust and soft snow or slush on sunny
  slopes in the afternoon. And the mountain is more or less
  EMPTY.
  Mid-mountain:
  April 22: Positively balmy at this elevation by noon, as
  witness the usual yahoos in shorts! Icy in the morning and
  slush up to the top of the treeline, becoming progressively
  heavier as the day wears on.
  Lower mountain & ski-out:
  April 22: STILL  enough snow (will it ever end?) to ski out,
  but VERY deep slush by mid-afternoon. Many now are
  downloading. Download if you are unsure of your strength or
  ability to handle these conditions.

  Verdict:
   Good cold snow in the alpine on northerly aspects and
   spring-like conditions on the mid-mountain and very heavy
   snow on the ski-outs. Overall excellent spring conditions on
   Apr.22.

  * Backcountry Conditions

  "Avalanche danger during the cooler part of the day is LOW. In
  the afternoon on warm slopes the danger is CONSIDERABLE and
  natural avalanches are probable. Skier or snowmobile
  triggering of surface snow instability will be easy on some
  slopes." This is the last regular bulletin for the season.
  Thanks to the Canadian Avalanche Association. For full details
  see:
   http://www.islandnet.com/snow/aval.htm

  * Forecast

  Friday is expected to be mainly sunny with some cloudy periods
  and a slight chance of showers and a high of 18 C. (65 F.).
  Saturday will have a mix of sun and clouds while Sunday and
  Monday will be mainly cloudy with showers.

  For twice daily updates go to Environment Canada's "Coastal
  British Columbia Site" at:
   http://www.on.doe.ca/text/fpcn11.wvr.htm

  * Blackcomb's Daily Weather Report
     http://www.whistler.net/blackcomb/winter/today/main.html
    Blackcomb Map
     Defined in four regions: Great Beyond, 7th Heaven,
     Mid-mountain, and Base
      http://www.whistler.net/blackcomb/winter/explore/maps.html

  * Whistler's Daily Weather Report
     http://www.whistler.net/whistler/snow_con.html
    Whistler Map
     Defined in six regions: Harmony, Peak Chair, Green Express,
     Redline-Orange, Olympic, and Dave Murray Downhill
      http://www.whistler.net/whistler/mtn_map.html

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  EVENTS & RECREATION

  * Upcoming Events

  APR 19-20 26-27
   C.S.I.A. Level 1 certification course on Whistler.
  APR 19-20
   Mouton Cadet Spring Festival on Whistler.
   Hard Rock Cafe Speed Classic on Whistler.
  APR 25-28
   The Third Annual Multi-Glisse Traverse
    http://www.itv.net/extreme/projects.html
    http://www.webpool.com/extreme/
  APR  26
   Earth Day Festival & Exhibition - from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
   Earth Day Dance - from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  APR 26-27
   Parawest Paragliding has a meet on Blackcomb Mtn.-some tasks
   depending on conditions of the day.
    http://www.whistler.net/resort/activities/parawest/
    meet97.html
  APR 27
   Last day of the season for Whistler Mtn.
  MAY 11
   Time Permitting by Streetnix at Whistler Conference Centre.
  MAY 17
   Whistler's biggest house party #3 at Whistler Conference
   Centre.
   Summer street entertainment begins on weekends.
  MAY 17-19
   Blackcomb's Mountain Meltdown.
  JUN 01
   Whistler Mtn. opens for summer sightseeing.

 * Whistler Area Fishing Report

 Valley lakes are now clear of ice. Lucille Lake is getting 
 good chironomid hatches.

 * Golfing Update

 Whistler: - still snow on course(s)
  Whistler Golf Course - will open May 16
  Nicklaus North - plans to open May 10
  Chateau Whistler - opens May 15
 Pemberton & Points North:
  Pemberton Valley Golf - open
  Big Sky - open
 Squamish & Points South:
  Squamish Golf - open
  Furry Creek - open
   Low season rates till the end of April are as follows:
   Monday-Thurs (not inc. holidays)
   $45.00 per person (inc. cart)
   Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays
   $55.00 per person (inc. cart)

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  QUESTIONS? ANSWERS! COMMENTS.

  * Once Again, Extremely Canadian

   - Comment submitted by Simon P. Levine of Michigan

  "We had a great week in Whistler. I especially enjoyed the
  Extremely Canadian Program and after doing it on Sat./Sun. I
  enrolled my wife and kids in it for Monday and Tuesday. Greg
  Dobbins was nice enough to let me follow him and my kids
  around and it was a real blast seeing them attack Couloir
  Extreme, Ruby Bowl, and all the other steeps.  They really
  enjoyed the program. Another exciting thing I did with them
  was to hike up from Blackcomb Glacier to the top of the ridge.
  While it was hard work for them they really enjoyed the sense
  of accomplishment (and fresh tracks!) gained from hiking out
  of bounds.
  I have really enjoyed your reports this year. They added
  significantly to the anticipation and excitement of our trip
  to Whistler.  I hope we are able to return soon."

  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING INFORMATION

  SUBSCRIBING can be done from our Web page:
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  CURRENT AND BACK ISSUE INFO

  Miss an issue? Back issues as well as a copy of the current
  issue may be obtained at:
   http://www.whistler.net/links/oldnews/

  WHISTLER NETWORKS/ACCOUNTS
   Office:
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   Fax:
    1-604-932-0204
   Email:
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  The Whistler On-Line Journal may be reproduced in any medium
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% Subject: Whistler Journal Vol. 2 #16 Apr 25 1997
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