MS's heart told him to move somewhere with lower elevation and a longer golf season. And I really do mean his heart, damage from that huge MI was causing congestion that was made worse by living at elevation.
thanks for the update does he still get to ski sometimes? is it just living full-time at altitude that's the issue?
that would be correct if: a/ the garage we had was bigger than a bicycle space; b/ we actually had some snowfall; and c/ I was actually driving an Audi instead of this 'orrible Kia
As Sly said, MS managed a few massive heart attacks and he and the super cold+elevation don't get on well together. He and Danielle decided to sell up and buy a nice place in Kelowna where the altiude is eliminated (and there is a nice golf course too)
I knew about the first heart attack. Didn't realise he had more. Sad that he had to leave SP but great that he's enjoying a new Canadian life
As far as I understand, it was 4(?) big attacks in the one event. He had to be emergency driven by Danielle to Kamloops, then ambulanced to Kelowna. Very lucky still to be with us
Great that MS is playing one of the best golf courses in the country, there's plenty of the best in BC.
Drove up to Lake Louise (the lake) today. Some blue skies and beautiful weather. Some snaps from the drive. Same road from the other day but different direction and much better lighting
Will there be skiing in this thread? I mean Revelstoke, 7 ski outfits and not one flake has been molested w a s t e d ....
Lake Louise itself was quite serene. Temperature was minus 18 and my eyelashes froze. Quite busy, being a holiday period Unfortunately the lake itself was completely in the shadows of the surrounding mountains so lighting wasnt the best The zamboni machine was resurfacing the ice for the skaters, who were great to watch and there was a castle on the lake, carved from ice
You could have had a wonderful time skiing the 13mile green run and the top and lower chairs offer some lovely green/blue terrain. Certainly no more difficult than Sun Peaks or Thredbo with far superior views. Lake Louise would generally be steeper than Sun Peaks.
Smart choice. It’s your holiday! We don’t want you or Nik joining the forum injury rehab group anyway - especially when your holiday isn’t even half over yet. Don’t let the preferences of others be the judge of what works for you. If you weren’t happy with your choice you would’ve bought a pass and got on the hill. Woody, don’t be a dick. VMs, ticking off resorts, skiing everything in sight - that’s not the driver for everyone who spends time on this forum. For some just being in the snow and amongst the ski village vibe is the biggest buzz. I’m enjoying following Gareth and Nikki’s journey -as it is- pure enjoyment of winter and mountains, without all the macho steep deep and gnarly ballshaite.
Agreed LMB, I enjoy just being in the snow, doing easy stuff within my capabilities! I have nothing to prove to anybody.
Hey, I just pointed out the Revelstoke has some awesome green runs to counter the misinformation that it hasn't. TBC, who is a very timid green run skier loved her time at Revelstoke. It's a ski forum, which should at least try and be factual instead of stoking people's fears. Carry on
Spent today in Banff (or Ban-f-f). Well I think its official. Banff has to be one of the most majestic, spectacular towns in the whole world (and no I'm not talking from authority). The town is about 1400m ASL, surrounded by snow-capped mountains up to 3500m in every direction. Every way you look is breathtaking. Sorry Lake Louise (the lake), you lose. We caught the Banff Gondola up to around 2000m and then walked about 425m along a wooden boardwalk up to the top at 2200m, the temp was around minus 9 but the stiff breeze dropped windchill down to at least minus 15 or so - enough to make your exposed face ache. We had lunch there as well before heading back down to Banff and enjoying a wander around a very quaint, picturesque little town Banff - centre left Mt Bruce at around 2900m, with some unteresting horizontal features that snow doesnt want to stick to
I still vividly remember the first time I stood in the main street of Banff, it truly is an awesome place. Chamonix and Zermatt hold similar visual memories.
Your trip is looking genuinely epic Gareth & Nicki. Picked perfect day/weather for the driving parts, amazing pics.
