The Week Before Christmas

This week has been a fantastic one for skiing. Successfully hitting all the local "Big 3" resorts. Those being Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay. It's safe to say I've come on leaps and bounds with my skiing, which genuinely feels great. Confidence is slowly growing due to being pushed to my limits by the guys and gals. Smashing it down double black diamond runs.. yep when I say smashing I literally mean smashing... my ski came out as soon as I dropped in and I ingested most of the mountain, hence being covered in powder. But the smile on my face says it all. Such fantastic conditions. I've skied everything from groomed pistes to fresh, meter deep, powder. Running off piste and going through trees, carefully I might add. I still have so much to learn but it feels great to be able to go down a moguled black run without hesitation. It also helps that I have now increased my dins on my bindings to the appropriate level for my weight.. hence the skis coming off. Tit!!

In addition to this, and to anyone that knows me, it's fair to say I'm pretty competitive. So when these two cool cats rock up and and are the only other skiers in our group, and are kicking my butt down the hill.. I have to turn it up a notch. Safe to say I've got a long way to go but it's a blast. Steph (blonde) and Faye (brown) have been skiing since they were young and I'm not ashamed to be beaten by these chicks. God they're quick!! 

One of the best attractions locally are the hot springs. All natural so you get the waft of sulphur.. mixed with a wee bit of chlorine for good measure. This place is actually incredible and the best way to recover the tired legs from skiing. It was snowing when we went, and with 40oC water, it makes for a fairly majestic setting when looking over the mountains. Will definitely be hitting this place up on a regular basis.

Afterwards, we kinda missed the bus so ended up stopping off at the local 5 star hotel.. dried our sloggies on the fire and sipped G&Ts.. to which the aussies among us were impressed with the Hendricks and Cucumber.. with the obvious splash of Fevertree.. So good!

For the rest of the time, we've been attending the weekly wine wednesdays.. always a good night locally leaving a whole town a little worse for wares on thursdays. Having said that, Sunday Funday as well as, well, most nights thinking about it leaves most of the local residents with a sore head. Pictures below of Adam, trying to sit on Santa's lap are an example of some of the "hilarities" that ensue following half price vino.

Then there was the skiing at Norquay, with my fellow ski bum Dan (Danny Wade - Best Boarder on the mountain). This was just brilliant. Sitting lower than the other two resorts, it struggles for the snow, but a fresh dump of the white stuff meant there were a couple of really fun runs. Ducking under the ropes to hit the closed areas was so fun. Reminder to self, don't boast of doing so to ski patrol, they weren't impressed. Oops. Was worth it though. 

Dan and I both agreed the best way to explain Norquay is that it's just very pleasant. So quaint. It's size meant we completed it in a few hours, setting us up well for our own little Apres session. 5 pints later we were well and truly pickled to everyone's amusement when we got back to the hostel. 

In addition to all the skiing and fun i'm having I suppose there has to be a little of the culture and cuisine of Canada. I mean, this blog wouldn't be anything without the occasional mention of some of the canadian sugary treats that give it it's name.. so after much anticipation here's Chicken and waffles.. yep as a lover of the Chicken Nug, I couldn't give this a miss. Fried chicken, on a waffle, drizzle in copious amounts of syrup. YAAAAS!

As for culture, it's widely known the Canadians are essentially born with skates on their lil old feet. So it's of no surprise that when they started watering the park, to which Adam mentioned they were stupid because "don't they know that'll just freeze". Hand to forehead.. yeah mate, that's the point. HA. So it was great to see all the local children out practicing their ice hockey skills. This is actually something I really want to give a go. Looks so fun.

So now, I'll leave all of you in piece to enjoy the Christmas period and New Year. Plans are to go skiing in the morning and then cook up a storm for the gang at the hostel. I'm on potatoe duty so best not ruin them or there will be hell to pay. 

Merry Christmas everyone! x

Sun, Guns and Prodigal Sons

So it’s that old question, what do I want to achieve from this experience? 

Certainly not another 40hr working week on minimum wage. So after some a short but interesting experience working on the mountain, I handed my notice in. Yep, I lasted a whole two weeks. Ha. Full credit to the lads up there but my god I was not enjoying that job. I was told I’d get to ski on ride breaks and after two weeks I managed to go on one ride break. Yep, it’s not why I went up there. So I’m a full time ski bum again and a happy one. 

