On top of the world!

Well, I was able to ski Whistler this weekend and put a big check mark off my bucket list! I spent Friday evening studying the mountain map and let me tell you...I was intimidated! The mountain is HUGE! For instance, every night the groomers are on the hill and from the village, the lights on the groomers just look like stars in the night! I mean, they are WAAAAY up there!

So Saturday morning rolls around and it's time to go! Yay! I get my gear on and walk down to the bus (yes, in my ski boots!) trying not to smile so big! Two stops later, I'm in line for the tickets -- my plan is to get a 5 day EDGE card and then turn it into a Season's pass...you know, when else am I going to be able to ski on an Olympic mountain DURING the Olympics? I think I may have mentioned that before...but seriously, sometimes it takes a lot for it to sink in! After I get my pass (which is a photo ID on a lanyard...so official!), I head to the gondola and I'm off! It takes one gondola ride and two chair lifts to get to the very top!

My first run was the Peak to Creek (which was on my bucket list!)

...it literally goes from the very Peak of Whistler to Creekside where you actually have to take your skis off in order to get back on the lift. It's 11km long and takes well over 15 minutes (if not 30!) to get down to the bottom...all depending on how many breaks you take and frankly, I took a lot of breaks! But what a moment! Just amazing! I mainly couldn't believe how high up I was and how HUGE this ski resort is! There are chair lifts everywhere! I didn't even make it over to Blackcomb (that happened today!) -- it was just a fantastic day (not to mention I ate at Splitz after...my fav burger shop!).

One of the cooler things was on the way up the gondola and seeing the Grandstands and Olympic rings on the mountain for where the mens and women's downhill and Super G races will finish! I was able to ski the last portion of the race today, right into the Grandstand...and just in time as they are closing this section of the mountain next week to get it ready for the Olympics! Saweet! You can see the Grandstand from a distance on this next picture -- I just couldn't believe how far away I was and trying to imagine what it would feel and look like with it packed with people! You can also see the blue fencing that marks the race course as well.

From the Grandstand, you look up the hill and see the Olympic rings that are right there!

Overall, it was the best weekend of skiing in my ENTIRE LIFE! The Black Tusk looked amazing though out the day...God's beauty is everywhere! He is so good to us for allowing us to see, experience and play on his creation! I am truly blessed.

(This was a fun run!)

;)