January 17

Sunshine glistened off the freshly fallen snow that coated the ski runs. The intermediate and beginner runs all funneled toward the dual chairlifts of the Snowghost and the Ridge Rocket express. Crisp morning air sparkled with ice crystals that danced above the newly coated world. With anticipation, we put our gear on and stepped outside to greet the day.

It was another glorious day at our mountain home of Big White. The real world hung in the shadows as we clipped into our skis and breathed in the cold morning air. I felt alive as I slid across the four cm of light powder that coated the ski run in front of our ski chalet. The snow that fell overnight wasn’t the deep epic day we dream about. But it was enough to give the world a fresh coating of white. Any fresh powder was a welcome addition to our day.

Our spirits soared like the sun that shone overhead. The only thing that dampened our mood was the number of skiers that also lined up to take advantage of the beautiful day.

I slowly explored my first turns in the untouched powder at the top of the chair and pointed my tips toward my favourite ski run off the Ridge. Born to Run is an exciting smooth track that follows a path through widely spaced trees and pops back out onto the natural fall line of the mountain. Fast and steep, the steep blue run elicited hoots of excitement as we carved down the fresh snow on top of the world-class grooming. There were about five tracks that marred the virgin terrain and I saw two skiers stopped in front of me admiring the view. A view that would remain long after the fresh snow had been pressed down by a myriad of skiers and snowboarders.

In my peripheral vision, I could sense the sun and blue sky gleaming on the mountains in the distance. My immediate attention was focused on the next turn, the next undulation. My heart raced and leaped as I flew past the two skiers standing in awe of their surroundings. My connection with the hill below and the skis on my feet propelled me and I found it hard to contain my excitement. It’s moments like that when everything except the next turn is forgotten.

I’m not sure what I would do in the winter without skiing. In the coronaverse skiing is even more important to my sanity. I can’t imagine being stuck in some massive city with no escape from the mundane existence where everyone has been told to stay home, stay indoors. The outdoors is an important part of living, a part I am grateful to have experienced this year.

I ignored the pain in my leg as I slid back to the chair lift. I stood there and caught my breath as I waited for my wife to join me in line. Grateful for the brace I wear on my knee when I ski, I sensed the pain in my leg. The pain was from the bruising in my quad muscle, luckily my knee escaped damage when I crashed hard before Christmas.

The line grew as the day wore on. It is obvious in these days of covid skiing has become an escape for many people. I think it should be considered an essential service to the mental and physical well-being of our society. Everyone was wearing masks and despite the long lines, people’s spirits soared with the warming sun.

When we tired ourselves out, we decided to go for lunch. At the chairlifts, we saw the line remained long even during lunchtime. Comfortably we sat looking out over the glorious Monashee mountains. We reflected on the fact our biggest problem at Big White had become the number of people enjoying it. Many people stood in long lines at the base of a chairlift separated by masks and the distance of their skis and boards. They stood waiting to taste a piece of the dream. A dream where everyone can enjoy the glorious vision of fresh powder snow. Where they can breathe the crisp mountain air and connect with a wonderful mountain paradise.

I hope we can continue to connect in the mountain air with our world around us. I hope those that can’t get to the dream I live, can find a piece of their own.