However, looking back, there were a few good things. The lads I worked with were hilarious. The people up there were genuinely great and I got to drive skidoos, sometimes all the way down the mountain. Actually this was so fun, and something not everyone can say they get to do. 

But let's focus on some of the more important things. What are the highlights of this week, outside of working in a warehouse? Well, our 4th amigo has returned. Adam, the youngest of our room, and our very own Joey Essex, had to unfortunately head home for a week for his Grandmothers funeral. But on his return he has brought a number of treats, most importantly, Adam’s mother purchased some heal cream for me.. questionably possibly his now late grandmothers. But it could be his other “Nan’s”.. either way, it’s working a treat. Cheers Mum, Cheers Nan.

In addition to this, something else that has given me great pleasure was getting back on the slopes. I can't tell you enough how happy this has made me. Being injured and out of the loop has really tested my patience. We headed to a new area,  Lake Louise. This is possibly my new favourite place, certainly my go to weekend ski destination. 

The runs are crazy long and for some reason, very European. Yes the pictures I have put up are from the post on FB and Insta, but they highlight how pumped I was. Whilst it has only just started to dump some serious powder Lake Louise was great, if not hilarious for the random icy patches that catch Boarders out and create what can only be described as bomb-burst. 

As for the unexpected visitors, well, the other night at 4am two armed police officers entered and searched our room, guns drawn, proceeded to shine torches into our faces, asking if we were on our phones and were we called Michael? Sleepy responses was pretty obvious it wasn’t one of us. Dan didn’t even wake up.. just groggily answered, “I’m Dan”. He thought it was part of his dream. All I can remember was the two officers coming in and my first response was to ask, "how can I help you gents?" Typically British.  As for my friend Michael, who just happened to be on his phone, questionably watching cartoons at his age, and at silly o’clock. Well he’s very lucky the officers were so calm. 

It turns out, someone had called the front desk of the hostel saying they had guns and a bomb. They had hacked the hotel cameras and had a voice changing box thing. All rather sophisticated for a prank. Full credit to the police though. Very professional. 

So what else has happened?? 

A train turned up with a lot of lights on, it crosses all of Canada. Basically the coca cola truck but on rails. A band plays Christmas songs and there is free hot chocolate. Probably the biggest thing to happen to Banff all year. Was actually pretty cool and certainly got me in the spirit of things. Which reminds me, I need to finish writing my Christmas cards and send them.. Canada has a postal strike and this could cause chaos. 

And other than that, the gang I’ve made here are lovely. We go out to various bars and pubs. Last night was a music bingo where they play music and you have to cross off the songs on the sheet. Things managed to get a but rowdy and whilst casually queuing at the bar a guy randomly started punching me in my face. I mean, normally I deserve this sort of thing and never get punched for making a comment or doing something stupid but when you are just there minding your own business it’s not fun. Luckily I just grabbed his hands once I realised what was happening and took the first few punches like a champ. Sort of ruined the end of what was a very fun night listening to various absolute bangers from the past few decades and drinking with friends. Never did find out what the guys problem was. 

The below photos are of work (never to be again) and Dan, Steph, “Joey” and Amy. It took me a while to realise the reason behind Dan’s creepiness.. he’s tweaking Joey’s jumper. Which also reminds me, time to visit the thrift shop and get myself a horrible Christmas jumper. 

Some lovely spots at Sunshine. Looking forward to skiing here more now.

Hench Truck F350 on tracks. Never got to drive this but it was pretty cool.. but only used for rubbish.

Shot overlooking Sunshine village at the top.

Until the next update. 

Nothing but healing and minimum wage

So it's been a while, but I'm not sure whether you all noticed, I kinda hurt myself... Just saying. It's actually been a really frustrating few weeks. The last time I did something this bad was at Prep school dam push off tiles was a brutal game. Some say the origin of the Hunger Games. I basically died.. I mean I had a really nasty cut on my right knee. This time, it was ever so slightly worse. Anyway, not to go on about it as the first week was pain free. A breeze some would say. Only minimum hobbling, not to mention getting everyone's sympathy. This was especially felt when I attended the weekly bar crawl from the hostel. Sober I might add. Ending up in a night club where your right leg is out stretched at an angle on a bench to take the weight off the cut but still bopping away buzzing off all the diet pops and fruit juices. I've never had so much attention. I think the Canadian females had never seen such incredible static dance moves. 

