Whistler/Blackcomb, Day 1 & 2

Well, I was going to write about my ski trip exploits every day, but the inter-tubes weren’t working yesterday, so I guess I’ll have to write a lot now.

Saturday, 3rd March 2007

Aaron and I’s journey started at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning. The first bad sign was the taxi driver that was supposed to take us to Dulles Airport called us because he got lost on the way to our house. The next bad sign was a gigantic group of people waiting near United-International with ski bags that said they had been waiting since 6 in the morning because their flight to Vancouver was canceled. Wait a minute. Aren’t I going to Vancouver?

The friendly United Airlines e-ticket machine cheerfully informed me that yes, a leg of my flight was cancelled (Denver to Vancouver). So Aaron and I had to rebook and go through Los Angeles, putting us in Vancouver at 6:35 PM, 6 hours later than our other flight. Whoopie. To cheer myself up, I waited in a line longer than the security line to get a Dunkin’ Donuts bagel, coffee, and donut.

Two hours later we were on the flight to LAX. Upon arriving, the friendly Air Canada agent said, oh, we might be putting you on standby on this Vancouver flight because we also canceled our flight today and we need to ‘take care of our customers first.’ So I guess when the United attendant told us we had confirmed seats from LA to Vancouver she was lying. Luckily, we did manage to get seats on that flight. But Aaron and I decided if we were going to get screwed and have to stay in LA for the night, we would buy some expensive alcohol from the Duty Free shop and go get loaded.

After arriving at Vancouver, the final straw would have been our luggage getting lost. Luckily, that didn’t happen but one piece of luggage (brand new) did arrive with one of the wheels missing, which made it exponentially harder to move. Two hours later, Aaron and I finally made it to the condo. I was yelling with jubiliation, but apparently a Quiet Zone is in effect after 10 PM. Go figure.

Sunday, 4th March 2007

It was a pretty typical morning. I was actually enthusiastic to go get my skis fitted and at least spend a half day on the slopes. I got some skis and some lunch, and Aaron, Chris, and I took the Whistler Village Gondola up to the top. I guess I should have gotten off at the midstation where the map had a big green box that said Easiest. Oh, no. We went right to the top. That’s when I learned the ‘easiest’ path down the mountain is not necessary the easiest run ON the mountain. Green slopes here are not like the green slopes at the other ski areas I’ve been to.

Some random assholes decided to pull their pants down and moon my sister when she was getting up after a fall. That really upset me. Other people we whizzing past and didn’t really have patience for slower skiers. Towards the end of the trail at the Creekside gondola I fell forward and slammed my left shoulder into the ground. I was right under a ski lift and people were heckling me from above. That really made me feel bad. I’ve decided I won’t be coming back to Whistler/Blackcomb for a while. It’s not very beginner friendly.

Also, I can’t really move my left arm. It was bad enough that I tried stopping by the health center. That’s when the fact I was in Canada really hit me. Universal health care meant all out of country residents were charged at least $400 (according to the sign) and any doctor/medical fees on top of that. I decided my shoulder didn’t hurt that bad. I did slam on the ground a few feet away from where someone was getting strapped into a body board to be taken off the mountain. At least I wasn’t that person :(.

The only fun thing was after getting back to the condo my sister managed to get everyone to play Karaoke Revolution. No one was into it at first, but eventually Aaron, Sean, Mrs. & Mrs. Crickenberger and Aaron’s aunt Kathy. The only people we chickened out and didn’t sing were Tim, Robin, and Aaron’s uncle Ray. Boo. Maybe more alcohol should be involved?

I am feeling pretty depressed right now because I can’t go out skiing with everyone else. I guess the really depressing thing is even if I wanted to I still would have to ski by myself because I can’t do the upper green and blue runs that everyone else is going to today. I’m really glad my sister is here, otherwise I think I’d be pretty lonely.

Maybe I’d rather be at work? :)