This year marked our third year to the wonderful world of Whistler, B.C. This year we were more prepared and more veteran to everything, but as always we had fresh fun and fresh adventures. The trip included 12 individuals (3 girls and 9 guys) in a 4-bedroom condo with a gas fireplace, large kitchen, and ski storage, with ski-in/ski-out access and a five minute walk into the heart of the village. Here’s my recap:
Friday:
Bryan and I reluctantly leave after a full day of work around 4pm. We make good time, stop for a fantastic dinner at the highly acclaimed Vij’s Rangoli for an Indian dinner, even earn a free chai for wearing Seahawks jerseys from our awesome friendly Canadian server, and make it to the condo around 11pm.
Saturday:
Group breakfast before bundling up for our first day out on the ski slopes. I spent the first day skiing with Bryan, Philipp, and his girlfriend Sara. We spent half the day at Symphony Bowl on Whistler and the second half at Blackcomb’s new chair lift with a short break for lunch at the Round House at the top of Whistler. Saturday night was lazy of all sorts. The whole group was pretty beat and settled into food and games inside to keep us busy. I helped Sara make the group a quadroupled batch of Southwest turkey chili, cornbread, and roasted vegetables and brownies. The chili was a hit and made a ton. We watched a Warren movie during dinner to excite us for our second day of skiing. Two rounds of Mafia before we called it a night.
Sunday:
Second group breakfast before heading out for day 2 on the slopes. Bryan and I decided we wanted to just ski with each other and had an absolute blast. We basically found a gem in the rough at Whistler Creekside and proceeded to ski the black diamond Olympic run, Dave Murray Downhill, over and over with a ride in the Creekside Gondola to warm us up each time. It was steep, fast, surprisingly good snow and a blast with my boy. After several hours we headed in with the group for lunch of leftover chili (great lunch), prep my pork and dress for the bar in our finest Seahawks gear. We settled into the Super Bowl an hour before kickoff at the Garibaldi Lift Company right at the base of the Whistler Gondola.
There were several Seahawks fans but not many as loud as us or in gear. Because Mark, Bryan, and I were wearing our jerseys we were pulled over before the start of the game to take shots of Fireball Whiskey with all those wearing Seahawks jerseys. Then I was asked by the bar manager, a Bronco’s fan, if I wanted to make a bet on the game; I did for $20. I was feeling confident but none more so than after the very first play. There the game went from good to great for the Seahawks and there was no turning back. For the first time ever in Seahawks history and first time for Seattle since 1979, Seattle earned a National Championship. We went through probably 10 pitchers of beer at our table, nachos, fries, chicken wings, and a lot of $$ later we went back to our condos victors and $20 richer (or you know, $450 bar tab – $20). We left the bar as the fire and ice show was starting and watched that while smoking victory Dominican cigars. Back to the condo we had my pulled pork, mac and cheese, and coleslaw waiting for us drunk victors. We were all so drunk and tired afterwards that most headed to bed or settled into a movie before doing so.
Monday:
Since we wanted to sleep in and the snow wasn’t that great at Whistler, Mark, Bryan and I decided to go snowmobiling instead. After group breakfast #3 and packing up and cleaning the condo, the three of us set off for our snowmobile adventure. We took a two-hour guided ride up into the mountains for some fast tracks and great views of Blackcomb, Whistler, and Black Tusk mountains. It was Bryan’s first ride and he absolutely loved it!!! The ride led us into a little cabin in the woods where we also received hot apple cider and hot oatmeal cookies. We left Whistler at 2pm and Bryan and I headed straight home, only stopping to take a look at the inside of the all-wood Richmond Olympic Oval which was absolutely stunning. As soon as we got back to Seattle we headed to our Fish Cake Factory for pad kee mao and green curry and I was in a state of rambunctious energy from the drive.
We again had a great trip to Whistler with many memories to remember.
Chelsea
More pictures to come.
Evolving in the Emerald City 