Yet when the next morning came, little did I know the pain relief injection would wear off at such a crucial point. Typical. So it's been one of those periods where basically I'm drugged up on Ibuprofen and just resting up.

So in the meantime, what have I been able to do? Well, whilst staying stationary on my bed letting everything heal up.. I sowed my ski pants back together.. a life skill taught to me by Mrs Shergold during my textiles class (Age 11), see below.

I'll be testing the stitch work soon hopefully. And I should probably mention that one of the biggest reasons I wanted to minimise pressure on my leg, and get it as healed up as possible, was because I accepted a job offer and didn't want to begin with a mild disability, outside of my Dyslexia.

So after declining one position, and having put my name down for multiple others, it appears as if my CV was passed around the mountain. So what is the position? Well it was described to me as someone who will be in logistics and up on the mountain. And with a job description so vague that the people in HR had really outdone themselves, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. Apparently I get to drive ski-doos though so I was pretty excited. 

Well having now completed my first few days I'm a little more informed. I'm a warehouse attendant. Yep, basically the mountain equivalent of a Tescos shelf stacker, and on minimum wage to boot. What more could a man want or put his Engineering Masters towards. Anyway, if it allows me to extend my time here and is interesting enough then why the hell not. I haven't turned my back on my career, just put it on hold. But this will certainly add to my life skills, just not what's on LinkedIn.

I would like to add that this week we lost a friend from our little band here at the hostel. One of the first people I met in Banff was a relatively sophisticated, passionate cook called Cole. This guy is an absolute wizard in the kitchen and is a crazy skier on the slopes. Popping 360s off gnarly cliff drops. It's been brilliant skiing with him. Unfortunately he's left us now for the season. Sad times indeed but he's gone to another resort further to the West, Big White,  and we have said we'll go visit him. Plus it'll be a nice change of scenery. SO here's to you Cole, and your questionable dress sense. 

Cole sending it to the year 3000.

So what about those stitches. Well i'd be damned if I was going to go into a clinic and get someone to take them out. So I did it myself in what is actually a simple procedure. I only slightly concerned myself when I didn't know if one of them was absorbable or not.. having tried to yank it out and feeling sick from the pain, I determined it was most likely that and it was fine to leave it in/ I hoped it was as there was no way I could get it out without opening the wound. Pics below highlight Dr Bridges at work. Fun times.

A tidy job if I do say so myself.

So as for everything else. Job is 5 days a week. the norm is back and I'm trying to enjoy life out here. Below is the view from my "office" and we move various packages and items around the mountain. I'm happy. The team is good. Everyone is Aussie here, feel sorry for the one Kiwi. I'm looking forward to getting back on the ski's by the weekend and hopefully having more to write about.

Completed my first day!

Everyone loves Hi-Vis, and a moustache.

Something I have noticed is the lack of safety culture I have become so familiar with from the Oil and Gas Industry. So far I have been trapped in a lift on my first day at work and had to wriggle out. A large bin has almost squashed me twice and the HSE element that is always churning away in my head has gone ballistic. Not to mention the safety engineering side.. something quite different to HSE but still equally important, I've legitimately thought of a load of ways to improve their systems to make life easier already but firstly it's my first few days, secondly there's no money in this industry, and thirdly I'm on minimum wage ffs and it's not likely going to change. So for the moment, I'm trying not to kill myself anymore and enjoy the skiing, when I get back to it.

Slicing and Dicing - My Full Jerry Moment

Oh the highs and lows of this experience are unparalleled. From having a great few days skiing, having an interview and accepting the job, to injuring myself in what is questionably  a "Jerry of the day" moment. For those that are unfamiliar with this term,  "being a Jerry", it equates to doing something pretty stupid whilst skiing/ snowboarding, and I went "Full Jerry", but I'll explain later.

 

Cloud formation over Sunshine Village resort - I'm trying to work out where I am as per usual

In the mean time, I'll describe a few of my goings on. So the weekly Hostel bar crawl was another success, and the hangover cures in town are arguably the biggest I've ever seen. The Canadian's are showing me they are incredibly American in many subtle ways, but what isn't subtle is their breakfast options. To which there are many, including chicken on waffles. Yes that's what I said.. Fried chicken on a waffle. Mind (and waist line) blown. But I stuck to what I've come to rely on as a Bruncheon fav, Eggs Royale (smoked salmon) with Avocado... #SorryNotSorry and yes, you can take the posh boy out of England but... well you know the rest.

Hangiver cure

So how I went Full Jerry?

