What did we do?
Wait… what… you don't want to know? Well I will tell you anyway...
We hosted a party for the older school kids - the plan was hockey at 7pm… Ha! Did you see the skating rink? It was PACKED! Yes, capitals for emphasis… But it was great to see everyone happy, smiling and having a nice time. What better way to start the evening than some outdoor activity? Alcohol was noticeable by it's absence… Awesome! For everyone in Happy Valley… thanks for making it a great atmosphere.
8pm came and Big White put on one of there famous firework shows… and the rink went from un-focusable animation (think flocking birds) to dead still… Perfect I thought, as I stole the puck and scored… yeah! So what if she was six…
This is my 14th season at Big White… 14 seasons… Yes! I can walk past Michael J, or Peter & Peter or Kate… and recognize them… actually I think they are all a bit deaf, I yell and yell "Hey, Hey!" And it is only when I stand right in front of them do they say "oh… hi… er…" And they are always really really busy, cos the next thing they always say is "…er… gotta go..." well… they have a ski resort to run don't they…
Vibrant this season!
I don't know about everyone else but it seems busier this year. I often meet people on the chairlift and sometimes discuss other ski resorts… I am a little embarrassed to admit, I don't go to many… but I have my reasons…
I live on the mountain.
I step out my door and I step into my skis. At the end of my skiing I ski to my door... Click - ski, click - home... er... pretty easy. We went to Whistler for a ski competition (my son). Besides driving the 7 hours each way, we had to catch a bus from our accom to ski… we had to stand at a bus stop... to... ski! Ahhh!
Lift Lines
Yes, this week has seen some lift lines, New Years Eve and the Saturday after Christmas were particularly (relatively) busy. I am used to zero, so 10 minutes is f o r e v e r… but then I think ooh I could be on a bus… Ever been skiing in Europe…? Ski lift lines are a fact of life, 10 minute lift lines are a good day.Easy.
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| Another busy day at Big White. |
Seasonal Staff - yes you guys!
Kudos to you! You escape from the world for a different life experience. You have one chance on the planet, yup one life. In twenty years none of you will look back and say "I wished I had stayed home…"
I respect that you take a break from the corporate life - at Big White you can find lawyers, doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, electricians, mechanics, plumbers, marketing execs… serving you coffee, or teaching you to ski, or finding you accommodation… So as a visitor remember on balance the girl or guy serving you that glass of wine is educated, experienced and is world travelled… and they are taking a pay cut to do so, you are lucky… so be nice!
So you seasonal staff… You are AWESOME! ...Except Brad the electrician, he is just okay. No not the sparky Brad that lives with Brad, or the sparky Brad that works at Globe, the other sparky Brad - you know, giant Jazz Hand, Brad.
Snow. Best in BC!
It always snows, always. I competed in the army winter games in 1990 - Le Grand Bornand, France. In February of that year they had zero snow. No, not zero snow in February - zero snow for the season up to Feb when we left.I skied in Austria (don't recall the resort) snow was guaranteed. Great! Yes, well, not so great, skiing in June at Big White is better… Yes, the Austrian resort was green with little paths of snow - that is not skiing, that is misrepresentation.
I am spoilt, I take the snow at Biggie for granted!
Friendly, cosy, familiar.
I have met lots of first time visitors over the years. Regardless of their financial situation
they usually say the village is small... initially they almost seem disappointed… but, they come back… again… and again… and again. Why? Well, they have more quality time here… more time skiing, more time with family, less time driving, more time relaxed. And then they get to know people, the locals, the business owners the other families that visit… they walk into Beano's or Globe and see familiar faces, John or Jude or Al (the legend).
So they go home and they realize they had the best ski vacation ever… ever! Wife is happy, kids are happy, hubby is happy. And they also realize they got value for their dollar - from service, to accommodation to ski instruction… And the accommodation is (truly) world class (look ->) more skiing, more family time… it is a popular formula...
The pictures are of The Edge they are not bad eh? That window is 25' high… and that kitchen… yes IKEA, Ha! And IKEA used it in their marketing… well the IKEA kitchen installers did… well they stole a book with pictures of the kitchens. Close enough for me. And look at that toaster… yes, makes toast...So they come back...
Okay okay, I am biased, I love Big White… but I have good reason too :)
So pitch again, if you got this far... you can switch off now…
Sólido Properties owns, manages, rents, and develops (pretty nice) real estate (when it is not broke anyway). Skis, drinks beer and loves Big White!
Happy New Year!
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