Loving your photos. Banff is a truly beautiful place. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventure. Stay warm!!
I haven’t been to Banff. One of my closest girlfriends did a summer Banff/Lake Louise trip 10 years ago and I felt the same looking at her pics as yours - like it REALLY needs to go onto my bucket list! Stunning. And how I’d love to skate on that lake!
Banff is drop dead gorgeous, but don't write off Lake Louise (the ski area, not the hotel). The view from the top is really something.
You’re missing out. It is truly a very nice place. Too long a time there though could probably feel like the Gold Coast........ this is our 4th time there in a few weeks. The castle brunch at $75 odd bucks a head is possibly the best feast I’ve ever eaten. It’s a smorgasbord style but it is literally cooked in front of your eyes
Loving the report, great pics.. Not sure what you are using but you could try playing with the colour temp balance when shooting in the shade/bad light.. nothing that cant be fixed later though.....Looks bloody freezing..
I have been at Revelstoke for nearly 2 weeks, leaving today, and it is NOT a mountain for green groomers, it’s a big mountain for big skiers. Age group for the mountain would be 90% 20 to 30 year olds.
They are stuck in a difficult place. There is room out wide for novice terrain but they lacked the cash early on and didn't cut it. That quickly led to a reputation as a mountain for advanced and expert skiers, which in turn limits the visitor numbers and cash flow. And that of course leaves them perennially short of cash to build the lifts and runs they need to serve green and blue run guests. So Revy is a decade on now; they opened right on the start of the GFC and have struggled to make a buck ever since. Do you borrow more money and build the terrain needed to make it a family resort? Would need a long and large marketing campaign to convince families that "New Revy" is for them.
From their website (in regards to future development) - "The phasing of commercial and residential development is carefully balanced with on-mountain life and trail improvements. The timing and scale of the build-out will be determined by a variety of factors, the most important being market demand." Imagine there is quite a few who like it how it is now?
1. For better or for worse, they occupy a niche now. 2. New lifts, run cutting and maintenance. It all costs money.
Wife spoke to a guy who brought land when it opened 10 plus years ago, didn’t sound like he was short of a quid, and he said he and others who also brought are still waiting for building approval. Said there is a helicopter pad for them though! The other problem is the housing blocks were sold as ski in ski out are actually not...
Will they be ski in ski out when all planned lifts are installed though? Cart before the horse maybe.
Nobody has ever said it was a "mountain for green groomers". Many experiences are shaped by fears instilled by gossip. If you can ski Thredbo top to btm you can ski and enjoy Revelstoke. carry on
Very true, can also be applied to most renowned 'expert mountains'. Beginning with an orientation session of one or two runs, I can keep a mixed group of intermediate and expert skiers happy all day at places like Apex or KH. Find the one or two key places for the group to rendezvous after skiing their preferred terrain and they can ski as a group all day.
We lived Banff and I tend to agree, if there is a more spectacular town in the world, I haven’t been there yet but would love to add it to the list. I also got the vibe in town as I looked at the mountains, that I expected to see people climbing them and genuinely enjoying adventures. Unlike say Queenstown NZ which is stunning but full of commercial adventures. I just did t get that feeling of a true adventure undercurrent. Could not agree more, Lake Louise ski resort is one of the prettiest resorts I’ve ever skied (not that I’ve skied lots) but I just can’t see how one could better it.
Unfortuantely I'm no photography expert, but despite the sun, its quite flat light and hazy which makes it more difficult to pick between the light and the shadows
Spent this morning at Lake Minnewanka (yes @JoeKing they named a lake after me!), which is near Banff and we spotted it coincidentally wnen up the Banff Gondola yesterday so decided we had to explore today. A mild day, with a brisk breeze. What was very interesting was listening to the ice creak and groan as the wind influenced waves on the lake moved the ice A few nutters there decided to walk on the ice, despite the noise, and despite some places being so thin the water was lapping through