So it all started on a crisp autumnal Tuesday morning. Dan and I decided to go "shred some pow", yep, that's the equivalent of a normal person going skiing. I was already feeling slightly rough possibly from something we ate the day before, absolutely nothing to do with alcohol but I can't confirm that. We had a few lovely runs and we couldn't believe our luck with how lovely a day it was yet there were hardly anyone on the slopes. Blue sky and not too much wind. Getting onto the snow and a few runs down. I was gaining my confidence, starting to push the turns tighter, messing about hopping over berms and wee jumps. Everything seems to be going great. Stopping off for a water break and I dropped my bag so I could see what it feels like for once not taking it.. this could be where I went wrong. ME LUCKY BAG!!!

But yeah, we met up with friends from the hostel. JB and Nadine, who would come to be those on either side of me on the next chair lift..oh the fateful Wa-Wa chairlift.

So it all happened in about 5 seconds, but as we were coming off it was a bit of a jostle and I remember everyone converging onto a path in front of me. JB wasn't pushing left and Nadine was skiing into my path. I stating saying push left, push left, as I felt Nadine leaning more into me but as my left ski was up against JB's board I had no where to go. Losing my balance, I did the honourable thing and fell on my sword (ski). At first I got up and jokingly mentioned my annoyance at JB, wasn't his fault, for slicing my salopettes. Then when I opened the tear in the trousers, a load of red came out. My first thought was... heh, well I can't feel anything so it's probably not too bad. Well... I was wrong. A little anyway. 

Having pulled up my right leg, the blood started to dribble down somewhat. What happened next is something I've reflected on quite a bit. My reaction and what followed suite. I took control. Whilst being in good spirits, I told people what to do around me. "Someone go get a first aid kit". "You, apply pressure here". "I need to raise my leg". Yes I have had first aid training both since I was a lifeguard as well as being a reservist.. but you always wonder how you might react in situations like this. Posing for photos and making jokes until first responders came. When they arrived. I assisted them by applying the dressings and tying the bandages. Asking if they'd brought me my flat white coffee on their way up. Below are a few images, some you might want to look away, but I'll explain as I go along.

A crate was brought down from the lifty hut and Nadine can be seen applying pressure on the wound. It was only a few minutes before the responders turned up.

Hopping into the Bloodwagon (sledge of shame) I had a great time being ski'd down. These guys are decent skiiers and I have to remember to go get them and the medical team a crate of something.

The short but sweet ride down was actually pretty awesome. The dudes that took me deserve a medal. On entry to the medical centre, thankfully at the bottom of the run, I was met by a very professional crew. I was chatting away and assisted where I could. 

As you can see, it's not a small cut but luckily having recently tuned the skis it's super neat. Literally like a knife through a steak, but I'm the steak. 

I should also probably mention, the chap holding my leg is JB. He also comically fainted flat out and had to be looked after when he watched the doctor inject my cut. Granted that was actually the one bit that was teeth clenchingly painful. 

FYI Dr Butler, who stitched me up, is actually a full time airline pilot who fly's 767s for a day job. Amazingly he's also a fully qualified doctor and on his days off from flying he's on call up the mountain. Legend!

So enough of the gory stuff. What else have I been up to? Well clearly it's one non stop party. Hitting up the hot springs in Banff. Yep, naturally occurring and just the place to go when you can't get your leg wet.. Fun times.

 Hot springs!!

So the saga continues and it's 10 days until I can take my stitches out, to which I'm on antibiotics so no booze and hardly any movement. Whoop, great season. Oh and whilst I have accepted a job up on the mountain, it was offered to me because the other guy had hurt his leg. Yep, so it was a tricky one explaining to my new boss that I might need to delay my start date by a week because I too had hurt my leg! What a plonker. Only I could do something like this.

To work, or not to work...?

What to do, what to do? It's been an interesting week. I've declined job offers and I've received job offers. So I'm currently pondering whether I want to work at all this season. 

In the meantime, I've been having a great time at the hostel, being the oldest one here, but still getting involved in all the antics. 

The hostel hosts a pub crawl every Sunday and last week we had 95 people on it, ending in me looking after one of the workers from the hostel in Mackies at 2am. I vaguely remember mentioning "I'm just here for the Nugs!" when the manager threatened to call the police, shortly followed by a scene out of Team America and me having to clean up a lot of his vomit. Ahhh the things I'll take away from this experience. Anyway, I should also make special mention to spotting some interesting apparel whilst out in the town. The future is now people! You can take your pet anywhere, but it has to be in a "pokeball" themed rucksack, with vision bubble. 

