November Powder Shred

Hi all,

Just thought I would post a few photos from training last week taken by team mate Gen.

Technical training was called off with over 60cm in a few days and the 'rock boards' were strapped on to our feet. Although there was a lot of fresh snow, these early snowfalls really demonstrate why these mountains are called the "Rockies". I hit a few big rocks and had a memorable cartwheel through a fairly decent rock garden. This resulted in bruises on my back and yet another reason why I should organise myself to get a back protector. All in all it was a great week training - lots of fresh pockets to be had & a few glory turns under the chairlift that evinced yelps from the viewers riding up!

Fun times...

Hiking up for some late morning fresh turns off the gondola. Unfortunately due to avalanche danger the back bowls at Louise weren't quite open - the snow is unusually wet and sliding to the ground at the moment.

From the right: Coach Mike, Josh and Myself getting ready to take some turns.

"Aussie Powder Turn" - generally involves commando rolling yourself in as much snow as possible at speed. Mike has perfected it - here I failed by not landing back on my feet but enjoyed the sweet taste of powder!

Pretty stoked that it is only November!!!! January is looking like it could be quite fun with this base that has been building up. We went up to Sunshine yesterday and it was fun to get back to hitting the little drops & jumps around the Standish lift. There was at times train rag-dolling due to a lack of skill at stomping jumps & lots of laughing at the attempts. Mike managed to show us all up yet again really sending a couple of hits a few times. It is pretty awesome riding with someone who is so talented every day, I feel like I'm learning so much!

Praying for more snow in Canmore.

Hitting the Ground Running

I have been in Canmore for 9 nights now and life has been hectic to say the least. I have already completed 6 on snow training sessions and 7 dry-land workouts. I have appeared on the snow report "picture of the day" for Lake Louise (see previous post) and been to Canadain Tire TWICE [this is like Wallmart on steroids... enjoyable!]. In addition, getting to know my new team mates, hostel friends and searching for work in town means that there has been little time to sit around and enjoy the scenery. Which is still gorgeous.

The new look team has started off well with lots of laughter and some pretty epic sessions to be had. Josh, arrived on Sunday from Cold Lake, Alberta and was vomitting on our first team stair sprints session this morning. He won props for destroying himself the best! Gen and I have begun a mission to tell numerous fairly average jokes per day. If anyone has any suggestions for Chair-Lift jokes please post below. Allie, who picked me up from the airport, and I are having fun trying new drills, that inevitably involve a million squats and much leg burn as set by our program coach Mike.

Mike, Coach Adam's brother, has been great in his new role as our program coach, whilst Adam has taken up a more administrative position. Mike won the silver medal at the Vancouver Olympic Games and just riding with him is so helpful. We are constantly getting him to demo to perfection different skills, and his very athlete specific explanations for why certain things are important have helped me a lot in these two weeks. I'm really pleased where I am at for this time of year and I think that Adam and Mike are both stoked for me also. I'm riding so much better than last year and am so much stronger in the gym. It's only up from here!!

I am staying at the Hostel Bear - which has proved more enjoyable, quieter and cleaner than expected. I think I will stay here for the moment, save some money on household things and enjoy the opportunity to meet so many new people. I like coming home from a days training and not having to talk about boardercross. Most of the people here don't know what it is, and that suits me just fine!

Finding work is proving a little tricky. Although I was offered a job serving, they only wanted to hire someone full time which is not possible for me. Trying to find someone that can provide hours that fit with my schedule may be a little tricky but I'm sure something will work out. Hopefully as Christmas gets closer more positions will open up. It would just be nice to be earning some money, so I can occasionally go out for dinner or what not rather than being in extreme saving mode all the time. What will be will be I guess!

I hope that the sun is coming out over there and that you are all finished with exams or enjoying Christmas party season as applies. It is puking snow here so all is looking good for training tomorrow - Mike is scheduling mandatory powder turns this season!

A sample joke to get you laughing:
What happened to the cat who swallowed a ball of yarn?
It had mittens...!!

Sending you giggles from Canmore.

Lake Louise Ski Report

After my second day of on snow training I was amused to be told by Coach Adam that I had "made the ski report". Pretty sure we were meant to be doing technical carving training at the time, sorry Adam! My new Anakie Outerwear certainly stands out on the hill! Unfortunately they caught me in a particularly awkward moment doing my new trick which I call the semi-board slide, aided immeasurably by the fact that I'm on a race board!

Check out the link for the current snow report at http://skilouise.com/conditions/snow-report.php.

Life is great, cold, but great - it is fun playing "spot the difference" about town compared to last year.

Stay tuned for a more detailed report on my first week of the North American winter in a few days.

Smile for the Camera.

Bring on the end of Exams!

Guess how many sleeps until I'm back in the Rockies???????

Getting so excited now to pack my bags just trying to get through the rest of my University work. For. Ever. Wow. 

Have you ever heard that John Denver song Rocky Mountain High? I know you have - makes me excited!

Rocky Mountain High

He was born in the summer of his 27th year

Comin' home to a place he'd never been before

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again

You might say he found a key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away

On the road and hangin' by a song

But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care

It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

But the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye

Rocky mountain high

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below

He saw everything as far as you can see

And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun

And he lost a friend but kept his memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams

Seeking grace in every step he takes

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand

The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply

Rocky mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear

Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend

Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more

More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly

Rocky mountain high

It's Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

Friends around the campfire and everybody's high

Rocky mountain high 

It's been stuck in my head for weeks now and just keeps getting louder! I can't wait to get my Rocky Mountain High, albeit in Canada not Colorado!