Ready for another pow run.
I had a late start to the day this morning thanks in part to all the festivities that were in town this weekend. Rossland was going off with all kinds of rail jams, ice garden beer tents, and bar parties. With the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships here at Red Mountain Resort in its 9th season, the resort was bustling with armored and helmeted athletes mingling with the families on vacation. The athletes let a little steam out at the afterparty held at Rafters last night, and after joining them for a hearty pasta meal and some beers, Justin and I headed back to our hotel to party with our neighbors at the Rossland Motel.
Needless to say, the eggs and bacon brought to me in bed didn’t help me start moving around any quicker. The kitchenette in our two bedroom pad here at the Rossland Motel has been a godsend on our trip; finally we have a full refrigerator and a oven/stove to cook some meals. Such a slow start to the day had me worrying that I wasn’t going to make it to the hill, but then something just clicked. It must have been the 70’s figure skating movie that was on TV that finally provided just the right push to get out the door. In all seriousness, I watched a highlights edit of the Freeskiing World Tour stop in Revelstoke, and that got me pumped for the day.
I arrived at the hill, and minutes later I was seated on the new Silverlode quad talking up a 20-something local named Jason. He told me some stories about growing up in the Rossland area and confided in me how he found his passion for skiing again after having moved away for a couple of years. Now he’s back and up on the ski hill every chance he gets.
With Jason leading, we found ourselves on an afternoon mission for soft turns. The last storm almost a week behind us, Jason and I couldn’t believe our luck in finding soft, carvy snow all over the mountain. The north facing aspects definitely provided the most consistent and powdery conditions, but even the Slides on the frontside of the mountain had some great turns.
Snow’s on the forecast for tonight, and even the 2-4cm called for will make this mountain shred-ready again. Time to get some sleep, put down the Kokanee and get ready for tomorrow’s session.
Tags: BC, Chris Tatsuno, Christatsuno.com, Powder Highway, Red Mountain Resort, Rossland, rossland motel, Ultimate Ski Bum