And it's definitely turned from Autumn to Winter here. The first real dump of snow has also occurred and the temperatures rarely rise above -5C. All of which has lead me to finally getting my Season ticket!! 

So yeah, yesterday was my first day on the mountain. I'm incredibly fortunate to have some good people at the Hostel that I've come to spend most of my time with. Such a rich, diverse background and nations - not many and all English speaking (Aussies, Canadians, Brits (can't help it)) but they are hilarious. But importantly this is why I'm here!

So after declining one job that wanted me to live on the mountain, where you can't get back to the town due to the times of the gondola, I'm now apparently sort after from Sunshine. So the ball is in my court for once, which is nice. 

Come Monday I'm going to have a chat with another chap from Sunshine Village and see what his offer is. Until then, lets ski!

Failure to be.. a failure (of sorts)

So it's been a week or so since my last update, apologies for that, I was waiting to write about all the exciting times ahead working for Sunshine Village Ski Resort buuuuut I can't. Or at least yet anyway. 

It's the job I was waiting to hear back from. Well a job still might be on the cards but in a different position. Feeling rather melancholic about it all at the moment. I had an interview but didn't get the job. The interviewer has now passed my details on to another person and they will contact me directly.. but they haven't yet. (Hand plant to head). Mean while another week goes by, not to mention the guys and girls I've made friends with in the Hostel have all either found jobs elsewhere or started at Sunshine. I must admit, I haven't missed the applying for jobs, going through the rigmarole of interviews, getting back a polite but inevitable "shit sandwich". But it's early days and I have to remember why I'm here. 

SO what have I been doing whilst waiting on Sunshine? Well I haven't been completely stagnant. At the start of the week, Chris's friend Emil, Chris's partner Denise and I have actually had an awesome few days hanging out. From finding my love of flannels in Marks (not Spencers). We headed up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, for the first of multiple times. This was hilarious especially the hot cider at the top and the Gondola ride down. Loved it!

So after those guys left, I found myself waiting on the phone call/ email for the interview, prepping for the interview.. and waiting post interview. Because of all this I had time to explore the surrounding area. Not to mention in those few days it dumped a load of the good stuff. Just hiking in the area brings both excitement from the constant fear a bear or cougar is going to jump out and disembowel you, or the breathtaking scenery. It really is stunning and I'm finding myself just staring at the mountains, longing to ski or hike up them.

Post hike, I also bumped into my Aussies room mate Dan and we decided to wax our skis and snowboard. Now at first glance, it looks simple enough. Well it's not. Yes I know it's basically ironing and yes, I can iron. Ohh but how wrong you are!! Especially when it's ironing at -8oC. Your hands are freezing. The wax freezes before it can spread culminating in an interesting finish... but I know how to do it now, and hopefully, it'll save me a fortune. Plus it makes me self sufficient for the season. WIN!!

So what else have I been up to... well there was the one beer that lead to many, which lead to stumbling back at 4am. The right off the next day, and the sprint up a mountain to prove I don't have two day hangovers. 

Yes it was the same Mountain as before, but doing it myself, getting some time to mull things over and really going for it was well worth being incredibly sweaty when I got to the top. 

In addition to the great views, I went up to the Banff Cosmic Ray Station and learned a bit.. but yes.. those views!! 

So today, was quite a poignant one. Being in Canada, 7 hours behind, but seeing all my Army mates on Parade. I made the effort to attend the Remembrance Parade out here. Wearing my Poppy with Pride. Thoughts went out to my mates Maxi and Alfie out in Afghan at the moment, wishing them a safe and successful tour. Another friend, Payney, who has been brilliant all week sharing stories of his family history. All of this I found genuinely moved me. To the point where Spotting the Brits in the Parade left me feeling incredibly proud, and I wished I was marching with them. 

So after the 2 minutes silence and the wreath laying, I went up to them and had a quick chat. These lucky boys and girls get a 2 year posting. Dammit, this is literally what I'm doing but self funded. What a prat! I should also note that what equally made me smile was the quality marching and presentation by our guys. Made the Canadian look "Chip-shop".

So now it's back to reality of hostel life, and a bar crawl awaits with a bunch of 18-24 year olds. Fun times. Can't wait for the hangover. :-(