Over the past few weeks, since applying for this new job, of which I am still to hear back following the interview, I have tried to take in as much as possible of this experience in case it may be my last here. This is due to the project having already started, so it would mean an immediate departure from Banff for a three year project based out of Denmark. No more quarter life crisis fun. No more Canadian adventures. Back to reality. So because of this, and until I find out whether I have the job or not, I've been enjoying everything there is to do out here. From snowy, chilly hikes up the local Mountains - Sulphur, to going to different ski resorts such as Kicking Horse. So what follows is a few of those adventures and experiences I've managed to survive from.
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| Reaching the top and realising you resemble a Wildling out of Game of Thrones |
Kicking Horse
Having decided to venture out from the local ski slopes, a few friends and I headed by bus to Kicking Horse, the most incredible, crazy, gnarliest of ski locations I've done to date. It's just Black diamonds and Double Black Diamonds with the occasional blue and green run. It was fantastic. Scary but fantastic.
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| Kicking Horse's spectacular vistas - and me ruining them |
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| The entrance to Stairway to Heaven |
I think the one thing that will stick in my mind will be "Stairway to Heaven". Having to hike for ages across the crest of the mountain bowl to then drop in something that is full of cliffs, gulleys and chutes. I have to be honest with myself, when I saw the run disappear over the edge halfway down, I chickened out slightly and headed further across the bowl to what I hoped was an easier route down, only to find myself in another identical chute to which I had no other options than to head down it. Through trees and steep terrain, the experience from this place was not only mind blowing but has pushed my ability and confidence to go down double black runs with relative, and I emphasise this, "relative" ease/ capability. Now I'm not saying I'm charging down these runs, not yet anyway, but I'm now spending more time on harder, more difficult areas of ski slopes and thoroughly enjoying the process of getting better on these planks of wood.
Banff Life
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| The stunning Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel |
Further to what I mentioned about trying to absorb as much as I can of the local scenery and what Banff has to offer is the stunning views. I'm a sucker for the outdoors and trying to go on hikes at the moment on my own is pretty dumb when there are Cougar warnings surrounding the town. However, I did wonder up the backside of Tunnel Mountain the other day, up and along the side of the river, where I already have some fond memories, and the views across towards the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel are just stunning. I'm trying to cherish all of these moments. Poignant to me, walking on my own when I have time to think and ponder. When the sun starts breaking through the clouds. I might only have a short time here but moments like this will last a lifetime. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to call this place home.
Double Diamonds
As I previously mentioned, this new found confidence to go down harder runs has lead me to seek out some of the more hairier runs at the local slopes. To explain, so from Banff you have easy access to three ski slopes, all by bus. Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Norquay, or as we like to call it Apres Norquay. So at both locations I've started to venture into the wild a bit more. The following photos are from some of them. Only in the last two weeks have the side runs of one of the steeper hills been open at Sunshine so Adam (roommate) and I headed there.
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| The side chutes off Goats Eye - Sunshine Village Ski Resort |
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| That moment I knew I'd messed up |
Whilst on another day, riding at Lake Louise with friends JB and Dan, both incredibly talented Aussie snowboarders, we decided to find some fresh lines down the side of a mountain, I didn't even realise you could access, let alone hike there. It made us laugh when at the bottom we were mentioning how many hikes we have done to date, the time it takes. The effort. For what? Yep a couple of turns in fresh powder. The other day, we literally hikes in waist deep powder at Sin shine for two minutes of decent. But by god it was worth it.
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| Always a bloody hike with these two |
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| Views from the top |
What I'm loving as well at the moment is the speed of which it has turned from winter to Spring. These warmer days has led to more snow and riding, like on St Paddy's Day, in just a T shirt. Worrying it also means we are slowly coming to the end of the ski season. I mean, we still have a few months but it's certainly the start of the end.
Hikes with Chums
Good friends of mine, Denise and Chris, recently came out to Banff to see if I was still alive and we decided to head to Grotto Canyon for a wee hike. What a day for it. It's this combination of skiing, hiking and generally being outdoors that I'm loving especially sharing the experiences with friends. The hike which took only a few hours is just outside Canmore, the nearest town down the valley towards Calgary, and made for a great day out. Beautiful views walking up a frozen river bed. Passing ice climbers and fellow hikers. We made it to what we believe to be the grotto, a hole at the top of an exposed piece of sandstone, carved out by melt water, then continued further up the canyon to get a picture at the top. All the while, chatting and catching up. It's been a busy few weeks for both Denise and Chris. Denise having just got back from travelling and teaching African people first aid, Chris doing some ridiculous hours at work just to afford to re-gel the wings of his glider. Oh the lengths we glider pilots go to for our beloved sport.
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| Grotto Canyon Hike |
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| Selfie from the top of the canyon |
Saying goodbye to a Banff Legend
So firstly you're probably wondering a few things.. Yes that is glitter on my face. And yes they are a pair of leggings, not to mention a rather snazzy bumbag. Well when a party dress code stipulates you come in leggings, you come in leggings. And I needed somewhere to store my wallet. Now I realise why girls stuff so much down their bras. It was all in aid of sending off Maddi. An absolute legend in Banff. Having first bumped into her at a Music Bingo night in the neighbouring Hostel, every week we would head over to go and boogie to some bangers and attempt to win the bingo. Never did win come to think of it. But yes, we started at the Hostel bar where it was absolutely rammed packed with both men and women in tights and leggings. Then once it was suitably messy headed out onto the town. A rather drunken affair to which all I can remember thinking is how comfortable they felt. Oh and at one bar, to which I was the first to arrive, a bunch of cougars, of the female variety, couldn't stop spanking my bottom. It all got a little out of hand. But yes, a sad affair really as Maddi has to leave for back home and she will be sorely missed.
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| Questionable fashion choices |
That's it for now. I'll await the response from Total in the coming week or so and depending on that is whether I'll be leaving Banff or not a little sooner than I'd like. Until then, I'll be enjoying the warmer temperatures where today I was even in my shorts. Crazy!
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| From -10C to +10C I'm loving the change |
Chow for now.
