Cal's Journal

Lockdown, our nice Bonnie Henry refused to use the word, but it sure felt like a lockdown. Restrictions brought in two weeks ago were extended today. Today was another Monday in our pandemic inflicted country. This time the non-lockdown measures were extended until January 8, these restrictions limited social connections of any kind. Today Christmas was essentially canceled. Two weeks ago the BC government announced health orders telling everyone to restrict all interaction outside of their own homes. Monday, December Read more…

Three snow riding buddies carved their boards and skis across the freshly groomed slopes. The sky was a pure blue glowing overhead. Cookster, Barrman and the Big Boarder consumed the vertical of the mountainside and connected in an alpine wonderland. As the lines grew longer time slowed. The connections continued as the three adventurous friends stood and waited for the return trip to the sun-baked mountaintop. The story started in the lift line. But in reality, his story started long Read more…

I pushed myself to leave the bed as another Sunday began on the mountain. There was no new snow at Big White but the freshly groomed corduroy called to my spirit of freedom. There is nothing quite like the true feeling of freedom attained by carving a fresh groomed run early on a Sunday morning. I revel in the pure energy and connection with the mountain and the earth around me. Krista and I scrambled to get out the door Read more…

Fear and loathing, anger and hate, words and feelings that have taken over parts of our society these days. I never thought when this pandemic began that so much animosity could occur around a small piece of cloth or paper designed to cover someone’s face. Designed to protect each other from our viral foe, masks have become a divisive item that has caused more pain than warranted. In a Walmart in an innocent and peaceful town, a man was attacked Read more…

It’s Monday, November 23, 2020, the world has kept revolving, the seasons changing. Eight months of Mondays has passed since I began this journal of self-discovery. Eight months of Mondays since the world seemed to implode and we were all forced to take a pause. Now with case numbers climbing and the world suffering from covid fatigue we stare another pause in the eyes. A lockdown in Toronto began today, as well as parts of Manitoba. They have shut down Read more…

I awoke early this morning; the ghosts of powder dreams fresh in my mind. Through the window, I saw the glimmer of daylight beckon me. I felt like a kid at Christmas, anxious to get up and unwrap my presents. Big White was opening again for skiing after eight months. I was planning to get to the chair as early as possible. My powder dreams were about to become reality. Our good buddy managed to beat us to the bottom Read more…

We had some exciting news on Monday. Big White Ski Resort is opening up on Thursday, November 19, over a week earlier than planned. With excitement in our veins, we made our plan. Eight-fifteen on opening day we will be in line for the first chair of the year. It will be a new and unusual season in the coronaverse. Masks are mandatory on the chair lifts and in the village. People are feeling nervous as the case numbers continue Read more…

I stood in front of ninety of my closest friends and family. The sun set behind me and the room lit up. A feeling of euphoria and nervous excitement filled my body and my soul. I waited for the next chapter in my life to officially begin. To my left stood my best friend and best man, dressed in a tuxedo he looked better than I have seen him before. In front of me sat my father and his partner Read more…