I think it's safe to say, that the last few weeks have been a bit wild. January was quite a blur and February has just flown by. I've certainly had a decent dose of partying, and I'm not complaining. From Raving it up at the "Hot Dogger" at Lake Louise, to attending a number of house parties. One to note was just pre-drinks for SuperBowl Sunday, a few weeks back. It just so happened to tie in with a bizarre weather phenomenon, some sort of vortex of cold air that came down and everything froze to -34C. By the time the super bowl was complete, I'd found I'd lost a bet on who would win, to which a number of us did, and we ended up in the buff doing a naked lap of the house. SO cold!! THought things would fall off.
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| Hot Doggers Rave at Lake Louise |
As for my normal ski bum life, I've really been looking forward to furthering my off-piste powder skiing. So when there was a potential day for fresh powder, those that didn't have to work, got an early night and got the first bus the next morning. I was anticipating this day for so long, I even rented powder skis. What a day!! SO good to get fresh tracks at Lake Louise. Long runs and really felt great managing to smash it down the mountain. One thing to note was how tiring it is in fresh powder. Saps all your energy in the turns as you have to pump the legs so after only a few runs I was dripping. But still what an awesome day.
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| Dan walking through the flatter section. |
Because of this, I decided to buy a set of wider, longer powder skis, and guess what, there has been zero fresh powder since. Like zero! Typical. But the skis are ridiculously good so regardless I'm not complaining.
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| The new K2 Kung Fujas |
And then there was the mid-holiday holiday I'd been looking forward to so much. Now last time I went down to California, my friends Boyd had absolutely put on a full show, and I was expecting nothing less this time. I've known Boyd for about 10 years now, having first met at the Junior World Gliding Championship in Germany in '09. This guy lives an insane life and it's just hilarious managing to have a taster of this every few years.
So my holiday! Well firstly, on arrival in Palm Springs I was waiting to be collected and Boyd didn't turn up in a car like a normal; person. No, we walked out of the car park, around the airport, and then back into the airport, where his plane was being refueled.. yep, we flew back to his house. Well, to the airfield nearby. Genuinely couldn't believe it. Was awesome to fly at night as well over California.
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| Mid flight selfie |
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| Downtown Temecula |
So come morning, the sun was out and I was ready for my mid Ski season break. What was order, well to go full 'Murican and eat a healthy in and out, followed by Six flags theme park. I also want to note that if it's your first time at an In-N-Out, they give you a free hat and sticker.. so naturally I wore it for the whole day whilst in tourist mode. This place is insane, so many rides, and going on a week day means hardly anyone is there. We literally stayed on the ride for three goes, to the point we all, Boy's girlfriend was also there, felt pretty ill. Think we did about 15 ride in one day. So good!
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| Morning Cali Sun |
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| In-N Out!! |
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| Found my love of DippinDots |
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| Full tourist mode engaged |
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| Stunning day at Six Flags |
So day 2. What was on the cards, well quite a number of things but I think one of the coolest things was to go to Boyd's new office, the front seat of an OV-10. This funky looking aircraft was originally for ground attack roles in the Vietnam war, like an early A-10 but is now used by California's Fire Dept for spotting wildfire, with the dude in the back controlling the various tankers bringing in the retardant. So cool, so a big thanks to the guys at CalFire for showing me around and letting me get in and have a play.
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| The OV-10, aka the Schtump |
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| We have a lock on!! Ha |
The next day, Boyd, who is also the drop zone pilot at SkyDive Perris, had to film some sort of Japanese commercial/ film thing. No idea, but I decided to come along and chill in the sun. We were meant to have been done by noon but it was going on and on, so whilst a wee bit bored, I decided to go for a skydive. As you do. I should mention, it was my second go, but I was a little underwhelmed the first time I went. SO I said to the instructor to really give it some beans. Yep, was so much better this time round. Genuinely loved it. Now to weigh up selling my glider for a rig or not.. hmm the decisions.
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| Post skydive face |
I should also mention in the evening we went line dancing which was quite the eye opener. There were literally people in cowboy outfits strutting their stuff on the dance floor and the girls were lapping it up. It was all a little odd. And yes, I didn't know the moves so it was me who looked like the uncool one. Brilliant!
Then there was Glamis. Yep a desert. Dune buggies, scramblers, 5th wheels and sand that gets everywhere, as in parts I didn't even know sand could get. But it was worth it. I've been looking forward to coming here for three years after seeing some of my mates who came over get the experience. Charging through the dunes in a 300BHP machine that had nothing to it. Sending it over the tops and charging up ridiculously steep inclines was incredible. Finished off with a great BBQ and fire with a fare few beers to boot.
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| This guy. Legend! |
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| Actually a good use of the GoPro stick |
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| Campfire at Glamis |
As it turned out we were incredibly lucky with the weather. The heavens opened on our return and California received a years rainfall in a day. Whilst good for the arid environment, there was actually a moment where we were driving through the hills and it was green with low hanging clouds, gloomy sky's and it was rather like a view I'm used to from back home. It was all rather odd. But yes, we needed to get to the DropZone and all attempts failed. Roads were closed because of the flooding and so we decided to attempt to cut across the field. We had a 4x4. Should be easy... well we very very nearly got stuck. Much to the delight of the police officers that came over to laugh at us. Their words, after us thinking they might think we are breaking and entering were.. "well you nearly made it!". Guess it just shows that not all Police shoot you immediately in America.
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| The extent of the flooding |
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| So close but so far, the flooded track |
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| Mucky truck |
So yeah, what a week of booze, food and being an all American! Cheers Boyd for what was an excellent holiday. Such a legend.
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| Murica food, wings! |
Then back to Banff. Skiing and Ice skating, hill walking and generally living the winter life I was hoping for now that I'm focusing on why I'm here. I'm so lucky to have met some great people here. A small merry band. I should also note, that I'm especially trying to experience it all as at any point, I might have to up sticks and return home. When I was in Cali, I received an email regarding a potential decomm project back home/ Denmark. I'm currently waiting to hear back from them but if they do accept my CV, then the project would start immediately. Hence my renewed love of where I am and what I've trying to achieve.
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| Ice Skating |
So my focus on skiing. Learning to do jumps, practicing my moguls (I have a long way to go) and amazingly meeting up with friends I hadn't seen in 10 years that just happen to have come up from Chicago for a few days. I first met Greta in '09 as well when . she was the team captain for the Lithuanian Team so it was lovely to see her after so long.
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| Sending it over a kicker |
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| Moguls that could swallow you up |
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| Meeting Greta and her mate |
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| Top of the world! |
After skiing I've also started to try other activities. Mainly going to the gym and swimming, but also climbing. My hoofish feet might finally have a purpose. Ha! I really enjoyed scrambling around.
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| Bouldering about |
So yeah, I should hear back from Total this week about the job or not so next week I have a lot planned on going exploring new slopes as well as conquering a run called Delirium Dive, a massive double black off-piste free ski area that is well known locally. I'll have to update you all about how that goes next time.
Cheers!
